Argumentative Paper
1. Look through newspapers, magazines, and ASUTR’s library links, such as Issues and
Controversies, to find issues that you feel strongly about. What I want you to do is not
review the article but state your opinion using an argumentative thesis statement. When stating
your viewpoint, incorporate quotes from your various sources such as the newspaper,
magazine, or Internet while incorporating the MLA formatting guidelines. Hint, the closer
you follow the MLA guidelines for documentation, the better your grade will likely be. The
minimum requirements for this assignment are 1 ½ pages, (DOES NOT INCLUDE WORKS
CITED PAGE), Times New Roman 12, and two sources. I recommend using
www.purdueowl.com for the MLA formatting guidelines.
2. This is a formal paper so you cannot use the words you, it, there; do not start sentences with
coordinating conjunctions (and, or, but, nor, for, so, yet); and do not use contractions such
as can’t. Of course, these rules do not apply to anything that is a direct quote.
3. Now that you are finished, go back and check to see if your paper has a thesis and your topic
sentences emphasize your thesis (in other words make sure what you are writing matches your
thesis statement). Also, make sure that your paper is free of comma splices, fused sentences,
fragments, and that your subject(s)/verb(s) agree. In addition, you need to check for all
possible mistakes that are listed in your Handbooks for Writers.
4. Make copies or turn in the original articles–WITH THE MATERIAL YOU USED
IN YOUR PAPER UNDERLINED OR HIGHLIGHTED–that you have quoted in your paper.
If you do not turn in your research, your paper will be reduced 15 points.
5. You also need to turn in a typed outline with the final paper (Not Required for the Rough
Draft) or you will receive a 10-point reduction.
6. Good luck and remember that good writing is rewriting.
Total Points Possible — 100 Final paper
25 Peer/Rough Draft
125 Possible Points
7. The Rough Draft is due by 11:59 pm. Wednesday, June 19
8. Final Draft is due by 11:59 pm. Sunday, June 30.
