Assignment: Write a 4-6 page essay (approximately 1200-1500 words) argumentative essay arguing one side or stance of an academically appropriate debate using the classical model supported by evidence and research. If the writing exceeds the 1500 word maximum it will be returned back for revision.
For the purposes of this assignment, expressing or relying on your personal opinion of a debate is discouraged. Rather, the essay must argue one side or stance of the debate using the rhetorical appeals (logos, ethos, and pathos) and be supported by academic or scholarly sources. These include physical sources in public libraries, digital sources in academic libraries, online sources (excludes unreliable sources like procon.org and wikipedia.org, which are discouraged), and published expert reports, preferably peer-reviewed by experts in the field to maintain utmost credibility. Consider revisiting the tutorial Finding Sources for more information on appropriate sources for argumentative writing.
Your submission must include an APA style in-text citations and a reference page following the essay. In your research, you will need at least 2 and no more than 4 credible primary or secondary sources to use as support in your essay.
- All sources cited in the writing submitted must be locatable by a grader; include hyperlinks to the sources in the reference page.
- The use of any source that requires payment for access is strictly prohibited for this assignment.
- Avoid using sources that exceed 20 pages in length, as they may be overly extensive for the purposes of this assignment.
- Including more than four sources may cause delays, and you might be asked to provide additional evidence of the credibility for each source
B. Rubric
| Advanced (100%) | Proficient (85%) | Acceptable (75%) | Needs Improvement (50%) | Non-Performance (0%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Argumentative Topic and Thesis StatementTake a clear position on a debatable topic. (5%)
|
Includes an argumentative thesis that takes a well-articulated, clear, specific position on one side of a debatable issue. | Includes an argumentative thesis that takes a clear, specific position on one side of a debatable issue. | Includes an argumentative thesis that takes a clear position on one side of a debatable issue; however, it lacks specificity. | Includes an argumentative thesis on a debatable topic; however, it lacks specificity and/or does not take a clear position. | Does not include a thesis, includes a thesis that does not take a position, and/or the topic is not debatable. |
Argument Development and SupportHave a clear argument on a debatable topic and sufficient support. (20%)
|
Details are highly relevant and clearly support the argument of the essay. Argument is thoroughly developed; the argument is consistently and effectively supported using rhetorical appeals and source material. | Details are relevant and support the argument of the essay. Argument is well developed; the argument is supported using rhetorical appeals and source material. | Details are predominantly relevant and generally support the argument, though some details may be irrelevant and/or distracting. Argument is not fully developed; the argument is supported by rhetorical appeals and source material; however, some aspects of the argument or support are neglected. | Details are often irrelevant and frequently distract from the argument of the essay. Argument is poorly developed; there is little evidence of rhetorical appeals and/or source material support. | Details are irrelevant and distract from the argument. Argument is not developed and/or the composition is not argumentative. |
OrganizationExhibit competent organization and writing techniques. (20%)
|
Includes all of the required components of an argumentative research paper, including an introduction with relevant and engaging background information and an argumentative thesis, an adequate number of body paragraphs each with a topic sentence, a body paragraph addressing counterargument(s), and a conclusion with a concluding statement. | Includes all of the required components of an argumentative research paper, including an introduction with background information, an argumentative thesis, an adequate number of body paragraphs each with a topic sentence, a body paragraph addressing counterargument(s), and a conclusion with a concluding statement. | Includes nearly all of the required components of an argumentative research paper; however, one component is missing. | Includes most of the required components of an argumentative research paper, but is lacking two components. Sequences ideas and paragraphs such that the connections between ideas (within and between paragraphs) are sometimes unclear and the reader may have difficulty following the progression of the argument. | Lacks several or all of the components of an argumentative research paper. Sequences ideas and paragraphs such that the connections between ideas (within and between paragraphs) are often unclear and the reader has difficulty following the progression of the argument. |
FlowEstablish and maintain a logical flow. (10%)
|
