Academic Argument Essay

Purpose

The second essay in EN 104 is an academic argument with research documented in APA format. In this assignment, you will use the principles of argument advocate for a position on an issue. You will use evidence to persuade your reader to see your point of view.

Assignment

Conduct research and write a 5-7 page argument essay about a change you would like to see in your community, workplace, home, school, etc.

Choosing an argument

Think about your day-to-day experiences. What change would you like to see implemented in your community, workplace, home, school, etc.? This is the place to start. Then, you'll need to select your topic and a position.

A strong argument topic:

• Affects people besides you.

o For example, you might be frustrated by the amount of homework your child receives at school. Others are affected by the same issue.

You could write an argument essay taking the position that elementary school children should not receive daily homework.

• Is an issue that people think differently about. Some people may disagree with you completely. Some people may have a different idea about the solution to the problem. Some people may disagree about the causes or effects of the problem you identify.

o For example, you might see favoritism in the workplace as an issue and suggest that employee reviews are conducted by a team rather than a single manager. Others might not consider favoritism an issue.

Others may agree that favoritism is an issue but think the best solution is rotating managers to different departments every few years. Others might think favoritism exists but believe that it doesn't significantly affect workers or the company as a whole. A good argument topic can be seen in many different ways.

• Is specific. You can't solve all the problems in one essay.

o For example, you may think crime is a big issue in your community. You can't address all the ways to solve the crime issue, and you can't address every type of possible crime in one essay.

To be more specific, you might focus on one solution and write an essay that encourages more neighborhoods to start official neighborhood watch programs. Or, you might focus on one type of crime and argue that the city should take several steps to reduce gang violence.

Researching an issue

You will need at least 4 sources for this essay. At least two of those sources need to be scholarly sources from the online databases available through Herzing University's library. The other two sources may be any credible source type.

Organizing and developing an academic argument

Academic argument takes the form of classical argument.

Key elements of classical argument include: A thesis statement in the introduction that states a position on a specific issue, background information giving a brief history of the issue, three to five reasons/main points to support the position in the thesis, personal experience, observations, and/or research as evidence for each reason, a refutation of opposing views, and a conclusion that calls the reader to action or explains the significance of your issue.

Format

This essay will be 5-7 pages, typed and double-spaced. The cover page and references page do not count toward the 5-7 pages. Follow APA conventions for documentation and formatting. We will cover APA guidelines in class, but you will need to refer to additional resources while writing, revising, and editing your essay. Purdue University's Online Writing Lab (OWL) or the APA manual you receive in EN 106 are good resources for APA.

Evaluation

A successful academic argument essay will meet the following criteria:

• Introduction/background: The reader is drawn in by an attention-getter at the beginning of the introduction. There is a transition that leads from the attention getter to the thesis. The thesis statement takes a clear position on a specific, controversial issue. Necessary background information is provided.

• Development: Three to five clear reasons/main points support the thesis. Main points are developed with evidence that may include personal experience, observations, and research with at least two sources from the Herzing University library. At least four sources are incorporated into the text to support or challenge main points. Source information is clearly introduced and commented on. Opposing views are anticipated and addressed.

• Organization: The essay follows the classical argument structure discussed in class and on the assignment sheet. Ideas are organized and presented clearly by using strong topic sentences, concluding sentences, and transitions.

• Presentation and Style: The essay is formatted according to the guidelines in the syllabus and APA documentation guidelines. All sources are cited appropriately in text and on a references page. Tone and vocabulary used are appropriate for college-level academic writing. Writing is concise with varied sentence structure.

• Grammar and Mechanics: Errors in spelling, grammar, or mechanics are minimal and minor. The reader is not distracted by errors.