Argumentative Essay Guidelines, Suggestions, and Topics
An argumentative essay r
Argumentative Essay Guidelines, Suggestions, and Topics
An argumentative essay requires you to write a rational, well-evidenced, solid defense of your claim. You will be required to write no more than four to six (4-6) typed and double-spaced pages on your selected topic. Your topic must come from any of the following topics or be a topic which I have approved. In some case you may have to narrow the topics to complete the assignment. Chapter 13 of Critical Thinking: A Students Introduction (our text) discusses in detail the requirements of writing an argumentative essay and we will say more about this in class. However, the following is a general outline of the steps you should consider when writing an argument. A sample argumentative essay is provided in Critical Thinking beginning on page 414.
Topic: Do we need more gun control laws?
Before you write:
Know yourself
Know your audience
Choose and narrow your topic
Write a sentence that expresses your claim
Gather ideas: brainstorm and research
Organize your ideas
Writing the First Draft:
Provide an interesting opening
Include a thesis statement
Develop your body paragraphs
Provide a satisfying conclusion
After the Rough Draft (if you choose to write one):
Read what you have written and revise
Consider what you have not written and revise
Show your work
Edit your work
Hand it in
You will be evaluated on:
Spelling and Grammar You will be deducted points for spelling and grammar
errors.
Attributing Sources students must properly cite sources. We will discuss this issue
further in class.
Quality of Sources the stronger and more credible your sources, the higher your
grade for this part of the assignment. Hint: Wikipedia is not a strong source.
Quality of Final Product better papers (e.g. well written, well researched, well
argued) receive better scores.
Strength of Analysis/Argument your argument should be logical, use reliable
(reasonable) evidence that is relevant and sufficient to establish the conclusion. You
need to do research to meet this objective.
essay rubric:
Final Paper Rubric: Your essay will be evaluated on these five (5) elements. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns
Critical Elements (25 points): Exemplary (100%): Includes all of the main elements
and requirements and cites ample appropriate support to illustrate each element
Proficient (85%): Includes most of the main elements and requirements and cites appropriate support to illustrate each element
Needs Improvement (55%): Includes some of the main elements and requirements
Not Evident (0%): Does not include any of the main elements and requirements
Inquiry and Analysis (20 points): Exemplary (100%): Explores multiple reasons and offers in-depth analysis of evidence to make informed conclusions about the issue
Proficient (85%): Explores some reasons and offers somewhat in-depth analysis of evidence to make informed conclusions about the issue
Needs Improvement (55%): Explores minimal reasons and offers minimal analysis of evidence to make informed conclusions about the issue
Not Evident (0%): Does not explore reasons and analysis of evidence and does not make informed conclusions about the issue
Critical Thinking (20): Exemplary (100%): Demonstrates comprehensive exploration of issues and ideas before accepting or forming an opinion or conclusion
Proficient (85%): Demonstrates moderate exploration of issues and ideas before accepting or forming an opinion or conclusion
Needs Improvement (55%): Demonstrates minimal exploration of issues and ideas before accepting or forming an opinion or conclusion
Not Evident (0%): Does not demonstrate exploration of issues and ideas before accepting or forming an opinion or conclusion
Objection and Response (20): Exemplary (100%): Incorporates and fully develops a strong objection; offers a strong and novel response to that objection
Proficient (85%): Incorporates and moderately develops an objection; offers an adequate response to that objection
Needs Improvement (55%): Incorporates but does not fully develop an objection; responds somewhat to that objection
Not Evident (0%): Does not incorporate a full objection; does not respond to that objection
Writing (Mechanics/Citations) (15): Exemplary (100%): No errors related to organization, grammar and style, and citations
Proficient (85%): Minor errors related to organization, grammar and style, and citations
Needs Improvement (55%): Some errors related to organization, grammar and style, and citations
Not Evident (0%): Major errors related to organization, grammar and style, and citations
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