Argumentative

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ArgumentativeResearchEssayAssignment.pdf

Dr. Tarkan-Blanco

Argumentative Research Paper

Directions: You will write an academic paper arguing your position on the topic from your

research proposal and follow the classical argument format (adapted from Simon & Schuster)

below.

Your purpose will be to convince your audience to change their beliefs or persuade them to take

action. You will use at least five academic sources (i.e., scholarly and edited publications) to

support your thesis statement. You may not use Wikipedia. As for web sources, only websites

ending in .edu, .org., and .gov are acceptable. Your paper needs to be a minimum of four-

pages-long, double-spaced, and in APA or MLA format. The works cited page or list of

references does not count towards the page requirement.

Classical Argument Format

I. Introductory paragraph with a thesis statement at the end

The opening paragraph of your essay needs to set the stage for the position you will

argue and gain the reader’s interest. To achieve these goals, use one of the following

strategies:

• Relate a brief interesting story or anecdote

• Give one or more pertinent—perhaps surprising—statistics

• Use an appropriate quotation

• Define a key term

• Present one or more brief examples

Whichever introductory method you use, make sure that it smoothly leads into your

argumentative thesis statement (also called a claim) that clearly presents the topic to

be debated in the essay and states the writer’s opinion regarding that topic.

Topic + claim = Argumentative thesis statement

Sample argumentative thesis sentences:

People should not be allowed to own wild animals.

Consumers should purchase organic foods to achieve health benefits and improve the

quality of environment.

II. Body paragraph(s): background information

The background paragraph gives readers the basic information they need for

understanding your claim and its support. It might include definitions of key terms,

historical or social context, prior scholarship, and other related material.

Note: You can include this as part of your introductory paragraph, or it can appear in

its own paragraph immediately after the introduction.

III. Body paragraphs: reasons and evidence to support your claim

The body paragraphs need to support the position you are arguing on the topic. This

the core of the essay. Each reason and piece of evidence usually consists of a general

statement (topic sentence) that presents an aspect of your argument, backed up with

relevant details, including examples and information from scholarly publications.

Depending on the length of the essay, you might devote one or two paragraphs to

each reason or type of evidence. If a reason is very complicated, use two paragraphs

divided at a logical point. For organization, you might choose to present the most

important point first, saving the least important for last.

IV. Body paragraph(s): response to opposing position (rebuttal)

This section of your essay needs to mention and defend against an opposite point of

view. State reasons that someone might use to argue against your position. Answer

these criticisms by explaining why your position is stronger.

This refutation, which can be lengthy or brief according to the overall length of the

essay, appears in its own paragraph or paragraphs, immediately before the

concluding paragraph. Start each body paragraph with a topic sentence that helps

your readers follow your line of reasoning.

Guidelines for handling opposing arguments:

• Examine the evidence for each opposing argument, looking for missing or

contradictory facts. The following questions might help you with your

analysis:

Is the evidence sufficient?

Is the evidence relevant?

Is the evidence accurate?

Questions such as these will help you identify logical fallacies (such as hasty

generalizations, irrelevant arguments, etc.) in your opponent’s claim.

• Demonstrate that an opposing argument depends on emotion rather than

reasoning

• Explain the negative consequences of the opposing position.

• Explain that the costs of the other position are not worth the benefits.

Sentence and paragraph guides for rebuttal paragraphs:

• I understand that my opponents believe ___________. I respect their

reasoning that ___________ and also that ____________. In fact, what we

have in common is ______________.

• Some people might oppose my position by arguing that _________. They

might explain that _________, and they might point to support such as

_________. However, this argument fails to take into account ___________.

Furthermore, evidence from researchers X and Y suggests a different

conclusion, namely _____________. Ultimately, this opposing argument is

unconvincing because ______________.

V. Conclusion

The final paragraph needs to wrap up the essay, summarizing the main points of

your argument. Be sure to indirectly refer back to your thesis statement by

summarizing your point of view. Present the argument’s significance, or call to

action, or use one of the following strategies:

• Use a statement that urges awareness by the readers

• Use a statement that looks ahead to the future

Note: Do not introduce new ideas or facts that belong in the body of your essay.

Also, do not reword your introduction.