For this assignment, you will draft a formal, academic essay in MLA format that details an argument about your selected topic (Healthy Ways To Address Interpersonal Conflict)
You will use the outline from the previous assignment as a guide, but you can make modifications to your thesis and argument as necessary.
Here are the basic requirements for your essay:
(1) Your essay must be 4-5 pages in MLA format with an additional Works Cited page.
(2) You must use at least 4 sources in this essay, two of which MUST be academic journal articles. The other two may be journal articles or other credible, academic sources.
(3) Your essay must be organized with a formal structure, developed with concrete evidence and analysis, documented in appropriate, ethical MLA style, and written with a formal, clear style.
Please use the following guidelines to help develop a successful essay:
(1) Your essay should begin with an introduction that introduces the topic and ends with a strong thesis. Your thesis should state your argument and its major reasons in a clear, concise manner. Think of it as a mini-map of your paper for a reader.
(2) Then, you should include a background paragraph that offers your reader more information about the topic and its current debate (or relevant history). Make sure your reader is clear about the exigence of the argument; in other words, why does this argument matter NOW?
(3) After, you should include two to four paragraphs that identify your two to four major reasons. Each paragraph should have a clear topic sentence that links back to the thesis, and you should support each body paragraph with sufficient, credible evidence and analysis.
(4) Before you conclude, please add a Refutation of Opposing Arguments, where you will present the opposing side or potential obstacles and offer a refutation in order to convince your reader and eliminate bias.
(5) Finally, compose a conclusion paragraph that ties all of your paper’s points together and argues an overall significance.
(6) Each body paragraph should include concrete evidence from research. You should integrate your research smoothly and ethically. Use identifying tags to introduce your sources and show your reader an outside idea. Always analyze the significance of the research before you move on to the next point! Example: In Jason Ree’s article, he notes that, “QUOTE” (32). This reveals that…
(7) Your tone and style needs to be academic and polished. This helps add credibility to your voice. Reading aloud will help the most with this! Avoid first and second person in this style of writing.
Topic Draft:
TO: Blair Lee Donahue
FROM: Macaya Walker
DATE: 3/21/2021
RE: Healthy Ways to Address Personal Conflicts
For this assignment, I will address healthy stress management techniques that people often neglect
in dealing with conflicts in personal relationships. I will also address ways we as a species can
improve our communication techniques and apply this to our interactions. I believe my topic is
important because as a society I believe we often sensationalize dysfunctional relationships and
negative communication. In recent times there are reality shows that often promote situations of
emotional abuse and physical violence. Most of the individuals involved have a personal
relationship with one another. Instead of bringing light to these topics, they are often used to boost
ratings or cause further tensions. I good example is an episode of ‘Braxton Family Values’ where
Traci one of the eldest sisters’ feels isolated and disrespected by her own family. Traci Braxton
was humiliated because she believed that her sisters were laughing at her because of the way she
sang the song at her sister’s wedding. The cameraman pans to a distraught Traci Braxton running
to another room to cry after cutting the conversation with her sisters short about the incident. In
doing so she had shut her sisters off and isolated herself instead of listening to their perspective.
They were trying to explain to her that they were not laughing at her. Later, it was addressed by
Towanda Braxton the executives who had edited the footage to show both Traci, and her family in
a negative light. Towanda Braxton had believed the media company used footage that did not
accurately represent what had occurred that day and wanted to add more drama for ratings. This
situation did not only upset some viewers but further crippled their relationship behind the scenes.
The situation with Traci and her family reminded me of how the adults often acted in my
childhood. Instead of appropriately addressing their grievances they would often storm out, throw a
tantrum, gaslight, destroy personal property. As a child, I never understood why these reactions
were wrong, and often mimicked this behavior. I now understand that these actions are considered
emotional abuse and the effects it has on others. The way these individuals acted often lead to
damaged and unrepairable relationships. The children that often belonged to these families
repeated the same negative behavior as they have gotten older.
My goal is to assess and articulate the reasons these behaviors may occur by citing scientific
sources. I also wish to give my reasonings why we should work on our negative behaviors and how
they can improve our relationships.
To successfully present my arguments, I will rely on research studies from universities, utilize
media representation of this subject, and cite some of my personal experiences to show I have
firsthand experience on this topic. When reading essays professors often look for a strong thesis
and supporting arguments that reassert the writer’s stances. A professor will also search for real-
world applications of the main argument brought up in the thesis. I believe that there are differing
opinions when it comes to this topic. I believe by using real-world applications I can connect the
evidence found in the studies presented to situations that matter and affect others
.
