project

OUR PURPOSE: to engage in research and critical thinking; to learn the parts of a Toulmin-style argument and to engage in the strategies of counterargument using refutation, rebuttal, and qualifiers.

What You Will Do:

1. PARTICIPATE in class discussions of Stephen Toulmin, Toulmin-Style Argument, Parts of a Toulmin argument, and applications of the rhetorical terms refutation and counterargument. To contribute to an academic conversation by engaging opposing views fairly and ethically while arguing one’s own position convincingly.

2. DECIDE on an interesting TOPIC, issues surrounding it, and opposing viewpoints, and one key claim that engages an opposing view.

3. GATHER information from quality sources

4. CREATE a Toulmin-style structure of practical reasoning.

5. DRAFT your paper in Toulmin style using the required sections.

6. REVISE an essay of at least 4 pages double spaced 12-point Times New Roman or Arial font and 1-inch margins

7. Serve as a respondent and THOUGHTFUL REVIEWER during writing workshops helping others; practice being a COLLEAGUE and COLLABORATING; avoid -20 point deduction on final paper for nonparticipation in review.

8. Consider gaining important free help from tutors and SI leaders during any stage of the writing process

9. EDIT and PROOFREAD word choice, phrasing, and ARGUMENT effect to produce a final copy; Upload your final draft for grading by the deadline.

ASSIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS (detailed requirements):

• 4 pages of double spaced text minimum of original student writing using 4+ sources

• Audience appeal (addressing opposing views and presenting counterargument)

• A powerful and intentional title that shows proposal as goal. For example, “[Your own creative phrasing here]: A Counterargument in Toulmin Style

• Research citations and entries for sources required

• Elements expected in a Toulmin-style argument

• Evidence of ethics, fairness, and respect in dealing with opposing views

• Inclusion of at least 4 cited sources WITHIN the document

Format your Toulmin essay using the required subheadings provided here:

I. INTRODUCTION

II. CLAIM

III. WARRANTS FOR THE CLAIM (assumptions that must be accepted as part of the claim)

IV. EVIDENCE / BACKING / SUPPORT (choose how many paragraphs you need for this section, sequence of supportive points)

IV. CONSIDERATION OF OPPOSING VIEW / REFUTATION / KEY COUNTERARGUMENT

· NOTE: QUALIFIERS (words that protect the author from hasty assumptions or overgeneralizations) must be used throughout Parts IV and V to add to credibility (Ethos) and appeals to the audience (PATHOS), all while casebuilding toward REASON (logic or LOGOS)

VI. CONCLUSION

GRADING CRITERIA FOR THIS PROJECT

1) An engaging introduction & PERSUASIVE CLAIM IN A SINGLE-SENTENCE THESIS STATEMENT 2) Minimum length requirement (4 PAGES) and research requirement (4 SOURCES) met or exceeded

3) Audience analysis evident in how the writer engages different positions/opinions.

4) Intentional use of LOGICAL TRANSITIONS to move readers easily through the REQUIRED SECTIONS of a Toulmin argument.

5) Evidence of editing work at the word and phrase level to create persuasive word choices that maintain one key focus.

6) Tone appropriate to counterargument including refutation.

7) Use of ethos, pathos, and logos to create appeals that are sound and focused for the audience.

8) Consistent THIRD PERSON point of view (avoid “you” 2nd person and avoid “I/me” as 1st person).

9) College-level sentence structures that are free of serious grammar errors such as run-ons, comma splices, fragments, and subject-verb agreement errors.

10) Accurate citations to at least 4 required source materials and a matching Works Cited page including those sources formatted correctly. Reminder: Your Works Cited page is a SEPARATE double-spaced LAST PAGE with a centered header “Works Cited” (always!) and DOES NOT COUNT toward length!

Bonus challenge for Project 4: Establish STRONG LOGIC (LOGOS) by offering fair-handed tone, strong consideration of your opposition, STRONG ETHOS (CREDIBILITY from research), STRONG PATHOS (appeals to values and beliefs in the audience); concessions where concessions can be given to strong points on the other side; and qualifiers to avoid fallacies in your own claims.