assignment

Using these steps, I can come up with the following thesis statement:

While people are legally considered adults and are old enough to vote, sign contracts, and sign up for military service at the age of 18, the legal drinking age should be raised to 25 because the human body is not physically fully developed until 25, people under 25 are not neurologically or mentally responsible enough to drink, and raising the drinking age could result in fewer alcohol-related traffic accidents.

Now, this is a rather long and wordy thesis statement, but it gives me a starting point to play around with my ideas. I might try to make it more concise by combining some of my points or leaving out some of the details and including those in the paper itself instead:

While people are legally considered adults at the age of 18, the legal drinking age should be raised to 25 for a variety of biological and societal reasons.

This one is okay, but it seems rather vague and not very strong or effective. The thing to remember here is that when I first start out, this is a working thesis statement. I can revise it as I work on my paper and eventually come up with the final version of it as I go along.

Body Paragraphs

Those key reasons for why you are taking the position that you are will become the points in the body of your paper. Each paragraph should focus on one of your key points. You don’t have to do a formal outline (although I really like formal outlines and use them on all of my own papers), but I definitely suggest starting out with at least a list:

· Point 1: The human body is not physically fully developed until the age of 25.

· Point 2: People under the age of 25 are not neurologically or mentally responsible enough to drink.

· Point 3: Raising the drinking age could result in fewer alcohol-related traffic accidents.

· Point 4: Earlier drinking increases the likelihood of alcohol addiction later in life.

· Opposing point of view: People are considered adults and old enough to vote and sign up for military service at 18.

Each of my points will become a body paragraph (perhaps two, depending on how much space I need to explain and support the point). Each body paragraph should begin with a topic sentence (what I have listed here could work just fine except for the opposing point of view paragraph). After the topic sentence, include a few sentences of explanation/elaboration, evidence from your research that supports the point, explanation of that evidence, and a concluding sentence that finishes the point and transitions to the next point/paragraph. Do not begin nor end a paragraph with someone else’s words or ideas (the information from your research). Always begin your paragraph with a topic sentence and finish the paragraph with a concluding/transition sentence.

You’ll note here that I have a fourth supporting point that I did not include in my thesis statement. That’s okay. You do not have to dump the whole of your argument in the opening paragraph. However, once I write my rough draft, I may decide that one point is stronger than another, and perhaps I’ll revise my thesis to include that point and take out something else. That’s the beauty of a working thesis statement. It can (and probably should) be revised as you write.

In my example, I have included the opposing point of view as the last paragraph. That is a stylistic choice and not a requirement. You can include the opposing point of view at the start of your paper (after the introduction) if you’d like, or you can address the opposing points throughout the paper as they relate to your supporting argument and evidence. That is a stylistic choice for the writer to make.

Conclusion

The conclusion will probably be the easiest paragraph to write. The conclusion should begin with a restatement of your thesis (using different words; do not just copy and paste). Then write a few sentences that briefly summarize your key points and the argument you made in the paper (again, do not copy and paste). Finally, finish with a sentence or two as a final thought on the overall topic. Do not include the opposing point of view in your conclusion (you already addressed it in your paper; the conclusion is your last chance to reiterate your argument to the readers). Also do not include any research or source material in your conclusion. Like the introduction, the conclusion should be entirely your own words and ideas.

Final Notes

Keep in mind, too, a couple of basic rules for argument papers. First, do not use any first- or second-person pronouns. Do not write about yourself (“I chose this topic because…”), your writing process (“as I researched this paper, I found…”), or your own personal experiences at all. Also, do not speak directly to the reader (you, your, yours, yourself).

In addition, do not use contractions in formal academic writing. For example, instead of writing “wouldn’t,” write “would not.” Rather than “they’re,” use “they are.” While contractions are common in everyday speaking, they do not belong in formal academic writing, which brings me to the final note. Do not use slang terms or colloquial words or phrases in a formal academic paper. Write for an educated, professional audience.