Research-based Persuasive Argument Essay

Essay #4: Literature Review Piece

Directions: For this essay, you will synthesizing the research you obtained during (and after) compiling your Annotated Bibliography. You will need to briefly provide context for the issue/debate/conflict/controversy and make a claim as to why it is an important issue to study/attend to. The bulk of the essay will objectively present the various points of contention surrounding this issue: what do the sides argue about, where do their views differ, what different means of persuasion or bodies of fact do they tend to use, etc. Although you have a side you align with, the literature review should not reveal it.

Your Literature Review can use the following format:

The Introduction: (length - 1 paragraph minimum) – Introduction to Issue. This portion of your essay should provide context for the issue, perhaps discussing it in relation to recent events, making a claim about why this is an important civic debate to be aware of. Consider this introduction as a chance to practice and experiment with introduction formats. (You will likely not use the majority, or perhaps any, of this paragraph when you merge your literature review into final essay). If it helps, you can recall the typical structure of an introduction – grab the reader’s attention and flow from general to specific, ending with a thesis statement (perhaps one that reveals a road map for your essay – in this case this could be the major areas of contention you have organized your literature review around). There are plenty of effective variations to the typical introductory paragraph structure, feel free to use essays we’ve studied in class as models if you want to experiment with a new introduction technique.

The Body: (length 3 paragraph minimum) – Summary & Synthesis of Both Side of the Argument. This portion of your essay should touch on the major areas of disagreement between the two sides and the various arguments each side makes. The key is objectivity. Although you will ultimately argue form one side’s perspective, your literature review should be written so that your personal standpoint is not evident. Avoid redundancy when discussing your source material. The best way to structure this would be around key arguments. Do not, for example, discuss your sources one at a time (as you did in the annotated bibliography) or discuss one side followed by the other (as that would lead to repetitive coverage of topics). This essay will allow you to develop your summary and synthesis writing skills. Of particular focus should be working to consider when to quote and when to paraphrase. When doing either, make sure to provide context so it is clear which platform, author, text is being referenced and use proper MLA citations. Clear organization techniques (topic sentences and transitions) will help your reader navigate through this essay as you move from one argument to another or one perspective on an argument to another. Therefore, don’t forget that inter-paragraph transitional phrases are as important as traditional transition sentences than link one paragraph (topic) to another.

The Conclusion: (length of 1 paragraph should suffice) – Wrap Up. Again, consider this conclusion as a practice run of sorts. (You will not use this in your final essay.) Use the essays we’ve studied in class as models for a strong conclusion. You can reiterate the main arguments through a thesis re-statement, you can point out any gaps in the literature (as you’ve reviewed it), you can set-up your contribution to the conversation, or you can offer a tentative proposal for how to move forward in addressing this issue or productively engaging in this debate.

Note: Your literature review should be 2-3 pages, double-spaced with 12 standard (Times New Roman or Cambria) font. It should conform to proper MLA documentation.

Literature Review Essay

Rebuttal Essay Piece

Directions: For this paper, you will be focusing entirely on the opposing side(s) of the argument at hand (the side that disagrees with the argument you are ultimately trying to make). You will need to briefly provide context for the issue/debate/conflict/controversy, present the most common arguments the opposition makes and dissect/counter them. Your aim is to logically evaluate the opposing argument – show its weaknesses, fallacies, oversights, problematic use of data, lack of evidence, etc. (Merging this essay into your final essay will allow you to show how your side of the argument is more logical, does not do X, accomplishes Y, is supported by Z, etc.) Do NOT discuss your side of the argument in here – just discredit the opposition. Save the pedestal for the final draft. That said, you may find good counterpoints to the opposition in sources that align with your point of view. If you use their counterpoints, do not forget to cite accordingly – do not pretend that these are your own rebuttals if they are, in fact, not.

Your Rebuttal Essay will likely follow the following format:

The Introduction: (length - 1 paragraph minimum) – Introduction to Topic. This portion of your essay should provide context for the issue, the opposition’s particular stance, and their specific arguments. Remember the typical structure of an introduction – grab the reader’s attention and flow from general to specific. Your essay will have a thesis statement that will touch on your main points of evaluation to follow and should give clear indication of your overall assessment of its effectiveness. Make sure that your thesis makes it clear that you are critiquing these points made by the opposition – rather than making them yourself or objectively summarizing them. There are plenty of effective variations to the typical introductory paragraph structure, feel free to use essays we’ve studied in class as models if you want to experiment with a new introduction technique. (Note, you can consider this introduction a practice activity or sorts – a chance to attempt a new introductory approach perhaps – as you will not use this paragraph in your final essay.)

The Body: (length 2 paragraph minimum) – Evaluation of Opposition’s Claims. This portion of your essay should touch on key aspects of the other side’s argument that you feel are relevant and worthwhile of deep analysis. Here you will provide your opinion (not in first person) on how logical this platform is presented and you will use specific text examples to undermine their claims. This section will contain your rebuttal and counterarguments, as well as concessions as needed. Remember the rules of body paragraphs – topic sentences usually introduce your main point and the following sentences should support and develop this point. Be careful with your wording in the topic sentences – a vague or unclear topic sentence discussing one of the opposition’s claim could be misread to sound like you personally are making this point or that you agree with it. This could be very misleading for the reader. Make sure to use phrases that show that you are not simply summarizing their argument, but rather are critiquing it. (Some examples would include phrases like “X problematically claims that…” or “X’s argument concerning Y lacks credible evidence” or “X makes the illogical argument that…”)

Also, consider your organization when drafting this section of your essay. Remember – evaluation is only effective if it is clear and logically organized. Support, support, support! Do not forget the nature of making an argument – you must back-up your statements/claims – you must provide analysis, examples, or evidence. It is also helpful to make the sure the reader can keep up with the moves you make throughout your essay so make sure to carefully craft transitions (between and within paragraphs) that help the reader follow you from one argument to the next.

The Conclusion: (length of 1 paragraph should suffice) – Wrap Up. A clearly written thesis re-statement will drive home the points you have just made. Next, move more general as you tie up your essay. Connecting to the introduction in some fashion is often effective. There are plenty of variations to the typical conclusion structure, feel free to use essays we’ve studied in class as models if you want to experiment with a new conclusion approach. (As with the conclusion, consider this a practice paragraph of sorts to try different techniques as you will not use this paragraph in your final argument essay).

Note: Your rebuttal essay should be 2-3 pages, double-spaced with 12 standard (Times New Roman or Cambria) font. It should conform to proper MLA documentation.

Rebuttal Essay