Argument Paper Assignment

An important part of a university education is learning how to identify and think critically about the many different types of arguments you will encounter and/or make in public life. Furthermore, being able to critically evaluate situations and take a stand towards important public issues is a crucial part of citizenship in a democracy. This assignment will challenge you to compose a type of writing designed to intervene in a contemporary issue and advocate change. Since a lot of the work that many of you will do in the future will require team work skills, this project will have you construct the argument together with a co-author.

Find an issue that you both perceive as such and develop an argument explaining your position.

Your argument needs to be timely and address current issues. You should choose a subject that is within your area of expertise and relevant to the general audience. You can choose a topic by exploring and expanding your own inquiry into a subject that has been touched upon in class, but you do not have to.

Whatever topic you choose, make sure that you have something fresh and original to say. Be provocative and argue a particular point of view. Do not try to argue all sides of an issue.

Your article should be comprehensible to all readers. Use plain English language, an active voice, and a moderate tone. Avoid academic or specialty language.

A good argument will:

- be original and opinionated;
- have a clear thesis statement;
- demonstrate ability develop and argument by using different types of appeals;
- have an easy-to-follow structure and rigorous logical support - plausible reasons and good evidence (Sufficient, Typical, Accurate, Relevant );
- formulate at least one of the assumptions that warrant the main claim;
- back up at least one warrant - with reason(s) and evidence;
- try to reject some potential counter-claim;
- use correct grammar, syntax, and punctuation. Papers with too many elementary spelling and grammar mistakes will be returned as incomplete.

Steps in thinking and writing:

- Use the Toulmin model of argument to develop your ideas;

- Craft an introduction that leads your audience into the context of your argument;

- Make a clear but strong statement of your position on your issue;

- Decide how controversial your issue is, and choose a strategy that would be effective for the respective type of audience (friendly, indifferent, or hostile);

- Explain the reasons that support your main argument;

- Develop each claim fully by providing creative evidence;

- Avoid logical fallacies/mistakes;

- Ponder over the assumptions on which your argument relies and decide whether you need to back them up with additional information and/or explanations;

- Anticipate at least one opposing point of view and refute it effectively;

- Provide smooth transitions between sections;

- Craft a brief but satisfying conclusion;

- Avoid vague terms and select specific vocabulary;

- Check for compromising grammatical, punctuation, or mechanical errors.

Key outcomes met with this assignment

Students will learn to:

- Use writing as a way to learn-to think about and question ideas;
- Develop an effective writing process-including prewriting, drafting, revision, and self-evaluation;
- Apply Toulmin model of argument to write arguments;
- Present an argument developed out of the exploration of your issue using rhetorical strategies;
- Make decisions about structure, cohesion and conventions of correctness in the paper;
- Make and support claims;
- Distinguish between reasons and evidence when developing points;
- Explain and back up assumptions that warrant their claims;
- Refute counter-arguments;
- Qualify claims;
- Understand the collaborative and social aspects of the writing process;
- Apply critical reading strategies to own writing;
- Raise awareness about the rhetorical choices and moves in own text.

Attachment:- Argument-Form-Org.rar