Professor M

Nicaraguan Civil War

Progression 3: Argumentative Papers with Presentations

Essay Prompt:

Present an argument based on your group theme: Central Americans and (Food, Environment, War, etc.). Use rhetorical strategies in order to successfully sway an audience in 7-10 pages. Your essay should use sources to back up your claims.

This progression’s essay requirement asks you to enter into conversation with published scholars. In your essay you must reproduce and respond to a scholarly conversation in light of these questions:

1. What are the larger implications of this conversation?

2. What are some of the different positions in this conversation?

3. What is your response to these viewpoints?

4. What is your contribution to the conversation?

You will be required to do some outside research for this essay (at least 3 outside sources), in addition to using materials from your course textbook that represent some of the key positions within a particular discussion or debate. You will want to use these texts to initiate and inform your own argument. In other words, your purpose should not be to cram as many sources as you can into your essay; you do not want other writers’ voices to drown out your own.

By the end of this progression, you should understand the following key terms: conversation, claim, and argument. You should also understand the basic concepts of formal academic structure.

Your paper must do the following to receive a passing grade:

· Write for the audience.

· Present a clear, concise thesis.

· Use correct MLA format.

· Cite all sources in-text and provide a Works Cited page.

· Present a concise argument: Leave only well-developed, necessary ideas. Do not leave underdeveloped ideas. You’ll lose your audience and ethos if you do.

· Address counterarguments.

*** Is Due 23 November

Exercise Two: Summary and Reconstruction

Instructions:

· Summarize the main points for your argument. Hint: You should have at least three main points.

· Pull a quote from your sources that supports each of your claims. Or pull a quote from your sources that provides a counterargument to your claims.

· At least one source should provide a counterargument.

· The word count for this assignment is 500 words.

Example:

My first point will show that genetically modified foods are good/bad for the Mayan community because X. Jane Doe's "GMOs and Their Friends," supports my point of view. She states, "Quote the article.........." Doe's quote shows readers that the issue of GMOs is X. As a scientist and leading researcher, Doe's findings are essential in proving my point that ...... etc.

My second point addresses how GMOs were meant to end world hunger but instead have sabotaged Mayan land. John Kent's "Why People Should Give GMOs a Chance" explains the initial purpose of genetically modified foods. Kent's article states: "Quote an important part of the source." Kent provides a useful counterargument to consider, and as a leading researcher for Monsanto, his purpose is to persuade readers to follow Monsanto's cause. His article uses pathos heavily by ____________. While the article makes good points, Kent's credibility is questionable since he is the spokesman for Monsanto.

*** Is due 17th November

Exercise 3, Executive Proposal with Outline Directions

Goal: The purpose of the proposal is to help me understand what you want to write about and why. What you want to avoid is a first draft that sounds like a freewrite instead of a well-organized essay. It’s a lot easier to get started on an essay once you’ve figured out the outline. It will keep you from rambling; therefore, it creates less work for you over time. (Hint: This is why outlines are crucial for timed-essays.)

Word Count: 500 words minimum

1. Write a 100-word proposal where you explain your analysis.

2. Include the thesis statement you wrote in the previous exercise. Please bold this thesis statement, so that I can spot it immediately.

3. Think about how you’d like to organize your essay. Create a bullet point outline explaining each point you would want to address in each paragraph. Include supporting evidence/examples.

4. Each main point must include the topic sentence, supporting evidence, and one quote.

5. Submit your assignment on Moodle. As always, double check the directions to make sure you’re not missing anything.

**** Is due 19th November