Argument Draft
Task
Pick an issue involving a problem about which people disagree. This problem must involve a contemporary social issue (see The Learning Network pdf (Links to an external site.) for ideas). Your goal is to write an essay which attempts to persuade readers to accept your position on how to deal with this problem.
Develop a thesis (or claim): a stance and recommendation regarding the problem. Select a suitable audience: readers who care about the issue, but who would not completely agree with your thesis. Underneath your title, write a brief description of your audience. A vague audience like “general public” cannot be used, nor can one that already agrees with you on the issue.
Before writing your paper, consider different perspectives. That is, read up on the issue so you will be better informed; then, directly address these perspectives in your paper. The bulk of your paper should be devoted to your own arguments supporting your recommendation; in other words, do not let your paper be dominated by other people's arguments. Find an issue to which you can contribute; it is hard to contribute to old, stale issues or to those so technical that you lack the needed expertise.
Format
Your rough draft should be at least 750 words (not counting the References page). Keep in mind the final version, after revisions, will need to be at least 1,000 words. Turn in your draft in the appropriate assignment tab in Canvas. Use APA format for the in-text citations and references page.
Review the Draft Assignment Rubric for details on how this assignment will be assessed by your instructor.
Due no later than Friday at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Suggested Organization for a Classical Argument
1. Introduction: Give the context and background of your issue. Establish style, tone, and significance of your issue.
2. State your case: Clarify your issue here. Give any necessary background for understanding the issues. Define any important terms or conditions here.
3. Claim: State your central claim. Be sure that your hook presents an issue that is open to debate. Present the subtopics or supportive points to forecast your argument for your reader.
4. Respond to counterarguments: Analyze the opposition's arguments and summarize them fairly. Refute or address the points, point out faulty reasoning and inappropriate appeals, or concede points. Then shift to a different field of values (here your position is strong) and argue for those new values.
5. Substantiation and proof: Present and develop your own case. Carefully plan your disclosure; avoid logical fallacies. Rely primarily on reasoning for your appeal and use emotional appeals carefully. Use examples, facts, experts, and statistics. Develop your argument using the appropriate prose strategy (e.g., causal analysis, comparison, analogies, definitions).
6. Conclusion: Conclude with conviction. Review your main points and state your claims strongly. Make a strong plea for action or invite your readers to refute your argument.
Plagiarism
You are expected to write primarily in your own voice, using paraphrase, summary, and synthesis techniques when integrating information from class and outside sources. Use an author’s exact words only when the language is especially vivid, unique, or needed for technical accuracy. Failure to do so may result in charges of Academic Dishonesty.
Overusing an author’s exact words, such as including block quotations to meet word counts, may lead your readers to conclude that you lack appropriate comprehension of the subject matter or that you are neither an original thinker nor a skillful writer.
Grading Rubric for Draft Essays
Criteria
Content and Development
All key elements of the assignment are covered in a substantive way. To note: • The essay is at least 750+ words • The essay is written in the appropriate rhetorical mode(s) for the assignment. • The essay contains an effective thesis. • Inter- and intra-paragraph content is effectively organized (spatially, temporally, logically, or by order of importance) and makes use of topic sentences and appropriate transitional expressions • The introduction and conclusion are engaging, cohesive, and appropriate to their position in the essay.
Readability and Style
The tone is appropriate to the content and assignment. Sentences are complete, clear, and concise. Sentences are well-constructed, with consistently strong, varied syntax. Sentence transitions are present and maintain the flow of thought. Essay meets all the requirement of APA formatting.