For your final researched argument essay, you are asked to take a position on a debatable topic and provide evidence to support that position. You must show proper source documentation following MLA 9th edition style, both in the body of the paper and on a Works Cited page.
You may choose the type of argument to focus on; however, keep in mind that each paper must be over six pages long minimum with at least six outside sources used within the text.
Fact Argument:
If you are creating a fact argument, you are describing a situation or issue and how that issue is a problem, where and when it is a problem, for whom it is a problem, and why it is a problem. Basically, you want your readers to agree with your assessment of the issue and understand your position on it after defining or explaining the scope of the problem. Your draft should include a thesis statement, appropriate and sufficient evidence to back up your claims, and rhetorical appeals that suit your prospective audience (named in the heading of paper). Somewhere in this essay, you must attend to those who hold another perspective. You may end with an emerging proposal or discussion of solutions. See Nicholas Kristof’s “Our Blind Spot About Guns” beginning on pp. 177 in the textbook NFG for one example.
Proposal Argument:
If you are creating a proposal argument, you will be describing what someone or some group of people should do about an ongoing issue and why your solution is best. Your main goal is to show at least that your solution is feasible. You will have the additional task of first persuading your readers to agree with your assessment of the issue to which your solution applies (a proposal is always prefaced by a fact argument), but in this essay, you will focus more on the way/s to fix the problem rather than simply describing the problem. Your draft must include a thesis statement in the form of “A should do B because of C,” appropriate and sufficient evidence to back up your claims, and rhetorical appeals that suit your prospective audience (named in the heading of paper). Somewhere in this essay, you must attend to other proposed or tried solutions. See Michael Chabon’s “Kids’ Stuff” beginning on pp. 947 in the textbook NFG for an example.
Refer also to Joanna MacKay’s “Organ Sales Will Save Lives” for a published student exampleLinks to an external site. but NOTE that her MLA Works Cited list is out of date.
Steps
Read the assigned textbook pages, additional material, and examples mentioned above.
Consider pre-writing to organize your ideas.
Think about what types of sources you still need or what kinds of information/evidence is lacking for your approach. Do you still need another side or perspective? Do you know the “issue” and your chosen solution, so now you need evidence that demonstrates your proposed solution is effective?
Review MLA in-text citation rules and know where to find a model for your source types on a Works Cited (NFG Chapter 53, beginning on page 564, and The OWL at PurdueLinks to an external site. are always good sources)
Begin drafting as soon as possible; you will find that the process goes smoother if you get an early start.
As you add information and source materials, go back through and revise earlier sections as needed.
Read your work out loud (especially if you have a “live” audience — my mom sat through tons of my academic paper readings) to see where you may have gaps in information or explanations.
Towards the end, double check and revise your thesis statement (which should usually appear at the end of the introduction)
Outcome
Your purpose is to join in the conversation/debate about an ongoing topic or even a new problem or newly emerging issue. You should clearly identify your stance in a thesis statement early on, show that you understand the state of the debate by representing multiple perspectives, and weave together various source ideas with yours while giving proper credit and documentation. You will want to have an audience in mind while writing and should make the strongest possible case for your stance that you can in the space that we have for this work this semester.
Qualities of a Good Researched Argument Essay
Presents the issue in a way to grab the reader’s attention
Has a clearly stated claim (assertion) about the issue (fact/definition) or the solution (proposal)
Is aware of the audience’s needs and perspectives; identifies an audience
Offers appropriate reasons for the claim with supporting evidence (facts, expert testimony, statistical data)
Appeals from Logos, Pathos, and Ethos (combination) as befitting the argument and audience
Attends to at least one other viewpoint that exists around the topic (all sources should not fully agree)
Offers areas of description and/or analysis as necessary
Requirements
The final version of this essay should follow typical academic conventions: type your argument in 12-point font and double-space it. Use the MLA formatting of a left justified heading with your name, my name, course title, and date (also double-spaced). Add an extra line with your SPECIFIC audience identified; at least name the general audience type. Give your essay a title, which is centered above the body paragraphs, but do not put any special formatting on your title (do not bold, italicize, etc.). Put your last name in the upper right header of the document, followed by numbered pages. Directly quoted material should make up ten – twenty percent of your paper. This essay should be over six pages in length (1900+ words).
