Argumentative

English 1C--Argumentative Essay#1—The Debate on Education (3-4 pages)

Take a position on ONE of the following:

1. Are Community Colleges a better option for students than 4-year Universities?

2. Should students be required to spend one-two semesters abroad in a foreign university as part of their graduation requirement?

3. Should a job or unpaid internship be a mandatory requirement for college students?

4. Are standardized tests a good measure for testing the abilities of a student?

5. Is a College degree worth accumulating student debt?

6. Should national public service be part of College requirement?

If you are interested in another question, please bring it to me for review. I am open to your taking another topic as long as it is related in some way to education.

Basic Guidelines:

Build an argument for your thesis. Your essay should contain the four pillars of Argument –Thesis, Evidence, Refutation and Conclusion

1. Introduction/Thesis: (1 paragraph)

a. The introduction should begin on a broad level and lead into the thesis. The thesis should be the last line of the introduction.

b. A thesis must have a clear, precise stance.

Ex. The paper will argue that in the era of globalization, students should be required to study for at least one semester at a foreign university.

c. You may begin with a “working thesis” This thesis can be modified as you write your essay but the thesis you present should be in its final form.

2. Middle body paragraphs/Evidence (3-4 paragraphs)

a. Every paragraph should begin with a topic sentence.

b. Your evidence should include facts –examples, statistics, etc.—as well as expert opinion.

c. The evidence should be based on  logical and authoritative appeals-- based on data and expert opinion..  The emotional appeal may be used but should not dominate the evidence.

d. All sources of your evidence should be documented in MLA format.

e. You need at least two outside sources for evidence.

3. Refutation (1-2 paragraphs)

a. You should address opposing arguments and all those arguments into question.

b. You should use evidence to address opposing arguments.

4. Conclusion (1 paragraph)

a. Conclusion should not simply re-state thesis.

b. The conclusion should weigh your evidence and relate it to your thesis.

c. You may also make predictions based on the strength of the evidence.

Recommendations for preparation:

1. Prepare arguments both for and against your topic; Your evidence must be relevant, representative, and sufficient.

2. Cull evidence for both sides; Decide on which side you wish to support.

3. Use readings in class –articles in Practical Argument, L.A. Times articles, and responsible web sources for evidence; Use concrete examples. Balance your evidence.

4. Create an outline or graphic organizer before drafting the essay so you can see your arguments and evidence clearly.

Steps for drafting the essay:

1. Take a stand. Your thesis is based on the stance you wish to take. The stance must be debatable.

2. Establish topic sentences which will support your argument. Topic sentences are the first line of the body paragraphs. They are the main ideas of body paragraphs.

3. Support your topic sentences – the supporting arguments of your thesis –with evidence.

4. Transition from the end of one body paragraph to the topic sentence of the next body paragraph

5. Acknowledge an opposing viewpoint and respond to it. Establish your points as a stronger alternative.

6. Conclusion should not only restate thesis but re-enforce arguments.

7. Use MLA formatting and in-text citation. Establish a Works Cited Page. See guidelines for MLA requirements in Hacker and Sommer’s Rules for Writers Page Pages 391-475.

8. The drafts and essays will be done on the Achieve platform. This will be accessed through your Canvas course.

Essay Due dates:

1st draft_________________

2nd draft______________ Achieve peer editing__________________

Final due date_____________________