Research Paper Rough Draft

In order to submit your research paper rough draft, you just need
to copy and paste the various components from previous
assignments into this document. After you copy and paste the
components, use the checklist at the beginning of each box to be
sure that your rough draft has all of the neccesary components.
Formatting

Times New Roman, Size 12, double spaced through the entire paper.

_______________________________________
Your ID Number: 8301528

Introduction
Two citations
Thesis statement in bold
Did you know that in Missouri anyone under the age of 21 taking out household
garbage that contains an empty alcohol beverage container, can be charged with illegal
possession of alcohol? In the United States the minimum legal drinking age is 21 years old.
The National Minimum Legal Drinking Age Act of 1984 requires that states prohibit persons
under 21 years of age from purchasing or publicly possessing alcoholic beverages as a
condition of receiving state highway funds (The 1984 National Minimum Drinking Age
Act). Before 1984, in the United States the minimum legal drinking age was 18 or older, but
this new act raised the minimum legal drinking to 21 or older. The primary reason why
President Reagan raised the legal drinking age was to reduce alcohol auto-related deaths. As
the article states, Two years later, on July 17, 1984, after extensive lobbying from groups such

as MADD, President Reagan signed the National Minimum Drinking Age Act, effectively
creating a national minimum drinking age of 21.(In The Early 1980, Why Was The Drinking
Age Raised To 21). Even though some people believe 18 is the age of adulthood, the
drinking law should not be lowered because the current age limit of 21 saves lives.
Alcohol consumption typically results in problem behavior, and exposure to alcohol at a
young age can cause addiction and future problems.

Argument Point 1
1.5 pages and 3 paragraphs
Paragraph 1 has a Topic sentence
Transition Sentence at beginning of each 2nd and 3rd paragraph
Every piece of outside information has a citation
Every paragraph has at least one citation
Citation is relevant to argument and to thesis
Quotation marks around every use of another persons words
Every quote begins with a quote lead-in
Every quote is two or fewer lines long
No paragraphs begin with quotes
No use of the word I (no I think, I believe, I agree, etc.)
The 21 drinking law should not be lowered because the drinking law is saving lives.

Drinking alcohol can happen at any age and it can cause many life-threatening consequences.
The study, "Case Closed: Research Evidence on the Positive Public Health Impact of the Age
21 Minimum Legal Drinking Age in the United States," shows that many alcohol related
problems have been reduced because the legal drinking age was increased. For example, in the
study, the author states that the drinking law, reduces alcohol-related traffic crashes, alcohol
consumption by youth, and long-term negative consequences in adulthood such as drug
dependence, suicide, and homicide (Procon). This evidence tell us how important this law is
in facing the problem of under age, illegal drinking in our state and many others. This law
greatly reduces the number of life threatening injuries and accidents related to the misuse of
alcohol. This translates to less people at risk to face life-threatening alcohol related problems.
In the United States drunk driving it a major problem.The 21 drinking law has reduced
many alcohol related vehicle deaths. Since the drinking law was put into effect alcohol related
auto deaths were greatly reduced. For example, in the article, Prevents Drunken Driving
Among 18-20 Year-Olds And The Rest Of The Population it is stated, Advocates of the 21
year-old drinking point to the fact that since the drinking age has been standardized at 21
drunken driving fatalities have decreased by 13% amongst 18-20 year-olds (Prevents
Drunken Driving Among 18-20 Year-Olds And The Rest Of The Population). The article goes
on to show that because of the 21 year-old drinking law accidents and fatalities caused by
drunk driving have been reduced.

