What is an argument essay?
An argument essay is a classical Aristotelian paper that persuades the audience to view a controversial topic like you do, using reasoning and a balance of ethos, pathos, and logos. The argument essay states a clear stance, providing points or reasons for the stance and does not sway back and forth but remains strong to one position on the topic of choice. The writer effectively persuades the audience with appropriate language and research to support the points of the stance.
Requirements:
• Length: 1500 words (approximately 6 pages) * points will be deducted for going below word count
• Please use .docx or .rtf files only.
• Please, no .pdfs, SharePoint, OneDrive, or Google links
• Format: MLA, with MLA documentation, including appropriate signal phrases, in-text citations, and a list of works cited. Your essay should be written in 3rd person.
• Topic: Research policies and select a policy or law that you believe needs changing or abolishing. Note: Topics regarding abortion and religion are off-limits, but most other policies are acceptable. You will submit your topic to me for approval. Also, keep in mind that work must be original each semester, so an ENG 111 essay cannot be reused in this course.
FYI: Your next essay topic will be related to your career, so if you are majoring in medicine and feel passionate that marijuana should be legalized for medicinal purposes, you should save that topic for next time since you cannot use the same topic twice.
• Sources: Four sources from the WTCC library’s databases are required. You may choose an additional source from the WTCC database or from a website ending with.org, .gov., or a .edu. but no more than five sources are allowed. No other outside sources are permitted; No websites ending in .com will be acceptable.
What are old policies?
There are countless curious laws still in existence today, such as it being illegal to play bingo at a casino for longer than five hours in North Carolina (opens in new window) and it being illegal to send someone pizza in Louisiana (opens in new window).
Some laws are simply unbelievably outdated. For instance, on March 29, 2022, lynching a person finally became a hate crime (opens in new window). The anti-lynching bill failed to pass the Senate almost 200 times.
As citizens, it is patriotic to learn about policies that govern our country in order to determine whether we agree with them, and if not, why we believe they need changing.
Assignment Directions:
Research policies, either in the U.S. or worldwide, and find a policy or law that you want to be changed or abolished. Then identify why you believe the policy is outdated and whether you are advocating for change or elimination and why.
Essay Organization:
This paper is a classical argument essay, so you should form a clear stance that you remain consistent with throughout the essay. Remember that academic essays require formal language and that you have a diverse audience.
Introduction
Begin your essay with a hook that draws the reader into the essay. Provide basic background information about your chosen topic. As you near the end of your introductory paragraph, provide a central thesis statement, stating your stance on the topic and providing two or three main reasons that will be discussed in the body of the paper. No research should be used in the introduction or conclusion.
Body Paragraphs:
Paragraphs should all begin with topic sentences that link explicitly to the thesis. Make sure that these paragraphs also follow the order of the thesis so that the essay is organized and coherent.
Furthermore, each paragraph should focus on one of your argument’s reasons and provide solid examples with research to back it up. Make sure body paragraphs are approximately 80% discussion with only 20% in-text citations as supporting evidence. For each citation provided, explain its significance or relevance to the stance, rather than simply including a quote. Since this argument essay focuses on a policy or law you might want to explore case studies and implementation recommendations, including risks, costs, and obstacles in your argument. You might also get into the logistics of the policy change, such as a timeline. Finally, make sure each paragraph provides a closing sentence.
*Opposition Paragraph:
Before the concluding paragraph, provide the opposition to your stance and then refute it, making your argument stronger. You may use research to strengthen your stance, but it is also possible to use only discussion here. There is no need for a special heading here. Simply provide an additional paragraph with this criterion in it.
Conclusion:
No research is provided in the concluding paragraph. Instead, return to the big picture. What is your argument regarding the policy? What would happen if changes were implemented? What might happen if changes are ignored? Bring a sense of conclusion as you synthesize your main ideas.
Works Cited Page: This is a separate page written in the correct MLA format.
*An essay assignment turned in late will be docked a letter grade for each calendar day that it is late (late penalties start at 12:01 a.m. the next calendar day). After four days have passed since the due date, I will not accept the assignment, thus resulting in a grade of 0.
How To Research the WTCC Databases
1. Find “Libraries” at the top of the main WTCC website
2. Click “Search Databases” to find a specific database or
3. Type your research topic in the “Search All Library Resources” box please use these sources only. https://www.proquest.com/sociology/docview/2039862104/A75E5B924BA64A08PQ/1?accountid=15152
“Wake Technical Community College Library Services: Proxy Server Login.” Login.proxy189.Nclive.org, www.proquest.com/sociology/docview/195018396/84477E012F874E27PQ/3?accountid=15152. Accessed 1 Feb. 2023.
https://www.proquest.com/docview/448665830/AB47C7AEA2C24DA4PQ/7?accountid=15152
https://www.proquest.com/sociology/docview/1992302033/9097CD958A774DDDPQ/5?accountid=15152
