Your essay should:

Be no shorter than 8 pages and no longer than 12 pages.
Contain both in-text (or parenthetical) citations and a Works Cited page. (Note: The Works Cited page does not count toward your 8-12 page limits)
Contain no fewer than 6 reliable sources.
Address the ethos of your sources.
Provide the reader with an introduction that both interests the audience somehow and addresses the topic being discussed.
Have a clearly expressed—and controversial—thesis. (Note: The thesis does not have to come at the beginning of the paper.)
Substantively address counterarguments/objections to your thesis.
Be organized in a way that is coherent and adds to the robustness of your argument.
Offer a conclusion that does more than just summarize.
Do something unexpected and memorable!