This Figure 1 shows the numbers of deaths caused by drunk driving accidents in the past 20
years. Because of the law and more peoples enforcing it the death rates are lowered. Young
adults continue to learn the risk of drunk driving.
Maturity also plays a large role in underage drinking. Young adults tend to be more
mature and responsible at age 21 rather than age 18. They are better able to incorporate the
values and lessons they learned while growing up. In the article, "Should the Drinking Age Be
Lowered from 21 to a Younger Age?", one of the Cons stated is, 18-year-olds are typically
entering a new phase of independence from their parents through college or the workforce, and
are more susceptible to binge drinking, risky sexual activity, and other irresponsible behavior
due to lack of maturity (Procon). This supports that people tend to be more mature and

responsible at age 21 rather than age 18. To conclude, when a young adult reaches the age of
18, they are basically a baby bird leaving their mothers nest. They are going to confront many
new sets of adult situations and responsibilities, so they need more time to get used to these
responsibilities. Putting alcohol into their bodies will only cloud their judgements and decision
making.

Argument Point 2
1.5 pages and 3 paragraphs
Paragraph 1 has a Topic sentence
Transition Sentence at beginning of 2nd and 3rd paragraph
Every piece of outside information has a citation
Every paragraph has at least one citation
Citation is relevant to argument and to thesis
Quotation marks around every use of another persons words
Every quote begins with a quote lead-in
Every quote is rour or fewer lines long
No paragraphs begin with quotes
No use of the word I (no I think, I believe, I agree, etc.)
Drinking alcohol is sometimes desirable and yet dangerous, as it can cause harm, or
even death. Many people at different ages drink alcohol because of stress, peer pressure, they
just want to look cool, or just for the heck of it, yet they are not aware of the harm it can cause.

It is stated that, Underage drinking is a risk that attracts many developing adolescents and
teens. When young people try alcohol, they often dont realize the damaging effects drinking
can have on their own lives, their families, and their communities (NIAAA/Underage
Drinking). Every year there are thousands of alcohol related deaths.The majority of these
deaths are due to homicides that involve alcohol, with alcohol related car crashes coming in a
close second. Suicides and other physical injuries like falls, broken bones, and water related
deaths make up the rest of alcohol associated deaths. According to the article mentioned above,
the risk of death is a definite possibility that young people hardly ever consider. Once again a
persons maturity levels come into play. Adolescence is just the beginning of a persons
journey into maturity. Young people seem to be blinded to the possibility of bad outcomes.
They drink to feel free of the stress of growing up and facing their future without realizing the
dangerous consequences that may arise.
There are both good and bad side effects that can be connected to drinking alcohol.
Drinking is a great pastime, and from centuries before our time, from cavemen to Egyptians to
pirates and knights, nobles, and kings, alcohol has always be available. Hanson writes, ...the
discovery of late Stone Age beer jugs has established the fact that intentionally fermented
beverages existed at least as early as the Neolithic period (cir. 10,000 B.C.) (History of
Alcohol and Drinking Around the World). Ignorance to the bad side effects of alcohol were
not known such as, slurred speech, breathing difficulties and memory lapses. The documented
negative effect alcohol has on the body both mentally and physically is stated as, Drinking too
much alcohol affects many parts of the body. It can be especially harmful to the liver, the organ
that metabolizes (breaks down) alcohol and other harmful substances .Alcohol not broken
down by the liver goes to the rest of the body, including the brain. Alcohol can affect parts of

the brain that control movement, speech, judgment, and memory. Long-term alcohol use can
also result in high blood pressure, which increases a person's risk of heart disease. (NIH
Senior Health). This quote gives textual support to the negative effects of alcohol ingestion.
The article states that alcohol is harmful to the liver, and other organs like the heart, and the
brain. When underage adolescents consume alcohol they often do not realize the damages they
are causing their bodies.
Drinking alcohol does not only negatively interfere with your body internally, it can
also raise the chance of physical injury to the body. When you drink alcohol, it blurs the
human senses and could you to do ill-advised things. For example, drinking too much can
increases risks of; injuries and accidents, violence, fights and arguments which could get you
in trouble with authorities, unsafe sex which could result in sexually transmitted diseases or
unplanned pregnancies, becoming victims of crime, embarrassing pictures on the internet , not
getting home safely, vomiting, passing out or alcoholic poisoning (Responsible Party). This
proves that drinking alcohol can increase the chance of you physically hurting yourself. When
one ingests too much alcohol the human senses become obscured. Underage consumption of
alcohol only increase the chances of getting into accidents which cause undue injury to the
person.

