Writing Prompt
In a unified thesis-based essay, write an argument for or against (your choice) the legalization of drug trafficking for Schedule III drugs (like cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, meth, etc). In your argument, use the research article you summarized for 11.5 on Schedule III drug effects on the brain as a piece of evidence in your essay. You will need convincing points and one counterargument that argues against your position (the “other side” of the argument).
You may use the article you selected for 11.5 as evidence for one of your argument points or for the counterargument. You may have a variety of reasons for your position. They can be culturally based and based on personal experience or knowledge. You just need to have examples to support your points. Be convincing! Use illustrative examples! Elaborate and be specific!
Again, one piece of evidence has to come from the article you submitted for 11.5, but you are not expected to back up each of your points with research evidence. You probably have opinions on the issue, and you should be expressing them. Recreational drug use exists in society. Substance addiction has hurt many people. Recovery is hard. Drug trafficking is often connected to human trafficking and other crimes. The issue is a moral issue, and it is complex. Please take an authentic position with what you actually think about the issue. Support your ideas with examples and clear reasoning. Remember to take notes on research material you read, brainstorm essay ideas, make an outline, and cite your sources.
Do not use AI platforms to produce any part of this essay.
Successful essays will
- Begin with an introductory paragraph that sets up the topic, provides any needed background information that your readers will need to understand the purpose of your essay, and includes a unified thesis statement that asserts your position and makes the central claim for your essay.
- Organize information with paragraphs that have a strong topic sentence (sometimes called a point), supporting information that includes the quoted text, illustrative examples, and discussion / elaboration.
- Provide at least three solid points for your argument, including a counterargument. Any quotations you cite should be chosen based on the relevancy to the topic of the paragraph and should provide substantive ideas. In other words, pick meaningful, relevant quotes carefully. It is a good idea to reread texts and your notes. Excessively long quotations should not be used to meet the page length requirement.
- Develop ideas in the paragraphs so that they all connect and refer back to the thesis. Paragraphs should demonstrate an appropriate amount of substantive discussion without rambling or redundancy. Quotations should be integrated in the discussion.
- Demonstrate careful proofreading and the use of MLA formatting with double-spacing (not 1.5), 1 inch margins, indented paragraphs, your last name and page numbers in the right hand corner in the header, and your name and class info and date in the left hand corner of the first page only (not in the header).
- Meet the Page Requirements: 3-4 pages, double-spaced, 1 inch margins in Google docs only with the selection “anyone with the link can edit.” Please note that the minimum page requirement is three full pages minimum and four maximum.
- Include a Works Cited page.