researches argumentative essay final paper

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The Researched Argumentative Essay

In this assignment, you will write a researched argumentative essay linked to the topic of your previous expository essay. In order to do that, you will consider the rhetorical situation of the two essays: the purpose of an expository essay is to objectively report a complex issue while an argumentative essay aims at persuading readers that your opinion is the most valid among various views, or your opinion has valid point(s) that they have not considered before; the audience of your expository essay should understand more about the complex issue after reading your essay, but the audience of your argumentative essay is expected to be persuaded and reconsider their ideas after reading your argumentative essay. These will make your writings different in terms of its tone, content, and structure. Think about those factors carefully.

In order to write a well-developed essay to clearly state your opinion on a controversial topic and support that opinion with detailed reasons and evidence, you must include opposing viewpoints, address the complexity of the issue and have a clear sense of writing for generally well-educated audience who disagree with you but who may not be experts on the issue. Think about how to establish your credibility and present logical argument and convincing facts to your readers to urge them to think about the issue from different perspectives. Remember to assess the weaknesses and strengths of your own position. A one-sided argument which refuses to acknowledge the validity of other views or ignores the complexity of the issue will not be convincing.

Persuasion is normally targeted at people who disagree with you, rather than those who are already on your side. Are you talking to experts, policy makers, or readers with special interest? Defining your audience and what they value will help you focus your essay and decide what information and evidence are more effective for this group of audience in your essay.

Research! Research! Research! Reading others’ articles and using other voices effectively in your own writing will help you establish credibility as a knowledgeable and reasonable writer, and it is a MUST in this assignment. For that purpose, you will need at least 6 sources in this essay. 3 of them have to be academic-oriented (from a book, a journal, a database, etc.) and 3 can be non-academic (Website, newspaper, magazine, etc.). If you include your own interview or survey (you ask a group of people for their opinions and use that as evidence), this can be considered one source. You can use some sources that you already used in your expository essay, but you will have to include at least 4 new sources for the argumentative essay.

Throughout this assignment, I hope you can develop:

-the ability to find, gather, and interpret facts, data and other information relevant to the problem.

-the ability to see different ways in which the question might be answered and different perspectives for viewing it.

-the ability to analyze competing approaches and answers, to construct arguments for and against alternatives, and to choose the best solution in light of values, objectives and other criteria.

-the ability to write an effective argument justifying your choice while acknowledging counterarguments.

-the ability to incorporate other people’s ideas to work for your own purposes, to have a conversation with other writers you are reading, and to synthesize different voices.

(adapted from the Allyn and Bacon Guide to Writing, 2009, p. 30)

First draft. Due April, 27 (at least 4 pages, with different positions discussed. Works Cited Page is required for draft.) for peer review.

Final version. Due May 1st, 2020.

Peer review work is needed for this assignment.

Submit everything on D2L, including the draft, peer review work and the final. Without draft and peer review work, this essay won’t be graded.

Format:

Your essay has to be at least 8 full pages (excluding the Works cited page). Title needed.

Font 12, double-spaced. MLA format.

Avoid unintentional plagiarism in your source incorporation part.

Grading: Your grade on this paper will be determined not only by your mastery of several skills, but also by the amount of improvement between your drafts and your final paper. The following criteria are important:

  • Use of argument: Does the essay develop a clearly stated, audience appropriate argument? Does it express a clear stance on a well-defined issue? Does the essay present a full and fair picture of the issue and then argue for a position?
  • Organization and progression of thought: Does the essay follow a logical sequence to highlight the inquiry into the issue? Are the paragraphs cohesive? Do they build a well-developed argument? Are the connections between the issue and evidence clear?
  • Research and sources: Does the essay meet the source requirement? Are the sources used effectively (does the chosen information best serve the argument?) Are the sources cited appropriately and correctly?
  • Expression: Are the sentences varied and forceful? Is the diction fresh and precise, the tone appropriate and compelling?
  • Mechanics: Are the grammar, spelling, and punctuation in accordance to standard usage? Is the essay correctly formatted for this class?