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Argumentative Research Paper Error of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it. Thomas Jefferson Introduction Of all kinds of writing, arguments are perhaps the most difficult to compose. Its hard to get other readers to accept a position if they are inclined to disagree with you. However, a well-crafted argument may persuade those who are neutral or undecided about an issue to accept your view. A carefully reasoned argument may also compel others to concede a point or compromise. At the very least, when you write about your opinions and ground them in reason and evidence, you clarify your own thinking for yourself. Thus you better understand rationally why you feel a certain way about a controversy. What is an argument? In discourse, an argument is an essay in which you present reasons for a belief you have about a controversial issue. Controversies range in intensity. You neednt engage in a highly charged emotional issue if youd rather not. Controversy merely means that the question you are exploring in your argument can be answered in more than one way. Your paper will make a case for the answer that seems best to you. Your purpose in writing is to persuade others that your views are worth consideringeven adopting. What are the specifics of this assignment? Write an essay that presents an argument relevant to your major. Support your thesis with at least 1015 credible sources drawn from materials others in your field of study might consult, read, or reference in their own writing. Your argument may be about the nature of things, about causal connections, about whats good or not good, about what should be done, or a combination of these. Well talk about these different kinds of argument at length. The overall purpose of this assignment is to help you learn where others in your field go to find relevant information, what others in your discipline have to say about an issue of controversy, and how to organize your ideas persuasively. Length: 3,000 words (about 10 pages introduction to conclusion), double-spaced, and in MLA format. Audience: Other majors and professionals in your field of studyor a general audience interested in a topic relevant to your major.

How should I organize an argument? The following outline, often called the Aristotelian model, is a popular structure for organizing an argument. It has been a favorite since ancient times, in part because it is orderly and encourages writers to consider their own views in the context of opposing views. Be sure to use your own headings and subheadings in MLA style to outline the sections of your paper. MLA Style Cover Page Create a cover page using the format discussed and practiced in class (on a page by itself). Table of Contents Create a table of contents by pulling the headings from throughout your paper. Do this as one of the last things you do to the document so that the page numbers do not change on you. Please follow the format I demonstrate below (on a page by itself). Abstract Include an abstract, a short summary of your argument (on a page by itself).. This abstract should be about 150-200 words in length and follow the guidelines of good summary writing.

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Do not include language that either refers to the paper or to yourself in an abstract. So, dont say in this paper I will ..., the purpose of this paper is to ... , or the research I found ... Introduction and Presentation of Issue Introduce the issue at question and show your readers how it is relevant to their experience. You should probably include your thesis at the end of this section. Background Present whatever information your reader needs to better understand the argument you are about to presentkey definitions, historical background, and previous research. Try to be objective in this section to establish ethoscredibility as an author. Lines of Argument Present your thesis and lay out your argument, reason by reason. Support your points with ample, credible evidence. Generally speaking, the more controversial your claim, the more evidence youll need. Opposing Views: Concessions and Refutation Present the argument of those who oppose your own position. Be fair as you represent them. Explain which parts of your opponents argument you are comfortable acceptingif anyand why (the concession). Then explain which parts of your opponents argument you are unable to accept and why (the refutation). Conclusion Climax your paper in a concluding section. You may want to remind your reader why the issue is important to them and how your argument benefits them. Some writers save their emotional appeals for this climactic position. References Include bibliographic citations for each source included in your paper (on a page by itself). Remember you must cite images, paraphrases, summaries, and quotes.

Table of Contents Abstract..................................................................................................................................................... Introduction............................................................................................................................................... Generic Level 1Heading I ......................................................................................................................... Generic Level 2 Heading A............................................................................................................... 4 5 6 8

Generic Level 2 Heading B.............................................................................................................. 10 Generic Level 1Heading II ....................................................................................................................... 11