Task 2 Writing a Thesis Statement and a Persuasive Research Paper
In this task, you will form a thesis statement based on your opinion and research of the topic you selected. Your thesis statement will answer the writing prompt for this activity. Later in this task, you will write a paper arguing for and supporting the thesis.
Part A
A thesis statement is a sentence that captures the main idea of a paper and clarifies the author's stand on a topic. Using the information you gathered in task 1 and the opinions you formed on the topic, develop a thesis statement for the research paper that you will write in the rest of this task. Remember, your thesis statement should be based on the research you have conducted as well as your opinion on the selected topic. Your thesis should also answer the writing prompt for this activity: “How has the event or issue you selected changed your community, country, or world?”

Before you form a thesis, consult these resources:

Creating a Thesis Statement
Writing Tips: Thesis Statements
Write your thesis statement here.

Part B
After you decide on your thesis statement, create an outline of your paper to plan how you will group and sequence your major ideas, evidence, and arguments. Your outline should show how you will construct your introduction, body, and conclusion, as well as how you will build and support the argument around your thesis statement. Submit your outline below.

Part C
Using the outline you created, write the first draft of your paper (700–1,000 words). As you write your draft, remember that your purpose in the essay is to persuade your audience to accept the opinion reflected in the thesis statement.

Your paper should be structured with an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. Your introduction should include the thesis statement, and it should pull your reader into your paper, showing the audience why they should care about this topic. The body of the paper is where you develop your main ideas and provide supporting evidence and arguments. You should consider any counterarguments to your position and address those positions when necessary. Work in the resources you consulted by quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing them. Use appropriate in-text citations wherever needed in MLA format. Finally, your conclusion should not only summarize the main points of the paper but also leave readers with a message that gives the paper a sense of completeness.

Consult the following resources before you write your first draft:

Starting the Writing Process
Introduction, Body, and Conclusion
How to Avoid Plagiarism
Include a works cited page of all the works you used to write your paper. Remember to cite the works using MLA style guidelines. Type or copy and paste the first draft of your paper in the space provided.

Part D
After writing the first draft, proofread your paper and revise it to improve your writing. You might want to consult this Knowledge Article to learn more about revising your paper effectively. Then, briefly describe the kinds of changes you made as you revised.

Part E
Upload the final draft of your paper to the Graded Activities section at the left of the screen. Be sure to submit the file for grading.