Argumentative Essay

Semester/Term/Year Semester 1, 2020

Elements / Outcomes 1,2,4,5,6, 8

Time Allowed/Due Date Week 8: Sunday 10th May 2020, 11:59pm -soft copy - (via Brightspace)

Assessment Type Argumentative Essay

Value of Assessment 30% of overall grade

Word requirement 1200 words (+/- 10%), excluding references and title page

ASSIGNMENT: Argumentative Essay

BACKGROUND

Today, many employers place high expectations on their new recruits. With an increasing emphasis on

‘soft skills’, they demand ‘work ready’ graduates who will transition seamlessly into the workplace. In

addition to this, the globalisation of higher education has resulted in an expanding supply of tertiary-

educated graduates entering the workforce.

Sam is a first-year university student. For new graduates like Sam, this translates into heightened

competition for entry level positions and a growing need to ‘stand out’ in a crowded graduate labour market.

Sam recognises that his degree-level study is important in acquiring knowledge in his chosen field. However,

he is already thinking that his future employability – gaining and keeping fulfilling work - will require more than

just a good academic transcript.

ESSAY QUESTION

In this assignment your task is to prepare a 1,200-word argumentative essay.

(Words are counted from the beginning of the introduction to the end of the conclusion including in-text referencing,

but not the title page or reference list.)

A university degree is the most important factor influencing graduate

employability. Discuss.

Present a point of view of your own. Your argument should be supported by arguments and

evidence from research.

*The task word discuss is defined as presenting the case for or against a particular proposition and demonstrating weaknesses in

the opposing argument.

.

WHAT IS AN ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY?

The aim of an argumentative essay is to examine literature on a particular topic, critically evaluate the findings,

draw a conclusion based on these findings, and present your position in a written form.

WHAT DO I NEED TO INCLUDE IN MY ESSAY?

An introduction that:

 sets out the context/background;

 introduces the issue;

 may introduce the theoretical perspectives you will be using;

 may define key terms (alternatively you can define terms in the second paragraph);

 sets out your thesis statement/line of argument/central contention; and

 explains your scope - how the essay will be organised.

A body containing several paragraphs, each of which will:

 present a topic sentence or central idea supporting your thesis statement/line of

argument/central contention;

 contain development which extends on or amplifies the topic sentence;

 give evidence/examples/references that support/relate to your topic sentence; and

 provide a concluding/linking sentence.

A conclusion, which:

 restates your thesis statement/line of argument/central contention; and

 summarises the points and evidence you provided to support your thesis.

A reference list, which:

 uses APA6 referencing format and include both in-text citations and an end-of –text reference

list.

 lists references in alphabetical order.

SOURCES

Your essay will include

 1 background reading (chosen from below)

 1 empirical article (chosen from below)

 3 other research articles (chosen by a process of research and evaluation on your own)

Background Readings (these articles are review papers. Read them to learn more about the

topic. These articles might be referenced to help you set the scene in your introduction or support

your argument, but they should not be described in detail or critically analysed in the main body of

your paper).

Blackmore, J., Gribble, C., Farrell, L., Rahimi, M., Arber, R., Devlin, M. (2014). Australian International Graduates and the transition to employment: Final report. Deakin University; Melbourne.

Pool, L. D., & Sewell, P. (2007). The key to employability: developing a practical model of graduate employability. Education & Training, 49(4), 277–289. https://doi.org/10.1108/00400910710754435

Remedios, R. (2012). The role of soft skills in employability. International Journal of Management Research and Reviews, 2(7), 1285. https://doi.org/10.17687/JEB.0702.07

Empirical Article (use this to focus on in the body of your essay to develop an argument for your

position)

Finch, D. J., Hamilton, L. K., Baldwin, R., & Zehner, M. (2013). An exploratory study of factors affecting undergraduate employability. Education + Training, 55(7), 681-704. https://doi.org/10.1108/ET-07- 2012-0077

Wells, P., Gerbic, P., Kranenburg, I., & Bygrave, J. (2009). Professional skills and capabilities of

accounting graduates: the New Zealand expectation gap?. Accounting Education, 18(4-5), 403-

420. https://doi.org/10.1080/09639280902719390

Your own research

You are required to include another 3 sources that provide an additional perspective of the

theories you have selected using academic peer reviewed journals.

You may choose to include additional research. This is fine. However, avoid the use of references

from non-academic sources (e.g. magazines, internet, newspaper, general management books).

REFERENCING

As above, please use APA6 for referencing. More details can be found at

http://holmesglen.libguides.com/apareferencing

** Please be aware that severe penalties exist for cheating, plagiarism (copying) and unauthorized

collusion with other students, or external consultants.

** It is recommended all written work is checked by Turnitin before final submission.

ESSAY STYLE

ACADEMIC CONVENTIONS

 Using standard English and avoiding American spelling.

 Writing in the third person.

 Avoiding slang terms, clichés and colloquial expressions.

 Avoiding gender bias and sexist language.

 Avoiding emotive language.

 Being direct – use the active rather than the passive voice.

 Being concise.

STYLE GUIDE

Please use APA 6th template as provided.

1. Font: 12pt Times New Roman double spacing indented paragraphs

2. Length: 1,200 words +/- 10%

3. Professional, academic appearance (consistent formatting, consistent referencing style)

4. Include a title page as per APA Template

SUBMITTING YOUR ASSIGNMENT

As above, this assignment will be submitted soft copy in Brightspace. You do not need to include

a coversheet for your annotated bibliographies.

Please note late submissions incur a 10% penalty per day.

MARKING CRITERIA

Please refer to the detailed marking rubric in your assignment folder.

Structure (10%)

Clearly visible introduction; body; conclusion; proportional to word limits; clear thesis statement

Academic Argument and Analysis (25%)

Ability to integrate academic material and present cogent argument and to critically analyse and

evaluate the essay question

Content (25%)

Selection of relevant academic theories, models and frameworks from course literature and further

research to identify key issues of the essay question

Organisation, Flow and Support (20%)

Ability to build paragraphs and integrate evidence via synthesis with accurate paraphrase and

summary writing

Research and referencing (10%)

Ability to use and cite a wide variety of sources; with complete and consistent referencing

Academic Presentation (10%)

Ability to present adopting conventional academic writing conventions, including those relating to

clarity, spelling, grammar, use of syntax