Unit 6 Discussions (COM107

Due Date: 11:59 p.m. EST, Sunday of Unit 7 Points: 100 Overview: Over the course of the last few units, you have been working on crafting the argument for your Argument Essay. You will now write an argument essay that answers one of these questions. The essay should answer ONE of these questions:

1. Why or why not should your state allow mail-in voting for all elections?

2. Why or why not should college be free for students to attend?

3. Why or why not should people embrace being a vegetarian?

Now that you have written about the pros/cons of the issue in your Unit 4 Assignment, choose one side of the issue.You should answer ONE of the above questions in a well- thought out and developed argument essay with:

• A clear introduction that sets up the issue, explains your topics, and ends with your

thesis statement.

• Body paragraphs focusing on one topic in support of your argument in each paragraph.

o You need three reliable and academic sources for this assignment in support of

your argument. You should include evidence that is direct quoted, paraphrased,

or summarized to support each topic. The evidence should have the appropriate

in-text citation.

o You will typically want to include one piece of evidence in each body paragraph,

as you did in the paragraph and pro/con assignment. You are not required to

include a source about the counterargument (other side of your argument), but

you may if you would like.

• Then, end with a conclusion that wraps up your essay’s argument and leaves the reader

with something to consider about your issue.

• Include a references page for the three sources you used in your essay.

ENG110 – College Writing

Argument Essay

You can use the ideas from your Pro/Con paragraphs in your argument essay, but they should be revised and reworded so that you are not just resubmitting your Unit 4 assignment. Argument Essay and Third Person, Objective Writing We have probably all had to argue for a position we held. What makes someone receptive to your argument? Normally, the audience is more willing to listen to your position if you argue for it objectively and avoid unreasonable, argumentative tactics. Your argument needs to be logical and fair, giving people the ability to disagree with you. Your argument also should be written in the third person to show that you can be objective, meaning you use “He,” “she,” “they,” “people,” “one” and do not use “I,” “me,” “we,” “us,” “our,” “you,” and “your.” Instructions:

• Create an argument essay that answers ONE of the above questions.

• You should have a well articulated argument essay with an introduction, body

paragraphs (with evidence), conclusion, and a references page.

Requirements:

• Please submit a Microsoft Word document or PDF.

• The essay should be three to four pages in length with an additional APA-style

title and reference pages. The document should follow proper APA style

formatting (Times New Roman, 12 font suggested) with 1-inch margins and

double spaced.

• Include three (3) sources in your essay that are reliable and academic.

o Make sure you have at least three (3) in-text citations where you have

direct quoted, paraphrased or summarized material from the sources.

You will need corresponding references for each of these sources that

match the in-text citations.

• You need an introduction and conclusion for this essay. Remember the

introduction sets up the essay and ends with the thesis statement. The

conclusion sums up the essay and restates the thesis in a different way. The

introduction and conclusion should not be exact replicas of each other.

• Your body paragraphs should each focus on one topic that supports your

argument.

• Your writing should be free of punctuation, spelling, and grammar errors and

contain appropriate word choice for an academic setting with clear sentence

structure.

Be sure to read the criteria by which your work will be evaluated before you write and again after you write.

Evaluation Rubric for the Argument Essay Assignment

CRITERIA Novice Needs

Improvement Proficient Exemplary

(0-11 points) (12-15 points) (16-17 points) (18-20 points)

Introduction and Conclusion

Introduction and/or the conclusion are not present. Introduction/ conclusion are very hard to understand and significantly missing details.

Introduction and conclusion are attempted. The introduction and conclusion may be lacking details to properly set up and then wrap up the essay. The introduction/ conclusion are not related.

Introduction and conclusion nicely set up and wrap up the essay. The introduction/ conclusion could relate better.

Introduction and conclusion effectively set up and wrap up the essay. The introduction/ conclusion relate well to each other.

Organization and Structure

Many details are not in a logical or expected order. The paper does not use paragraphs and does not focus on the assigned argument issue.

Writing may have some discernible organization, but some details are not in a logical or expected order. The paper uses paragraphs ineffectively and lacks focus on the assigned argument issue.

Writing is organized, and details are placed in a logical order. Paragraphs are mostly used effectively and generally focus well on the assignment argument issue.

Writing is effective, purposeful, and well- organized. Paragraphs are used effectively and focus well on the assigned argument issue.

Argument Fails to develop argument(s). No clear thesis to highlight the argument.

Some argument(s) are developed, but may be missing one or need further elaboration. Thesis attempts to highlight the argument, though clarification is needed.

Develops most argument(s). Thesis highlights the argument with only minor need for clarification.

Fully develops argument(s) fairly. Thesis highlights the argument well.

Resources and Citations

No reliable and academic resources used. Resources do not relate to the argument and/or are not properly

1 reliable and academic resource used. Resources generally relate to the argument but may not be properly formatted in the assignment.

2 reliable and academic resources used. Resources relate to the argument, and for the most part, are

3 reliable and academic resources used. Resources effectively relate to the argument and are properly formatted in the assignment.

CRITERIA Novice Needs

Improvement Proficient Exemplary

formatted in the assignment.

properly formatted in the assignment.

(0-5 points) (6-7 points) (8 points) (9-10 points)

Paper Length Significantly less than 1 page or significantly more than 4 pages.

Only 1-2 pages in length.

Only 2-3 pages in length.

3 to 4 pages in length.

Clear and Professional Writing and APA Format

Writing is hard to understand because of errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Word choice is inappropriate for an academic setting. Sentence structure is often unclear. Paper rarely or does not use the third- person perspective and an objective tone. APA format is not followed.

Writing is sometimes difficult to understand because of several errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Word choice is sometimes inappropriate for an academic setting. Sentence structure is sometimes unclear. Paper inconsistently uses a third-person perspective and objective tone. APA format is sometimes followed.

Writing is easy to understand despite minor errors in punctuation, spelling, and grammar. Appropriate word choice is used for an academic setting. Sentence structure is mostly clear. Paper mostly uses a third-person perspective and objective tone. APA format is mostly followed.

Writing is free of almost all punctuation, spelling, and grammar errors. Appropriate word choice is used for an academic setting. Sentence structure is clear. Paper is written in the third-person perspective with an objective tone. APA format is followed.