You should refer to scholarly sources (ideally 4 or more), diverse scholarly sources and your field study in making your argument.
YOU MUST include a Works Cited/References page listing all the sources actually cited in your essay, including interviews. Don’t forget to alphabetize your list.
Title your essay!
While you are using all kinds of outside information in this project, you should keep in mind that this essay is NOT A REPORT. This essay will have something to say that is meaningful to you and to others, something YOU WANT TO COMMUNICATE about your topic. To that end, each paragraph should make a point that’s part of the case you’re building for your thesis rather than just provide background information. The basic structure of each paragraph and the essay as a whole should be: claim backed up by evidence (evidence being either specifics from your secondary sources, authoritative statements from credible sources, or specifics/quotes from your field study).
Be careful that quotes make up no more than 10% of your paperall key ideas need to be stated in your own words, even if you use a quote from an authority as evidence. Don’t string quotes togetheryour own argument that should be at the forefront of your paper.
Remember that your audience is neither your instructor nor a classmateyour audience is an anonymous reader who does not know the specifics of your project, a reader who was part of the panel that might have funded your project or a reader who might consider your paper for publication/presentation in an undergraduate magazine or conference.
