formal persuasive essay arguing a thesis 3 pages double spaced

Essay #3: Persuasive Essay

Write a formal persuasive essay arguing a thesis. Make it four double-spaced pages of text, more or less, no more than five (excluding Works Cited List). Your main idea is to be a debatable opinion; it should not be a fact or an opinion upon which most experts already agree. Use at least 3 citations from print sources (maximum 6). Employ the MLA method for page layout, in-text citations, and a Works Cited List (CC 601-618). The focus for this essay, and your thesis, will be proposing and defending a solution to a problem; however, you may also focus on simply persuading us that an existing situation is a problem, provided that this too is a matter of opinion. (In that case, a solution may be suggested in the conclusion.)

Structure: Generally speaking, your essay should have the following sections, in order (with suggested length) (See CC 338-339, and example on 357-366, though your essay will be shorter): 1. Statement of Purpose (1 par. or combine with #2); 2. The Central Problem, Issue, or Question (1-2 pars.); 3. Thesis Statement (1 sent. in a brief par.); 4. Opposing views and counterarguments (1-2 par.); 5. Body (appr. 3 pages); 6. Conclusion (1 par.) However, depending on your topic and your thesis, you might modify this structure Headings may be used in the essay or not but must be in the outline. Section lengths are suggestions.

Referring to no. 4 of the structure, your essay should incorporate the Rogerian strategy, which we will work on in class. At least one paragraph and the paper as a whole should 1) reflect an honest, sincere understanding of the opposing point of view; 2) indicate the common areas of agreement ([In an essay on banning college football]: “Even the most ardent college sports fans generally agree that academics should have priority over sports in the university.”) and valid points of the opposing view (“Supporters of football programs correctly point to the sense of cohesion it brings to the university community, as well as to the educative value it can provide.”); 3) indicate how your solution will benefit everyone, including those of the opposing point of view (“Students, parents, and alumni can get their sports fix from other venues, like the NFL, and know that their money is going to support academics not the sports teams.”)

Topic: Choose a topic. Lists of topics can be found by googling “sample argumentative essay topics (You will be able to change topics later if you want.) (Ex.: goodessaytopics.com and http://www.sierra-arts.net/a-list-of-argument-essay-topics-make-your-choice-wisely.html ) Narrow your topic as much as possible. In class, we will discuss a way to narrow topics. You can also Google “Writing Prompts for China,” or “China essay topics,” etc. to find topics.

Prewriting: Do two prewritings (freewrite, cluster, brainstorm) to find a topic or to develop ideas for it.

Thesis Statement: Write your first tentative thesis statement, stating your topic and the specific opinion you will argue. (It can change at any time, and should be rewritten and refined as you go.)

Research: Find articles on your topic on the library website and read up on your topic, taking notes. Rewrite your thesis as your knowledge about your topic grows. As you take notes, record all the information you will need to do a works cited entry. Of course, you may continue to research and read in all stages of the process.

Outline: List all the reasons you can think of. These are your major supporting details. Then, do another prewriting, perhaps a brainstorm or cluster, to come up with all the minor sup. details you can think of.

Draft: Assemble your detailed outline, all your prewritings, and all your notes, and write the draft. In integrating (fitting in) your secondary sources into your draft, see notes and reading. Getting feedback from other students, a tutor at the Writing Center, and the professor, Revise and then Proofread/edit to make the final draft.

The grade will be based upon all of the features of good writing and documentation we have studied up to this point: Thesis statement, appropriate, clear, well-ordered introductory material, organization (with outline) with clear, logical order of major supporting points, claims supported with a range of appropriate, specific support of primary, and secondary evidence; sound, coherent paragraphs, transitions; smooth, clear sentences; correct, appropriate formal style and diction; accurate grammar, spelling and other mechanics; smooth, correct integration of (at least 3, no more than 6) secondary sources; accurate MLA documentation.