Write a persuasive argument trying to convince me that your creature is real, using the information from your sources to back up your claims.

PAPER #3: MONSTER RESEARCH PAPER (20%)
Due Monday 12/5

For your third paper, you will write a 1200 word (minimum) persuasive argument essay, using
outside research to prove the existence of a well-known mythical creature.

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. First, choose a mythical creature. You may choose from the list at the end of these guidelines, or
come up with your own idea.
a. This mythical creature must be one that is at least somewhat well-known and has an
established cultural history. Monsters of your own invention and/or satirical monsters are
off-limits. However, any creatures of urban legends (including internet-based ones) are
up for grabs, as long as there is an element of this could be real! in the stories.
b. Please note, you yourself do not have to actually believe in the existence of this creature.
In fact, its preferable that you dont.
2. Research your creature. You are required to have a minimum of 6 sources for this paper. Focus
especially on sources that include eyewitness accounts, historical records, or scientific studies,
as those kinds of things will come across as more persuasive.
a. Your sources can be a variety of different types. You can use websites and journal
articles, but you are also free to use video documentaries as well, as long as they are
presented as real life and not as obvious fiction.
b. All sources, including both direct quotes and paraphrased information, must be properly
cited in MLA format, with a Works Cited page at the end.
c. Please do not use Wikipedia, Quora, or any other crowdsourced website as a source. You
may, however, use Wikipedias footnotes to find other possible sources. If you find a
source and you arent sure if it will be acceptable, feel free to ask.
3. Write a persuasive argument trying to convince me that your creature is real, using the
information from your sources to back up your claims.

The goal here is for you to be a Sophist: you (probably) dont believe in the existence of this creature, but
thats not the point. You must use your genius argumentative skills to try to persuade me that it could be
real. Its not about truth, but about persuasion.

Organize your points using the elements of argument we discussed in class:
a. Claim: Your thesis, the main point you are trying to prove (e.g. Sasquatch is real)
b. Grounds: The grounds are the basic persuasive points you use to support your claim (e.g.
Sasquatch is real because people have seen him)
c. Backing: Backing is the all the details, evidence and appeals you use to make your
grounds seem more believable (e.g. cases of people who have seen Sasquatch)
d. Counterargument/Rebuttal: Acknowledge what the skeptics would say, and provide a
strong argument against them.

This paper should hopefully be fun to write, but remember to take the assignment seriously. Even if you
are laughing as you write, your paper should still be as professional as it would be with any other topic.

PLEASE TELL ME YOUR TOPIC BY NO LATER THAN MONDAY 11/14.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:
– 1200 words minimum
– Times New Roman 12 pt. font, double spaced; no extra gaps between paragraphs
– Include an MLA style header on the first page, and page numbers in the top right corner
– Your paper should have a clear thesis statement somewhere near the beginning, clearly declaring
what your main argument is (your claim).
– Your paper should be organized into distinct paragraphs, separated by topic.
– At least 6 sources, cited in MLA format
– Include a properly formatted Works Cited Page at the end, listing all of the sources you used. If
you have more than 6 sources, you still must list them all.
– Use direct quotes and paraphrasing from all of your sources, somewhere in the paper. If you have
a source that you never cited, then it shouldnt be listed on the Works Cited page.
– DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. If you use an authors exact words, you must put them in quotation
marks and cite your source. Otherwise, you must paraphrase.
– NOTE: I take plagiarism very seriously in this class. Papers that receive higher than a
20% score on Turnitin.com will have major points taken off, and anything that receives
over a 45% score will be an automatic zero.

DUE DATES:
Annotated Bibliography = due Friday 11/18 (online)
After gathering the 6 sources you plan to use, create an annotated bibliography. This is where you
list all of your sources in proper MLA format, the same as you would for a works cited page.
Then, underneath each source, write a short paragraph (200-300 words) explaining what the
source is and how you plan to use it in your paper. Its okay if you end up changing some of your
sources by the time you get to the final draft, but hopefully you wont have to.
Rough Draft = due Wednesday 11/30 (online)
Submit your rough draft of Paper #3 to Canvas by no later than midnight. It should be about 600
words, though it doesnt have to have an ending yet. At the end of your rough draft, please
include at least 3 questions about the paper that you want your peer review partner to answer, e.g.
Do you think ___ part is weak? How would you suggest improving ____?
Peer Review = due Friday 12/2 (online)
You will be randomly assigned someone elses rough draft to peer review. Look over it, leave
feedback for how they might improve, and fill out the rubric that will be included. To get full
credit for this assignment, you must 1) edit the paper, 2) answer the questions your partner asked
at the end of their paper, and provide some general feedback; and 3) fill out the rubric, with
comments where applicable.
Someone else will also be looking over your own rough draft too, so use their feedback when you
are typing up your final draft.
Final Draft = due Monday 12/5 (online)
Submit the final version of Paper #3 by no later than midnight. Remember, I do not accept late
work when it comes to the three big papers. Once midnight hits, if I dont have your paper, its a
zerono exceptions.
Revision (optional) = due anytime before Sunday 12/11
After I have graded your paper and given you feedback, you have the option to revise the paper
again and turn in a new version in order to raise your grade. How much your grade changes
depends on how much work you put into it and how much you take my feedback into
consideration. You may submit a revision anytime throughout the semester. All revisions should
be sent to me either through Canvas inbox or email, with the subject line clearly stating what it is.
NOTE: You may not actually see an improvement in your grade for a while, especially if
you turn in a revision early, since I often dont get around to grading them till close to the
end of the semester.
OTHER OPTIONAL HELP:
I will be giving everyone basic feedback on your rough drafts, but if youd like me to give you
more detailed feedback (helping with grammar, organization, etc.), then you can email your
rough drafts to me early and I will look over them when I have time. However, I will not look
over any rough drafts sent to me the day before the final draft is due, so make sure you send it
before thenthe earlier, the better!

Last Completed Projects