In this research essay students are expected to critically engage different views on an important issue concerning Canadian politics, and develop their own argument through an informed and balanced analysis of the existing debate on the subject. All essays must begin with a clear thesis
statement and contain proper citations of the sources used. Students should rely extensively on scholarly sources like journal articles and academic books, and use more popular sources like
newspapers, magazines, and government websites very sparingly. However academic sources on the internet (journal articles, serious think-tank reports) are fine.

This assignment should be written as an ‘argumentative’ essay. In other words, it must develop

and defend a particular position on an issue or topic. Students should write with a sense of

purpose – in this case to convince the reader to accept the validity of the argument being made. To

that end, essays must engage and fairly assess alternative views on the research question and all

opinions must be informed by facts and arguments.

Essays will be graded in terms of three specific criteria:

-argument, organization and logic

Is the thesis clear and presented in a logical and convincing manner?

-research and use of evidence

Does the essay demonstrate both extensive and effective use of available research sources? Does

it contain proper footnoting and a bibliography?
-communication

Is the paper organized and written as clearly and concisely as possible?

topic: Why and how does immigration become a political issue?
10 Steps to a Research Essay

1. Pick a topic
-general topic, can be narrowed later
-try to think in terms of a question you want to answer

2. Research your topic

-is any or sufficient information available?

-is too much information available?

-time to narrow or broaden topic
3. Read some key sources

-try to get a sense of what debate exists on the topic

-read the more recent work first, try to find a review essay

-re-evaluate your decision – is topic ‘do-able’? If not return to step one. If it is, go to step 4

4. Firm up the research question

-convert your exploratory question into a tentative thesis
-sketch out a preliminary outline of how you think you’ll pursue this question

5. Enter the research phase
-gather all the relevant materials – books, journal articles, etc.
-take notes on each source – copy down proper publishing information/page numbers
6. Revise the thesis and outline
-after reading and taking notes on sources, revise thesis and outline accordingly, adding more detail, and changing elements in light of your new knowledge
-outline should now clearly indicate how you plan to develop your argument – ie the specific question you will be addressing, the various opinions on it, and what will you be arguing
-essays don’t organize themselves – you have to think about how you will make your argument and make decisions about what issues to take up first, second, and so on. In other words, you have think about which ideaslogically follow others to make your point