Final Examination, WR115
Argumentative Essay
100 points
Assignment Description
The proposition that you will argue against or for is as follows:
It is resolved that all states should adopt a Physician-Assisted
Suicide (PAS) law similar to or identical to Oregon’s Death with
Dignity Law.
You will write an argument of five to seven paragraphs for your final examination.
You will have 90 minutes to write this paper, but if you need more time, please
know that we will allow you up to 120 minutes to complete the final.
Your introductory paragraph will introduce the topic you will argue. You will explain
the importance of your topic and/or briefly discuss why your reader should care
about the topic. Your introductory paragraph will end with your thesis statement,
which is a statement of your stance on the issue. Your thesis should be normative,
and because you do not really have an abundant amount of time to craft fancy
wording, you would do well simply to use “should,” “ought to,” or “need to” in your
thesis statement. Your thesis statement may be composed of either one or two
sentences. Strive to use concession (“although,” “even though,” “though,” and
“while”) when you express your thesis statement.
Your three to five body paragraphs will each be controlled by a strong topic sentence,
that is, a clear strong statement of a reason in support of your thesis statement.
Your discussion will use well-developed and supported arguments in which you
acknowledge other points of view. Your paragraphs will be unified and coherent,
and you will carefully identify your sources when you paraphrase or quote another
writer, or when you use someone else’s ideas. You will, of course, use quotation
marks whenever you directly quote another writer. You will use the sources that
informed your evaluative essay in order to support your discussion.
Your concluding paragraph will summarize your major points and briefly restate the
thesis.
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Directions for Writing Your Essay
Preparing the Argument

Plan to spend at least the first 30 minutes in pre-writing activities.

Begin by reviewing your summaries and your evaluation essay.

Then, in order to bring clarity to your writing, and get the job done quickly
(within the time constraints) make two lists of reasons, one pro and the
other con.

Review your brainstorming activities and formulate a thesis statement
about what you really want to argue. Make sure that this a normative
statement, not a question. List from three to five major reasons in support
of your thesis.

Identify your major support for your argument by listing and evaluating
information in a manner similar to that modeled in your textbook (p. 269271). Keep track of your sources as you do so! This will save you a great
deal of time in the end.

Use the Graphic Outline for Argumentative Essays or follow the outline
patterns suggested in your textbook (p. 272-273).
Writing the First Draft

Begin by assigning your paper a working title.

Then, you may next write either your body paragraphs or your introduction
(if you really know what you want to say). Use your outline!

Make sure that you properly cite your sources in your paper by placing your
source’s last name or web address in parenthesis after the sentence in which
the quote or paraphrase appears. Remember, you must set off all direct
quotes with quotation marks, clearly cite the source, and you must cite all
paraphrasing. Make sure that you give credit to those who originate the
ideas you use: Cite the sources! If you need help, ask!

Examine your paper to make sure that you have discussed at least
one or two arguments counter to the ones you advance. Remember,
in argumentative essays it is essential that you briefly discuss counterarguments to your own arguments. Have you acknowledged these counterarguments by using concession?
Mt. Hood Community College
Mary Kelly-Klein, Instructor, WR115
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Revision

Carefully re-read your work, examining it for clarity, unity, coherence, and
idea flow. When you do so, apply the rubric that I will use to score your
paper.

Have you explained your ideas so that someone not familiar with the topic
can understand and follow them?

Did you use transitional phrases and words (on the other hand, on the
contrary, therefore, etc.) to signal to your reader when you are shifting from
one perspective or another or when you are making a conclusion?

Have you supported your ideas with facts, expert opinions, and illustrative
scenarios?

Did you acknowledge other arguments or points of view in your paper?

Underscore or highlight areas of your paper you might want to revise or
rewrite. Rewrite them.

Then rewrite your paper from the top down in order to re-establish the flow
of your ideas.
Proofreading
Carefully proofread your paper for spelling, homonym, punctuation, capitalization
and other errors.
Celebrate Your Success!
Turn in your paper and celebrate your success!
Resources
Please use the MHCC portal, your PAS summaries, and your evaluative essay as
your major resource. Except for the portal, do not use the web for any reason
whatsoever. We are open to answering your questions and providing guidance.
Otherwise, I expect you to work quietly and independently.
Please take care to cite all sources in the text of your essay. This includes both
direct quotes and paraphrasing.
Grades and Returning Your Work
I will email your grades to you on the evaluation paper, the argument, and your
final grade as soon as I have finished grading. Since your class is small, I will do
Mt. Hood Community College
Mary Kelly-Klein, Instructor, WR115
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this all at once in one marathon session on Friday, but it may be the wee hours of
the morning on Saturday before everything shows up on the portal.
Have a great lovely and restful break, and keep in touch!
Mt. Hood Community College
Mary Kelly-Klein, Instructor, WR115