W233
Instructor Name
PERSUASIVE/ARGUMENTATIVE PAPER
“At the heart of every argument is a claim with which people may reasonably disagree.
Some claims are not arguable because they’re completely subjective, matters of fact or
opinion…, because they are a matter of fact…, or because they are based on a belief or
faith….To be arguable, a position must reflect one of at least two points of view, making
reasoned argument necessary…”(Bullock, 2006, p. 93).
Assignment
It will be your job to consider a persuasive issue related to your academic major (possibly
the same topic/issue with which you’ve written about the entire semester). You will
examine that issue’s background, cause and effect, and any necessary information for
your reader. You will also state your own reasoned views on that topic, using logic and
an organized structure of developing your argument. (Students may wish to pursue a
formal argument here, where the purpose is not to change opinions; merely, to present a
logical argument worth considering. Others may wish to persuade a skeptical audience to
change wholly, or in part, their minds about the topic/issue. A problem/solution format
might work well with this model. It would be your task to define and illustrate the
difference between the two; you may assign that all students write an argument, all write
persuasion, or give them a choice.)
Example: Home schooling. Give some background info about the origins of the topic,
some benefits or drawbacks on the topic, some statistics about the number of home
schooled. State whether or not you are in favor of the topic, and give your reasons with
support.
Example: Affirmative Action. Give some background on how it started, give some
important dates and cases. State your views on whether or not it should be taken into
consideration in college admissions.
Example: Capital Punishment. Background info on the origins, how it is handled in
certain states, the numbers on death row, differences in numbers between races and
gender, costs, and state your views whether it a viable deterrent to crime.
Example: Stem Cell Research. Define the types, how it started, give both sides’ views,
state the religious, moral, and medical views, costs. Give your views on the topic with
support.
Purpose and Audience
To either argue or persuade your audience (of educated and knowledgeable persons) that
your ideas have merit. If persuading, you will want to provide possible solutions to the
problem you’ve addressed. (Students should eventually provide you with a detailed
description of their audience, along with their experience and knowledge of the
topic/issue.)
Sources
Use at least five, current authored sources--none that are more than five years old (at least
1 or 2 of which must be scholarly journal articles)
Length and Format
7-8 pages (or possibly 8-10), typed and double spaced, using APA. A formal title page,
with abstract, and a References page will also be due.
Due Date:
xxx
Your Argumentative or Persuasive Paper Should Meet the Following Criteria:
1. Your introduction must include an engaging paragraph that introduces the topic, states
the main point clearly, explains its significance to the audience and points to possible
solutions.
2. The body of the paper should follow the basic deductive form of reasoning, basing the
argument (or persuasion) on logic and credible evidence.
3. Appropriate transitions and signal verbs create a seamless and organized structuring of
the argument.
4. Effective and correct documentation is used throughout, with no evidence of
plagiarism.
5. The conclusion clearly echoes back to the introduction, posing possible solutions and
or implications of the issue.
6. All full-text articles have been included in the final folder, with cited passages
marked. Any book passages have been photocopied in like manner.
7. A formal title page, abstract, and References page is included and done correctly.