Sequences ideas and paragraphs logically and uses smooth transitions (within and between paragraphs) such that the reader can easily follow the progression of ideas. | Sequences ideas and paragraphs logically and uses transitions (within and between paragraphs) such that the reader can easily follow the progression of ideas. | Primarily sequences ideas and paragraphs logically and uses sufficient transitions (within and between paragraphs) such that the reader can generally follow the progression of ideas. | The progression of ideas is often difficult to follow, due to poor sequencing, ineffective transitions, and/or insufficient transitions. | The progression of ideas is consistently difficult to follow, due to poor sequencing and lack of transitions. |
ResearchIncorporate sources through effective quotations, paraphrases, and summaries. (10%)
|
Incorporates sources smoothly and effectively through direct quotation, paraphrase, or summary. References at least 2 and no more than 4 credible primary or secondary sources. | Primarily incorporates sources effectively through direct quotation, paraphrase, or summary. References at least 2 and no more than 4 credible primary or secondary sources. | Acceptably incorporates sources through direct quotation, paraphrase, or summary. References at least 2 and no more than 4 credible primary or secondary sources. | Generally incorporates sources through direct quotation, paraphrase, or summary. References at least 2 and no more than 4 primary or secondary sources, but some sources may not be effective or appropriate for the essay’s argument. | Does not reference sources and/or sources are not credible or appropriate. |
StyleEstablish a consistent, informative tone and make thoughtful stylistic choices. (10%)
|
Demonstrates thoughtful and effective word choices, avoids redundancy and imprecise language, and uses a wide variety of sentence structures. | Demonstrates effective word choices, primarily avoids redundancy and imprecise language, and uses a variety of sentence structures. | Demonstrates generally effective style choices, but may include occasional redundancies, imprecise language, poor word choice, and/or repetitive sentence structures. | Frequently includes poor word choices, redundancies, imprecise language, and/or repetitive sentence structures. | Excessively demonstrates poor word choices, redundancies, imprecise language, and/or repetitive sentence structures. |
ConventionsFollow conventions for standard English. (10%)
|
There may be a few negligible errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, capitalization, formatting, and usage. | There are occasional minor errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, capitalization, formatting, and usage. | There are some significant errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, capitalization, formatting, and usage. | There are frequent significant errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, capitalization, formatting, and usage. | There are consistent significant errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, capitalization, formatting, and usage. |
FormattingExecute formatting according to requirements. (10%)
|
Consistently adheres to APA formatting requirements for in-text citations and the References page. | Primarily adheres to APA formatting requirements for in-text citations and the References page, such that formatting errors are minimal. | Adequately adheres to APA formatting requirements for in-text citations and the References page, such that formatting errors are occasional. | Inadequately adheres to APA formatting requirements for in-text citations and the References page, such that formatting errors are common. | Does not adhere to APA formatting requirements for in-text citations and the References page, such that formatting errors are pervasive. |
Think About Your WritingReflect on progression and development throughout the course. (5%)
|
Demonstrates thoughtful reflection; consistently includes insights, observations, and/or examples in all responses. Answers all reflection questions effectively, following or exceeding response length guidelines. | Demonstrates thoughtful reflection; includes multiple insights, observations, and/or examples. Answers all reflection questions effectively, following response length guidelines. | Primarily demonstrates thoughtful reflection, but some responses are lacking in detail or insight. Answers all reflection questions, primarily following response length guidelines. | Shows limited reflection; the majority of responses are lacking in detail or insight. Answers reflection questions inadequately: may not answer all of the questions and/or may not follow response length guidelines. | Does not answer the majority of reflection questions or the majority of answers do not follow response length guidelines. |
C. Requirements
- Your essay should be 4-6 pages (approximately 1000-1500 words), double-spaced, with one-inch margins.
- Argumentative essay guidelines must be followed or submission will not be graded.
- Use a readable 12-point font.
- Composition must be original and written for this assignment and all writing must be appropriate for an academic context, including academically credible sources.
- Plagiarism of any kind is strictly prohibited.
- Submission should include your name, the name of the course, the date, and the title of your essay.
- Submission must include the argumentative essay, reference page, and your answers to the reflection questions.
- Include all of the assignment components in a single .doc or .docx file.