Argumentative Research Paper (5-7 pages)
OBECTIVE: Your job is in this essay is to take a complex idea or issue and make a research-based argument. An argumentative essay is a thesis-driven essay that attempts to persuade the reader of the author's point of view by using carefully presented and logically utilized information. One cannot write an argumentative essay without an element of debate. Thus your thesis cannot be "to discuss the history of America's national parks." There is nothing to debate there. Nor is there anything to be persuaded of in the statement "America's national parks are beautiful"-this is an opinion. You may not merely "discuss the differences" of your topic; you must actually argue a point. And remember, picking a topic/issue in which you're interested makes the process easier and more enjoyable for you (and usually results in better research and writing).
Go beyond simple pro/con type arguments, and try not to become a victim of tunnel vision (focusing so hard on what you're going to argue that you don't let the thesis develop on its own as a result of your research and knowledge). The best way to find a great topic/thesis is to form your opinions by doing research on your topic (i.e. let your topic take you where it needs to go). Ask "Why?" (or "So what?"). If you don't think you have enough fuel for a seven-page paper, you might want to rethink your issue. If you have trouble with your topic or research on that topic, please come talk to me (I will not, however, pick a topic for you or do your research for you-that's your job). These papers should be interesting and thought provoking for both of us. Teach me something and convince me that your point of view is valid and meaningful. Stay away from strong personal opinions, rhetoric, and dogma, in your persuasions. Those arguments are redundant and superficial. When you're emotionally tied to and/or uninformed about your topic, it is easy to get stuck in a sort of circular logic that is both ineffective and uninformative.
PURPOSE Write an informed, thoughtful, organized, and original argument. Find, analyze, and synthesize appropriate and varied research into an argumentative essay. Articulate and develop an original claim. Demonstrate an understanding and adequate use of logic and rhetorical choices.
AUDIENCE A reasonable, general, informed audience (like your instructor and peers).
FORMAT Essays must be 5-7 pages long and must conform to MLA formatting guidelines (12 pt., Times New Roman, 1" margins, double spaced, proper heading, etc.). A minimum of five sources is required for this essay. Remember research is for your benefit, not mine. It is far easier to write a paper when you are informed about and understand the topic than it is to try to pull ideas out of thin air. Information gathered from outside sources should be cited in MLA format. Please consult A Writer's Reference for citation guidelines and details. Use thoughtful and clear language and make sure to organize your thoughts well. Organization is key in the argumentative essay, and a thorough outline can greatly help you stay focused and coherent. Reference books (such as encyclopedias and dictionaries) can be used, but they do not count as one of the five required sources.