What parts of this issue will concern my opposing audience the most?

One Sentence Thesis – Post Here
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Please post your one-sentence thesis sentence (the foundation of your final argument paper) here for vetting. Please read all the argument essay documents in Week 6 before submitting a thesis. I will offer feedback as a “Reply” in the forum, so check Discussions once a grade appears. Post by June 27th.

Argument Essay
To write an argument essay, you’ll need to gather evidence and present a well-
reasoned argument on a debatable issue.
First, take a firm stand on an interesting, passionate issue.
Remember, http://www.roanestate.edu/owl/Thesis-Statements.htmlyou cannot
argue a factual statement or belief; you must base your paper on a strong position.
Ask yourself…
 If a thousand people were asked about this issue, would they all agree?
How many people could argue against my position? What would they say?
 Can the issue be resolved with a yes or no? If so, find a topic that requires
a more critical response (think onion layers).
 Is my argument based on pathos and logos? Can I base my argument on
research, facts and statistics, historical evidence, expert opinions, logical
thoughts and reason, arguable truths (incorporating religion, cultural
standards, or morality), anecdotes, and emotional appeal based on word
choice (connotation)?
 Have I made my argument specific enough?
Don’t be afraid to firmly guide the reader—it is expected from an argument paper.
You are in charge now, what do YOU think?
Do… Don’t…
…use passionate language …use weak qualifiers like “I believe,” “I feel,” or “I
think”—just tell us!
…provide facts, evidence, and statistics to
support your position
…use strictly moral or religious claims as support for
your argument
…provide reasons to support your claim …assume the audience will agree with you about any
aspect of your argument
…address the opposing side’s argument and
refute their claims
…attempt to make the opposing side look bad
Don’t forget to address the opposing side of the issue/argument.
When you argue it is to your advantage to anticipate your opposition and strike
down the argument within the body of your paper. By addressing the opposition,
you achieve the following goals:
 illustrate a well-rounded understanding of the topic
 demonstrate a lack of bias
 enhance the level of trust that the reader has for both you and your
opinion
 give yourself the opportunity to refute any opposing arguments
 strengthen your argument by diminishing your opposition’s argument
How do I accomplish this?
Once you have decided upon your issue, you can brainstorm several good
reasons why you support a particular side of the argument. Some possible
questions to ponder:
 What are some perspectives surrounding this topic? What are opposing
perspectives?
 What is your position? How is it similar or different from other positions?
 Who is your audience? Why should your audience care about this issue?
 What is your purpose? What do you wish to accomplish by presenting your
issue? What consequences or implications might your position or
recommendations have on this issue and the people involved in it?
 Look at the reasons you provided and try to argue with yourself. Ask:
Why would someone disagree with each of these points?
 Think carefully about your audience members and try to understand
their background, their strongest influences, and their mindset. Ask:

What parts of this issue will concern my opposing audience the most?
 Find the necessary facts, evidence, quotes from experts, etc. to refute
the points that your opposition might make.
Paper Guidelines
 Final draft—minimum of 3 pages, MLA format
 Must find three credible sources to support your argument and cite using MLA
guidelines. Must include a Works Cited page.
 Prohibited arguments: abortion, death penalty, guns, marijuana, drinking age
Remember:
 Do not quote complete sentences from your sources. Weave quoted text “phrases”
smoothly.
 Use active verbs from the Verb Sheet to introduce ideas, sources and quoted
text. Avoid verbs of saying “says, said, stated, quoted, wrote” or “to be” verbs
 Reword vague word choice:
o There is no way people can continue to waste natural resources.
o Some people should conserve natural resources.
o It helps us all if we work together to make things better.
o There were many things that worried her.
o People who do not think this is right are really just bothered by this.
Argument Essay Rubric
Criteria 4 3 2 1
The claim
(thesis)
I make a claim and
explain why it is
controversial.
I make a claim but
don’t explain why it is
controversial.
My claim is buried,
confused and/or
unclear.
I don’t say what my
argument or claim is.
Reasons in
support of the
claim
I give clear and
accurate reasons in
support of my claim.
I give reasons in
support of my claim
but I may overlook
important reasons.
I give 1 or 2 weak
reasons that don’t
support my claim
and/or irrelevant or
confusing reasons.
I do not give convincing
reasons in support of my
claim.
Reasons
against the
claim
I discuss the reasons
against my claim and
explain why it is valid
anyway.
I discuss the reasons
against my claim but
leave some reasons
out and/or don’t
explain why the claim
still stands.
I say that there are
reasons against the
claim but I don’t
discuss them.
I do not acknowledge or
discuss the reasons
against the claim.
Organization My writing has a
compelling opening,
an informative middle
and a satisfying
conclusion.
My writing has a
beginning, middle and
end. It marches along
but doesn’t dance.
My writing is
organized but
sometimes gets off
topic.
My writing is aimless and
disorganized.
Voice and tone It sounds like I care
about my argument. I
show how I think and
feel about it.
My tone is OK but my
paper could have been
written by anyone. I
need to tell more
about how I think and
feel.
My writing is bland
or pretentious. There
is either no hint of a
real person in it or it
sounds like I’m a
fake.
My writing is too formal
or too informal. It sounds
like I don’t like the topic
of the essay.
Sentence
fluency
My sentences are
clear, complete, and
of varying lengths.
I have well-
constructed sentences.
My sentences are
sometimes awkward,
and/or contain run-
ons and fragments.
Many run-ons, fragments
and awkward phrasings
make my essay hard to
read.
Conventions I use correct
grammar, spelling,
and punctuation.
I generally use correct
conventions. I have a
couple of errors I
should fix.
I have enough errors
in my essay to
distract a reader.
Numerous errors make
my paper hard to read.
Sources and
Citing
I used three credible
sources and included
an MLA works cited
page.
I used three sources,
included an MLA
works cited page, but
with some errors.
I used two sources
and included an
MLA works cited
page.
I did not include any
credible sources with a
works cited page.
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