Argument Point 3
1.5 pages and 3 paragraphs
Paragraph 1 has a Topic sentence
Transition Sentence at beginning of 2nd and 3rd paragraph

 Every piece of outside information has a citation

Every paragraph has at least one citation
Citation is relevant to argument and to thesis
Quotation marks around every use of another persons words
Every quote begins with a quote lead-in
Every quote is rour or fewer lines long
No paragraphs begin with quotes
No use of the word I (no I think, I believe, I agree, etc.)
Exposure to alcohol at a young age can cause addiction and future problems. According
to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, it is documented that, In 2009,
about 10.4 million young people between ages 12 and 20 drank more than just a few sips of
alcohol. The article goes on to state, As kids get older, they drink more. By age 15, half of
teens have had at least one drink. By age 18, more than 70% of teens have had at least one
drink.(NIAAA/Underage Drinking) Underage drinking can be the start of a lifetime of
addiction to alcohol and other drugs. Young adults do not often recognize the danger involved
with mind altering substances such as drugs and alcohol. As reported by Project
Know/Understanding Addictions, Teens who drink or do drugs can develop addictions. No
one sets out wanting to become addicted or chemically dependent. Addiction is not a character
flaw or the result of poor willpower. It is a true biological response that fools parts of the brain
into acting abnormally (Drugs and Alcohol). Many young adults are unaware of this
biological response. Young people who start drinking often get addicted. Many adolescents do
not even realize that the process of addiction has started. They are just out to have a good time
with friends and not mature enough to think about the consequences. They start out by saying,
Oh, just one drink nothing will happen!? When this behavior continues over time, alcohol
addiction happens. An addiction to alcohol is powerful and it often sneaks up unbeknownst to
its victim. It can happen anytime, anywhere, it is like a delicious food, such as your favorite
cake that you just can not get enough of. Maturity and self constraint is something that young

adults often lack.

Many young adults are unaware that alcohol contains chemicals that invade the human
body and mind. These chemicals affect the central nervous system and natural levels of
dopamine in the human brain. On the website, Project Know/Understanding Addiction, it
states, alcohol also floods the system with dopamine. This chemical creates feelings of
pleasure and euphoria, which is the high. The first few instances cause a person to like the
feeling and repeat behaviors to obtain it (Drugs and Alcohol). Adolescents are usually
unaware of this process; all they know is that alcohol gives them a new level of happiness that
they want to experience again, and again. They are unaware of the damage that alcohol will
have on their body and mind. As reported by Project Know website, The human body and
brain are still developing throughout the teenage years. While even one beer or one joint can
cause minor impairments, the most devastating consequences occur from repeat or extended
usage. For instance, heavy alcohol drinking can damage the cerebellum, leading to poor
coordination; reduce the size of the hippocampus, leading to memory loss; and damage the
frontal cortex, leaving a cognitive deficiency throughout adulthood (Drugs and Alcohol).
Many students learn the bare essentials of alcohol abuse in secondary schooling, but are not
mature enough to realize that addiction can happen to them. Alcohol also contains endorphins
which is another reason why alcohol can be addicting. As the article from Alcohol Releases
Feel-Good Endorphins states, American researchers have used PET (positron emission
tomography) scans of the brain to observe for the first time the way drinking alcohol leads to
the release of endorphins, so-called feel-good chemicals, in the brain (Alcohol Releases
Feel-Good Endorphins). Endorphins and dopamine levels send messages to your brain saying,
oh, drinking, this really make me feel good, which causes young adults to drink again and

again leading to alcohol addiction.

