Assignment #3: Researched Argument Essay (synthesize/employ as evidence 6+ sources & use MLA or APA format, 1,800+ words) + process memo
In this essay of no less than 1,800 words, you will continue your investigation of the topic you have written about in the research proposal and synthesis essay. As part of your work on this assignment, you will consider the debates and discussions around the causes, effects, and solutions that comprise your issue and the experience of the people directly and indirectly affected by it—synthesizing sources should have gotten you familiar with the process of tracking debates and discussions. For this assignment, you will find credible sources that represent the relevant perspectives and information related to your issue of choice.
The purpose of this assignment is to practice composing a persuasive argument using reason, facts, persuasive appeals, and supported with credible, authoritative sources. In this assignment you will enter a critical conversation of your choice, and take a position within that conversation. Taking a position means that some readers will agree with you, while others will disagree. Taking a position also means you will be aligning yourself with what some people assert, and distancing your position from what others assert.
A successful academic argument attempts to incorporate the best available information and views, and considers that the truth may lie somewhere between two positions, or within a less recognized position. As we’ve talked about, you are exploring complex issues that do not easily break down into “for” and “against” positions. Thus an important goal for this assignment is to acknowledge the complexity of these issues by moving beyond simple “for” and “against” positions. Your argument should be supported with reliable facts and data (empirically) and rationally with credible research and analysis.
As you write, it is to focus on and break down the reasons that a particular problem exists (and remember, this is where there might be disagreement. Maybe the experts you’ve identified might disagree about the cause of the problem). It is also important to consider possible solutions that the experts are proposing (and again, this is another area where there might be disagreement among experts. The experts you’ve identified might disagree about the best solutions to the problem, hence the debate and varying positions). As you think and write, you will decide which experts you are most convinced by, and then persuade your readers that the position you have adopted is the most effective. You will do this through evidence-based truth seeking, reasoning, and persuasion.
Although you will adopt a specific point of view and argument, your position will be supported by your careful research and grounded in the credible, reliable sources you discussed in your synthesis essay (though it’s complete acceptable to add and/or drop some of the sources you discussed in that essay).
As with the synthesis essay, for this assignment it will be important to think carefully about evidence: what evidence will best support your claims? What evidence will be appropriate to your academic audience of SBU community members? How will you arrange your evidence to persuade your audience? To help you think about constructing a viewpoint and identifying counterpoints, consider your audience. Who are they specifically, and what do they think and know about your issue and position? Remember, audiences are made up of different individuals who hold different viewpoints.
Some pro tips as you think about this assignment:
RULE NUMBER 1: BE ENGAGED
A research essay should never be boring! If you are truly interested in your issue and argument, then there is a better chance that your reader will be, too. Do your best to make this essay energetic, entertaining, and thoughtful. Allow your “voice” to show through – you can take the assignment seriously and develop a sincere argument, and still sound like yourself. An argument is persuasive. Think about what you want your readers to think or do. Do you want them to rethink a stereotype, or adopt a new way of thinking? Do you want them to take specific and concrete action?
RULE NUMBER 2: BE WISE AND ORGANIZE
In order for your reader to follow your argument, you have to present your claims and evidence in an easy-to-follow manner. Think about your essay in three parts: a clear and memorable introduction that lays out the importance of your issue, well-reasoned and logically arranged body paragraphs with strong claims and credible evidence, and a conclusion that reaffirms why the reader should care about this issue. See below for more detail:
A successful introduction should draw your reader into your subject and build common ground for your argument. How can you make your readers care about this issue, and about what you have to say about it? Why is the issue important? As we’ve discussed, your reader will expect to be steered by a clear, focused thesis that appears fairly early in your essay.
Effective body paragraphs are unified around a main point that is clear to readers. All sentences within the paragraph should relate to your main point, which is stated in a topic sentence. A good topic sentence will be more general than the material supporting it, and often comes at the start of the paragraph. The other sentences in the paragraph typically illustrate through examples and evidence the paragraph’s main point / topic sentence. Each paragraph should stick with one main point; it should be clear to your readers how each body paragraph relates to your thesis.
A solid conclusion will remind the reader of your main argument, and then draw some additional meaningful analysis out of the developments of your argument. Think of this as a “so what?” factor. What is important and urgent about this issue in this particular place and time? What are some implications for the future, related to your issue? What does your argument mean for you, for your peers, for society, or for the individuals most affected? A good conclusion makes broader connections to the future.
RULE NUMBER 3: CLAIMS, EVIDENCE, AND COUNTERCLAIMS Asserting, developing, and supporting each claim in your argument WITH CREDIBLE EVIDENCE should comprise the majority of your essay. What are your argument’s assumptions (the cultural norms or values it supports) and what evidence is required in order to validate your claims? Go step-by-step, paragraph-by-paragraph, addressing in detail each part of your argument. Make careful, precise claims and provide ample evidence. Aim for complexity and nuance rather than avoiding both out of a misguided idea that you have to crush your “opponent.” Present yourself as a rational, honest, and thoughtful writer. You must also acknowledge and describe divergent positions in a manner that is honestly representative of other views and your view. Counterclaims can occur in any section of your essay, as long as it’s strategic and allows you ample time and space to address.
Please reach out to Christine Fena, our amazing librarian instructor, or me if you need help in finding credible sources to support your argument.
Formal requirements
Your essay should be at least 1,800 words plus a Works Cited. You must discuss at least 6 sources, 3 of which must be peer-reviewed. You will also include a memo (at least 400 words) that describes the process of writing this essay. Use Times New Roman, 12 pt. font, double-spaced, 1” margins all around. Make sure to include page numbers in the upper right corner of each page. Please give your essay a zippy title that will make your reader curious, and want to follow along with your exploration.
Please make sure that the process memo + researched argument essay are submitted in a single google doc file. The google doc file should be named: yourlastname_final_researchedarg.
In the upper left corner of the document, include the following:
Your name
WRT 102.SECTION: Final Researched Argument + Process Memo
DATE
Word Count Process Memo: Word Count Final Researched Argument:
In the upper right corner of the document, please make sure that you include page numbers.
Give your researched argument essay a creative and inviting title. Your title should not be “Researched Argument” nor simply your topic. Think of a title that invites your reader into your essay. You can use a striking phrase, a question, or a pun/play on words. Check syllabus and BS for due dates.
The essay must continue from my research proposal