Persuasive Essay AssignmentThe purpose of this essay is to develop a clear argument in the form of a well-formed, compelling academic thesis statement, and support it through a well-organized, logical

Persuasive Essay Assignment

The purpose of this essay is to develop a clear argument in the form of a well-formed, compelling academic thesis statement, and support it through a well-organized, logical, and persuasive multi-paragraph essay. You will also describe and respond to counter-arguments.

Food & Diet:

In your essay, you will focus on a specific dietary strategy or a specific aspect of the food industry.  You must persuade me of a change that will help individuals or help a specific problem in the world.  You must make a specific recommendation, and then describe its specific benefits, and how it could be integrated into a person's lifestyle (diet) or into society (food industry).

Some questions to consider:

What foods are healthy for people?  What or how should people be eating?

What aspects of the food industry could be changed to enhance food production or distribution, to reduce damage to the environment, or to increase health. 

Market Rules and the Economic Divide Between Rich and Poor:

In your essay, you will focus on some specific market rules that should be changed to make economic life in the United States more equitable.  You must persuade me of a change that will help poorer individuals or help a bolster an economically marginalized group in America.  You must make a specific recommendation, and then describe its specific benefits, and how it could be integrated into state or federal law and practice. 

Some questions to consider:

What market rules are perpetuating the economic divide between rich and poor?

What market rules can be changed or added to bolster the middle class in America?

Education:

In your essay, you will focus on a specific educational method, technique, or strategy that you believe enhances the learning environment for students, or solves a problem from one of the education articles. You must make a specific recommendation, and then describe its specific benefits, and how it could be integrated into a university setting.

Some questions to consider:

• Should college be free?
• What is the right amount of group work in school?
• Do your professors’ backgrounds matter? (where they are from and who they are?)

Gender in the Workforce:

In your essay, you will form and present a solution to one of the problems of gender in the workforce, or you may argue from the position that there is not actually a problem. You will give your recommendation, describe the specific benefits it provides, and how it would be implemented in a workplace setting. Your essay should provide specific legal, moral, and financial arguments in support of your position, and should also address and respond to counter-arguments against your position.

Some questions to consider:

• Why aren’t more girls choosing to pursue careers in math and science?
• Should companies (or the government) create hiring minimums based on gender or race?

Basic Essay Organization

Introduction:

• Introduces the topic and capture’s the reader’s attention. It presents the thesis, which is a single sentence that states the main idea (your claim/argument) of the whole essay, and provides sufficient background information to orient your reader to your topic.

Body paragraphs:

• Support and develop the thesis with explanations, examples, and specific details.
• Each paragraph makes a specific point that supports the thesis (in the form of a topic sentence), and develops that point with evidence and analysis.
• Your body paragraphs should also address specific counter-arguments against your position, as well as your rebuttal/response.

Conclusion

• Reemphasizes and reinforces the thesis and main supporting ideas.
• Reinforces the importance of the idea you are arguing for

Essay formatting

• Font: Times New Roman; 12-point font
• Double-spaced
• 1 inch margins
• APA (American Psychological Association) in-text citations (https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/02/ (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.)
• APA References list (https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/06/ (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.)
• Length: 1250-1400 words

Rubric