Welcome
Welcome to the Research Guide for ENG101, College Writing. Please use this guide to find resources for your persuasive research paper. Please contact myself or any BCC Librarian if you have any questions.
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Requirements:
- MLA Formatting with in-text citations and a Works Cited (Choices 1 & 2 will look a bit different than a traditional essay)
- Essay format: Introduction, a defensible thesis, well-developed body paragraphs, conclusion
- 1500-2000 words
- 4-5 reliable, scholarly sources. These may include:
Just Mercy (this might be a good way to introduce your topic in any case and there you have it, one source!)
Ted Talks
Current Articles, from reputable periodicals, journals, newspapers, (long-form investigative journalism is great for outlining all sides of an issues
Interviews you conduct or watch
Documentary films or shows (Frontline, 60 Minutes, well-researched Indie films such as American Outrage, Dawnland, others…)
Podcasts
What is Persuasion?
According to the International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences, persuasion can be defined as an active attempt by a person, group, or entity (such as a corporation), usually through some form of communication, to change a person’s mind. Although we use the term mind here, often what we are referring to are attitudes or opinions. Persuasion has been a central focus of the social psychology literature at least since the mid-twentieth century— perhaps because persuasive attempts are so common. Furthermore, if attitudes can be changed, behavior can be changed as well.
Every day we are exposed to hundreds of attempts to change our opinions. Consider how often you come across an advertisement—in a magazine or newspaper, on television, the radio, or a Web site. But marketers are not the only ones trying to influence us. Family members, religious leaders, politicians, and friends all try to convince us to do things, agree with them, or support their cause. Although persuasive attempts are pervasive, they are not always successful.
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