Argumentative Research Essay: Requirements

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Argumentative Research Essay: Requirements

Argumentative Research Essay

General Guidelines & Specific Information:

 

  • Apply classical rhetoric to your argumentative essay.
  • Please check the Canvas due dates and page for when the research essay and relevant materials are due.
  • This is the largest assignment  of the semester. Each student is required to meet all of the above  requirements in sequential order to receive a passing grade on this  assignment. This means that you must complete the formal outline, before  being allowed to submit an annotated bibliography. You are required to  submit the annotated bibliography, before being allowed to submit the  rough draft. You are required to submit the rough draft, before being  allowed to submit the final draft. Each student is required to complete  every step of this process, and of course, if you do, it makes the  process much easier and less daunting.
  • You are required to submit the Essay: Formal Outline and complete  this outline. Some revisions may be required if your topic does not  meet the criteria or your outline does not meet the requirements.
  • You are required to submit the VeriCite: Formal Outline. 
     
  • You are required to submit the Essay: Annotated Bibliography.
     
  • You are required to submit the VeriCite: Annotated Bibliography.
     
  • You are required to submit the Essay: Rough Draft. This  rough draft will be graded and commented on just like the final draft.  You will be given an opportunity to revise this rough draft, but the  grade for your rough draft will count.
  • You are required to submit to VeriCite: Rough Draft. 
  • You are required to submit the Essay: Final Draft. 
  • You are required to submit to VeriCite: Final Draft. 
  • You are required to have a works cited page. You are required to use at least 5 outside sources from the Delgado Library Databases. A minimum of 2 sources must be scholarly articles. 
     
  • All of the 5 minimum number of sources must come from the Delgado Library Databases.
  • You are required to have a counter-argument.
  • There is a 1200 word count minimum for this essay.  The works cited page is not included in the word count. Any student who  does not meet the minimum word count will not receive a passing grade.
  • An essay with major grammatical errors will not pass.
  • You must follow MLA Style, 8th edition, for in-text citations and the works cited page.
  • No more than one block quote may be used and the essay can be no  more than 15% direct quotes. Do not overly rely on quotations. Summarize  and paraphrase as much as you want.
  • The essasy will be graded according to the College Essay Rubric.Preview the document 

Argumentative Essay Format

This is an argumentative research essay, meaning you will take a position on a debatable topic and support your position using various argumentative strategies discussed throughout the semester. You will formulate your own argument and then use outside sources to bolster your position.

 

 

Classical Argument Format

This is the structure of a classical argument. If you write a classical argument, your paper should contain the following:

 

Introductory Information
This will be a  standard introductory paragraph(s) that introduces the topic and the  position that you plan to take on the topic. It should grab the reader’s  attention and set the tone for the entire paper. You can use several  introductory strategies. You must have a hook, grab the reader’s  attention, and clarify the topic you will be discussing. This may be  longer than just one paragraph.

 

Thesis Statement
This is your position  statement, the argument you are making in the essay. You can present  your thesis statement wherever you feel it works best—at the end of the  introductory information, after the background information, before or  after your counter-argument. It is your choice.

 

Background Information/Context
You  should provide your readers with relevant background information  necessary for understanding the position being argued. You may include  background information at the beginning of the paper and anywhere else  that you need to provide context for a point you are making.

 

Reasons and Evidence
This is where you  provide support for your thesis statement, the meat of your essay. You  will present reasons to support your thesis and then provide evidence to  support these reasons. Devote one or two paragraphs for each reason and  be sure to provide critical evidence to substantiate the reasons you  are providing. You should find your evidence through your research  efforts.

 

Counter-Argument & Refutation
When  presenting an argument, you must discuss the opposing position’s reasons  and evidence and offer a refutation. This refutation assures that you  are aware of the opposition’s point of view. This refutation will be in  its own paragraph, which can immediately precede the conclusion  paragraph or it can immediately follow the introductory paragraph. If  you present your counter argument following the introductory paragraph,  your thesis can fall at the end of this paragraph.

 

Conclusion Paragraph
This paragraph logically concludes the entire essay. It is your last hurrah, your last chance to wow the audience.