Research-based Argument Essay (using at least 3 Sources) - Directions
WR 122 Handout - Fall 2005 - Prof. Cora AgatucciDEADLINES: See Revised WR 122 Course Plan.
GRADING WEIGHT: See WR 122 Syllabus & adopted Syllabus Revision.1. LENGTH & MANUSCRIPT FORM: Your argument essay should be at least 1000 words, about 5 to 6 word-processed, double-spaced pages (not counting separate required Works Cited page), or as long as your essay needs to be to achieve the aim/s and thesis of your argument. “Final” Drafts must follow general manuscript form requirements explained in the WR 122 Syllabus and in class for previous formal graded assignments.
2. TOPIC CHOICE: Topic is your choice provided it can be focused on an arguable issue suitable for this essay assignment, and on which you can locate at least 3 relevant and reliable sources that represent more than one position/point of view on the chosen topic issue. As explained in class, whatever your pre-conceived biases on the topic issue, you must be willing and able to assume the role of an open-minded truth-seeking inquirer (see AofA ch. 6) at the beginning of this project, open to questioning your biases and preconceptions on the topic issue, active in seeking out sources representing opposing opinions and alternative viewpoints on the topic issue, ready to read and analyze these sources with an open mind, apply fair criteria (persuasive to an audience of diverse others) to evaluating the merits of your sources, and arrive at your own well-informed and carefully reasoned opinion on the topic issue.
3. MINIMUM OF THREE (3) SOURCES, reliable and relevant to your chosen topic issue and representing more than one position/point of view on your chosen issue, must be explicitly cited in your argument essay following correct MLA style. "Good" sources (e.g. reliable, authoritative, up-to-date, accurate, representative) will carry more weight than dubious sources (however relevant) in helping you make and support your argument's points.
4. AVOID PLAGIARISM and CITE YOUR SOURCES using MLA STYLE! All quotations, paraphrases, and summaries from your sources must be cited IN-TEXT (of your essay) in MLA style, and complete bibliographical entries in MLA style must be listed alphabetically on a separate WORKS CITED page at the end of your essay. You should also make a good faith effort to use ellipsis, brackets, block quotations as needed; try to incorporate your in-text citations smoothly and grammatically correctly, using appropriate author tags and active verbs.
5. GENRE & AIM/S of Your Argument: Your argument must be written in the genre of an essay, controlled by a thesis, so remember and apply what you have already learned about sound essay writing principles. The AIM/s of your argument essay should be chosen from the aims described in ch. 7 (Arguing to Convince), ch. 8 (Arguing to Persuade), and/or ch. 9 (Arguing to Mediate) of Crusius and Channell's Aims of Argument; taking into consideration the aim/s best suited to your topic issue, the sources you've found, and your audience-oriented goals. The aim/s or purpose/s of your argument essay should be captured in your thesis (with appropriate qualifications and exceptions), should unify your essay's content, and guide you in organizing and developing your essay.
6. METHODS OF DEVELOPMENT. Thus far in WR 122, we have been studying, analyzing and evaluating others’ argument essays; now it is time for you to apply what you have learned to writing your own argument essay. You will be expected to study AofA chapter/s especially relevant to the aim/s of your argument, including example argument essays, and follow the advice given in relevant chapter/s carefully in preparing your argument essay. But you should also apply effective types of appeals relevant to developing your argument essay drawn from other AofA chs. 1-9 assigned this term in WR 122.
7. AUDIENCE & OPPOSING VIEWPOINTS: Your argument essay should effectively address a diverse audience, anticipating ranges of background knowledge and pre-existing opinions that your readers are likely to have on your topic issue. Ex. #10 & #11 analysis of positions and audience should help you identify and appeal to common values and experiences likely to be shared, as well as likely differences that will need to be addressed in your essay. Significant opposing viewpoints on the topic issue under discussion should be anticipated, introduced and addressed. Essay arguments written to convince and/or persuade must try to neutralize or rebut the weightiest opposing viewpoints (e.g. via concession or refutation). Essay arguments written to mediate must necessarily introduce and analyze opposing viewpoints, identifying key points of disagreement and agreement to try to negotiate workable compromises and solutions to the problem/issue under dispute.
8. College-level STYLE, CLARITY & COMMAND of STANDARD WRITTEN ENGLISH .
NOTE: ALL MAJOR WR 122 COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES ARE ADDRESSED BY THIS ASSIGNMENT!!
MLA Style for Internet Sources:
http://web.cocc.edu/cagatucci/classes/wr123/fall2004/MLAinternet.htm
MLA Style (2) Works Cited:
http://web.cocc.edu/cagatucci/classes/wr123/fall2004/MLA2.htmWR 122 Fall 2005 Syllabus & adopted Syllabus Revision | Course Plan | WR 122 Course Home Page
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Research-Based
Argument
Essay
Directions
- WR
122
Handout
- Fall
2005
URL of
this
webpage:
http://web.cocc.edu/cagatucci/classes/wr122/Research_Based_ArgumentDir.htm
Last Updated:
12 February 2006
Copyright © 1997 -
2005, Cora Agatucci, Professor of English
Humanities Department, Central Oregon
Community College
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