The Assignment: Writing a Problem/Solution Research Essay on Race and the American Experience OVERVIEW Your first simulated writing assignments were designed to focus on specific critical thinking and writing skills, such as summary, mapping a conversation, and analysis. For those assignments, you learned to understand and summarize authors’ ideas, identify how they constructed their arguments, and respond to them by putting two essays into conversation to make your own argument. In this essay, you will develop a research essay by putting multiple voices together (including your own) to investigate a problem that specifically impacts people of color within the United States and offer a persuasive solution. GOALS/OBJECTIVES For this assignment, you will: Generate your own topic on a problem concerning race and the American Experience by developing a researchable and interesting research question. Attempt to analyze and explain what is going on around you and making sense of what has happened in the past and/or what is going on in the Learn how to research using the library databases and effectively integrates those sources as evidence to support and prove your thesis. Identify HOW to use sources using the B.E.A.M Method and develop a method to quickly analyze their credibility and usefulness. Continue to formalize skills associated with summary, paraphrasing, and quoting to avoid plagiarism. Develop the ability to write different types of paragraphs for a variety of purposes. Utilize persuasive/argumentative writing strategies. Learn how introductions/openings are structured for longer papers. Curate and use a variety of useful revision tools. Cite all sources using APA Format and include proper parenthetical citations and a Works Cited page. We will go over APA citation again through online assignments and you have access to an online website. Develop YOUR critical thinking, reading, and writing skills! Develop YOUR presentation skills. ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTION The desired outcome will be a 6-8-page (not including the works cited) documented essay that follows this format: Describes the problem and the specifics of the problem. Convinces the reader the problem needs solving Explains the solution or proposed answer. Argues that this is the best solution by refuting objections Evaluates or summarizes your previously stated ideas, along with a call for action. Other items your essay should include: An example of the problem to introduce the topic in the first paragraph. A persuasive thesis near or at the end of the first/second paragraph. An appropriate number of sources integrated (summary, paraphrase, and quoting) and analyzed in ways that show your attempt to answer your research question. A lack of sources means this is not a research essay and the paper will receive an F. A mixture of primary and secondary sources that utilize most of the parts of the B.E.A.M method. Clear development of paragraphs using one or a mix of the patterns of writing discussed in class. Correct parenthetical citations and works cited page in APA format. A title that establishes your topic and approach. Your voice and analysis leading the reader through your research.