Worth: 35% course grade Draft for Peer Review: 4/23
Length: 5+ pagesDraft for Feedback: 4/26 at 11:59pm
Final Due: Wednesday May 6 at noon
Assignment Overview:
Now that we’ve practiced working with sources and doing research, it’s time to write a formal, researched argumentative essay. In Unit 3, you’ll be contributing to a scholarly conversation – drawing on what we’ve learned in units 1 and 2. This means first developing an argument in relation to your research question and your sources, then composing an essay that adheres to the conventions of “academic” writing and offers a persuasive and well-supported argument.
For an argument to be successful, you must have a clear and arguable position. This position—your claim—is presented in your thesis statement. Ultimately, everything in your essay should support your thesis in some way. Remember to think about the roles sources play – you’ll want to present background information and establish context; define and explain key ideas and concepts; cite experts; present support & evidence; anticipate and address opposing and/or conflicting perspectives and ideas.
You’re not writing for a scholarly journal, but I do want you to think of an academic audience. You can assume that they will pay attention (but know that they want concise, clear writing), that they are relatively informed, and that they are comfortable with layers of ideas. But you do need to think about their needs: will they accept the issue as a problem? Or do you have to prove this? Are they familiar with the issue, or do you need to carefully define your terms? To present the problem in depth, you’ll likely need to discuss the causes and/or effects of the issue (a causal argument). These considerations should propel your research and will help you shape and develop your essay. Some or all of this may be needed in addition to the evidence and reasoning you use to support your claim.
Assignment Details in a Nutshell:
Write a 5-6 page essay that helps readers see how complicated an issue truly is, present a claim about your position (this must be arguable – something that readers might initially dismiss or disagree with), and carefully build an argument that supports your claim and, of course, appeals to your readers as a credible messenger with a logical position (ethos and logos). You may consider pathos – but this should be in service to the larger argument.
Your Rhetorical Situation:
Purpose: to convince readers that your topic matters and that it deserves careful consideration; to convince readers to reevaluate their assumptions
Audience: future researchers, teachers, peers
Genre: an “academic” argument
Organization:
To be successful, an academic essay carefully walks readers through the complexities of an issue or topic. All key ideas are defined. Facts are meticulously presented. Background and context are established.
NOTE: Every topic requires different amounts or degrees of these elements, but once presented, the author goes on to support their claim and address readers’ likely skepticism. Since your essay will have multiple parts, you may want to think of writing it that way – in sections.
To format, you can use section headers or you may write in regular paragraphs. But it is important that you have strong, focused paragraphs that clearly serve the thesis in some way.
I recommend that you use topic sentences to help you focus those paragraphs and to help readers follow you.
Remember—it’s your job to guide your reader through your argument. HERE’s a good lesson on transitions with a great list of transitions.
A Passing Essay Will Include/Meet These Requirements:
a unique and interesting title
an introduction section that informs and engages readers
a clearly stated thesis that indicates your position (claim/argument)
distinct paragraphs that support your thesis by developing relevant main points with evidence
7+ sources that support your claim and build your argument
Synthesis of research – your argument grows out of all your sources
All sources must be credible—be careful if you cite content from websites
You may reuse sources from Unit 2
a formal, balanced tone
appropriate transitional words and phrases linking the ideas expressed in your sentences and paragraphs
a suitable conclusion
properly-formatted, parenthetical citations and/or signal phrases with source material
a blend of paraphrases and quotes
clear link between source material and Works Cited page
MLA: properly-formatted essay and Works Cited page
5+ pages
