Argument Paper

ar•gu•ment - noun 1. a. A discussion in which disagreement is expressed; a debate. b. A quarrel; a dispute. 2. a. A course of reasoning aimed at demonstrating truth or falsehood. b. A fact or statement put forth as proof or evidence; a reason. c. A set of statements in which one follows logically as a conclusion from the others.

We see arguments every day. Even if the argument is to go to Taco Bell instead of Burger King, we should know how to research and argue in support of or against a particular position. The Paradigm Online Writing Assistant has a good introduction here. You can also think of arguments as involving logos, pathos and ethos, which you can learn about in our class dictionary. Arguments should be properly researched and properly written from that research to best achieve satisfactory support for the topic. You need to pick a specific topic and keep a tight focus. Topics such as abortion, capital punishment, church and state, gun control, and gay marriage are overdone and are highly personal arguments based on personal judgements and have no place in this assignment.

Prompt: Write an argument paper that takes a stand on a controversial issue. You can also think of this paper as a position paper or persuasive paper. Your introduction should present your issue, provide background of the issue, and the state the claim you intend to support. The body of your argument will summarize and respond to opposing views as well as present reasons and evidence in support of your own position. You need to choose whether to summarize and refute opposing views before or after you have made your own case. Try to end your essay with your strongest arguments. The UHWO Writing Center reading has an excellent example for paper structure. We'll work through that reading and others in class.

Relevant Links:

Hamilton College Writing Center - Persausive Papers http://www.hamilton.edu/academics/Resource/WC/Effective_essays.html

Paradigm OWA - Argument http://www.powa.org/argument/index.html

UHWO Writer Center - Position Paper http://homepages.uhwo.hawaii.edu/~writing/position.htm

UNC Writing Center - Argument http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/argument.html

Learning Goals:

Argument

Research

Objective Language and Writing

MLA parenthetical citation

MLA format

Nuts and Bolts:

5 sources

3-4 pages (750-1000 words)

MLA Works Cited page (separate page)

Course Policy Paper Guidelines