Conduct research on a debatable political or scholarly issue. A debatable issue is one about which intelligent, well-meaning people might disagree; it does not need to be a highly controversial topic. (For guidelines on choosing a topic, see section 48a in Rules for Writers.) Keep an open mind as you read a variety of sources reflecting different points of view.

After weighing the evidence, form a tentative thesis that sums up your position on the issue (see section 51a in Rules for Writers). Then write a six-to-ten-page paper that supports your thesis with valid and properly documented evidence. Use MLA-style documentation (see section 54 in Rules for Writers) unless your instructor prefers another style.

For this assignment, envision an audience of intelligent but skeptical readers—readers who might not be inclined to agree with you but are willing to listen to several points of view.