I’m arguing that prostitution should be decriminalized
Directions Below:
I’ll remind you that you are not writing a report: you are making an argument.
You are trying to persuade your readers to take a particular course of action on a particular issue. Your paper must be clear, and your points must be backed up by research, but your main job is to persuade your reader to take a particular course of action. You need to use research, but you need to include it appropriately. Too many long quotations, or too many quotations of any sort, will distract your reader. If you follow the organizational structure below, you will be sure that you are using quotes in the appropriate places. You will not use too few or too many quotations.
Introduction. You will note that the Introduction in the Sample contains two paragraphs, the first two paragraphs of the paper. Your Introduction might well be a single paragraph; the exact length should be determined by how efficiently you can begin the paper by including all the material your reader needs. Your reader needs to know what your paper is about, and what you want to prove.
— Your first one or two sentences should get right to the point: explain what you are writing about. Look at the Sample. The writer of that paper is discussing asset forfeiture. His first two sentences explain what asset forfeiture is. Do not begin by saying something like “this issue is controversial and different people disagree about it.” Your reader knows that you are discussing a controversial issue, and you do not need to say that a controversial issue is controversial.
–Your next two to four sentences should explain what the people who disagree with you say about this topic. If you look at the Sample, the writer disagrees with those who want asset forfeiture laws to remain unchanged. So he says “police and prosecutors argue” that these laws are necessary, and he explains why they say this. He does this in only a few sentences.
–Finally, end your introduction by explaining exactly what you want to do about the issue you have selected. Briefly point out why the people who disagree with you are incorrect. The writer of the Sample wants to do two things: keep asset forfeiture laws in general; but also put in place reforms to make sure these laws are not abused. He also briefly presents his reasons why he wants to do these things. This is your thesis.
Your Introduction should tell your reader what is in the paper overall. It should tell your reader what you want them to do, and why. Do this in your own words. Your Introduction does NOT need to include any quotations. If it contains one, that should be OK, though it is unnecessary. But if it contains more than one, that means your reader is not reading about your ideas, but about someone else’s.
Your Introduction should be at least three quarters of a page long, and at most about a page long. Any shorter and you are not doing everything you need to do, and any longer and you are going too far. Most of you will only need a single paragraph for the Introduction. Only use two if your Introduction is in the long side.
Background.
After the Introduction, the writer of the Sample paper explains the background material a reader needs to understand his topic. He gives a very brief overview of the history of asset forfeiture laws, and then moves on to discuss how these laws function, and then writes about how the issue is being currently discussed. Note that the writer uses quotations to provide this background material. These quotations show that the writer has done his “homework” on the issue. Your Background paragraph should not use more quotations than the sample.
However, do NOT use any long quotations in this paragraph — nothing more than three lines long, as a rule of thumb. That would be distracting.
Your Background paragraph should never be longer than about a page, at the outside. You need to give your reader an overview. You do not need to write a report on your topic. (That said, keep your opinion out of this paragraph. Your opinion will come later.)
Opposing Argument.
After the Background, the writer of the Sample provides an explanation of what people who disagree with him say about the issue. Note how he does this: he finds an article written by someone who supports asset forfeiture laws, and he summarizes it. He uses direct quotations from this article, and is careful to accurately represent this author’s opinions. This prevents him from being accused of “putting words in someone’s mouth.”
Model your presentation of the Opposing Argument on that provided in the Sample. You want a single paragraph, focusing on the direct statements made by people on the other side of the issue than you are. Keep your opinion out of it: let the opposition have its say. Get it out of the way in a single paragraph that is no longer than a page long.
Rebuttal.
Here the Sample writer makes what is called a rhetorical turn. The writer acknowledges the issues raised by those with whom he disagrees, but draws attention to what he sees as the flaws in their argument. This follows up on the Introduction.
Pay attention to the tone of this paragraph. The author is not sarcastic, dismissive, or crude. Reasonable people often disagree! Assume that your reader is someone who is as intelligent as you are, and as nice. Don’t write something you would not like to see written about you. Focus on the issue at hand, and make an ethical case about the best course of action, from your perspective. Note: “Unfortunately, while asset forfeiture laws are wonderful in theory, in the real world they have not worked out so well.” You want to show that your argument is based on facts.
No more than two or three quotes in this paragraph! If your reader thinks you are merely restating someone else’s ideas, why would they want to read what you have to say?
Argument.
In this paragraph, the author provides ONE SPECIFIC reason why asset forfeiture laws may often be abused. The author looks at a particular event, describes it, and then analyzes it to show why it supports his thesis.
In the next paragraph, the author provides ANOTHER SPECIFIC reason why asset forfeiture laws may often be abused. The author looks at a particular event, describes it, and then analyzes it to show why it supports his thesis.
Quotations are ONLY used to support a point the author wants to make. At the same time, the author says nothing that is not supported by a quotation.
Conclusion.
The last paragraph begins with a clear, straightforward statement about what the author wants from the reader: “Clearly, we need to reform these asset forfeiture laws.” Do NOT merely repeat anything from your introduction. Readers recognize repetition, and dislike it. Instead, make a direct appeal. State what you think reasonable people should do.
