-your topic should be argumentative-something that someone could reasonably argue against. -Your topic should be relevant to what's going on in the world today. Check newspaper headlines, news magazine covers, and hot topics on social media. - Your essay will be your attempt to join the conversation rather than simply repeating what others have said on the topic. In other words, it should take the reader beyond the status quo--that is, what people generally feel, think, believe, or know about the topic. - 10 sources -Employs strategies for paraphrase, summary, and quotation thoughtfully, thus avoiding any inadvertent plagiarism -Includes in-text citations, accounting for how source material has been included. -Includes a bibliographic list, either Work Cited or References in correct format. -Shows cross-referencing between the in-text citations and the bibliographic list. -Correct grammar and punctuation. -Thesis Statement introduces an argument that could be reasonably argued against and is beyond the status quo of the subject. - Writer establishes an engaging, interesting project, presenting an argument that offers something fresh and beyond the status quo. It is evident that the writer has joined the conversation rather than merely repeated what others have written.