Instructions
Choose one topic from the list below and write an essay of approximately 1000 to 1200 words (about four double-spaced typed pages). Expect that if your essay goes over the length requirement, your essay could be returned to you for revision.
Begin your research. You might start with a general Google search and then a Google Scholar search, but you will also need to visit the AU library databases to find sound academic articles.
Find two to four reputable secondary sources and review them carefully. At least one source should be from a peer-reviewed journal article accessed through the AU library databases.
Develop a straightforward thesis that is sufficiently limited in scope (meaning something you can do justice to in a short essay).
Create an outline and consider speaking with your tutor to review your thesis and outline. We strongly encourage you to do so.
Write your first draft and include all of the following:
An introduction that includes an interesting lead-in and an explanation/summary of what the issue is. (As necessary, convince your audience that the problem or issue exists and that it matters to othersor should.) Then, still in the introduction, briefly summarize EACH side of the issue, and finally, add a thesis/essay map that takes a stance and clarifies the purpose of your discussion, without any kind of announcement. You practiced this skill in your second session of the discussion forum, so review your previous work and any suggestions your tutor might have made.
Body paragraphs that develop your viewpoint. The more thorough and detailed this section, the better. Dont leave any stone unturned. Use specific, logical examples and integrated paraphrases, summaries, and quotations from your research.
Opposing arguments/rebuttal.
A conclusion that does not repeat your thesis. Instead, write a suggestive conclusion in which you offer implications for the readers further consideration. Remember that this is your final opportunity to impress your reader.
Make use of at least two (and no more than four) secondary sources within your essay by adding quotations and paraphrases. Then, every time you paraphrase or quote, follow the four steps listed in assignment section of Unit 4.
Create a Works Cited (MLA) or References page (APA), and make sure to take this task seriously. We expect you to pay very close attention to detail and follow samples for each entry. We recommend Purdues Online Writing Lab (OWL) for all citation matters, but be aware that there is a citation generator on the site that belongs to an advertiser. Unfortunately, citation generators will NOT necessarily produce correct results. Thus, we strongly recommend you avoid citation generators of any kind, but if you are inclined to use one as a first step only, you will need to review this information from Purdue: Responsible Use of Citation Generators. Remember that your tutor is there for you, so if you have consulted the citation guidelines and still have questions, please ask for help.
Revise and edit your draft. You should have produced and edited at least one preliminary draft before you hand in the final copy.

1) Be sure to read the tutorial on Lanham’s Paramedic Method. There is no way to complete this assignment without that tutorial. It will help you recognize prepositions, “is” forms, and figure out how to replace them with active verbs. It will also explain how to calculate the “lard factor.”

2) Choose five of the most convoluted, tortured sentences from your final project rough draft. Copy and paste them into a separate Word document. Keep the original version alongside the revised version so that we can see the changes that you have made.

3) Apply the Paramedic Method to those five sentences and bring them back to life. The problems may be different in each case. Some will have “is” forms that you can eliminate. Some will have too many prepositions. Some will start with a bunch of “blah, blah, blah….” that you don’t need. Figure out the right fix for each sentence and cut out as much “lard” as possible without altering the meaning and nuance of the original sentence. It’s not enough to simply cut out information and make the sentence shorter. Keep all the relevant information and improve the readability.

4) Choose five of the most convoluted, tortured sentences from your peer’s final project rough draft. Copy and paste them into your “Paramedic Method” Word document. Apply the Paramedic Method to those five sentences and bring them back to life. (See #3 for additional guidance.) When you proceed to the next step, keep the original sentence alongside the revised version so that we can see the changes that you have made.

5) After you’ve trimmed, re-arranged, and modified everything from those sentences that does not spark joy, calculate the lard factor for each one. How well did you do? Remember, it’s not about cutting out information and making the sentence shorter. I won’t give you credit if that’s all you do.