Argumentative essay requirements:
5–6-page Essay (not including items below)
Writers Letter
Work cited page
Not allowed to use the same primary sources from your last essay (Primary source any
reading discussed in class)
4 secondary sources (1 must be scholarly article from librarian database,1 must argue
your central claim and other 2 are any supporting articles found)
Underline the central claim, utilize, and bold at least three literary devices aka elements
of fiction, elements of poetry etc.
MLA standards and guidelines should be utilized please include the header, in-text
citation, block quotes (long quotations).
What the professor is looking for:
Social Awareness and Critique: This type of paper argues that literature is an example of writing
that challenges an assumption or seeks to enact change in some way. In this type of paper, you
will need to identify an issue that the literature addresses and argue what it does and how it does
it. In view of current discussions nationally or locally, how might your chosen piece of literature
add to the conversation? Does it challenge or confirm stated beliefs? In considering this prompt,
you are thinking about the role of art in our changing world.
Purpose:
This argumentative research paper provides an opportunity for you to enter into a
literary conversation about your chosen topic. In a successful essay, you will demonstrate the
research skills acquired in this unit. Specifically, these include locating sources and categorizing
them (tertiary, secondary, primary), vetting sources (knowing the credentials of the writer) and
choosing the most effective way to bring outside voices into your essay (summary, paraphrase,
quotation) to support your central claim about the literary work. You will also demonstrate your
abilities to analyze your chosen work of literature using the elements of the genre that are listed
in our text and practiced in class. Your argument brings together your skills as a scholar in
research and in analysis.
Writer’s Letter:
You will submit a writer’s letter, which will be an introduction to your 2nd Argumentative
Research Paper. These letters, addressed to me, will offer you an opportunity to reflect on the
composing process, as well as provide some context to me as one of your readers. Below are
some guiding questions for you to consider. You do not have to answer all these questions; focus
on the ones that seem most useful for the paper you’re working on. Please include your writer’s
letter as the first page of your paper. It should be between a half to full page. Note that these
letters will NOT be graded, however if not completed you will forfeit 25 points.
1) What would you still change or develop about this paper if you had more time and space?
2) How has your writing developed from your 1 st to 2 nd Argumentative Research Paper?
3) What problems with style or editing have you noticed in your own writing and how are you
working to address them?
4) What have you learned about writing and the topic you’re writing about in the process of
composing and revising this paper?
5) Show me your editing (or revision); include one paragraph before and after editing/revision.
(You should only ask this question if you plan to set up office hours with me to discuss your
paper.)
6) What specific concerns would you like me to address in my response? (You should only
answer this question if you plan to set up office hours with me to discuss your paper.)
My Ideas:
My primary source is “Waking Up from the American Dream” by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio. I wouls like my paper to be written on the American dream: the life, the process, the outcomes and the perspective as an immgrant can be and slowly transission it to the argument that many people dont believe in the American dream and they feel like its all an illusion or a myth.
Primary Source: Waking Up from the American Dream by Karla Cornejo VIllavicencio
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/01/25/waking-up-from-the-american-dream
Secondary Source from the school library:Negotiating the American Dream
Opposing Argument: The Polls-Trends:Attitudes about the American Dream
Hope this helps 🙂
PLEASE MAKE SURE TO USE MLA FORMAT , AT LEAST THREE LITERARY DEVICES(BOLD THEM) , AND
UNDERLINE THE CENTRAL CLAIM!
