Argumentative Essay Guidelines, Suggestions, and Topics
An argumentative essay requires you to write a rational, well-evidenced, solid defense of your claim. You will be required to write no more than four to six (4-6) typed and double-spaced pages on your selected topic. Your topic must come from any of the following topics or be a topic which I have approved. In some case you may have to narrow the topics to complete the assignment. Chapter 13 of Critical Thinking: A Student’s Introduction (our text) discusses in detail the requirements of writing an argumentative essay and we will say more about this in class. However, the following is a general outline of the steps you should consider when writing an argument. A sample argumentative essay is provided in Critical Thinking beginning on page 414.
Topic: Do we need more gun control laws?
Before you write:
Know yourself
Know your audience
Choose and narrow your topic
Write a sentence that expresses your claim
Gather ideas: brainstorm and research
Organize your ideas
Writing the First Draft:
Provide an interesting opening
Include a thesis statement
Develop your body paragraphs
Provide a satisfying conclusion
After the Rough Draft (if you choose to write one):
Read what you have written and revise
Consider what you have not written and revise
Show your work
Edit your work
Hand it in
You will be evaluated on:
Spelling and Grammar – You will be deducted points for spelling and grammar
errors.
Attributing Sources – students must properly cite sources. We will discuss this issue
further in class.
Quality of Sources – the stronger and more credible your sources, the higher your
grade for this part of the assignment. Hint: Wikipedia is not a strong source.
Quality of Final Product – better papers (e.g. well written, well researched, well
argued) receive better scores.
Strength of Analysis/Argument – your argument should be logical, use reliable
(reasonable) evidence that is relevant and sufficient to establish the conclusion. You
need to do research to meet this objective.
essay rubric:
Final Paper Rubric: Your essay will be evaluated on these five (5) elements. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns
Critical Elements (25 points): Exemplary (100%): Includes all of the main elements and requirements and cites ample appropriate support to illustrate each element
Proficient (85%): Includes most of the main elements and requirements and cites appropriate support to illustrate each element
Needs Improvement (55%): Includes some of the main elements and requirements
Not Evident (0%): Does not include any of the main elements and requirements
Inquiry and Analysis (20 points): Exemplary (100%): Explores multiple reasons and offers in-depth analysis of evidence to make informed conclusions about the issue
Proficient (85%): Explores some reasons and offers somewhat in-depth analysis of evidence to make informed conclusions about the issue
Needs Improvement (55%): Explores minimal reasons and offers minimal analysis of evidence to make informed conclusions about the issue
Not Evident (0%): Does not explore reasons and analysis of evidence and does not make informed conclusions about the issue
Critical Thinking (20): Exemplary (100%): Demonstrates comprehensive exploration of issues and ideas before accepting or forming an opinion or conclusion
Proficient (85%): Demonstrates moderate exploration of issues and ideas before accepting or forming an opinion or conclusion
Needs Improvement (55%): Demonstrates minimal exploration of issues and ideas before accepting or forming an opinion or conclusion
Not Evident (0%): Does not demonstrate exploration of issues and ideas before accepting or forming an opinion or conclusion
Objection and Response (20): Exemplary (100%): Incorporates and fully develops a strong objection; offers a strong and novel response to that objection
Proficient (85%): Incorporates and moderately develops an objection; offers an adequate response to that objection
Needs Improvement (55%): Incorporates but does not fully develop an objection; responds somewhat to that objection
Not Evident (0%): Does not incorporate a full objection; does not respond to that objection
Writing (Mechanics/Citations) (15): Exemplary (100%): No errors related to organization, grammar and style, and citations
Proficient (85%): Minor errors related to organization, grammar and style, and citations
Needs Improvement (55%): Some errors related to organization, grammar and style, and citations
Not Evident (0%): Major errors related to organization, grammar and style, and citations
