Argument Paper

ENGL 1301 Essay 5: Argument (15%)

Objective: Make a claim on a debatable issue, support that claim with logical reasoning and evidence from reliable sources, and address the opposing argument. Essay Requirements:

§ Length: 650-700 words not including your header and title. Your essay should have an introduction, 2 body paragraphs developing points of support for your claim, one body paragraph addressing opposing arguments, and a conclusion.

§ Format: Use MLA format for the paper and citations (in-text and works cited) § Sources: For this assignment, you must use two-three authoritative outside sources and

cite them correctly according to MLA guidelines. Failure to incorporate or properly cite research into your essay will result in a zero for the assignment.

§ Style: Use formal, academic language. Write in third person (no: you, me, I, we, us, our, your, my, etc.) and avoid any slang/clichés, shorthand, etc. The essay should be carefully proofread and as free as possible of grammatical errors.

§ Any plagiarism will result in an automatic zero Due Dates:

• Tuesday, November 22: Prewriting Assignment due. It will be submitted via Blackboard. (I will distribute the prewriting assignment and open the Blackboard assignment on Thursday, 11/17)

• Tuesday, November 29: Final draft due. It must be submitted via the Turnitin assignment on Blackboard before midnight. No hard copies will be accepted.

Topics: You have some freedom when it comes to your topic. You need to choose a debatable topic which you can argue on with factual evidence from reliable sources. Choose something you are interested in or care about, but remember you must be able to argue with logical, factual evidence and reasoning; avoid issues based mainly on personal values/morals/religion. You may need to do some research before picking your topic to make sure you have something you can argue and support effectively. I am happy to help with ideas if you are stuck. What I am specifying are topics you cannot use for this essay (either because I have already read them 1,000 times or they, more often than not, become problematic in terms of developing with factual evidence). Prohibited topics: Abortion; Gun Control; Gay Marriage; Religion in schools; Creationism vs. Darwinism; marijuana legalization.