Counterargument
1.5 pages and 3 paragraphs
Paragraph 1 has a Topic sentence
Transition Sentence at beginning of 2nd and 3rd paragraph
Every piece of outside information has a citation
Every paragraph has at least one citation
Citation is relevant to counterargument
Quotation marks around every use of another persons words
Every quote begins with a quote lead-in
Every quote is four or fewer lines long
Rebuttals (using our format) for each paragraph
Rebuttals relate to another argument point
No paragraphs begin with quotes
No use of the word I (no I think, I believe, I agree, etc.)
Many other sources however, argue that the minimum legal drinking age should be
lowered. On the website, Choose Responsibility, the article, Abridgement of the Age of
Majority, states that you can go to war, but you can not drink alcohol legally at the age of
eighteen. The quote continue, The drinking age is the lone exception to the legal age of
adulthood in the US. 18 year-olds can vote, enlist and fight in Iraq, enter into binding
contracts, marry, own businesses, serve in judgment on a jury and a host of other rights and
responsibilities (Abridgement of the Age of Majority). The article argues that, adulthood is
considered to be okay when a young adult turns 18 years old for many societal duties, like
going to war or serving on a jury, but the person is not mature enough when it comes to alcohol
consumption. While this position is popular, it is not logical because age does make a
difference in peoples judgements and reactions. People age 21 and older are more mature than
their younger counterparts. People that are 18 years old do not necessarily become full fledged

adults. At the age of 18 a person is beginning a new life as an adult with new sets of
responsibilities. Drinking alcohol at this age will only interfere with clear judgement and
decision making.
In addition, the legal drinking age in some US states and international countries
remains at 18. On the website, Bustle, the article, by Rachel Krantz, Study Finds Legal
Drinking Age Saves Lives: 21 Minimum Ages To Booze Around The World., states that not
all places mandate 21 as the legal drinking age. She says...But not all countries party by such
strict rules. While most of the world tends to prefer a drinking age of 18 , there are a few other
unusual outliers when it comes to regulating alcohol (Krantz, "Study Finds Legal Drinking
Age Saves Lives: 21 Minimum Ages To Booze Around The World."). The article continues to
disclose legal drinking ages in other countries. For example, Germanys minimum drinking age
is 14, with the permission of a legal guardian, and there is no minimum legal drinking age in
Cuba! The difference in legal drinking ages runs the gamut throughout the world. In the US the
national legal drinking age remains at 21 years old. The law that was passed, The National
Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 was initially enacted to help lower accidents due to
young adults and heavy drinking. What this argument overlooks is the harmful consequence to
underage drinking. There can be many consequences to underage drinking such as immature
decisions involving drunk drinking. The argument states that because of the 21 minimum legal
drinking age in the United State, the accidental death rate due to alcohol has been reduced.
Even though the minimum legal drinking age is 21, that does not mean that everybody
abides by the law. There is an old saying rules are meant to be broken, so just because it is
the law, it does not mean everyone will stop. There are young adults in our society who do not
feel the law abides to them. On the website Drinking Age Procon, one of the pros is stated

as, MLDA 21(minimum legal drinking age 21) is largely ineffective because the majority
teens continue to consume alcohol (Procon). Although there is underage drinking in the
United States, the percentage is lowered because of the 21 Drinking Law. As a society we fail
to see the negative impact that alcohol can have on a young adults body. Alcohol can block all
your senses and judgments, which increase the chance of risking your life as well as other
peoples lives. Some of the risks may include drunk drinking and/or damaging your human
body, which can leave long term negative side effects.

Conclusion
Restated thesis (see conclusion formatnot a copy/paste from your intro)
Ends with a powerful statement about the future!
The Minimum Legal Drinking Age Law states the current age as 21 for legal
consumption of alcohol.This age limit saves lives, prevents problem behavior, and reduces
early addiction to alcohol. Underage alcohol consumption typically results in problem
behavior, and exposure to alcohol at a young age can cause addiction and future problems.
This is why the drinking law should not be lowered to 18, despite what some people believe.
Young adults who are 21 or younger do not realize the ramifications of alcohol addiction.
Since the law has been put into place to raise the legal drinking age to 21, the death rates in
connection to drunk driving have diminished. In future, we will continue to see lowered
alcohol related violent incidents because the 21 minimum legal drinking age law remains
intact.

