COMPLETE 4-5 PAGE ESSAY THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE THE REFERENCE PAGE (REFER TO THE POINT COUNTERPOINT ESSAY INSTRUCTIONS FOR DETAILS).

Point/Counterpoint Essay Assignment Instructions

Important: DO NOT INCLUDE ANY QUOTES IN THIS PAPER.

YOUR PAPER TITLE: Do addicts have to hit “rock bottom” to get help?

PLEASE REFER TO THE POINT COUNTERPOINT OUTLINE YOU COMPLETED. USE THE REFERENCES YOU HAVE IN PREVIOUSLY USED IN YOUR OUTLINE AND PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU USE APA FORMATING.

Drug issues are seldom black or white, right or wrong. Some of the most hotly debated questions of our day concern the use, misuse, and abuse of drugs. These issues deserve a good deal of critical thought.

Use the outline you created last week (see separate instruction document for the outline) to construct a 4-5 page point/counterpoint (persuasive) essay using the arguments and sources you already researched. In the essay, you will present opposing points of view on the issue you already chose from the approved list.

You may already have an opinion, even a strong one, about the issue. But use this as an opportunity to really dig deep and explore the opposite viewpoint. Try to keep an open mind and understand the reasons and evidence for their arguments. Who knows? Maybe you will change your mind on some things. Step into their shoes and present their arguments from their point of view as strongly as you can. You should present both sides in a fair way by discussing them objectively and in equal detail. The reader should not be able to tell which side you agree with. DO NOT INSERT YOUR OPINION UNTIL THE VERY END IN THE CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH.

PLEASE READ THE GRADING RUBRIC FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT BEFORE YOU BEGIN. COMPARE YOUR ESSAY TO THE GRADING RUBRIC BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT WILL BE USED TO GRADE YOUR ESSAY.

Checklist:

· Read the sample Point/Counterpoint Essay before you start

· Copy the title word for word from the approved list of topics

· Introduction contains the “for” and “against” argument, with no opinion

· First section includes at least 3 arguments FOR the issue, with no opinion

· Each argument FOR has at least one in-text citation

· Second section contains at least 3 arguments AGAINST the issue, with no opinion

· Each argument AGAINST has at least one in-text citation

· Arguments FOR and arguments AGAINST are equally strong and equal in length

· Conclusion contains your clear opinion

· Do not use any quotations. Write everything in your own words.

· Essay is 4-5 pages double-spaced (about 1,000 words) not including references

· Use at least 2 sources from government reports or scholarly/peer reviewed journals FOR the issue and 2 AGAINST the issue – a total of 4 sources.

· List all references (sources) at the end in correct APA 6th Edition format in alphabetical order

· Cite each reference on your references list at least once in the text and list every in-text citation on the references list

· Grade what you wrote using the Point/Counterpoint Essay rubric

· Proofread your essay and read it out loud

Essay Structure

PLEASE READ THE SAMPLE ESSAY FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT BEFORE YOU BEGIN WRITING. COMPARE YOUR ESSAY TO THE SAMPLE ESSAY BEFORE YOU SUBMIT IT.

A good essay will include the following:

· A title that clearly states the issue as a question. Take your title from the list of approved topics and just copy what it says there word for word.

· An interesting introductory paragraph that clearly introduces both sides of the argument and draws the reader in. It does not contain your opinion (do not say “I think, I believe, in my opinion”).

· The first section contains 3 strong arguments FOR the issue (the point). ***Each of the 3 arguments must cite at least one source. Do not include your opinion; just report the ideas from your sources.

· The second section contains 3 strong arguments AGAINST the issue (counterpoint). ***Each of the 3 arguments must cite at least one source. Do not include your opinion; just report the ideas from your sources.

· Arguments FOR and arguments AGAINST should be equally as strong and convincing with approximately the same number of sentences/paragraphs for each side of the issue.

· A closing paragraph in which you clearly state your opinion on the issue.

IMPORTANT: The idea of this assignment is to have an open mind and really explore both sides of the issue. Even if you already have a strong opinion, try to understand the other side’s reasons and argue their side as strongly and objectively as you do for the side you agree with. Pretend like you are in a debate. Argue for the issue as strongly as you can. Then change sides and argue against the issue as strongly as you can.

Writing Style and Format

· Write clearly and concisely. Use as few words as possible to make your arguments. Make your essay easy to read by eliminating extra unnecessary words, phrases and sentences. Get straight to the point.

· Do not try to sound formal. Write simply and easily. You are encouraged to submit your essay to the National University Writing Center for their expert guidance BEFORE you submit your final essay. You can learn a lot from a half hour session with them and it will improve your grade: [email protected] . Their appointments fill up quickly so reserve a place as soon as you can.

· Group similar ideas together so the arguments follow one after the other in a logical order. Use transitional or introductory phrases to help the reader know why the idea is being presented. For example, “ A second reason why….” Or “The next argument for…” Or “(Author) also agrees with….”

· Check your work . Use spell check and then carefully proofread your essay at least once to catch spelling, punctuation and grammatical mistakes. Read your essay out loud to catch any missing words, extra words and awkward-sounding sentences. Show your essay to someone else to see if they understand what you are trying to say. Take pride in your work and strive to be mistake-free.

· Do NOT use any quotations . Instead, paraphrase (write in your own words) the ideas or information and cite the source.

· Type in Times New Roman, Size 12 font, double-spaced, 1-inch margins all around.

· You do not need to use any headings.

· The essay will be 4-5 pages or approximately 1,000 words, not including the References list.

· At the top of the paper, write your name, course (COH 318), assignment (Point/Counterpoint Essay) and date.

References

Use at least 4 total sources for your arguments. Each of the 2 arguments for and the 2 arguments against must have at least one source.

At least 2 of the sources must support your point (for). They must come from peer-reviewed journal articles or government reports.

At least 2 of the sources must support your counterpoint argument (against). They must come from peer-reviewed journal articles or government reports.

Information from the course textbook is allowed, but does not count as one of your four required sources above. Other additional sources are allowed, but they also do not count toward your four required sources. Sources must be recent (published within the past 5-10 years).

APA Resources - Use APA 6th edition format for your References list

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/06/ 1-page instruction on Reference List format

http://nu.libguides.com/ld.php?content_id=8766101 2-page handout on APA

www.apastyle.com

http://apastylecentral.apa.org.nuls.idm.oclc.org/learn/browse/QG-29

http://library.nu.edu/assets/resources/pageResources/APA.pdf

http://library.nu.edu/FindResources/ReferenceTools/citations.html

Class objectives: (CLO 1, GLO 2, GLO 3, GLO 6, GLO 8, ILO 1, ILO 2)

COH 318 Point/Counterpoint Instructions 3