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ASSIGNMENT:

Aiming what you say toward a specific audience, write an essay in which you present a

controversial issue. The controversial issue you discuss must be one of those listed at the end of this assignment sheet. You must make a claim or judgment; in other words, you must choose sides or take a position. Then you will argue intelligently to defend that position. However, you must present the other side’s arguments as well and then either explain why the other side’s arguments are wrong or create a compromise.

An outline for such a paper might follow this format:

I. Background information on the controversial issue

II. Reasons for your position

A. Explanation and support of Reason #1

B. Explanation and support of Reason #2

C. Etc.

III. Reasons for the other side’s position or beliefs

D. Counter argument #1

1. Other side’s argument (The other side says . . . )

2. Your response (However, I say . . . )

E. Counter argument #2

3. Other side’s argument

4. Your response

F. Etc.

GUIDELINES:

1. Remember that you are writing to a specific audience. This means you may not write to the general public, to society, to the American people, etc. You must decide upon a small group of people that you intend to reach through your essay. Keep this audience and its interests, beliefs, values, desires, and needs in your mind at all times. Write to satisfy these things.

2. Be sure that your introduction makes clear what the controversial issue is and what your position is. Your thesis statement–one sentence only–should be toward the end of your introduction. Your thesis statement should allow the reader to know where you are headed and what it is you are trying to accomplish. Your thesis is going to state what attitude or position you are going to take in your discussion about the controversial issue you have chosen. For example, you might write, “While those who support stricter gun control laws have many good arguments, people should be free to possess weapons to protect themselves from harm.”

3. Be sure to express, explain, and describe the issue you are writing about before you begin a lengthy discussion of your reasons. Give important background. Discuss the history of the issue. Help your audience understand what the issue is all about and why it is even an issue at all.

4. Make clear why you have chosen the position you have. Give the reader all of your reasons. However, you must support each of your reasons with legitimate evidence and very sound reasoning and argumentation. You must be convincing.

5. Anticipate and acknowledge counter argument. Show you are willing to look at the other side by accommodating reasonable counter points of view. However, refute those arguments against your position as effectively as you can, or if you cannot, then find an acceptable compromise. All of this again will involve using appropriate evidence and sound argumentation, just as you used for your side of the argument.

6. Adopt a tone of voice that will be likely to keep your audience’s attention as well as gain its respect and confidence in you as an authority. Of course, do not go too far in the other direction so that you sound arrogant or self-righteous. Certainly, do not come across as critical, sarcastic, or offensive.

7. Avoid logical fallacies.

8. This is a persuasive paper. Thus, you must argue. However, argue convincingly and appeal to your audience’s senses of logic, justice, compassion, etc.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:

1. The essay should contain 750 words or more.

2. Do not forget to give your essay a title. This title should be written at the top of the first page of your paper. Please, do not submit a title (or an outline page).

3. Research is not required for this version of your paper. DO NOT quote or paraphrase any material that you have borrowed from another source of information in this paper.