Works Cited
"The 1984 National Minimum Drinking Age Act." Alcohol Policy Information System.
Web. 05 Jan. 2015.
"Choose Responsibility." Abridgement of the Age of Majority -. Web. 06 Oct. 2014.
Choose Responsibility. "In the Early 1980s, Why Was the Drinking Age Raised to 21
Nationwide?" Legal Age 21. Web. 04 Jan. 2015.
Collins, Nick. "Alcohol Releases Addictive Endorphins, Study Shows." The
Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group, 28 June 0011. Web. 29 Sept. 2014.
"Drinking Age ProCon.org." ProConorg Headlines. Web. 02 Oct. 2014.
Hanson, David J. "Alcohol-Related Traffic Fatalities: Redistributing Death." AlcoholRelated Traffic Fatalities: Redistributing Death. Web. 29 Sept. 2014.
Hanson, David J., Ph.D. "History of Alcohol and Drinking around the World." History
of Alcohol and Drinking around the World. Sociology Department State University of
New York Potsdam, NY 13676, July 1997-2014. Web. 04 Jan. 2015.
Hanson, David J., Ph.D. "It's The Law!" It's The Law! Sociology Department State
University of New York Potsdam, NY 13676, 1997-2014. Web. 05 Jan. 2015.
Krantz, Rachel. "Study Finds Legal Drinking Age Saves Lives: 21 Minimum Ages To
Booze Around The World." Bustle. Web. 29 Sept. 2014.
"Minimum Legal Drinking Age of 21 Saves Lives, According to New Study ProCon.org." ProConorg Headlines. Web. 01 Oct. 2014.
NIH Senior Health. "Alcohol Use and Older Adults." NIHSeniorHealth:. Web. 04 Oct.
2014.

NIH. "Underage Drinking." Underage Drinking-Why Do Adolescents Drink, What Are

the Risks, and How Can Underage Drinking Be Prevented? Web. 29 Sept. 2014.
"Prevents Drunken Driving among 18-20 Year-olds and the Rest of the Population."
Prevents Drunken Driving among 18-20 Year-olds and the Rest of the Population. -.
Web. 28 Sept. 2014.
ProjectKnow. "Drugs and Alcohol." Teen Alcohol Abuse and Drug Addiction Teen
Rehab. Web. 29 Sept. 2014.
Responsible Party. "What Are the Risks?" - What Are the Risks? Web. 29 Sept. 2014.

Thesis

Score:
___4______

Synthesis
Score:
____3_____

Thesis statements should include a

counterargument, a position
statement, and at least three
argument points. They can be 1-2
sentences long and should be in bold.
Thesis statements should be clear
and focused with a reasonable
position and valid arguments.

Complete
counterargument that
identifies a realistic and
valid argument
Clear and
focused position
statement
Three clear and
focused arguments
1-2 sentences
Bolded

This is where you read the paper. The

paper should consist of three
arguments and a counterargument.
Every paragraph should have a topic
sentence, use evidence, and provide
commentary on that evidence. The
evidence that the student provides
should logically support their
argument. If the paper is nearlyseamlessly integrated with evidence
that supports the arguments
throughout the paper and a logical
and focused progression, this should
score a 4. If the paper is reasonably
well assembled but mechanical in

Clear
connections between
thesis and argument
points in comments in
every paragraph
Evidence that
includes various sources
and types of evidence
(Statistics, comments,
studies, etc.)
All evidence
relates to thesis
The essay flows
fluidly due to the use of
transition words and
quote lead ins

style, this category should be a 3

score. If the paper has no coherence
between student writing and outside
source information, score a 2. If there
is minimal student writing and it is
not integrated, score a 1. Subtract
points if the paper is less than 6
pages.
Sources
Score:
____0_____
No works
cited page

Quotatio
ns and
Paraphra
sing
Score:
___3______

MLA

Score:

Student essays should have a works

cited page at the end of the essay,
beginning on a separate sheet of
paper. Five sources should earn the
essay a 3 score. Primary sources no
longer need to be bolded, so when in
doubt, give the student the benefit.
Some sources can be deceptively
primary. All sources must be properly
formatted and reliable. Do not accept
Wikipedia, About.com, etc.

