Arguing a Position
When we think about “argument,” we often envision a heated
exchange. The in-your-face kind of arguing, however, seldom leads others to see
value in our position. In this assignment, you will learn to write a different
type of argument—a reasoned argument
in which you will challenge your readers’ thinking without ridiculing their
beliefs.
You will start by choosing a controversial issue that you
are interested in and on which you hold a strong position. I strongly encourage
you to “reuse” the topic you explored in “Analyzing and Synthesizing Opposing
Viewpoints,” but you can choose a different one. If you want to change topic,
make sure it is something with which you can familiarize yourself within the
next week or so and get my approval before you start.
Your paper will need the following basic features:
1. A clear
presentation of the issue, or debate. What different opinions are there?
2. A well-supported
position. What do you believe? For what reasons? What credible evidence is there to support your reasons? “Credible
evidence” means statistics and expert opinions, or research. If you are using
the same topic as in the last paper, you can use some or all of the same
sources. The total number of sources for this paper is six. Use Opposing
Viewpoints to find any additional sources you may need. Notice that we will be
using APA style this time, the
system of documentation of the American Psychological Association, so you will
need to change all the entries in your list of “References.”
3. An effective
response to opposing viewpoints. When you take a stand on a controversial
issue, it is important that you anticipate and rebut your readers’ objections.
This is called “refutation” and it
means that you will show what is wrong with the opposing arguments. Other
times, you may want to concede valid
objections or concerns, and say that you agree with them. Concession to strong opposing points can work in a reasoned
argument because it shows that the writer is reasonable and it builds a foundation
of common concerns between writer and readers. In many cases, a concession is
really a “concession refutation,”
because the writer says they agree with the reader only to move on and indicate
how they differ.
4. A clear, logical
organization. You will need a thesis statement that asserts your position
and provides a forecast of the reasons you will offer to support it.
Additionally, you will want to make an effort to use clear transitions, words
such as because, however, admittedly, on
the other hand, therefore, finally etc.
Required length:
4 pages (title page and list of references do not count).
Number of sources:
6
Due date: April 6/2024
