Argumentative Essay Instructions

Option #1: Does Technology Promote Loneliness?

Develop a thesis statement built  upon whether or not technology promotes loneliness. You should focus on  either one form of hardware or one type of software. For example, you  could target cell phones or laptops. If you want to look more into  software, you could narrow your discussions to one type of social media  or one gaming app. These are just a handful of a vast array of options  you could choose.

Develop at least three strong arguments in addition to a counterargument and refutation (this resource can assist you in developing the counterargument and refutation). This organization should yield four body paragraphs. Using argumentative topic sentences  that include your opinion for each section can help ensure the majority  of your essay is argumentative. The beginning of a sample topic  sentence might be, “First, Facebook does not promote loneliness  because….” Then, be sure to support that claim with a point or two of  researched data, followed by mostly original material that helps to  explain how your research supports your claims as well as provides new  insights and perspectives. Conclude each paragraph with a sentence that synthesizes the paragraph’s main ideas.

Sample Thesis Statement: Social  media, particularly Facebook, does not promote loneliness because (add  argument 1), (add argument 2), and (add argument 3), even though (add  counterargument focus). *Note that a thorough thesis statement will  include the counterargument in addition to your own arguments, but be  sure to frame your counterargument as the opposition’s opinion so that  readers do not think that you are changing your stance.

See The Top Ten Tips for College-Level Writing (Presentation) for more thesis statement assistance.

Use  at least three credible sources (the author should be considered an  expert on the topic in which he or she writes; try Google Scholar to  search), such as books, articles, and websites, to support your thesis.  Include a mix of cited paraphrases, summaries, and quotes in your  argumentative research paper. Use MLA format (Tip: You will find  useful MLA resources within the course topics, particularly in Topic  9) to create proper parenthetical citations as well as a Works Cited page at the end of your essay. For additional Works Cited assistance visit http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/08/ and use the left navigation menu to locate the type of reference you need.   

Option #2: Is Citizen Privacy or National Security More Important?

Develop a thesis statement focused  on determining if citizen privacy or national security is more  important. You can choose any country or region. Your chosen topic needs  to be specific and might address a question like the ones you see in  these examples:

• Should officials make citizens’ privacy more of a priority than national security? Why or why not? 
• Is national security likely to pose a risk for citizen privacy? Why or why not? 
• You may choose another topic regarding the relationship between  citizen privacy and national security as well; just be sure that your  main thesis addresses the association between these two ideas. 

Develop at least three strong arguments in addition to a counterargument and refutation (this resource can assist you in developing the counterargument and refutation). This organization should yield four body paragraphs. Using argumentative topic sentences  that include your opinion for each section can help ensure the majority  of your essay is argumentative. The beginning of a sample topic  sentence might be, “Primarily, exceptional national security is likely  to reduce citizen privacy because….” Then, be sure to support that claim  with a point or two of researched data, followed by mostly original  material that helps to explain how your research supports your claims as  well as provides new insights and perspectives. Conclude each paragraph with a sentence that synthesizes the paragraph’s main ideas.
 

Sample Thesis Statement: Ideally, a thesis would include the  major assignment objectives for the essay, which in this case would be  your claim/opinion, reasons why you have that opinion, and the  counterargument: Implementing national security measures could lead to  citizen privacy dilemmas because (add argument 1), (add argument 2), and  (add argument 3), even though (add counterargument focus). *Note that a  thorough thesis statement will include the counterargument in addition  to your own arguments, but be sure to frame your counterargument as the  opposition’s opinion so that readers do not think that you are changing  your stance.  
 

Use at least three credible sources (the author should be considered  an expert on the topic in which he or she writes), such as books,  articles, and websites, to support your claims. Include a mix of cited  paraphrases, summaries, and quotes in your argumentative research paper.  Use MLA format (Tip: You will find useful MLA resources within  the course topics, particularly in Topic 9) to create proper  parenthetical citations as well as a Works Cited page at the end of your essay. For additional Works Cited assistance visit http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/08/ and use the left navigation menu to locate the type of reference you need.