Background
Many
things that we read, write, or do present some form of argument. As a college
student, you will be asked to figure out the argument the writer is making and
to argue for what you believe and why. As discussed in
class, an
argumentative essay expresses a strong opinion with the intent of convincing your readers to support your position. Your essay is
aimed at people who disagree or who don’t yet have an opinion on the issue. To
construct a good argument, you need to use a logical line of reasoning backed
up with good outside sources.
Learning Outcomes
· Plan, write, revise
and review multi-paragraph compositions that stress analytical, evaluative,
exploratory, and argumentative writing within various rhetorical situations.
·
Employ critical and evaluative reading skills in order to
synthesize evidence and/or sources in support of a claim, using an appropriate
documentation system.
Assignment
For this assignment, you
will pick a controversial topic and write an effective academic argument paper.
As discussed in class, you take a stance or make a claim about your topic and provide
reasons for the claim. Support the reasons with specific evidence. All this is
to prove that your claim is true or valid. You will also address
counterarguments (opposing views) and refute them. The refutation may include some concessions
of valid objections
if applicable.
Research your topic and
provide relevant and adequate evidence. 4-6 sources are required. Of these
sources, at least one source
is expected from the Auraria Library database. To access the databases, go to https://library.auraria.edu/.
Other
Internet sources must be credible; you need to check the credibility and
usefulness of your sources using the CRAAP test. Would Wikipedia be a credible sources? Big NO!
Structure of the paper
Introduction: Providing
Context (1 paragraph)
Ø Grab
the readers’ attention, for example, with a quote or interesting fact about the
issue you are addressing in the paper.
Ø Provide
background information explaining the issue or the controversy around the issue.
In other words, describe the problem and the various perspectives people have on
the issue. These are things that readers should know before they dive into your
argument.
Ø Establish
your position with a focused thesis statement, which should include the issue
(topic), claim (the stand you take on
the issue), and reasons to support your claim. Make sure your claim is arguable.
Ø When
you think of reasons, think of them as because
clauses attached to your claim. Suppose you are examining the issue “Should the
arts be required as core classes in K-12?” Here is one way the claim can be
expressed with because clauses:
The
arts should be required as core classes in K-12 because
·
they
help students develop self-esteem.
· they help students develop thinking and
listening skills.
·
they
help students develop discipline.
·
they
help students develop coordination.
Below
is the final thesis statement for the above
example:
· The arts should be required as core
classes in K-12 because they help students develop self-esteem, thinking and
listening skills, discipline, and coordination.
Body Paragraphs: Developing
Your Argument (Use
MEAL) (at least 3 paragraphs)
·
Support your claim by reasons and evidence.
·
Once you have solid reasons, find evidence to
support each reason. Research and find facts, statistics, expert opinion, or examples
that would support the reasons and thereby support your main claim.
·
Use the sources in the form of a direct quote, summary, or paraphrase. Keep direct quotes to a minimum; try
to summarize and/or paraphrase. Please do not let outside research overwhelm
your writing; limit it to 25%-30% of your paper. Otherwise, your voice will not
come through.
·
Incorporate all outside sources smoothly using
signal phrases (e.g. According to X . . . or Y argues that . . . ).
·
Explain how your evidence supports your
reasons and your claim.
·
Whether you are putting information in your
own words or quoting it directly, you need to cite your sources both in the paper and in the works cited
page. If you don’t cite your sources, it’s plagiarism!
Body Paragraph: Addressing Counterarguments
(1 paragraph)
·
Address
what the other side claims.
·
Discuss
some of their claims and evidence they provide for their claims. You need to
cite sources.
·
Doing
this will help you establish your credibility and make your argument stronger.
Body Paragraph: Refuting Counterarguments
(1 paragraph)
·
Concede
if there is any valid claim the other side makes.
·
Respond
to opposing views that are not valid. Provide sound reasons and evidence to
prove that the other side’s claim is untrue.
In other words, show the weaknesses of their claim or flaws in their
claim.
Conclusion (1 paragraph)
·
Reaffirm
your claim in a different way.
·
Remind
readers why the issue you bring up matters, or what possible consequences
accepting or rejecting your argument may have.
·
Give
your paper a lasting impression.
Additional Requirements
· Make sure every single source is
cited in the body and the Works Cited page. If you fail to cite them, it is
considered plagiarism. Consequently,
you will receive an F for the
assignment, and the incident will be reported to the Student Conduct Officer.
· Follow all other MLA formatting guidelines.
Grading Rubric
Detailed rubric will be provided
later. Below are the main elements:
· Introduction/Thesis: 25 points
· Idea Development & Research: 60 points
· Structure & Organization: 50 points
· Conclusion: 20 points
· Style & Clarity: 20 points
· MLA Convention (Formatting, in-text citation & Works
Cited): 25 points
Argumentative Essay Outline
This outline is not a substitute for the detailed assignment directions
you received.
I. Introduction
·
Begin with a “hook” or “grab”
statement, like a quote or interesting fact about the topic of the paper.
·
Background: introduce the topic
or issue. What does the reader need to know before diving into your paper?
· Last
Sentence: Thesis statement (topic
+ claim + reasons)
II. Your Argument Paragraphs
Each reason is a separate paragraph.
a.
Reason
#1 (Main idea or topic sentence)
i. Evidence (quote, summary, or
paraphrase)
ii. Analyze the evidence (Explain how
the evidence supports your main reason)
iii. Link
b.
Reason
#2 (Main idea or topic sentence)
i. Evidence (quote, summary, or
paraphrase)
ii. Analyze the evidence (Explain how
the evidence supports your main reason)
iii. Link
c.
Reason
#3 (Main idea or topic sentence)
i. Evidence (quote, summary, or
paraphrase)
ii. Analyze the evidence (Explain how
the evidence supports your main reason)
iii. Link
III. Counterargument Paragraph
i. Counterclaim (or topic sentence)
ii. Evidence
iii. Explanation
iv. Conclusion
IV. Refutation Paragraph
i. Response to the counterargument (or topic sentence)
ii. Evidence
iii. Explanation
iv. Conclusion
V. Conclusion Paragraph
a.
Re-emphasize your claim.
b.
Strong conclusion of relevance.
Why is it important to write about the topic? Why should readers care about the
issue? What
are possible consequences of accepting or rejecting your argument?
N.B. You’ll notice that your
thesis statement is the almighty director of your paper. It shows the reader
the order your reasoning will take in your paper. Keep in mind that it might
change as you gather more evidence.
