Final Research Paper ENGL 1A Mr.

Olden *) All steps that are detailed on this sheet must be typed and in MLA format. *) Your final paper will be 8-10 pages long with one inch margins and 12 point Times New Roman font. This page count does not include the outline, works cited page, or any additional material it counts only the paper itself. *) Your final paper will cite the following EIGHT sources: 1. Three scholarly books 2. Three scholarly articles 3. Two more scholarly books or articles (for a total of 8 scholarly sources). The Old Patagonian Express may count as one of these additional sources if you choose to use it. 4. Additional sources such as popular periodicals or websites must be cleared by me, and they do not count as part of your eight primary sources. *) Your final paper will follow MLA format and include a Works Cited page and outline. *) Your final paper will follow all conventional, mechanical rules of grammar and punctuation. *) Your final paper will be well organized and have a strong, argumentative thesis which the body proves. Due Dates 1. Formal or Working Outline (this must be typed): Due Wednesday, November 25. If the outline is not turned in on time, it will result in a 5 point deduction off your final paper grade. 2. Rough draft (this must be typed): Due Monday, December 2. If the rough draft is not turned in on time, it will result in a ten point deduction off your final paper grade (a full letter grade deduction). 3. Final draft: Due Wednesday, December 11 at 6pm. The Old Patagonian Express examines the culture, politics, economics, and history of Central and South America. As you read this book, what topics spark your interest regarding this part of the world, which is at once so close to our own country, and yet so far away? Write a well-researched, argumentative paper that focuses on some aspect of Central and/or South American society. Examine this aspect by researching scholarly articles and books through the BC library. Come to a specific conclusion about this aspect of Central/South American society and argue this thesis in your research paper, citing scholarly sources to support your argument. *Remember, this is expository writing. Your purpose is to explain and analyze information by presenting an idea, relevant evidence, and appropriate discussion. I have listed some topics you may want to choose from. You do NOT have to pick one of these. Remember that these are TOPICS only, and that you will need to pick specific aspects of these topics in order to develop a specific thesis statement . For example, you may not want to focus on how one of these topics is manifested in all of Central and South America. Instead, you may want to focus on that topic within one specific country. Or you may want to pick one particular and specific aspect of a topic and examine how that topic affects the region, a particular country, or a particular group of people. BE SPECIFIC AND HAVE A SPECIFIC ARGUMENT THAT YOU WANT TO MAKE TO YOUR AUDIENCE.

Sample Topics: Drug violence in Mexico, Central America, or South America. What does this mean to the people who live there and to the people that travel there? US policy towards Central and South America. What effect does it have? What affect do current free trade agreements have on the countries of Central and South America? The Pan-American Highway and the Darien Gap. Oil policy and politics in Central and South America. Earthquakes and their historical effect on society in Central and South America. The historical presence of the CIA and its effect on the societies of Central and South America. Soccer as a reflection of Central and South American Society. Somoza rule of Nicaragua. US arms sales in Central and South America. The modern-day politics of the Panama Canal.