ENG
102 Argumentative Research Essay: Problem & Solution Assignment Sheet
What is an argumentative research essay?
For
students, the most difficult part of writing a research essay might lie in
understanding how it differs from essays that they wrote in high school. Argumentative Research essays are not
informative essays (like the ones assigned in high school). According to the
OWL of Purdue, “the
argumentative essay is a genre of writing that requires the student to
investigate a topic, collect, generate, and evaluate evidence, and establish a
position on the topic in a concise manner”.
This argumentative research essay asks you to
take a stand on a public issue and to use language to facilitate positive
social action. Students apply rhetorical principles such as ethos,
pathos, and logos as they write for a real audience of their choice.
For this assignment, you will research a topic of personal and social
significance and then argue for change. You can think of the assignment as a
“Problem & Solution” because your topic should matter to you but it should
be a “problem” in society and the “solution” should present a logical and
back-up theory. There are a wide variety of topics that you could write about;
ask yourself what in the world needs changing, perhaps on a local, global,
political, or social level. Your job is to convince your readers of the
importance of your chosen topic and motivate them to enact change by offering a
well-researched and persuasive argument.
The Assignment:
PART
I: Topic:
You will base your choice of topic off of either
a documentary, TedTalks, or a feed from The
New York Times Room for Debate—these mediums should
provide your with examples of societal problems/issues that you can use to
begin your research as well as a jumping off point for your solution.
PART
II: Focus:
The focus of this project is a persuasive essay
that frames a problem, offers a reason for action, and present a solution in
the form of social action while informing and persuading your audience.
These genres take things beyond simple informational discussions by offering
sound ways that the issue can be solved.
PART
III: Audience:
Your audience is any group of people predisposed
to disagree with your argument, or any group of people who have not previously
acted on this issue in effective ways. When writing to this kind of
skeptical audience, it is important to use a tone that will make that audience
want to agree with you: calm but firm and considerate of other points of view,
and extremely knowledgeable.
PART
IV: The
Essay:
You will write a persuasive, 7-9 page essay that
a) educates your audience about an issue that needs changing, b) invites them
to your point of view, c) acknowledges and refutes opposing arguments, and d)
motivates readers to act in specific ways. Your essay should work directly to
effect change on the given issue. You must include specific actions that your
audience members may consider to correct this problem. Use at least five (5) sources
to develop your argument including one that appropriately represents an
opposing view.
PART
V: Essay
Structure:
The essay must have an introduction that includes
the problem, controversy and thesis; background section discussing the history
of the problem and unsuccessful approaches; body paragraphs providing evidence,
examples, and argument; counter-claims that react to the opposition; a
conclusion that states your call of action (what should be done).
Evaluation, Points, and Due Dates:
A
Successful Essay will:
·
Construct an argument that works as a tool for
change
·
Introduce
the issue/problem and the controversy
·
Create
a debatable thesis statement
·
Provide background information for
sources and evidence
·
Integrate sources that support or illuminate the
focus of the essay
·
Anticipate possible objections and addresses them
·
Suggests applicable courses of action/solution
·
Successfully utilize logos
·
Successfully utilize ethos
·
Successfully utilize pathos
·
Use MLA academic conventions correctly (including
the Work Cited Page)
·
Use
appropriate, formal and non-inflammatory language:
·
Provide
transitions to connect paragraphs and sentences within your paragraphs
·
Use the writing process, including invention,
drafting, revising, peer review, and editing strategies
Common
Mistakes to Avoid:
1. Many students make the mistake of simply
repeating the suggestions of other authors instead of coming up with their own
calls for action. If those arguments were sufficient, why does your chosen
injustice continue to be a problem? When considering the suggestions of other
authors on your given topic, try to use your knowledge of various arguments and
rhetorical devices to make an even more effective call to action.
2. Sometimes, students fail to
persuade their readers because they do not accurately represent an opposing
argument. Therefore, as you write your paper, you should spend as much time
considering various legitimate counter-arguments as you do your own, so that
your argument is as persuasive as possible. If your readers can see that you’ve
considered a wide range of diverse viewpoints, they will be more likely to
value your position as reasonable and impartial.
3. Try to keep your audience in
mind as you write and revise your essay, especially when recommending actions
that could be taken to affect your chosen problem. For instance, if
you’re writing to address the problem of wasted gasoline used by students who
drive to campus instead of walking, riding bikes, or taking the bus, it will be
unconvincing to a student audience to simply say, “Students should ride their
bikes more often.” Think deeper—what exactly keeps students from riding
their bikes? (Heat? Convenience? Speed?) You need to
craft recommendations that people might actually do, argued persuasively to
consider possible objections they might have.
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