Your rough draft of the Portfolio Project essay is due this week. This rough draft should be as complete as possible so you can get accurate feedback from your instructor and your peers. Your Portfolio Project essay has some specific requirements:
- Topic – Your essay should be a persuasive essay on the controversial topic you chose and have been using for previous assignments. In this essay, you will introduce the reader to your issue and explain which side you agree with using research and formal writing skills.
- Length – Your Portfolio Project essay should be a minimum of 4 pages in length, not including an APA-style cover page and references sheet.
- Resources – You must use a minimum of four credible sources for your essay. Resources should be properly cited with in-text citations and full reference entries in APA formatting.
- Structure – Your essay should follow a formal academic essay structure as follows:
- Introduction – An introduction that provides an overview of your chosen issue and includes a thesis statement with the key points you will use to show why you believe your side is the better one.
- Body Paragraphs – At least three body paragraphs discussing the reasons you believe your reader should side with you on the topic. Each body paragraph should include information from credible resources complete with citations. Paragraphs should also reference potential counterarguments the audience may have and dispute them appropriately.
- Conclusion – A concluding paragraph that revisits the thesis statement and wraps up the essay by restating the claim.
