What is next?  Write the SECOND confirmation paragraph for your researched argument paper.  This is a graded checkpoint for my feedback to help correct any mistakes before they appear in your researched argument paper.

What are the confirmation paragraphs?  These two paragraphs are the heart of your paper because they support your position on your controversial topic.  They introduce, explain, and support your two specific points from your thesis statement. 

Follow each step below–carefully, with college-level skill.  Also, use the sample researched argument paper as a guide.

STEP 1: Using the perfectly formatted MLA document that contains your introduction paragraph with your thesis, and your FIRST confirmation paragraph, write and add the SECOND confirmation paragraph.

STEP 2:  Identify the SECOND point in your thesis so that you can write a focused topic sentence. 

EXAMPLE THESIS with the SECOND point in bold:   Although some people believe that pipelines pose too many risks to the health and safety of the environment, pipelines are the most efficient and economical ways to move resource because they boost the U.S. economy and they reduce dependence on oil from the Middle East.

STEP 2:  From your second point, write a topic sentence for your paragraph.  Make sure to identify your second point in the topic sentence of your paragraph.

In order for America to thrive in times of conflict and peace, it is necessary for the U. S. to reduce its dependence on oil from the Middle East. (Now all of the sentences that follow will prove that the use of pipelines in America is necessary to prevent our dependence on the Middle East and explains why that is so important.)

STEP 3:   After your topic sentence, write a 150-200 word paragraph that explains why the topic sentence is true–and provide supporting evidence with your research material. You can do this by summary, paraphrase, or quotes.  Make sure you use in-text citations for your borrowed material. See your Harbrace textbook, Chapter 13.

STEP 4:  Check your work with the questions below. 

• Did you refer back to the topic sentence at strategic points in the paragraph?  Just repeating a key word or phrase once or twice in a paragraph can focus the reader’s attention and add force to the entire point.  However, avoid any repetition that doesn’t serve a specific purpose.
• Did you begin a body paragraph with a quote?  Revise it–Your topic sentence is not a quote.
• Did you use sound logic to fully explain and prove your point?  No fallacies. 
• Finally, did you make sure to tie all of this information together by showing how it relates to your overall position statement?  (Look at the position section of your thesis.)

STEP 5:  Proofread and submit your work.