Comprehensive 101

Step 1 – Choose one (1) topic from the list of “Buzz Words” (below).

Accountability in Education
Charter Schools
Constructivism
Home Schooling
Homework
Merit Pay

Step 2 – Search for at least six articles that address your topic (three articles in support, addressing the “pro” or advantages and three articles that disagree with the topic, addressing the “con” or disadvantages, or that present both sides of the issue. Draw information from all six of these to advance your own description of the arguments for and in opposition to your topic. Prepare a “References” page to be used as the last page of the final paper. Use your OER and Library Resources as a guide for APA Style and format.
Step 3 – In an eight (8)-page, doubled-spaced paper, write a summary of your findings.  Remember that each argument has two sides. It is important that you pay adequate attention to arguments that may disagree with your view as well as to persuade others holding your same position(s).
Format for Final Paper:

pp. 1:               Title page
pp. 2:               Define your topic.  What is it?  How do schools use it?  For whom is it meant? Who uses it? etc.

pp. 3-4:            Summarize the three (3) articles that agree with/support your topic
pp. 5-6:            Summarize the three (3) articles that disagree with your topic
pp. 7:               Summarize which side you agree with and why
pp. 8:               Reference page (Place in APA Style)

Be sure to summarize the authors’ ideas by using your words, not their words (paraphrased text). Insert in-text citations in your narrative for both paraphrased text and quotes. For paraphrased text, cite the names of the authors you are paraphrasing and the year the article was published. For a quote, cite the names of the authors you are quoting, the year the article was published, and the page number where the quote is printed. Include the references for your six (6) articles on an 8th page titled, “References”. If you have any questions along the way, please ask!  The paper must be typed, double spaced, and in 12-point font.