Argumentative Essay Assignment:

For the following essay, you will need to select a topic of your choice and argue a specific stance.  You may choose to argue a topic on the attached sheet.  The paper must be 3 pages in length and contain an approved thesis statement.  Remember, this thesis statement can be implied, but must be an obvious focus for the paper.  Below are instructions for each component of the essay.  Read and follow each closely when writing the paper.  Also, you should refer back to your notes looking specifically at fallacies, types of claims and support.  REMEMBER, this essay is the basis for your research paper. 

Paragraph 1: General introduction of the problem.  Thesis statement which states your opinion

Introductory Paragraphs
The introductory paragraph is the first impression your paper makes upon a reader.  Remember, the introduction should again establish that there is A PROBLEM!  A relationship with your audience is established in your introduction.  A good introduction should immediately attract the reader's attention.  It should prepare the reader for what lies ahead by presenting background information, definitions of terms, and a clear statement of the paper's thesis.  The introduction provides a road map for the reader, leading him to know exactly what to expect from the paper.  Opening statements may vary depending upon the writer and the topic, but here are some effective techniques for introductory statements:

  State the key issues you will later address (optional)

  Whet your reader's appetite with a quotation (optional)

  Ask a question that gets your readers thinking about your topic(optional)

  Begin with an illustration or short narrative (optional)

As you write an introduction, you must make choices as to what to include.  Traditionally, the thesis statement is the last sentence of the introductory paragraph.  It should clearly state the main point the paper makes and may also include a blueprint, or listing, of the main topics covered in the paper. Regardless of what technique you use to introduce your topic, there must be a clear connection between the beginning statements in the paragraph and the thesis statement.  Use a transitional phrase or sentence that clearly shows the relationship of the initial ideas in the paragraph to the concluding thesis statement. YOUR THESIS MUST BE ARGUABLE!

Body Paragraphs  - Each body paragraph:

• Paragraphs 2-3:  History of the problem (including, perhaps, past attempts at a solution.  SOURCES NEEDED.
• Paragraphs 4-6:  Extent of the problem (Who is affected?; how bad is it?, etc.) SOURCES NEEDED
• Paragraphs 7-8: Repercussion of the problem if not solved. SOURCES NEEDED

• Paragraphs 9-10:  You should have led up to a conclusion that your argument is sound.  Pull it all together by connecting your argument with the facts.  Anticipate objections and make concessions.
  1. Refutation or addressing the opposition's arguments

2.       Every arguable thesis has an anti-thesis, or opposite point of view. Recognizing and addressing the opposition's viewpoints are essential aspects of an effective argument. Three basic strategies can be used:

3. Acknowledging the opposition's viewpoint is necessary if the opposing arguments are to be addressed and refuted. Ignoring the opposition is futile in that the audience is aware of the opposing arguments and will doubt the credibility of a presentation that chooses to ignore the opposition rather than deal with it openly and honestly.
4. Accommodation is accepting all or part of the objections of the opposition and including these in the argument. An arguable thesis has a valid anti-thesis, and refusing to accommodate these valid, yet opposing points, is counter-productive. A clever argument will incorporate the opposition's claims, and still show that their own claims are the stronger.
5. Refutation or explicitly opposing claims of the opposite viewpoint is an effective counterargument. Generally, it consists of a strong attack upon the opposition's weakest points, contrasting them with your argument's strongest points. The approach of anticipating the opposition's concerns can build a bridge of shared concerns between the two sides of an argument. This can focus on shared values, assumptions, goals, or criteria. Acknowledging, accommodating and refuting concerns can win the audience's respect and sometimes their agreement.

Concluding Paragraphs
An effective concluding paragraph should provide closure for a paper, leaving the reading feeling satisfied that the thesis has been fully explained. Good conclusions might have a dramatic quality -- rather like a grand finale. Probably the shortest paragraph of an essay, the conclusion should be brief and to the point. This is not the place to introduce ideas you forgot to mention in the body of the paper! The conclusion should provide a restatement of the thesis, a summary of the author's conclusions, and perhaps a solution to the problem, if this is the writer's intent.

Some effective techniques for creating a conclusion are:

• restate the seriousness of a problem
• summarize your thesis or proposed solution
• recap the most important points of the paper
• bring a chronologically organized paper up to the present and suggest future directions
• pose some questions to your reader, encouraging him to continue thinking about the thesis
• synthesize information developed in the body

What NOT to do in a concluding paragraph:

• DO NOT use clichés which sound good but mean nothing
• DO NOT introduce new arguments, evidence, or details
• DO NOT apologize for doing a poor job of presenting the material
• DO NOT qualify or blunt the impact of points made earlier