Multiple Source Essay #2 – Obedience to Authority
You’ve completed one researched argumentative essay for this course.
Before moving on to the final
project, another essay will help practice more of the research and argumentative methods you will
have to employ. For this essay, topics must be related to (or based upon) readings from the
Obedience to Authority chapter in WARAC. You will research and evaluate materials to help argue for
a particular position, solution to a problem, or cause behind a certain trend or phenomenon. In
addition, you will be required to use research to connect and support your argument, as well as
forward the discussion on your topic.
The Multiple Source Essay Obedience to Authority Assignment
Using the same research and argumentative methods employed in Essay 2, you will write a 4-5 page
essay, using 3-5 sources, to successfully and thoroughly detail a specific argument. While it may
seem like your topic choices are limited, I assure you they are not – they must simply relate to the
chapter material at hand. You must also address and respond to at least one opposing argument in
your essay. The basics of including opposing views/voices into your essay will be covered in class.
Unlike Essay 2, this essay does not require use of a source from WARAC. However, you may still use
the articles from the Obedience to Authority chapter if you so choose.
Also, when researching, do not simply do a Google search or use Wikipedia as a source! You may use
web sources, but these are better found via the Thompson library, or by looking at content on well
known and reputable websites (usually news stations, newspaper websites, or organization websites).
Topic Selection: Where to Begin?
As indicated earlier, it may seem like your topics are extremely limited, but topic selection not as
limited as it may seem. You can very easily take some current events and fit them into the
discussion from class and WARAC. Most of the issues we deal with in life have something to do with
power, authority, or disobedience. These following questions my help guide you in topic selection:
• Is there a system of authority in place? Who is in charge, and why?
• Are there any sort of legal issues, cultural conflicts, or power struggles between individuals or
groups?
• How does this issue relate to me? How am I influenced or impacted by power, authority, and
resistance?
A quick scan of recent events in the news is also very telling in regards to potential topics.
You’ll find if you simply keep your eyes and ears open, there are plenty of things to write about
for this essay.
Multiple Source Essay Obedience to Authority Paper Formatting
All formatting stays the same: 12 point Times New Roman Font; 1” margins on all sides of the paper;
double spaced throughout (including your Works Cited paper); and your last name and page number in
the upper right corner of every page. There are also no footnotes for these essays, unless you wish
to explain a complicated idea, concept, or term without taking up space in the body of your essay.
Otherwise, you need to stick to the MLA guidelines for citing things in-text.
