Touchstones are projects that illustrate your comprehension of the course material, help you refine skills, anddemonstrate application of knowledge. You can work on a Touchstone anytime, but you can’t submit it until youhave completed the unit’s Challenges. Once you’ve submitted a Touchstone, it will be graded and counted towardyour final course score.Touchstone 1.2:
Write a Research Question, Thesis, and OutlineASSIGNMENT: Following the Topic Selection Guidelines below, choose an argumentative topic to research.This will be your topic throughout the entire course, so the activities required for this assignment will providethe foundation for your future Touchstones. The topic for an argumentative research paper must be adebatable topic, meaning that it involves conflicting viewpoints. Additionally, it cannot be a topic that is alreadydecided or agreed upon by most of society. You will need to take a firm position on the topic and use evidenceand logic to support the position. Touchstone 1.2 includes a research question, a working thesis, a detailedoutline, and a reflection on this pre-writing process. !Sample Touchstone 1.2A. Topic Selection GuidelinesDIRECTIONS:
You may choose any topic you wish as long as the topic has two clear sides and is not agreed upon by most of society. Your topic should be current, appropriate for an academic context and should have a focussuitable for a 6-8 page essay. In order to foster learning and growth, all essays you submit must be newly written specifically for this course. Any recycled work will be sent back with a 0, and you will be given one attempt to redo the Touchstone.B. Research GuidelinesDIRECTIONS: Refer to the list below throughout the writing process. Do not submit your Touchstone until it meetsthese guidelines.
1. Research Question and Working ThesisKeep in mind: The research question and working thesis are the driving force behind your research and eventualargument.Your research question should be a single sentence, framed as a question. Your working thesis should be a single focused sentence, framed as a statement that takes a clear position onthe research question.
Include your research question followed by your working thesis.
2. Detailed OutlineKeep in mind: Your detailed outline provides a map of the argumentative research essay that you will write,including your key claims and the sources that support them. You may not have all your sources yet, and that is fine.The outline is a way to organize your essay and determine which areas (e.g. your sub-points) will require researched evidence as support.Headings: one for each paragraph with a brief label of the paragraph’s controlling idea(s). An introduction, at least five body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
Introduction includes your working thesis.
Body paragraphs should each have their own unique title and key points. Conclusion includes notes on your final thoughts.
Subheadings: two to five for each paragraph, below each heading, indicating key points that support thecontrolling idea ❒Sources: one to three for each paragraph, as relevant, indicating the support for the key points ❒ For each source, include the author’s name and the idea or information relevant to your argument (e.g.“Lappé on mono-cropping corn/soy and production”).
3. Reflection
Have you displayed a clear understanding of the research activities? ❒Have you answered all reflection questions thoughtfully and included insights, observations, and/or examplesin all responses? ❒Are your answers included on a separate page below the main assignment?
C. Reflection QuestionsDIRECTIONS: Below your assignment, include answers to all of the following reflection questions.
1. Learning to conduct research is important because it is a skill you will use both in academia and in yourprofessional life. It improves critical thinking and empowers you to find information for yourself. Consider theprocess of researching as a whole. What was the most challenging aspect of the process for you? (2-3sentences)
2. The working thesis statement is a proposed answer to your research question. It should clearly identify adebatable topic and take a position on one side of that topic. Analyze the effectiveness of your workingthesis statement. (3-4 sentences)
3. A detailed outline is an effective tool for laying out the progression of an argument. It allows you to considerthe arrangement and organization of your ideas, as well as choose places to incorporate outside sourcematerials. Review your detailed outline and summarize the argument you’ve presented. (3-4 sentences)
4. You will use the same topic on three of the remaining Touchstones in this course. What kind of feedbackwould be helpful for you? What are specific questions you might have as you go deeper into the researchprocess? (2-3 sentences
