Argumentative Essay

ESSAY 4

Length: 10-12 pages, not including Works Cited/Bibliography
Sources: 10, which must represent a variety of position(s) on the topic
Format: Standard document format, 12-point type

Purpose:
This assignment encompasses all the writing, critical thinking, and information literacy skills you have developed during this course as well as in ENGL101 or 101(A) and ENGL102. In addition, your essay will show that you can meaningfully engage in an issue with which the business community is currently struggling. Finally, you have each used library and online research strategies to find reliable sources—skills which you can apply to this assignment.

Assignment:
Complete this paper individually in the order below, with modifications that seem appropriate given your topic and approach. Note the point values assigned to each part of the paper.
Introduction (25 points)
The Introduction is your opportunity to discuss how you will write the paper. Items to be included: a first sentence that “grabs” the reader’s attention; a brief summary of the issue you have selected (this can be a historical summary, a legal summary, a personal anecdote, or some other approach); a discussion of your argument strategy (see chapter 7 of our text); and your thesis statement (printed in bold and italics).
Background (25 points)
In this section, you will provide whatever background information you think I need as your reader in order to understand the issue—including one accepted and properly cited definition (not your own) for each critical term included in your issue. I DO NOT expect to see your personal opinion in this section; you will have ample opportunity to present your opinion in the Conclusion.
Evidence (50 points)
This section will contain all of your PRO (evidence that supports your thesis statement) and CON-side evidence (information that contradicts your thesis statement) as collected from your outside research. You can present all of your PRO side evidence first and then your CON side evidence, or you can alternate PRO side with CON side evidence paragraph by paragraph—whichever approach makes the most sense to you. It is important that you present ALL evidence without hinting at your personal position on the issue. Also, make sure that ALL EVIDENCE IS PROPERLY CITED. The preferred strategy is direct quoting that conforms to APA requirements.
Conclusion and Call to Action (75 points)
The Conclusion represents your opportunity to present and develop your personal opinion as forcefully as you can. The Conclusion must contain the application of your chosen argument strategy to the issue and why you selected that resolution.
Your Call to Action represents the next steps you plan to take so that the work you’ve completed so far in writing Essay #4 does not go unused. Possible calls to action include mobilizing campus students and faculty; writing to a particular business executive; verbalizing a commitment to further personal investigation of your topic; volunteering; or perhaps seeking a career in this area of interest.
Personal Reflection (50 points)
Your Personal Reflection is an opportunity for you to consider what you have learned (or didn’t learn) in this course; what worked well; what didn’t work so well.
Works Cited (25 points)
Your Works Cited list MUST conform to APA requirements. Remember that EACH item on the list MUST have at least ONE DIRECT QUOTE somewhere in your paper (the so-called “one-to-one correspondence” rule), and EACH DIRECT QUOTE must have its own source in the Works Cited list.