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Argumentative Thesis Assignment What determines whether a child may use the school’s boys or girl’s restoom?
*Introduction to Government Essay
*General Assignment Description:
Write an argumentative essay of approximately 4-5 PAGES, 1500 words minim, which demonstrates classical argument form (introduction, arguments, opposing views, refutations, and conclusion) concerning a debatable topic relating to a governmental topic. The argument must relate primarily to a government action—i.e., it should not be primarily a philosophical or ethical argument. The topic could involve any geographical, or historical context. It could relate to any government, anywhere, anytime. Note that any court case, at any time, is a government issue. Essays must utilize 5 research sources (from 5 different websites) which must be documented in MLA 8TH EDITION format (in-text citations and Works Cited page) . Students must find and use 5 of their own sources—not rely only on sources listed in syllabus. Sources must be underlined in essay and Works Cited to ensure they are complete .
YOU CAN WRITE ON ANY TOPICS LISTED IN THE SYLLABUS, OR IN ASSIGNMENTS—WITH A FEW EXCEPTIONS MUST FIND 5 NEW SOURCES. Argumentative Thesis Assignment
YOU MUST FIND 5 RESEARCH SOURCES WHICH ARE NOT LINKS IN THE SYLLABUS. THE SYLLABUS LINKS MAY BE OUTDATED, ANYWAY. OFTEN THE MOST CURRENT SOURCES ARE CONSIDERED BEST.
Review of Classical Argument Structure
ESSAY STRUCTURE FOR CLASSICAL ARGUMENT
- Introduction: Hook
Thesis : State your position concerning your argumentative topic
- Your Arguments (60% – 80% of your essay)
Facts, details, analyses, examples, evidence to support your position
III Consider Opposing Views (Section III & IV: 8%-13% of your essay)
Fairly represent other views on your topic
- Refutation (Arguing Against) Opposing Views
- Conclusion
Paragraph Model Of Classical Argument for an essay of 1500 words minimum (It can be longer if you want, but if it is longer than 2300 words, likely your topic has gotten out of control…)
*Introduction
Hook
Thesis
Arguments
*Arg 1
*Arg 2
*Arg 3
*Arg 4
*Arg 5
(2 more argument paragraphs are possible)
OV’s / Refutation
*OV1 & Ref
*OV2 & Ref
*OV3 & Ref
ESSAY MUST LOOK LIKE THIS :
Hook
Thesis – Should clearly state your position about a debatable topic:_________________________________________
Background/Definitions, if required
Argument 1 with Details, Evidence, and Analyses
Argument 2 with Details, Evidence and Analyses
Argument 3 with Details, Evidence, and Analyses
Argument 4 with Details, Evidence, and Analyses
Argument 5 with Details, Evidence, and Analyses
Opposing View 1 with Details and Refutation of O.V. 1
Opposing View 2 with Details and Refutation of O.V. 2
Opposing Vibew 3 with Details & Refutation of O.V. 3
CONCLUSION (Restate your position and give final perspective
à *Definition: “Opposing Views” are reasons, held by those who don’t agree with you, about WHY your argumentative position is not correct, or is not the best position on your topic. An opposing view is not simply the opposite position.. Argumentative Thesis Assignment
Example:
*Argumentative Thesis: There should be a California law that no cell phones can be used while driving.
*Opposing View: We already have a law against distracted driving, and this is enough of a protection.
*Refutation/s (this refutation happens to have 2 parts):
1) It is not enough protection, because there are too many accidents due to cell phone use while driving; and
2) the definition of “distracted driving” is too vague to be useful and prescriptive.