4-5 page research paper

Topic: Some argue special needs children should be in mainstream schools, others argue special needs children should be in separate schools. It is possible however, that a third possibility exists, one that sees truth on both sides of the issue. 

Assignment: Write a 4-5 page, double-spaced research paper that demonstrates the ability to enter into and contribute to a scholarly conversation.  Such a conversation is typically defined as an issue, problem, or topic around which scholars offer their perspectives in academic writing such as peer-reviewed journal articles and academic books. This paper will be similar to Paper 1 in that you will need to respond to an article with an argument of your own.  It differs from the first, however, in being a formal paper in which you engage three sources.  You will not need to summarize the sources in a full page, but, of course, you will need to say something about them, or at least the one you will be primarily responding to, in the introduction.  Like the first paper, this one calls upon you to advance an argument, so it is important that you advance an arguable claim on a debatable subject.  
It is also important to use the conventions you learned in previous writing courses.  These include: (1)  a rhetorically impactful introduction in which you explore the issue and what scholars have said about it, stating your argument in a compelling way; (2) several well developed body paragraphs in which you defend the argument and respond to other scholars, quoting from the articles you choose and illustrating your ideas; and (3) an effective conclusion in which you explore the significance of your argument, perhaps anticipating objections and reinforcing your main points.  
Most students will be responding primarily to one Primary Response Article. This is simply the article you feel you are responding to most directly, but you need to position your paper in the broader conversation using the other two articles you find in your research.
 
RESTRICTIONS
This paper and its sources are completely independent of the other two papers.  papers.  You cannot, therefore, recycle thesis statements or sources. Please choose a topic and three sources that you will not explore in the other two papers.
CITATION STYLE
You will cite your paper in the citation style preferred by the discipline in which you are writing. Include a works cited page in the same citation style. If you are using a rather obscure citation style (not MLA or APA) please let your instructor know which citation style you are using.
SOURCES
Academic writing is a conversation. In this second paper you must use three credible sources that support your argument or add to the conversation around your main point. All three sources must be peer reviewed journal articles. All of your sources must be sources not listed on the library guide that you found through your own research. Be sure to use the NU Library’s search database to find your articles.
Acceptable credible sources include:

Scholarly or Professional Journals.  That’s it. Nothing else!

**Do not use Wikipedia, websites, newspapers, encyclopedias, popular books, or magazines. You might start with one or more of these for the purpose of information gathering, but the three sources you use in the paper must all be from peer-reviewed journals.