For your argument paper, you need to write a persuasive essay that takes a stand on a controversial issue. First of all, be sure that you have narrowed your topic by geography, race, gender, class, age, and made the topic very specific in what you are going to prove.
1. Introduction: Introduce your topic and explain why your topic is important to you. Begin your introduction with a “hook” to get the reader’s attention, and lets the readers know why your topic is important.
2. In your second paragraph, begin by discussing your topic, and why your topic is important to us today. In this paragraph you may want to include what, specifically, drew you to your argument, and why you have credibility as a writer of this paper (ethos); you might also include what you hope to accomplish by asking the specific questions you want answered. Then, move from your topic to the specific argument that is the thesis of your research paper.
3. Body: You will then move to 2 pages of the body of your paper. The next three or four paragraphs need to each focus on a reason for your point of view (logos). Make each of these reasons/ examples into a fully developed paragraph that is expanded with specific details. The specific details can be personal examples from your own life, or someone else’s life; it can be facts; it can be detailed explanation, and it can be detailed explanations of your reasons.
4. Next, you must address an opposing argument. Chose the best argument against your own position. State that argument against you, and then explain why that argument is not a sound or strong argument. This is a rebuttal, or a counter-argument. Make your counter argument very convincing. This section of the paper will be one or two paragraphs.
5. End the paper with a forceful and persuasive conclusion for your own point of view about the topic. You want to give your audience a strong lasting impression, and perhaps ask them to take action, or you may want to relate your topic to broader issues in society today.
Memo. You must include a typed memo when you turn in the portfolio. Answer the following questions:
a. How did you decide on a topic? How did you narrow your topic?
b. Make a list of the recommendations for revision. Include all of the revisions your peer reviewers asked you to make, and be sure to include all of the revisions that I asked you to make. Then, talk about how those revisions improved your paper.
c. Explain how you might go about expanding your argument paper into a research paper. What information will you be looking for? Do you anticipate any problems?
