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Writing an Argumentative Essay Assignment
Write a documented argument of 750-1,250 words (three to five pages of double-spaced typing).
For the best results for your module one essay, follow this procedure:
- Narrow your topic (see below) and think about your approach.
- Do some research – take notes and save necessary source information for your works cited list (Bedford Bibliographer is a great help).
- Get organised before you write (thesis, topic sentences, supporting details).
- Look at sample student paper in Chapter 7 – An Argument for Corporate Responsibility (pg.307).
- Draft your essay and a working bibliography.
- Use the essay checklist provided (additional resources folder) and see Chapter 7, Using Sources, pg. 245.
- Check for unintentional plagiarism.
- Revise, edit, and proofread again
- Check your essay in Turnitin to be sure there is not plagiarism and to catch any remaining writing errors.
- Revise as necessary.
- Submit in the Essay Dropbox (E2).
Remember to use the Resources (under Tools and Resources on the course menu) and the Module 3 Resources as necessary.
Reminder: From Barnet and Bedau – A Word About Wikipedia… Wikipedia often rises to the top of Web search results. This vast and decentralised site provides over a million articles on a wide variety of topics. However, anyone can contribute to the online encyclopedia, so the accuracy of articles varies, and, in some cases, the coverage of a controversial issue is one-sided or disputed. Even when the articles are accurate, they provide only basic information.
Wikipedia’s founder, Jimmy Wales, cautions students against using it as a source, except for obtaining general background knowledge: “You’re in college; don’t cite the encyclopedia.”
Topics – Select One from the following topics and argue your position.
Be sure to view the Module Three resources folder as you begin your research.
- Embryonic Stem Cell Research and Government Funding
- Genetic Engineering – Designer Babies
- Controversy: Evolution vs. Creationism in Public High School Biology Classes
- Global Warming (Climate Change)
- Any Current Supreme Court Case – Current Supreme Court Cases
. Gender Discrimination in Citizenship Cases
. Banning the Sale of Violent Video Games to Minors
- Can Westboro Baptist Church Protest at the Funerals of Dead Soldiers? (More Information) Westboro Baptist Church and Fred Phelps
- Cyberbullying as a Criminal Offense
- Emerging Adulthood – A Cultural Breakdown
- Controversy: Texas Conservatives Changed the History Books in Texas (and this will impact the rest of the US)
- Islamophobic America
- Football – Too Dangerous for Children and Adults
- A New Immigration Target: Children of Illegal Immigrants
- The Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Policy
- Women on the Front Lines in Combat
- Extreme Militias: Patriots or Terrorists
- The Legalization of Marijuana
- Videotaping Police Activity – a Criminal Offense
- The Gulf Disaster – Who is to Blame?
- Vertical Farming (Traditional Farming is Destroying the Planet)
- Banning Soda Purchases with Food Stamps
- Any topic on Room for Debate (New York Times)
Some Transitions for Argument
From Practical Argument (2010) by Laurie Kirszner and Stephen Mandell
| To show causal relationships: | because, as a result, for this reason |
| To indicate sequence: | first, second, third; then; next; finally, |
| To introduce additional points: | also, another, in addition, furthermore, moreover |
| To move from general to specific: | for example. for instance, in short, in other words |
| To identify an opposing argument: | however, although, even though, despite |
| To grant the validity of an opposing argument: | certainly, admittedly, granted, of course |
| To introduce a refutation: | however, nevertheless, nonetheless, still |
Note: From Paradigm Online Anticipating Opposition
In anticipating your opposition, consider questions like the following:
How strong is the opposition?
What arguments might it use against my proposition?
How can I refute these arguments?
Will I have to concede any points?
Which of my arguments might the opposition try to discredit?
How closely does my reader identify with the opposition?
Can I see any weak links in the opposition’s thinking?
Oral Presentation of Your Argument
A bit of advice for this project:
- Use one of your two essays on the topic and basic content- you’ve already done the research and have an opinion on the subject.
- Do not use PowerPoint for this—it is not conducive to this assignment for several reasons: the file will be too large to upload to Blackboard and it is not compatible to upload to YouTube as recommended (that way you only have to include the link with your submission).
There are much better easy to use programs available that create a much more sophisticated looking product—MS photo story which is free is my personal preference for a pecha kucha. It is easy and fun and free. Also, MS movie maker which is a little challenging for some but works very well. For Mac users try I-movie or I-photo also final cut (but this one is a bit complicated). You could also try Mac’s slideshow feature.
- Definitely, upload the finished project to YouTube. You could also use another file sharing platform but I would test it to be sure it does what you intend it for. YouTube is really the way to go with this, however.
- Read what is posted and check out some of the links on pecha kucha—there are also many YouTube vids on how to do an effective pecha kucha and examples of ones you might get some ideas on.
- Do not wait until the last minute on this one. (Please see the course calendar for due dates). Also, there are no quizzes or additional exercises beyond the discussion forums (which are directly related to the pecha kucha) and the project itself. This one will take some additional time and effort if you want to create a good presentation.
Also, technical issues can come up so you want to have time to resolve them (although if you follow the guidelines this shouldn’t be an issue). Also, you may want to practice your voice-over narrative and possibly re-record it if you don’t like your first effort. Spend some time looking for the best visual images that fit your narrative and topic.
- Definitely, use discussion board 4.1 to share ideas discuss potential problems, give advice etc. to your fellow students. This is perhaps the best resource you have for this assignment. Visit the forum on a regular basis. Both forums will remain open until the assignment is due.
If you have questions, please ask! Most students really enjoy this assignment. It is a chance to be creative in ways you might never have explored as of yet and the mastery of the technological aspects of this project will prove quite useful in future endeavors—other school projects, at work, for fun, etc.
