Argument Essay
Arguing is a part of life that cannot be avoided. Babies’ first cries are arguments to “feed me,” “change my diaper,” “stop ignoring me,” “I need you to pay attention to me now—or else,” and “love me.” As we mature, our arguments become more nuanced and essential to how we see ourselves in the world and how others perceive our place in the world.
In most arguments, participants are overly concerned with winning, proving someone else wrong, or being the supreme “right” authority on an issue; these aspirations are futile. Where social arguments can become heated and dismissive, the arguments you will write in college will expect you to extend your audience, focus, purpose, thought, and intent. College course work looks at argument as a conversation to be entered, heard, and considered—not won, proven, dismissed, or devalued.
Role/Writer’s Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to prepare a convincing and concise argument for a newspaper or magazine opinion piece. This should be in reaction to something you have read, seen, or experienced—or—as Trish Hall, the former Op-Ed and Sunday Review editor of The New York Times has written, “Anything can be an Op-Ed.” Personal or explanatory essays, commentary on news events, reflections on cultural trends and more are all welcome…” in the Times.
Topic Choices
For this assignment, the writer must argue a position on a relevant topic. Like Hall, all topics are welcome unless they appear on the banned topics list, are overused, or border on ridiculousness. The idea of banning some topics is not to silence the writer, but to provoke thought beyond the “same-old, same-old” topics that say nothing—and avoid—the topic people think they are supposed to talk about.
Choose a topic that you genuinely would like to find out something new and come to a greater understanding of your topic. You should not choose a topic where the information is commonly known.
Again, this topic is your choice except for topics from the “Banned” Topics List. Instead, challenge yourself to independently learn something. Please review the “Banned” Topics List in this assignment or in the course shell.
Audience
Someone who is unfamiliar with your topic but would want to gain the knowledge that you have acquired on the subject.
Genre: Formal argument writing suitable for the public to read.
Task Success is…
Choosing a topic based on class discussion, course, and assignment guidelines.
Writing a 1000-words (minimum) to 1500-words (2500 meaningful words maximum) essay relating your feelings on a topic relevant to you and/or of concern to others.
Creating an engaging title for the argument essay.
Including introductory information to help the audience: situate the topic, define any important or unknown terms, or an idea necessary for the audience to understand the topic.
Providing a clear claim (thesis) as a preview to the main points of the paper.
Organizing with clear paragraphs, transitions, topic sentences, details, supporting sentences/statements, counterargument (s), and a conclusion with a call to action which makes the audience know the paper is concluded.
Attempting three signal phrases with relevant information.
Website
Interview (required)
Video
Observations (required)
Adhering to all formatting guidelines for the course from the naming of the file to the details of typing the paper online.
Avoiding the five-paragraph essay trap.
Evaluation Criteria
Topic Choice: Do not choose a topic from the “Banned” Topics List or choose a topic from the “Banned” Topics list and elevate the topics value by providing a new perspective, local flavor, or another way to make the topic stand out.
Length: 1000 – 1500 words (2,500 maximum)
Originality/Creativity/Risk-Taking
Rhetorical Situation Awareness: Purpose, Audience, Genre, Stance, Media/Design
Organization/Structure
Detail, supporting statements, examples
Mechanics/Grammar/Spelling
Audience: specific group chosen by the writer
Argument elements included: arguable claim (thesis), points/reasons, counterargument, call to action
Title: Use it to catch the audience’s attention and reflect the content of your essay.
Formatting: Your document should follow the expectations found in the course shell and reviewed in class. Note: No five-paragraph essays, please.
