Argument and Persuasion Essay
The purpose of an Argument Essay is to win the reader’s agreement with an assertion or
claim by appealing to their powers of reasoning. A Persuasive Essay intends to influence a reader’s actions, or their support for an action, by appealing to their beliefs and feelings.
Although this is an Argument Essay, your essay should engage both the reader’s
intelligence and their feelings. Please write an essay that argues for or against something. You may not write about abortion, drugs, guns, politics, or religion.
This type of an essay is usually based on a controversial idea—an idea that people have different, opposing, views or opinions about. Your essay must take a stand regarding the idea. However, the classical argument formula dictates that you present opposing views. In a pro position, you are defending or supporting an idea. When you are opposing an idea, you are in a con position.
Although an Argument Essay, as well as a Persuasive Essay, usually includes classic
elements, it does not have a traditional format, or formula, that you must follow. Therefore, you may use any, or several, mode(s) of development that appropriately support your
thesis. The following is a list of classical elements typically present in an argument. You
may organize these elements so that they flow with your ideas. Here are the classic
argument elements:
A statement of the problem
A solution to the problem you expose
Show the existence of the problem and the severity of the problem
A refutation, an acknowledgement and rebuttal to the opposing side
A long-term prediction, can be a statistical projection, or a guess about what will come regarding the issue
Requirements:
MLA Format
4 pages + Works Cited
One (1) Figure of Speech
At least one (1) of each conjunction:
Coordinating
Subordinating
Adverbial
Transitional Paragraph
One (1) short quote – you may have more short quotes but no long quotes
One (1) paraphrase – you may have more
Two (2) sources – not more than four (4) sources
Works Cited Page ~ Does not count toward 4 pages
SAMPLE TOPICS
· Mandatory Recycling
· Preventing Climate Change
· High Power Electrical Lines Near Residences
· Zoological Preservation of Endangered Species
· Welfare Reform—Past, Present, Future
· Parenting License
· Federal Medical Leave Act
· Benefit or Detriment of Stay at Home Parent
· Violent Acts by Children
· Teen Pregnancy
· High Divorce Rate
· Standardized Testing
· Mandatory Elementary School Reading
· Year Round School
· No Child Left Behind Act = Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
· College Tuition/Curriculum
· Validity of Online Classes
· Media Effect on Self-Image/Esteem
· Gender Inequality
· Gender Identification
· Female Military at the Front of the Line
· Male and Female Communication Characteristics
· Boss/Subordinate Relationships
· Social Class/minimum wage
OUTLINE
INTRODUCTION
Attention getting idea
Thesis: Statement of the problem and your position
Statement of credibility/Interest in the topic
Background/history
BODY PARAGRAPHS
Include these:
o Solution to the problem
o Show the existence of the problem
o Show the severity of the problem
o Show what will happen if the problem is not addressed
o Counter-argument
o Refutation to the counter-argument
o Long-term prediction
Each body paragraph should contain:
Topic sentence (chosen from the list above)
Supporting sentences (expand, explain, and give reasons for topic sentence)
Closing or transitional sentence
Conclusion–Wrap up essay
Include any or all of these:
· Give a recommendation
· Give a Call to Action
· An observation
Provide a strong final thought