All sources are

valuable and valid (no
dot coms)
Various types of
sources are used
All sources relate
to thesis statement
At least 5
sources

This is similar to synthesis but

specifically focusing on the use of
quotations and paraphrasing.
Students should not use many quotes
that are longer than one to two
sentences. All quotes should be
followed by commentary of at least
one sentence. Quotes and
paraphrases should be introduced
with transition words and/or quote
lead-ins (For example, According to,
etc.). If the student seamlessly
integrates quotes, paraphrases, and
commentary, this should score a 4. If
the paper is reasonable in the use of
quotes and commentary, but more
mechanical, this should be a 3 score.
If the paper has no coherence
between student writing and outside
information, score a 2. If there is a
minimal student writing and it is not
integrated, score a 1.

Quotes are no
longer than one
sentence
Each quote is
followed by at least one
sentence of comments
Comments
explain quote and relate
quote to the thesis
statement
Each paragraph
has a topic sentence
Quotes and
paraphrases are
introduced (quote lead
ins) and cited

We are following MLA 7. A few

changes to note:

Web addresses (URLs) are not

required.

Any quote or
paraphrase is cited with
the authors last name
or the article title in

____3_____
Make sure
your
citations
are in the
proper
format!

Citations should be in
parentheses (see below) and include
the authors last name of the source,
or if there is no author, the title of the
article in quotes inside the
parentheses.
In-text citation example: (Caldwell).
or (Very Funny Message).
**Every citation MUST match an entry
in the Works Cited Page, and vice
versa.

Graph
Score:
____3_____

Languag
e
Score:
____3_____

Conventi
ons

quotes
Last name or
article title is in
parentheses at the end
of the sentence followed
by a period.
Works cited page
is properly formatted
Every internal
citation is listed on the
works cited page

Graphic: This is one many students

skip. If there is a graphic, its well
done and neat, and its integrated
into the text with at least two
sentences in a logical place, score a
4. If theres a graphic, its neat, and
its barely integrated into the text but
is mentioned, score a 3. If theres a
graphic with a passing mention in the
text, score a 2. If theres a graphic
but no mention in the text, score a 1.
If there is no graphic or the graphic is
downloaded from the internet, score a
0.

Graph is no
larger than 1/3 of the
page
Graph has a title
and source
Graph is labeled
on each axis
Graph connects
to argument point
Graph is
introduced into the
paper through one to
two sentences

Keep in mind that this is many of the

kids first research paper ever. Those
who have truly outstanding writing
style score a 4. Most will score a 3 or
2 here. Score 3 if the style is a bit
mechanical, with the student clearly
following a formula, but there are few
to no errors and the writing follows a
logical and reasonable flow. Score a
2 if there are a few small errors in
this, but for the most part there is still
a recognizable pattern. Score a 1 if
the writing is disjointed or does not
make sense. Only score a 0 if the
writing is an absolute mess.

No RIP or
overused words are
used in the paper
Maintain a
consistent present tense
Word choice is
specific
Various sentence
structures are used
Paper is not
overly repetitive
Transition words
are used
Writing is clear
and to the point
Essay follows a
clear structure

Score a 4 if there is no more than 1 to

2 very minor and inconsequential

Verb Tense
Agreement

Score:
____2_____
Words in
red are
errors that
need to be
revised.

errors. Score a 3 if there are 3 to 5

minor and inconsequential errors.
Score a 2 is some errors take away
from the meaning and/or quality of
the paper. Score a 1 if the grammar
is bad. Score a 0 if there is nearly no
adherence to conventions.

No contractions
Apostrophes are
used appropriately
All words are
spelled correctly
Punctuation,
including commas and
semi colons are used
appropriately
No run-on or
fragment sentences