Essay #3--Arguing a Position (Paper and Presentation)
For this assignment, you will be turning your exploratory essay (essay #2) into a
classical (also known as Aristotelian) argument. The arrangement of the classical
argument is as follows (use sub-headings on your paper to identify each part):
1. The exordium or introduction: gains the reader's attention and interest.
2. The narratio or statement of facts or circumstances that need to be known
about the subject of the discourse: provides the facts or history of the
situation.
3. The explicatio or definition of issues: defines any reoccurring or unfamiliar
terms and/or issues referred to in the argument.
4. The partitio or thesis: states the proposition or particular issue that is to be
proven.
5. The confirmatio or proof of the case: supports and develops the thesis (the
confirmatio will make up the majority of your paper).
6. The refutatio or answering of opposing views.
7. The peroratio or conclusion: summarizes the arguments.
Add three more non-web sources supporting your position to this paper (for a
total of eight sources--two web and six non-web). If you find a newspaper or journal
article on-line, that will be considered a non-web source. As with all essays thus far, this
paper will be formatted according to MLA style with 12 pt. font--see section 55 in Rules
for Writers for review if necessary.
For your presentation: Prepare a six to eight minute presentation on your topic.
Your goal will be to persuade your audience of your thesis, so present your topic, any
necessary background, your thesis, key-points supporting your thesis (including relevant
sources), the opposition's arguments, your refutation of them, and a conclusion. Be
creative. Feel free to use handouts or other visual aids. Please do not read directly from
your essay. Prepare a typed, one-page outline to guide you through your presentation; a
copy of your outline will be turned in the day of your presentation.