ASSIGNMENT: Using your outline and annotated bibliography from Touchstones 1.2 and 2.2, draft a 6-8 page argumentative research essay on your chosen topic.
Research question: Why should the government not have control over a woman’s reproductive rights?
Thesis statement: The government should not have control over women’s reproductive rights because there are many reasons why women choose to have an abortion, such as, medical health reasons, mental health reasons, financial circumstance reasons,and other reasons.
DIRECTIONS: Refer to the list below throughout the writing process. Do not submit your Touchstone until it meets these guidelines. Refer to the Sample Touchstone for additional guidance on structure, formatting, and citation.
1. Argumentative Thesis Statement
❒ Have you included a thesis in your introduction that includes a clear, arguable stance and supporting reasons?
2. Argument Development
– Are all of the details relevant to the purpose of your essay?
– Is the argument supported using persuasive rhetorical appeals and page/paragraph-numbered source material (i.e., direct quotations, paraphrasing, and summary)?
– Is your essay 6-8 pages (approximately 1500-2000 words, not including your references or reflection question responses)? If not, which details do you need to add or remove?
– Does the essay consist of at least seven paragraphs – an introduction, five body paragraphs (with at least one for the counterarguments and rebuttals), and a conclusion? Are the body paragraphs ordered logically to strengthen the argument, and do they all contain accurate evidence from credible sources?
– Do your topic sentences make original and supportable points? Do your topic sentences directly support your thesis statement?
3. Research
– Have you introduced, contextualized, and cited outside sources effectively using at least some direct quotation, summary, and paraphrase techniques and included page/paragraph-numbered parenthetical citations?
– Are the sources incorporated smoothly, providing the reader with signal phrases and context for the source information?
– Have you referenced a range of at least 7 credible sources, and does each source have at least one accurate in-text citation in the essay?
– Have you properly formatted your citations according to APA style guidelines?
– Have you included an APA style reference page below your essay and do the sources listed there match those cited in the essay?
DIRECTIONS: Below your assignment, include answers to all of the following reflection questions.
Provide one example of a place where you have used rhetorical appeals or source material to support your argument. How does this enhance your essay? (2-3 sentences)
Touchstone 4 is a revision of this draft. What kind of feedback would be helpful for you as you revise? Are there parts of your draft that you’re uncertain of? (3-4 sentences)
D. Requirements
The following requirements must be met for your submission to be graded:
– Composition must be 6-8 pages (approximately 1500-2000 words, not including your references or reflection question responses)
– Double-space the composition and use one-inch margins.
– Use a readable 12-point font.
– All writing must be appropriate for an academic context.
– Composition must be original and written for this assignment.
– Use of generative chatbot artificial intelligence tools (ChatGPT, Bing Chat, Bard) in place of original writing is strictly prohibited for this assignment.
– Plagiarism of any kind is strictly prohibited.
– Submission must include your name, the name of the course, the date, and the title of your composition.
– Include all of the assignment components in a single file.
– Acceptable file formats include .doc and .docx.
