The Argumentative Paper
Your fifth paper is a classic argumentative essay. You will need to
choose a topic. You may write on any controversial issue you wish. I would,
however, stay away from topics that you feel so strongly about that you
cannot see the validity of the arguments for the other side. Once you have
thought of a topic, state it in the form of a "should" question to make sure the
topic will work for the paper. For example, students have written on topics as
follows: Should cities implement teen curfews? Should motorists be allowed
to talk on cell phone while driving? Should adoption records be open to
adoptees who are of legal adult age? Should public schools require students
to wear uniforms? Should high school athletes be able to join the professional
ranks upon graduating from high school?
Please read chapter 10 in your
textbook, pages 277-311. Your argumentative essay should have a minimum
of 8 paragraphs. In the essay, you will chose a side--argue for a specific
position. You may not have a neutral stance nor straddle the fence. To do so
will make the paper problematic. Your position will serve as the thesis
statement for the paper.
The format of the paper is as follows. Introduce the issue by giving any
background to establish the context of the debate. Present any recent events
in the media or in your life that relate to the issue. Discuss why the issue is
controversial and for whom. Your thesis will come at the end of the
introduction and must state a definitive position/opinion. In the next
paragraphs after the introduction, you will be presenting opposing arguments
and hopefully refuting them. Please see the section Anticipating Opposing
Arguments in your book, page 279. In general, an opposing argument is an
argument presented by those who disagree with your thesis--those who take
the opposite opinion to your thesis. In a refutation, you counter the opposing
argument--explain why you disagree with the opposing argument. If you
cannot refute the opposing argument, you made concede to the validity of the
opposing argument. A concession is an admittance that the opposing
argument is reasonable. To do this does not weaken your position. You
may combine each opposing argument and its accompanying refutation into
one paragraph if you choose. You may choose to separate each part into two
separate paragraphs--one for the opposing argument and one for the
refutation. This will extend your paper from the basic 8 paragraphs. After
presenting opposing arguments and refutations, you will need three additional
supporting arguments. Supporting arguments are arguments that support
your position--your thesis. Each supporting argument will be discussed in a
separate paragraph of its own. You may use the same conclusion as in the
pro/con paper except that you must revise the thesis. Also, you may want to
review just the main points for your side.
For this paper, you required to use an outside source from one of our
library databases. You may not use a source by doing a general search on
the internet. Please scroll down the entire age to see the specific
requirements for this assignment. There are various sections in the lesson.
Including Secondary Sources
As mentioned above, you are required to use one secondary sources in
this paper. For an argumentative paper, that means you will be
using a published article presenting arguments for both sides of the
issue. Try to use a source that will give you arguments for both sides of the
debate.
To find sources, go to the MCC library homepage. YOU MUST USE THE
MCC LIBRARY FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT. You may access the library
homepage by using the EXTERNAL LINKS tab on our course
homepage. After going to the library homepage, click on QUICK
RESEARCH LINKS. This will give you access to the four databases you will
use to find your articles--WilsonWeb, ProQuest, EbscoHost Academic
Search Premier, and ELibrary. CQ Rearcher is also helpful in that it
includes pro/con articles. Go to ARTICLE DATABASES. Next, click on
the "C." Afterwards, click on CQ Researcher. These databases will allow
you to email the articles to me. You will need to email me a copy of the
article you will use. Or, if you know how, you may email a persistent link
for the articley whereby I can click on the link and read the article. I
have included a power point presentation explaining how to create a
persistent link in the lesson.
Please do not use a general internet search. If you have problems
accessing the databases, go to the library homepage and click on the button
labelled ACCESS FROM HOME. You will find this tab on the right side of the
homepage.
In terms of documentation, you will use MLA style. Please read chapter 14,
p. 363 in your textbook. You will need a Works Cited page for the
paper. Read page 395 for a description of the Works Cited page and its
format. You may see an example on page 417. You will find a sample entry
for a source from a database on page 401 under Documents within a Library
or Subscription Database. See the entry for "Lucinda Smith". Read
pages 392-395 to see how you would cite the source within the paper.
Remember that you must cite your source regardless of whether you
quote ( include the information word-for-word) or paraphrase ( include
the information in your own words). It is also plagiarism if you copy
word-for-word and do not use quotation marks even if you have a
parenthetical citation. Read pages 388-390 for more information about
avoiding plagiarism and incorporating source material. In addition, you
must have at least four citations from the article within your
paper. Please choose the best source possible.
Outline for the Argumentative Paper
Preliminary Outline Format for the Argumentative Paper
Tentative Thesis Statement: Cities should implement teen curfews.
( Choose a side.)
First Opposing Argument: Those who do not support teen curfews argue that they are unfair to
those minors who are well-behaved and responsible. ( Present an argument from those who
oppose your thesis.)
Refutation and/or Concession:
While the curfew may also affect those teens, the law is
designed to protect responsible minors from being victims of crimes. ( Counter the opposing
argument.)
Second Opposing Argument:
Refutation and/or Concession:
Third Opposing Argument:
Refutation and/ or Concession:
Additional Supporting Argument:
If cities implement teen curfews, parents may be able to
better control the activities of their children. ( Present an argument that supports your thesis.
You may not repeat a reason used in a refutation.)
Additional Supporting Argument:
Additional Supporting Argument:
ASSIGNMENTS
1. Submit a topic written in the form of a "should" question
2. Email a copy of the article you will use in the paper.
3. Submit the outline for the paper
4. Submit the final copy of the essay