Course Project: Argumentative Paper

Assignment

Required Resources

Read/review the following resources for this activity:

• Textbook: Chapter 15
• Lesson
• Completed Week 5 Source Evaluation Worksheet (included annotated bibliography)
• Minimum of 5 scholarly sources

Introduction

This week, all the hard work you have done in researching your topic and issue will come to fruition in your argumentative paper. Once you feel you have got the final draft, try to put the paper aside, even for a few hours, and then read it again.

• Did you address at least three aspects of the issue you chose?
• Does each aspect have relevant and authoritative evidence in support of your point?
• Have you included a view that is in opposition to your viewpoint, and have you answered that opposing view, pointing out its flaws in such a way as to refute it?

Edit your paper – look for wordiness, repetition, vagueness, ambiguities. Check the organization of the paper as a whole; make sure each paragraph maintains focus. After you are satisfied that the content of your paper is good, carefully proofread it and correct mechanical errors.

Here is a brief breakdown of the project so that you can plan your time in the course:

Week	Task
Week 1	Topic Selection
Week 3	Issue Review (both sides)
Week 5	Thesis & Annotated Bibliography (both sides)
Week 7	Argumentative Paper

Instructions

This week, you will complete your argumentative paper. Following the directions in assigned textbook reading on how write an argumentative essay on the issue you chose in Week 1. Be sure your essay contains the following:

• An opening paragraph that states a clear thesis that is focused, plausible, and arguable and that gives direction and purpose to the paper
• A fair-minded, balanced, and objective development of the pros and cons of the issue in a well-organized sequence of ideas, free of mechanical errors
• Credible, reliable, and authoritative evidence in support of the points made
• A strong conclusion that summarizes your views, reminds the audience of the issue and its importance, and shows in brief that you have successfully defended your thesis

Note

As you do your research, it is permissible to change your sources. Also, because of the recency and relevance of these issues, no sources older than 5 years should be used other than as historical information. Critical thinkers do the research first and then side with the preponderance of evidence. You might want to follow that principle.

Writing Requirements (APA format)

• Length: 4-6 pages (not including title page or references page)
• 1-inch margins
• Double spaced
• 12-point Times New Roman font
• Title page
• References page