English 6/30
Module 6 Argument Paper First Draft Assignment
Introduction: By this time in the semester, you are prepared to complete the Argumentative Paper. You have already explored the background causes of a problem in your field of study and collected and evaluated external resources This week, you will put these elements together to produce the first draft of the argumentative paper.
The Assignment: Your goal in this assignment is to construct the first draft of the argumentative paper. Next week, you will upload the first draft to a peer review discussion thread and upload the final draft of the paper. Specific instructions for completing the first draft are provided below.
Resources: To complete this assignment, you will need:
· the materials that you have already created in the process:
· an Argument Student Example.
· a PDF copy of the Module 6 Argument Paper First Draft Assignment if you want instructions for offline use.
Acceptable Length: This piece should be a complete draft with a minimum of four full pages of writing and a maximum of six, not including the Works Cited page. This paper should use a minimum of five credible sources. One source must be an article from an academic, peer-reviewed journal article. You are allowed to reference and cite sources you have previously used for other assignments.
Formatting Requirements: The assignment must use MLA formatting in a Google Document.
Grading Criteria: The first draft will be graded for completeness. Your grade on the first draft is not indicative of your potential grade on the final draft. I will use the Argument Final Draft Rubric to grade the final draft.
Specific instructions for completing the Module 6 Argument Paper First Draft
This document is intended to be an aid to constructing the first draft of the Argumentative paper.
· There are many ways to draft an effective argument. What follows is one structure that has wide applicability.
· You can download an Example of an FTCC Student's Argumentative Paper (or Argument Student Example) to see one student’s successful interpretation of these instructions.
Background / Introduction: Identify a problem and propose a solution
· Things to do:
1. In the first paragraph, describe your field of study and identify a single problem in the field. State a few negative effects of the problem.
2. In the second paragraph, summarize the causes of the problem and identify a solution or set of solutions.
1. You may summarize the same causes from your cause and effect paper, but DO NOT copy/paste anything from your cause and effect paper.
2. Propose a solution to the problem in a single sentence at the end of the second paragraph. (This is your thesis statement)
· Guidelines:
· Remember that your reader may know nothing about your topic.
· Use a citation to support every factual statement you make, except for common knowledge.
· Construct your thesis so that it summarizes the problem and solution(s) in a single sentence.
Refutation: Present alternatives to your solution (may go either before or after main support)
· Things to do:
1. In the first paragraph, identify one or more alternatives to your solutions.
2. In the second paragraph, explain why these solutions are insufficient to address the problem.
· Guidelines:
· Begin each paragraph with a single sentence that introduces the main idea of that paragraph.
· Support all factual information with citations.
· If possible, give specific, documented examples of when these alternatives have been tried and explain why they didn’t work.
Main Support: Describe the reasons why your solution is the best alternative
· Things to do:
1. Explain how your solution will address the causes and/or alleviate the negative effects from the first section (1-3 paragraphs).
2. Explain how your solution will address the shortcomings of the alternative solutions (1-3 paragraphs).
3. Explain why your solution is possible (1-3 paragraphs).
· Guidelines:
· Begin each paragraph with a single sentence that introduces the main idea of that paragraph.
· Support all factual information with citations.
· If possible, give specific examples of when your proposed solution (or even parts of the solution) has been tried and explain why the solution may work again.
Conclusion: Implementation and outcomes
· Things to do:
1. Describe one or more possibilities for implementing your solution (1-3 paragraphs).
2. Describe the expected outcomes your audience can expect to see after your solution has been implemented (1-3 paragraphs).
· Guidelines:
· Stay positive, but be realistic. You’re addressing a problem and alleviating the negative effects of the problem, not making the problem disappear entirely.
· Implementation is always a work in progress. You have to have a plan, but it doesn’t have to be perfect. You only have to convince me that you’ve done your research.
· Use your expected outcomes to specifically address the negative effects from the first section.
Works Cited Page
· Make sure all in-text citations point to an entry on the Works Cited page.
· Only cite those resources that you used in the piece.
· All citations should be in MLA format.
· For more detail about the appropriate way to cite documents in MLA Style, including model citations and examples of a Works Cited page, check out the OWL at Purdue's "MLA Formatting and Style Guide." (Right-click→ Open link in new window)
· Use at least five credible sources. One source must be an article from an academic, peer-reviewed journal article. The best way to find one of these sources is by searching the FTCC Online Library databases here: https://www.faytechcc.edu/campus-life/library/ If you are asked for a log-in, use the same username and password that you use to log in to Webadvisor and Blackboard.
MODULE 6 DISCUSSION FORUM ASSIGNMENT: ARGUMENT EVIDENCE DISCUSSION
The Prompt
Follow these steps to complete this discussion assignment.
1. Module 6, follow these instructions to make your first post:
1. Read the statements below and, in a numbered list, identify each statement as a fact or an opinion.
1. Drug abuse is a serious problem in the United States.
2. The number of emergency room visits in the state of Ohio has risen over the past two years.
3. The Pew Research Center estimates that 25% of all immigrants in the US are unauthorized.
4. The only way to stop illegal immigration is to enforce current immigration law.
5. Paying medical bills is difficult for people without health insurance.
6. North Carolina was the last state to secede from the United States during the Civil War.
7. The homicide rate in the US is lower now than it was in 1700.
8. It is cruel and immoral to eat animals.
1. Choose one of the facts from the list and describe what evidence a writer could present to demonstrate it.
2. Choose one of the opinions and describe at least two forms of evidence that could be used to support the position.