Communities, because they are made up of people, are inherently fallible. In the Unit 3 essay you identified and explained a problem facing a community you belong to. Now, using the five-paragraph essay structure—with an additional counterargument paragraph—argue for a solution to that problem. In other words, compose an essay that answers the following question: What is the solution to the problem, which you wrote about in the Unit 3 essay, facing your community? The additional requirement of a counterargument paragraph is an important component to your successful essay. We will discuss it in detail during this unit. In the meantime, familiarize yourself with the outline below and the attached graphic organizer.
The materials we will read, listen to, study, and discuss during this unit will provide many examples of individuals solving problems facing their communities. You can be as ambitious or as uncomplicated as you wish.
Use five to six (5-6) sources of your choosing to help with your essay’s content. (Do not use quote collection websites such as brainyquote.com, Goodreads, or the like.) Incorporating additional sources will require that the final page of your essay be a separate MLA works cited page. Attribute your sources using the Purdue University Online Writing Lab, the OWLLinks to an external site., and the MLA-related documents I’ve posted under ‘Files’ in Canvas.
Your audience for this assignment consists of your peers—well-informed college students. Your paragraphs must be fully developed, and your essay must be a minimum of 2000 words and no more that 2250.
A Note on the Counterargument
This is sometimes a hard section for writers to develop; who wants to think of the reasons why an argument won’t work? But this can often be the strongest part of an argument, for when you show your audience that you have anticipated their potential objections, and have an answer for them, you defuse the audience’s ability to oppose you and persuade them to accept your point of view. If there are places where you agree with the opposition, conceding their points creates goodwill and respect without weakening your thesis. For instance, if you are supporting parental notification for abortions, you might concede that there are times when girls shouldn’t be expected to get their parents’ permission, such as in abuse or incest cases. But then you might suggest that a court-appointed counselor give permission instead so that the young girl gets an adult’s support in making this decision.
Consider using the following outline to help with your essay’s structure.
I. Introduction
provide background information about the problem facing your community.
introduce the solution you will be discussing in your paragraphs.
grab your audience’s attention.
include a thesis statement at the end of the paragraph that clearly states your answer to the question: What is the solution to the problem facing your community
II. First Body Paragraph
begin with a strong topic sentence that introduces your paragraph and directs your discussion.
use well-developed supportive detail about the solution to your community’s problem.
draw clear connections between your community and why this solution is needed.
discuss a necessity of your solution.
provide a “quote” which supports your solution.
explain your quote in great detail—using the “quote sandwich” method.
conclude with a well-designed transition.
III. Second Body Paragraph
begin with a strong topic sentence that introduces your paragraph and directs your discussion.
use well-developed supportive detail about the solution to your community’s problem.
draw clear connections between your community and why this solution is needed.
discuss a necessity of your solution.
provide a “quote” which supports your solution.
explain your quote in great detail—using the “quote sandwich” method.
conclude with a well-designed transition.
IV. Third Body Paragraph
begin with a strong topic sentence that introduces your paragraph and directs your discussion.
use well-developed supportive detail about the solution to your community’s problem.
draw clear connections between your community and why this solution is needed.
discuss a necessity of your solution.
provide a “quote” which supports your solution.
explain your quote in great detail—using the “quote sandwich” method.
conclude with a well-designed transition.
V. Counterargument (or Refutation)
begin with a strong topic sentence that introduces your paragraph topic and directs your discussion
raise one of the arguments presented by the opposition to your solution and argue against it logically and fairly, in an attempt to disprove it
provide a “quote” which supports your solution.
fully explain your refutation in great detail
provide a conclusion to your paragraph that shows how your counterargument supports the assertion of your thesis
end with a well-designed transition to your next paragraph.
VI. Conclusion
apply your discussion to the “bigger picture”—Answer the question “So what?” in relation to your solution
summarize your discussion and restate (don’t copy and paste) your thesis statement.
explain how your community will be better as a result of solving its problem.
ease your audience out of your subject.
Use the following checklist to help you sharpen your writing and avoid sentence and basic mechanics errors:
use formal (not conversational or casual) language.
consider your audience—use proper tone and voice for a formal essay.
avoid illogical shifts in point of view (i.e., from first person to third person).
follow the page-format guidelines provided in your syllabus.
use active voice instead of passive voice.
employ correct punctuation and grammar.
Must be double-spaced, titled, Times New Roman, 12-point font, with numbered pages that
include your last name. I have left the previous two essays that tie with this one.
