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Calling all learners who are beginning their research journey, this class is for you. Research is something we do daily, whether it's picking out the next YouTube video, finding a yummy place to eat at, or looking up the weather for the day. What if we want to convince somebody why this videogame is the best in the world? We need to be able to persuade them by using research!

This class is designed around your interests and will teach you the basics of writing an argumentative, or persuasive, research essay. We will begin the class by brainstorming and selecting topics, identifying credible sources, and completing mini challenges that will set our paper up for success. Weeks 2-4 will focus on various elements of the argumentation process, including: identifying rhetorical devices, writing a captivating thesis statement, citing and incorporating sources as supporting evidence, and learning about counter arguments. The 5th week of class will be dedicated to conclusions and a works cited page. The final week, students will present their research projects, give & receive constructive feedback to/from their peers, and conclude our persuasive journey by creating a fun poster that summarizes what we found along this 6-week course. Ms. Sydney creates a discussion based environment where students can feel free to ask for help and bounce ideas of their peers. Most of the live sessions will be spent learning and practicing the skills needed to complete the independent assignments of the week. Each session will also include a 10-15 minute window where students can work on their projects, present their progress and get valuable feedback from the instructor and peers. This class is meant to prepare students for their academic future in research and paper writing. Students should have basic writing experience (mainly in simple paragraph writing and experience connecting ideas in writing), but do not need to be advanced writers to take this class! Students should also be fluent readers, as research primarily requires us to read. 

Here is the breakdown for the 6-week course:
Week of 1/17
-Class Introductions to Research: Planning Stage
-Brainstorm Project Ideas (student-led) Topic Selection & Keywords
-Sink or Swim Challenge (Identifying Credible Sources)
[3-5 Sources due before next class]
Week of 1/24
-How to Write a Bomb.com Thesis Statement
-Getting the introductions out of the way (brief historical overview of topic)
-Roadmap for Papers and Research
[Outline due before next class]
Week of 1/31
-Identifying and appropriately applying transitions
-Shift from "I think" to "Readers can observe" challenge
-What to include & how to include your quotes-close reading of sources
[2 Body Paragraphs due before next class]
Week of 2/7
-Identifying major claims in articles
-Rhetorical devices used (appeal to ethos, logos, pathos)
-How to concede to opponents
[Revision of 2 Body paragraphs and 3rd Body due before next class]
Week of 2/14
-In Conclusion...challenge
-Using a thesaurus to make our writing sound Super Advanced
-Formatting, Citing in text and Works Cited Page
[Final Draft Due 11:59pm PST night prior to final session]
Week of 2/21
-Time to share! Essay submission, presentations, and peer review
-Poster Creation
-Closing thoughts and discussions