Argumentative/Persuasive Essay Assignment, 4-6 pages, APA or MLAformat (Check schedule in course shell for details on due

Argumentative/Persuasive Essay Assignment, 4-6 pages, APA or MLAformat (Check schedule in course shell for details on due date)

I want you to examine a (global or local) social issue, event,or condition that you believe is culturally important and make an argumentabout it. This can be a trend found in pop culture, news, entertainment, familylifethere are no restrictions on the topic as long as it directly affectpeople today. For example, you may want to write about why a specific audienceshould engage in a particular dietary lifestyle, what is causing obesity, whyyou should not donate to Green Peace, why we should ban plastic bottles, why weshould label foods with genetically modified ingredients, why women/men shouldget maternity leave, why all children should receive free pre-school, etc. Youcould approach this paper as a solution to a condition or issue such as homelessness,under-vaccinated children, domestic violence, opioid use, or gentrification.You could also make an argument about the effects of a particular phenomena ortrend on societytinder and dating apps on romance, helicopter parents,childhood obesity, etc.

Be clear and specific with your thesis statement; make sure thatit takes a clear stance on the issue. This is not an overview paper where yousummarize the topic / arguments for and against the topic, and leave it up tothe reader to decideyou have to take a specific position on your topic andpersuade them that your position is the correct one.
In addition to taking a clear and specific stance (helps establish good ethos)you need to include dissenting voices/arguments/CONS (opposing ideas) of anargumentative issue.

In addition to acknowledging the opposition, you need toestablish some kind of common ground with them, but then explain why theirarguments arent adequate or why yours are better.

Write as if you are trying to persuade a reasonable, open-minded,neutral audience to adopt new beliefs or behaviors utilizing effectiverhetorical strategies. However, just because your audience is reasonable doesnot mean they dont hold preconceived positions, opinions or misconceptionswhen it comes to your topic. Make sure to appeal directly to your intendedaudience and tailor your flow of information and examples to them. For example,if your topic is under-vaccinated kids in Colorado your audience will probablybe Colorado parents, so establish the 3 appeals accordingly.

You may utilize personal experience and interview in order topersonalize and charge your topic emotionally but be aware of logical fallacieslike emotional manipulation, either-or reasoning, slippery slope, andgeneralization if you do.

Organization will be important in this essay. Each paragraphshould support your thesis and provide examples and evidence of why youraudience should agree with you. All argumentative topics have PROs and CONs.Before starting to write, it is imperative to make a list of these ideas andchoose the most suitable ones among them for supporting and refuting. Inaddition to acknowledging an opposing audience, you need to build some kind ofcommon ground with them, but then explain why their arguments arent adequateor yours are better. You do not need to stick to a strict 5 paragraph format,but it is a good place to start. Here is a suggestion of what a 5 paragraphoutline might look like for this assignment:
Paragraph 1: Intro with background and Thesis statement:
Paragraph 2: CONS, refutations, building common ground
Paragraph 3: evidence/reason 1 we should agree with you
Paragraph 4: evidence/reason 2 we should agree with you
Paragraph 5: Conclusion- use to project outward. How would the world be changedif we all adopted your thesis statement?

Your argument/thesis must be supported by research. You mustinclude at least 4 credible sources written by 4 different authors from thelibrary databases that you use to support your argument. You need at least 4in-text citations (1 from each source) and a works cited or references pagewhich serves as the last page of your essay but does not count toward the pageminimum. Remember: this is your argument in your own words, not a regurgitationof other people’s argument(s)–you are using research as an appeal to logos& ethos, ie facts, data, statistics, studies, expert opinion, that helpprove your thesis true or worthy of adoption.

Large, complex issues like immigration or education need tobe narrowed down to a specific aspect. In general, the more specific the topic,the better. Do not pick something so personal and emotionally charged that youcannot look objectively at both sides or receive constructive feedback.

Also, your thesis should be debatable. That means thatreasonable people would possibly disagree with your position. For example, thethesis Obesity is caused by laziness, a bad diet, and genetics is somethingthat almost everyone would agree with. Obesity is caused by irresponsiblemarketing, toxic environments, and genetically modified organisms is much morecontroversial and ultimately, interesting.

Please do not choose topics that have alreadybeen exhausted/fully articulated: abortion, legalization of marijuana, death penalty, gun control/massshootings, physician assisted suicide. Even though these topics are interestingand important, they almost always lead to unfocused or extremely broad thesisstatements. Theyre hard topics to stay specific and focused on because oftheir complexity/multifaceted nature. If you are interested in any of thesetopics talk to me first and we may be able to find a specific approach that isunique enough to work.

You may also choose to make an argument about historical figuresor events (as long as you tie those events to people and events today (forexample: civil rights movements, MLK and black lives matter, Lebron James,Colin Kaepernick)), but please clear your topic and thesis with me before youbegin writing.

Rubric 85 points
Specific and clear thesis that is arguable- 15
Ample background/context depending on audience & topic- 10
Effective use of evidence and use of the 3 appeals- 20
Effective use of an opposing viewpoint- 10
Effective organization, use of paragraphs- 10
Correct MLA/APA citation- 10
Correct grammar, mechanics- 10