ENGL 1302 ARGUMENT ESSAY ASSIGNMENT

FALL 2016

PURPOSE
To write an argument to express a particular position on a controversial topic using appropriate evidence to support your
argument
APPLICATION
A key attribute of being a critical thinker is being able to make logical arguments. As critical thinkers, we must be able to
look at the available, appropriate evidence and draw logical conclusions. Controversial issues are have multiple sides and
must be explored completely before taking a position. Critical thinkers need to be able to sort through the facts to draw
their own conclusions.
Critical thinking skills you are developing in this assignment:
Inquiry: Avoid jumping to conclusions. You should examine and question assumptions, underlying biases, and
prejudices. You should critically examine your own opinions to make sure they are supportable by the evidence you
gather.
Support: Use an approach which you can support using credible evidence. As you develop your claim, consider the
audiences potential objections to your claim and account for them in your discussion (see Lunsford pages 132-33).
Synthesis: Put your conclusions in context with the opinions and insights of other people. This is called synthesis, and it is
covered in Chapter 24. You will need to consult outside sources. Your instructor will provide guidelines for appropriate
and useful sources.
Conclusion: The argument you make about your topic must be based on specific evidence and must be objectively
supportable.
ASSIGNMENT
After reading Chapter 11 Arguing a Position, consider a current issue in your discipline or a topic from your text that
needs attention see Topics section below. Please remember that you must get your topic approved. Your essay will
need to be between 1200-1600 words; MLA format. You will need additional research for this essay: at least 4 sources (no
more than 6), 2 of which need to be scholarly sources from the library databases. Make sure you present your causal claim
near the beginning of your essay, usually toward the end of your introductory paragraph.
You will need to decide on an approach which you can support using evidence. If needed, please refer to Chapter 11 for
the characteristic features of an argument, particularly pages 120-35. As you develop your claim, consider the audiences
potential objections to your claim and account for them in your discussion. Dont forget about establishing an ethos that
helps you gain credibility with your audience. Also, be careful about potential logical fallacies.
TOPICS
You have two options for topic selection for the remainder of the semester. Regardless of which choice you pursue, your
topic must be approved. There are some topics that will be off limits, including topics that are too controversial, clich, or
that are not appropriate for an academic essay. For this essay, you must pick an issue that you can explore and write an
argument, positing a particular position (please refer to Chapter 11 of your textbook). Remember to pick an issue and not
an argument. Begin your investigation with an open mind. It is possible that you will find information in your research
that will be contrary to preconceptions you hold. Research is about learning and exploring, not affirming what you already
think.
1. Spend some time thinking about your future discipline. For example, if your future discipline is education, you
may want to investigate pay for performance, teacher evaluation, school lottery, etc. Think about a specific area or
problem within your discipline that you can explore and write about in both an argumentative and
problem/solution context.
2. Look at some of the larger topics covered in our text. There are many articles that discuss food safety,
environmental issues, education, health management, etc. You may choose an issue within one of these larger
topics. I have also included a list that you may choose from. Please remember that regardless of the topic, you
must narrow enough to be able to cover thoroughly in the allotted word count. You must also be able to write
about this issue in both a causal and problem/solution context.

AUDIENCE
Imagine and address an audience that is hostile to your position but willing to listen.
DEADLINES AND SUBMISSIONS
Follow the deadlines for each part of this assignment as listed on your course calendar. Be sure to complete each upload to
Blackboard as scheduled on the calendar. Completed rough drafts must be within 90% of the minimum final word-count
to receive credit.
GRADING CRITERIA
In addition to the general information provided in the syllabus, the following grading policies apply to this essay:

Essays that are outside the assigned word range will receive a 0 regardless of the quality of the work. When you
check the word count of your essay, remember that headings, titles, and works cited pages do not count.

Essays that are so riddled with grammatical and mechanical errors that a reader must struggle to understand the
basic meaning of sentences will receive a failing grade regardless of the quality of the ideas.

Essays that contain unsupported claims or that rely on disreputable research sources will be penalized by at least
one letter grade. If you have questions about the credibility of a source, seek the instructor's approval well before
the essay deadline.

Arguments that pass the basic checks listed above will be graded using the following criteria:
Content
(25 points)

As explained in Ch. 11, effective arguments will contain

a clear claim
a clear, logical progression
a well-supported argument
As explained in Ch. 11, effective arguments will demonstrate
attention to the audiences needs and expectations
an authoritative tone
awareness of the potential fallacies
The thesis statement should be a claim. Your claim should be a clear statement followed by
reasons supporting your position.
Include appropriate signal phrases and citations for your sources so that readers feel they can
trust your information.

Organization
(25 points)

The essay must include a thesis statement, and the thesis should be placed near the end of the
introduction.
All body paragraphs should support the main idea expressed in the thesis, and each body
paragraph should begin with a topic sentence that expresses the main idea of that paragraph.
Body paragraphs should be arranged logically with transitional devices to assist readers in
following the chosen organizational pattern.

Mechanics and Style

(25 points)

Effective essays will be nearly free of mistakes in grammar and punctuation.

Documentation
(15 points)

Essays should be documented using the MLA style manual for both in-text parenthetical
citations and the Works Cited page.

Format
(10 points)

Essays should be formatted using MLA style guidelines. See the sample essay that begins on
page 574.

Style should be appropriate to audience and purpose.