For this Individual Project, you should either choose one of the topics below or devise one of your own (with your instructor's approval) and write a short argument or persuasive essay. As you discovered in your reading, you will assert a position on the topic and then defend that position so well that others might agree with you. Remember, the argument or persuasive essay is not a personal rant. Your goal is to appear unbiased.
One of the ways of achieving a level of objectivity is to consider counterarguments against your position. Therefore, at least one of your paragraphs should include some discussion of a counterargument. For example, if you write in favor of abolishing the death penalty, you might devote some discussion to the loved ones of a murder victim, the need for these survivors to gain closure, or even their demands that the perpetrator meet a similar fate as the loved one taken from them.
You are welcome to rely on the five-paragraph essay structure of English 106. Click here for a sample outline for an argument or persuasive essay.
Topics
Click here for the suggested topics list for the argument or persuasive outline.
Note: You may choose one of the topics provided. If you wish to devise your own topic, please seek your instructor's approval of the topic before you begin writing.
As you choose your topic, keep in mind that your goal in English 107 is to create, week-by-week, a college-level research paper. You will submit a final draft of this paper at the end of Week 5. Although you will be allowed to change topics if needed, you should choose a topic this week that you will be comfortable researching and writing about throughout the course. Regardless of the topic that you choose, be sure to complete the following:
Format your essay in APA manuscript style. Watch this video for step-by-step instructions: APA style at AIU.
Include an introduction paragraph (place your thesis statement at or near the end of this paragraph).
Develop at least 3 main points in 3 body paragraphs, and include at least 1 counterargument.
End the essay with a wrap-up or conclusion paragraph.