Overview
This semester you have discussed and analyzed multiple perspectives on several topics. You have seen how all writing exists in connection to others’ perspectives on a topic to create an ongoing conversation. Now it is time to add your own perspective to one of these conversations.
This assignment is the culmination of all the practice and analysis you have completed this semester, and the culmination of all the research you have completed in Modules 4 and 5. Your research has allowed you to understand the perspectives, and now it is time to use that research to add your own credible voice to the conversation.
You should spend approximately 13 hours on this assignment.
Instructions
Research: Continue the research you started in Module 4. Research the working thesis you developed in your Exploratory Essay and Research Proposal, and consult the sources from your field research and your Annotated Bibliography, adding or changing sources if you need more support.
Pre-Write: What background information do your readers need to know to understand your topic? Why should your argument matter to your readers? How will you make your topic significant to your readers? What types of arguments will best appeal to your readers? What supporting points do you need to make to support your thesis, and what evidence will you use to support those points? What is your purpose in writing? What do you want your readers to do, think, or feel after reading your essay? What is the most effective tone to use for your argument?
Write: Add your voice to an ongoing conversation on a topic that is important to you. Write a researched argument supporting your thesis on your topic.
Introduction: You should give a thorough overview of the topic in your introduction. Give background information, history, and context to the issue. Identify the main points of conflict or debate. Conclude the introduction with your argumentative thesis.
Argument: Argue directly for your position. Support your claims with specific evidence. Remember to consider appeals to ethos, logos, and pathos and to avoid logical fallacies. Use your research to influence your depth of thought on the topic and to create credibility in your arguments.
Counterargument: Address at least one counterargument. Carefully consider at least one of your opposition’s strongest objections, and overcome or refute it. Support your rebuttal argument with specific evidence.
Conclusion: Synthesize the information you present in your body paragraphs. What do you want your reader to do, think, or feel after reading your essay?
Tips for Success:
Your essay should be approximately 2,000-2,400 words.
Your essay should cite 8-10 credible sources as support for your argument. Your essay should contain 5-7 quotations from your sources, and should paraphrase other main ideas. Use your sources effectively, and stay in control of your argument. Be sure to use quotation marks and in-text citations appropriately and responsibly.
Please be sure to use correct MLA Style for your essay and to create an MLA Works Cited page. Need help with MLA? Please refer to the CCCOnline MLA Citation Toolkit
