Argument Essay

English 1302 – Short Story Inclusion Argument Essay

Earlier in the course, we focused on Visual Argument. You looked at how ads and visuals operated to present an argument and even created your own PowerPoint Introduction to make a bit of an argument about who you are. At this point in the course, we will be moving to the more traditional form for argument, which is written argument.

Consider what you have learned about Argument from your Comp I courses. You have probably learned a bit about how arguments operate, but if you did not have a Comp I course that focused on argument, there are plenty of great sources available on the web to help you brush up.

For this assignment, use short story Desiree’s Baby we read in this last section of the course.

Step One –Make a list of two to three stories that you either really enjoyed or did not enjoy at all. Try to also list some of the reasons why.

Step Two – Spend some time looking over your list. What did you notice about the types of messages this short story is sending? Try to brainstorm a list of possible themes or messages in the stories.

Step Three – Narrow your list from two to three texts down to one. This would be the one you MOST want to focus on for either positive or negative reasons. Brainstorm a list of your own arguments about this short story. Is it a good story? Bad story? Why? What are some of the themes or issues it discusses and why are they working or not?

Step Four – Use your notes from above and create an argument that answers the question: “Should this text be included in future Comp 2 courses?” Your thesis should be an argument, but not re-address this question. Thus, answers like “Yes, this should be included...” would not be appropriate. You could fall back on more formulaic thesis statements such as “(Story Title) should not be taught in Composition courses because…” if you want to, or try to create your own original argument.

Step Five – Once you have a strong thesis statement that expresses your overall argument about the story, list all of the reasons / points you have to support that argument.

Step Six – Support your thesis with credible points, using specific examples from the text. You might use specific scenes and discuss technical elements, if necessary. You may also decide to discuss the characters. If you are comparing the story to others like it, you will need to discuss those stories as well.

Steps Five and Six will combine to help you have a strong first draft of this essay. Your job in the essay is to make a claim and then support it with evidence from the story. Persuade a reader to believe in your argument. Don’t forget that counter argument will be an important way to show readers that you understand all sides of the issue, but still feel that your side of the argument is the correct one.

As this is a scholarly endeavor, you will write in third person, academic English. This means that you will NOT use “I” or “you” in the essay at all, unless quoting. You should also avoid using contractions and adhere to proper MLA format, including the use of a Works Cited page. The essay should be at least 2 FULL pages in length, not including the Works Cited page.

A quality essay will do the following:

· State a clear, argumentative thesis.

· Support the thesis with facts and reasoning from the text. You do NOT need outside sources here.

· Cause a reader to be persuaded to believe the thesis (or at least think carefully about the argument).

· Adhere to conventions of grammar and structure. Avoid using contractions and second person “you” or “your”.

· Avoid casual language and slang.

· Contain analysis and insight, rather than just a summary of the story.

· Begin with a clear introduction to the text / topic with the argumentative thesis as the last sentence of the first paragraph.

· Include a strong counterargument (traditionally in the first body paragraph or final paragraph before the conclusion. Be sure to come back with a strong conclusion if you place CA at the end, though).

· Meet the length requirement of AT LEAST 2 pages. You can always write more (size 12 font is traditional. Arial and Times New Roman are good font styles. Be sure to fix your “Before and after” spacing too).

· Follow MLA format for quoting and citing, as well as including a Works Cited page (you at least need the short story on there, if nothing else).