argumentative paper

ECE-211: Technical Writing for

Electrical and Computer Engineers Document Template

Valparaiso University

College of Engineering

Assignment H: Written Argument First Sub-arguments Revision Assignment

Due: Before the Start of Class, Week of 10/21/2019

Instructions:

1) Overview:

· Topic: argue one side on an engineering topic that is of interest to you. Note that this must be approved by your instructor. Your main thesis MUST be arguable and have at least two distinct sides.

· Audience: electrical and computer engineers

· Purpose: argue your side of the debate through the use of factual, referenced information and data. You are writing for electrical and computer engineers, and engineers love numbers. You must find data (cost, efficiency, performance metrics, etc.) to support your thesis AND use proper in-text citations to incorporate that data in your argument.

· Length: approximately 2 pages of 2.0-line spaced text. Figures must be included in-line with the text as shown in the example at the end of this document but should not count toward your page limit at this point.

· Font: 12 point, Times New Roman at 2.0-line spacing

· Margins: 1 inch for Top, Bottom, Left and Right margins (the “normal” setting in Word)

· Additional requirements: at least four different sources must be cited and referenced using the IEEE formatting style. At least three of your sources must be from peer-reviewed journals, scientific magazines (e.g., Scientific American), books, or other scholarly print media.

· Submission Format: the paper must be submitted in PDF format to Blackboard and an identical printed copy must be submitted to your instructor before the start of Week 6 classes (week of September 30).

2) You are to revise your first draft of ONLY the 3 sub-arguments of your argument paper based on the feedback you received both on Assignment E AND in your 15-minute writing conference with your instructor. These 3 sub-arguments must be distinct from one another, presented in an organized manner (i.e. complete paragraphs), supported by strong content and logic, supported by scholarly and properly cited sources, and written well. State your Main Argument as a single bolded sentence at the top of this assignment.

3) You should use Assignment E (First Draft of 3 Sub-arguments) in preparing this assignment. Make sure to incorporate any feedback from your instructor and rely upon the scholarly sources you identified in that assignment. At the same time, you should be adding research (and thus sources) to your argument with each Written Argument Assignment.

Additional Information

Utilize the library! It is an incredible resource for finding references to support your thesis. Nora Belzowski ([email protected], Office #268) is the librarian at the Christopher Center that specifically supports engineering. I strongly recommend that you speak with her regarding your mid-term paper. She can help you find references and even help you integrate them effectively into your text.

Be sure to see your instructor if you have any difficulties locating references and finding data to support your thesis.

I also strongly recommend that you use the resources at the Writing Center (www.valpo.edu/writingcenter). They can offer strategies, questions, and guidance as you prepare your thesis and write your text. They can also proofread your text to find and eliminate grammatical errors.

Value (70 points - Written Argument Assignment Category)

· There is a 20 percent reduction (14 points) on this assignment if the initial submission is not deemed acceptable by the instructor. After notification of an unacceptable submission, you have 3 calendar days to resubmit. An additional 20 percent reduction will occur every 3 calendar days until an acceptable submission is received. The instructor will grade your submission once it is deemed acceptable.

· “Acceptable” on this assignment means:

· You make a good faith effort to implement the organization and content suggestions you received on your outline submission.

· You make a good faith effort to produce a high quality first draft of the sub-arguments section of your argument paper.

· Submit your Assignment to your instructor.

Grading Rubric (70 Points Possible)

Your instructor will review your first submission with you in a writing conference. To receive a grade on this assignment, you must attend the writing conference. Your grade will be based on the rubric shown below.

Formatting (5 Points)

· Is the text of your paper approximately 2 pages of 2.0-line spaced text in 12 point Times New Roman font?

· Are the margins 1” on all sides of the page?

· Are figures and/or tables in-line with the text of your paper and discussed in the text?

· Is the bibliography at the end of your paper after the text?

References (15 Points)

· Did you include IEEE formatted in-text citations for EVERY source utilized in preparing your sub-arguments?

· Is your bibliography complete and in the IEEE formatting style?

· Did you have at least four references?

· Were at least three of your references from scholarly sources (i.e. peer reviewed journals, scientific magazines and/or books)?

Content (30 points)

· Main argument stated at top?

· Did you include three sub-arguments?

· Are all sub-arguments distinct from one other?

· Is each sub-argument thoroughly discussed in sufficient detail to persuade a reader to support your main thesis?

· Is each sub-argument sufficiently supported with data, facts, and scholarly sources?

Incorporation of Instructor Feedback (20 points)

· Did you made a good faith effort to incorporate ALL feedback from your instructor on Assignment E?

· Did you made a good faith effort to incorporate ALL feedback from your instructor from your 15-minute writing conference?

Template to Show How to Include a Figure in the Text

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Figure X: Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Various Energy Sources (Note: The Caption for a Table Is Above the Figure)

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JFM/PBW ECE-211 -H- Written Argument - First Revision of 3 Sub-arguments - Fall 2019 4 of 4