abortiongun controldeath penaltymarriage equalityevolutionthe purpose B u s i n e s s F i n a n c e

Begin thinking about your topic for your final essay. You are required to have two sources. Remember that you are attempting to persuade the audience into believing that one idea makes more sense than another. Your sources will help you to prove the point you are trying to make in your argumentative/persuasive essay. Review the following links prior to beginning your final essay.

• Review the Learning Center at Review the Writing Research Papers and at the Purdue OWL website.
• Review the basic format of MLA citation at the Purdue OWL website.

The following list are forbidden topics. You may NOT write about any of the following issues. Why? The answer is complicated, but the most fundamental answer is that these topics are complex social issues. The answers/solutions/morality of these issues is deeply ingrained in who you are, how you were raised, what you believe, or do not believe. A Composition I paper is simply not long enough, or thorough enough, to begin to address these complex issues.

• Abortion
• Gun control
• Death penalty
• Marriage equality
• Evolution

The purpose of persuasion in writing is to convince, motivate, or move readers toward a certain point of view, or opinion. The act of trying to persuade automatically implies that more than one opinion on the subject can be argued. The idea of an argument often conjures up images of two people yelling and screaming in anger. In writing, however, an argument is very different. An argument is a reasoned opinion supported and explained by evidence. To argue in writing is to advance knowledge and ideas in a positive way. Written arguments often fail when they employ ranting rather than reasoning.

Most of us feel inclined to try to win the arguments we engage in. On some level, we all want to be right, and we want others to see the error of their ways. More times than not, however, arguments in which both sides try to win end up producing losers all around. The more productive approach is to persuade your audience to consider your opinion as a valid one, not simply the right one.

When you successfully complete this lesson, you will be able to:

1. Apply MLA formatting, including parenthetical documentation and a works cited page, to an argumentation essay.
2. Order resources that support your thesis.
3. Produce an argumentation essay utilizing logic, evidence, and emotional appeal to persuade your reader to your viewpoint.

These objectives reflect the important concepts of this lesson and should be used to guide your studies and your preparation for examinations.

1. Review the material from Successful College Composition:
   • Chapter 4: Writing a Research Paper
2. Read the following argumentative/persuasive readings:
   • King, Martin Luther –
   • Sherry, Mary – “In Praise of the ‘F’ Word”
3. Review the following links to enhance your knowledge:
   • Purdue OWL: Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing
   • Purdue OWL: Avoiding Plagiarism
4. Visit the Writing Lab for:
   • An example of an argumentative essay.
   • Additional assistance and feedback during any stage of your writing process.

• Use this checklist to ensure you are on the right path before submitting your final draft:

1. Did you use research material in this assignment? Research is REQUIRED for this assignment.
2. Have you avoided the five forbidden topics? (See Lesson 6)
3. Do you have a Works Cited page at the end of your essay with the title Works Cited?
4. Do you have at least two sources?
5. Are those two sources cited in the paper using either paraphrases or direct quotations?
6. Did you define words, use a dictionary, or use an encyclopedia? If so, those sources and information from those sources must be removed. Most common words or words used with their well-known definition do not need to be defined in an essay. Dictionaries and encyclopedias are NOT argumentative sources.
7. Did you use MLA 8th edition to cite your sources within the text?
8. Have you used parenthetical references within the text to show that you are paraphrasing or quoting?
9. Does the word/name in each parenthetical reference match the first word/name in the corresponding Works Cited entry?
10. Is your thesis a single, concise sentence?
11. Does the thesis state the argument the essay will make?
12. Is the file properly named, as advised?
13. Does the essay refer to itself? (For example, are you writing lines like, “In this essay, I will . . .? If so, remove them.)
14. Does your paper have the correct MLA format (margin, font, space, etc)?
15. Did you run spellcheck?
16. Does your conclusion make a “so what” point?
17. Have you met the minimum word requirement?
18. Have all contractions been removed? (This is a formal essay.)
19. Does the essay have logical transitions throughout?
20. Are all of your sentences in each paragraph in the subject + verb sentence structure?

Argumentation Essay

• Write a 750-1000 word argumentation/persuasion essay using any approach as a method of development.
• You MUST cite a minimum of two references/sources. Research is REQUIRED for this essay.
• Your final draft should be in MLA format. See the attached Word Formatting document or visit the Purdue OWL MLA website for more details: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/m…

An effective argumentative essay must have evidence to make its case; most arguments that occur in daily life happen in the heat of the moment and are more likely directed toward saving one’s own pride than toward giving clear and supportive proof to one’s claims.

Writing Approach

Knowing how to brainstorm is going to save you from writing a weak essay. Also, knowing how to support your claims with evidence from outside sources will further strengthen your essay. For that reason, this assignment requires the use of two references/sources. In addition, you will add a Works Cited page at the end of your essay. Finally, your Works Cited page will be in MLA (Modern Language Association) format so that all information provided will be easy for your reader to find.

Before attempting this essay:

• Review all of the chapter sections located in Lessons 6 and 7.
• Review the available documents and sources located at the Helpful Resources folder on the course menu.
• Review the list of forbidden topics in Lesson 6.

Writing Assignment

Purpose: to persuade

Method of Development: your choice

Choose your own topic, but make sure that it is something that can actually be argued. You cannot argue something that is a fact. You can argue for or against something. Some examples are:

• Should teenagers be able to play violent video games?
• Should cellphones be allowed in the classroom?
• Is social media destroying the way we communicate?

The above items can be argued but there are many others to choose from. The choice is yours. If you have something in mind but you are unsure if it will work as an argumentative/persuasive essay, please send me a message through the Messages link for assistance.

Reminders:

1. Brainstorm for topics.
2. Choose one topic, choose a method of development, and organize all details accordingly.
3. Research for appropriate evidence to support your argument. While you are researching, be sure to note all information necessary to fill out your Works Cited page for that entry.
4. Remember your conclusion and your Works Cited page in MLA format.
5. Check the syllabus for due dates.

Important: Your paper will be checked for plagiarism using SafeAssign or similar third parties to review and evaluate for originality and intellectual integrity. Plagiarized papers, whether intentional or simply due to ignorance will receive a total grade of zero. Read the following information on Complete your assignment using word-processing software such as MS Word 365 (download free software at https://products.office.com/en-us/student?ms.offic…), LibreOffice (download free software at

https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/academic_writing/essay_writing/argumentative_essays.html

Select the following links to view the samples:

• MLA Format Sample

OR

• Outline, MLA Format, and Works Cited Sample. Note: Use this sample only when required by your instructor.

MLA format should be used for all your essays. Select the links below to learn how to format your paper using the MLA guidelines:

• MLA General Format
• (video)
• (video)

• General Writing Resources
  An excellent site (Purdue OWL) that provides information on mechanics and grammar.
• Guide to Grammar
  An excellent site for description of grammar and mechanics. The site includes assignments that give immediate feedback and suggest areas for more study, depending on the questions you missed.
• 
  An excellent, simple site for the basics of grammar.