ENG

ENG 100 - Source-based Argument Assignment Sheet Rough draft for peer editing due: Tuesday, November 14 Rough draft for feedback due: Thursday, November 16 Final draft due: Thursday, December 7 Submit to Turnitin.com (Class 10: 15980749, Enrollment key: English)

What is a Source-based Argument? This assignment asks you to make an argument of your own supported by sources. It is source-based in that your ideas will likely begin with information and knowledge gained through research, and it is argumentative in that you will add to that existing conversation your own thinking and seek to persuade your readers either to change their thinking to match your own or, better yet, to also change their actions.

This assignment inherently asks you to demonstrate your skill at synthesizing sources. A clear definition of the term synthesis comes from Stephen Wilhoit: "In a synthesis you combine information from two or more readings to support a position of your own"(213). Critical to synthesis is noting similarities and differences between authors, where they agree and disagree, and connecting these ideas in a clear and coherent way using meaningful transitions.

Your task is to create a successful argument using rhetorical strategies you have learned this semester (consider the persuasive appeals to logos, ethos, and pathos, stylistic devices, maybe anaphora or epistrophe, organization, tone, syntax) to persuade your audience. Integrate both supportive evidence from your sources as well as opposing positions (which you will, of course, out-argue), and organize the information in a logical and coherent way.

The Assignment: As you look for your argument, think problem/solution, small or large, local, national, or global, from The Engaged Reader or not. The essays we have read emphasize the seriousness of problems and propse solutions. In this formula, your solutions or/your ~ggestion thatsolutions exist will be your thesis c1a"1mjYouwill use sources from The En agl!.!! Reader and from tSU's academic databases (total of six to ten sources) to write your source-based argument. The essay

(\) should first iQ!roduce the topic, beginning with an interesting and relevant hook, which will lead to an examination of \y the topic-;:;arro~ ~e is 1tatement. Following the introduction you will discuss the conversation surroundin~ ) the topic--~do the authors say about the topic and how do t ose opinions converge and rverze. This ma es up the

synthesis portion of the assignment and will be the basis for your own argument. Following the synthesis section you ...;J,tf will pr~ your ar~ent and use your own explanations and evidence from source support your ~n!l\

Helpful tips for writing the synthesis section: The synthesis should provide the context/background for your argument and in order to clearly synthesize the sources include the following components:

• A summary of each source including the author and their credentials, title, publication information, and a brief (sentence or two) summary of the main ideas.

• Examine and explain the similarities and differences between all of the sources (this should be brief but also thorough).

• Consider the following questions when determining similarities and differences: o The authors-Are their credentials similar or different? o The occasion-Are the sources similar in occasion and relevancy? o The topic-Are they discussing the same topic? o The purpose-Is the purpose the same or different? Is one more effective than the others? o What is the argument? Are the conclusions the same, different or close? o What type of examples did they use? o What are the solutions? Same or different?

Helpful Tipsfor writing the argument section: , Necessary components of a logical, formal, and organized argument:

• A debatable thesis statement

• using accurate and appropriate textual evidence to support your argument • Choosing appropriate quotes and paraphrased material to support your argument and not simply restating

other people's opinions or ideas • Using evidence that does not support your argument to provide a counter-claim • Providing the audience with either a refutation or concession for each counter-claim presented • Using appropriate, formal and non-inflammatory language that does not immediately isolate others who do not

agree with you • Using persuasive appeals successfully (ethos, pathos, and logos) to convince your audience • Including Stephen Toulmin's "Six Parts to All Good Arguments"

The basic structure of your essay is as follows: • An introduction including

o A hook and introduction to the topic o Debatable thesis statement that includes a possible solution

• A synthesis section including e Brief summaries of all sources o An explanation of similarities and differences between the sources

• An argumentative section including o Clear topic sentences that develop the thesis o Body paragraphs that clearly support and develop their topic sentences and the thesis o A paragraph clarifying why the issue is important (probably will cover the underlying claim) o Appropriate integration of properly-cited evidence

• Counter-Claims including o A clear explanation of opposing opinions o Either a refutation (disproves completely) or concession (concedes to a point)

• A conclusion that o Sums up the main ideas and restates your thesis o Offers a call to action for the audience o Leaves readers with something to think about

• A 'Works Cited' or 'Works Cited and Consulted' page that o Includes all referenced materials

Essay Submission Guidelines: • The finished submitted essay should be four to six (4-6) pages in length • Also, the finished submitted draft must be word-processed or typed, double-spaced on 8.5" x 11" paper with

one-inch (1") margins on all sides. • MLA Format with proper Heading, Spacing (double), Times New Roman, 12 Point Font.

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This assignment is worth 25% of your final grade