Argument Research Essay/Speech Requirements & Guidelines
ENGLISH 102/EVIT
Assignment:
Write a multi-paragraph argumentative essay about a controversial and current issue using
research to support your claim and counterclaim (1000+ words).
Sources:
Date of publication 2006 -2016 (sources older than 2006 will not be accepted)
8+ sources minimum referenced in final essay (fewer than 8 = maximum score of 70%)
Strongly recommended that you start with 12-15 sources
Majority of sources must originate from the CGC and/or Maricopa Co. Library databases
Sources with n.d. or n.p. will not be accepted
1-2 sources should support the counterargument
1 primary source (Family members may not be used as a source)
Unacceptable Sources:
Examples of unacceptable sources (these are examples; it is not an inclusive listing). These
types of sources can be used as you explore your topic, but you would then use the
websites’ references/works cited/bibliography to find the original source of the information:
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Procon.org
Factchecker.org
Youtube
Wikipedia
Debate.org
Categories of Sources – Requirements:
Minimum
1
2
1
1
Source Category
Newspaper or magazine
Journal
Book (must be COMPLETE book; cannot be only the abstract)
OR
Subject Encyclopedia (not World Book, Encyclopedia Britannica,
etc.)
Documentary
1
1
Website
Primary Source
1
Author’s choice from the above categories
Source Location
CGC Database
CGC Database
CGC Database
CGC Database
Films on Demand, etc.
BBC
PBS
Front Line
60 Minutes
(Other? Requires teacher
approval)
.gov ONLY
CGC Database
Avalon Project
(http://avalon.law.yale.edu/)
Library of Congress
(http://catalog.loc.gov/)
Writing process:
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Summary of Sources (12-15) (Optional)
Topic Proposal
Annotated Bibliography (8)
Pro/Con Argument Chart
Rogerian Strategy
Outline w/ Works Cited
Essay
Video of speech w/ visual presentation (failure to meet minimum time requirement of 6 minutes =
maximum score of 59%)
Essay will include – NOTE – This is one possible organizational structure; there are many other ways that this
type of an essay can be organized, but all the elements listed below must be included in the final draft of your
essay:
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Introduction (minimum 5 sentences total)
o Hook (scenario / anecdote)
o Transition to the claim (1-2 sentences)
o Claim
Background (primarily from the subject encyclopedia) (minimum 5 sentences total)
o Unbiased
o Background information from BOTH sides
o What makes this a controversial issue?
o Paraphrase this information – but cite as needed
3 (minimum) Arguments to support your claim (minimum of 8-10 sentences/body paragraph)
o Minimum of 3 body paragraphs
 Minimum of 3 examples of textual evidence to support each argument/body paragraph
Counterargument to your claim/to one of your arguments (minimum of 8-10 sentences)
o Minimum of 1 examples of textual evidence to support the counterargument
Rebuttal
o Minimum of 1 examples of textual evidence to support the rebuttal of the counterargument
Conclusion (3-5 sentences)
o Restate the claim
o Final thoughts/link back to hook
o Call to action
Works Cited
Appeals – must include the use of each of the following logical appeals at least once in the essay:
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Ethos
Pathos
Logos
Writing Requirements:
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Rubric:
Present tense
3rd person
Transitions between ideas and paragraphs
Appropriate and varied sentence structure
In-text and parenthetical citations
CGC English 102 Grading Rubric will be used