This essay will ask you to take a stance and develop an argument about your Open to Debate topic. You must choose one of the topics provided from the links above. The purpose of this essay is to see how well you can combine much of the critical thinking tools we have been learning about all semester.
The classical argument will be the structure for this essay. Please review the lecture from this week and classical argument handout. Also, review the sample essay.
However, briefly, your paragraphs must contain the following.
Intro must provide an overview of the topic from your perspective. You should have a clear thesis that indicates the stance you have on the subject.
Narration must provide an unbiased overview of the topic. This is not the place for your opinion, it is an objective assessment of the topic.
Claims sections can be between 3-4 paragraphs. You can use the Intelligence Squared debate as a source, but there should be at least two more sources (found in the college library online databases) used. Claims should have a clear topic sentence, cited evidence, and analysis.
Acknowledgement and Refutation sections must address only one cited claim from the opponent. The claim must be refuted either by pointing out a weakness in the claim itself or by providing a rational argument for why your claim is still the stronger one.
Summation should not merely summarize the argument, it must present a more meaningful–and inspiring–assessment of the argument as a whole.
Essay should be 6-9 pages, plus a work cited page. You will need at least 3-6 sources from the academic databases (the Open to Debate website must count as one source). MLA format. Essay should be submitted as a word file, no links or other file formats. Essays that do not meet any of these basic guidelines can receive a 0%. Essay is due 7/3 at 11:59 pm.
This is the topic I was given
https://dividedwefall.org/do-third-parties-help-or-harm-democracy/
Classical Argument Structure
Para I. Introduction: Introduce the general situation of your topic. Your introduction will be
successful if you discuss the topic’s relevance (why should the reader care about this topic?);
connect with your reader (establish good intentions), and state your position (thesis).
Your intro answers the “how,” “why,” and “so what” questions. If the first thing a reader asks after
reading the intro is why, how, or why should I care, you know you have not been specific and
focused enough in the intro.
Para II. Narration: This section is essential in making sure your audience understands the issue and
your general position on the issue. You might need to define terms, provide background, a
summary of past events that are critical to your topic, basic facts, or a brief review of what
experts have said on the topic. Ask yourself: who is my reader and what are they likely to be
curious about in regard to my topic?
*Do not begin talking about your specific claims and evidence yet. You can think of this
paragraph as a transition between your intro and your claims.
Para III. Reason and Claim #1: Topic Sentence, Reason, Source Evidence, and Elaboration: This is
typically the strongest reason why one should support your position. Will it be pathos, logos, or
ethos? Which fits best for your kind of argument?
Always include– Source & analysis of that source. Do not just repeat what that source said.
Para IV. Reason and Claim #2: Topic Sentence, Reason, Source Evidence, and Elaboration: This is
typically the second strongest reason why one should support your position. Will it be pathos,
logos, or ethos? Which fits best for your kind of argument?
Always include– Source & analysis of that source. Do not just repeat what that source said.
Para V. Reason and Claim #3: Topic Sentence, Reason, Source Evidence, and Elaboration: This is
typically the third strongest reason why one should support your position. Will it be pathos, logos,
or ethos? Which fits best for your kind of argument?
Always include– Source & analysis of that source. Do not just repeat what that source said.
*You may include another claim after claim #3 if you like, but it is not necessary
Para VI & VII. Acknowledgement and Refutation: One way ethos (ethical appeal) is
accomplished is presenting yourself as a fair and knowledgeable writer. One way to do this is to
show that you are aware of opposing viewpoints. For example, if you were arguing against the
death penalty, this will be the place where you recognize that others have good reasons to
support the death penalty. When you show that you are aware of the other side of the argument
you should also provide a source for that opposing point.
After your discussion of this opposing viewpoint, you should stress why your point of view is still
the strongest.
So here is what paragraph VI & VII look like:
Paragraph VI: Begin by discussing your awareness of other opinions on the topic. Then move on to
talk about one of those opinions. Provide a claim (Reason, Source Evidence, and Elaboration) why
other’s may support this other point of view and analyze it. What may be the context of this
opinion? Why would some people be motivated to take this other position?
Paragraph VII: Begin by stating even though you know of these other viewpoints, you still feel that
your position is correct. You can remind your readers that either a.) there may be some kind of
fallacy in the other perspective or b.) that even though this other perspective may be true, your
claim is still stronger.
Be sure to persuade the reader (me) that your position is the better one. You can do this by
attacking the other position’s weaknesses. Or you can do this by reinforcing the quality of your
position.
VII. Summation: Unlike the traditional “summary” conclusion this is the space where you want to
really drive home your position. You should do three things: remind the reader of your reasons,
point out the weakness in your opponent’s position, and encourage the reader to support your
position. Your final sentences must strongly encourage the reader to consider your perspective.
Think of it as a moment of “grand standing” or the rallying end of a speech.
