Argument Essay Assignment.
Write an argumentative essay on a theme covered in class discussions and/or readings.
The essay should be at least 1,000 words long (not counting cover page and reference list) and incorporate evidence from 5 reliable sources.
Your Argumentative Essay Submission should:
• follow conventions of the genre (structure, language)
• use reliable sources with proper in-text citations in APA style.
• include an accurate reference list in APA style at the end of your paper.
Goals of Argumentation
• To present a viewpoint to the reader
• To explain, clarify, and illustrate that viewpoint
• To persuade the reader that the viewpoint is valid in order to:
1. To move the reader to action
2. To convince the reader that the opinion is correct
Your essay should include three main elements.
1. Your argument (Thesis)
2. Evidence
3. Counterarguments
Your argument (Thesis)
Your thesis should be a statement that people can disagree with; it is a debatable claim.
A bad thesis: Soda drinks are bad for your health. (This cannot really be debated; it is a fact that has been proven by science)
A better thesis: The size of sodas offered in fast food restaurants should be regulated by the government. (This is a debatable statement people could agree or disagree with the statement)
Evidence
• Opinion is almost worthless alone. Anyone can have an opinion; simply expressing an opinion won’t persuade or convince, especially in academic writing.
• Your reader may think that a mere statement of opinion is a sign of laziness, ignorance, or inability to adequately support your statements.
• Opinions, then, must be supported by facts, examples, statistics, personal experience, or authoritative sources.
The amount of evidence necessary depends on audience — will the audience be people who already agree with you or people who might not agree with your position?
When in doubt, pretend the reader will be someone who NEVER agrees with anything.
Provide enough proof to force them to admit that your opinion has merit.
Counterarguments
Intelligent readers will know that there is an opinion other than yours. If you, as the writer, do not show an awareness of the counterarguments, readers might think either you have not explored the subject thoroughly or that you are presenting one-sided propaganda, afraid to admit the counterarguments. So, YOU must look at the other side too. Present the counterarguments and then refute them.
Refuting the counterarguments:
1. by disproving them or
2. by conceding their truth but showing that they are not as strong or valid as your arguments, or
3. by correcting your opponent’s facts, or
4. by denying the relevance of contrary proof, or
5. by denying that what your opponent presents as proof, though relevant, is sufficient.
Essay Structure
• Introduction (thesis)
• Weakest argument that supports your opinion (with evidence)
• Stronger argument that supports your opinion (with evidence)
• Strongest argument that supports your opinion (with evidence)
• Counterarguments (with evidence) and refutations (with evidence)
• Conclusion