essay
Essay Four - Utilizing Rogerian Argumentation to Reach a Reasonable Solution
For your final essay, you will choose a controversial topic and use the Rogerian Method of Argumentation to examine both sides or stances of that topic. After thoroughly considering both sides and doing some research, you will discuss the common ground between them and propose a solution where both sides compromise yet leave happy. Requirements - 1,500 words in length - Structure your essay around the underlined subheadings given (see page 2 of this prompt) - Demonstration of unbiased discussion and objective language in relation to the topic and both stances/sides - Your thesis should be a claim of policy, should require compromise on both sides, and should be based off the information and discussion in your essay - An essay that is virtually free of grammar, spelling, syntax, etc. errors - Demonstration of correct MLA formatting throughout the entire essay and works cited page - Submission of a physical and a digital copy by the due date - Topic and resources must be original (you may not use materials or topics covered in class unless approved by me ahead of time) - An interesting and engaging title - Discussion and demonstrated understanding of elements from all units as is listed in the instructions on page 2 (claim, evidence/support, warrants, ethos, pathos, logos, kairos, inductive and deductive reasoning, warrants, fallacies, and the three methods of argumentation - Aristotelian, Toulmin, and Rogerian) - Incorporation and use of at least 4 scholarly sources (either paraphrases or direct quotes) - Fulfillment of all requirements listed under the required subheadings (see page 2) Rough Draft Due: Saturday, April 28 (upload to Essay 4 Rough Draft assignment on Canvas before your conference time) Revised Rough Draft Due: Saturday, May 5 (2 copies, 4 FULL pages in length) Essay Four Due: Saturday, May 12 in class and on Turnitin by 11:59 pm that night
Writing and Structuring Essay Four Your essay should use the following subheadings and complete the work listed under each. Abstract Your abstract is a brief summary of the main parts and points of your essay (about a sentence per section) and will serve as the introduction to your essay. This is also where you will put your essay’s claim (you can restate, justify, and discuss your claim’s details and reasoning more thoroughly in the “Proposed Solution” section of your essay). Topic and Surrounding Issues This is where you will discuss topic and explain the problem (controversy). You should include contextual and background information on this topic and the issues surrounding it in this section. Be sure to keep an unbiased stance and use objective language whenever possible. [Side One’s Name, Pro/Con, etc.] Stance and Reasoning Under this heading, you will discuss side one’s stance and claims regarding the topic as well as the primary reasons, evidence/support, and justifications for why side one feels that their thoughts, stance, and reasoning is correct. How do they utilize ethos, pathos, logos, and kairos in their argumentation? Do they use inductive or deductive logic? How do you know? Again, discuss each side in a fair, reasonable manner. Would both sides approve of what you said about their stance, evidence, reasoning, etc.? [Side Two’s Name, Pro/Con, etc.] Stance and Reasoning Discuss side two in the same manner that you discussed side one. Issues with Logic and Reasoning Here is where you will discuss the problems with the logic, evidence, reasoning, etc. of both sides. Thoroughly scrutinize and evaluate the evidence/support used by each side. Is it trustworthy and rigorous? What fallacies can you see in the reasoning? Are there any warrants (or assumptions) that one side’s argument is based on that may be problematic? This is where you will be pointing out the flaws on both sides, but do your best to remain objective and fair. Common Ground between Both Sides Discuss what commonalities both sides have or the common ground between them. What goals are both sides trying to achieve and what are the similarities between them? How can these goals be brought together to reach a compromise both sides can be satisfied with? Proposed Solution Offer a solution (via compromise) based on the common ground between both sides. This is where your claim will be stated. Discuss the details of this proposed solution as well as the justification (reasoning/evidence) for it as well.