Complete Argumentative Short Essay

by

Humanities

TOPIC: SHOULD VIOLENT VIDEO GAMES BE BANNED???

Essay 4

Topic/Focus: Documented Argument

Length and Format: 1250-1500 words, double-spaced, 12-pt Times New Roman; MLA works cited page

(not included in total word count)

Weight: 200 points

Final Draft Due Date: See your course calendar/schedule

Essay 4 Materials Due: the schedule of activity due dates for Essay 4 materials is found on pages 1 and 2

of this assignment sheet. You are responsible for completing all assigned activities.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

OBJECTIVES:

  • use argumentative strategies to support your point of view
  • organize an essay that has a clear thesis, well-supported body, and convincing conclusion
  • learn to research appropriate sources of information
  • integrate research into your writing
  • cite those sources properly in MLA format

    • To Succeed in this Assignment You Must:

  • Participate fully in class activities, bring in prep work when you are asked.
  • Complete each of your online lessons on persuasion.
  • Read the “Arguing a position” and “Arguing” sections of the Norton Guide.
  • Visit the writing center at least once; this is a requirement

    • Schedule of Due Dates

  • 6/25: Essay 4 Topics and Three Appeals Due.
  • 7/2: Essay 4 Source Summaries (aka Annotated Bibliography.
  • 7/16: First/rough Draft (works cited page included) due printed, in class for peer review.
  • 7/23: Final Draft with MLA-formatted Works Cited Page Due. Upload final draft of essay 4 to Blackboard

    • by 8:30 am.

    1

    ENC 1101 FRESHMAN COMPOSITION 1 | ASSIGNMENT OVERVIEW

  • 7/30: Revision Reflection due. Upload your revision reflection to Blackboard by 8:30 am. Attend class to

    • ensure your work was received on time and with no problems. This serves as your final exam in ENC

    1101.

    Topic/Prompt

    Your final essay in ENC 1101 is a documented argument essay. A documented argument is kind of like a

    research paper. You will argue your position on an issue and develop your credibility, use emotion,

    logic and evidence by referencing information you find via library research. You are trying to

    convince your audience that your position is valid. You are taking your audience through a journey from what

    is (the world as it is) to what could be (the world after your big idea is put into action). Your essay, which

    could ask us to take some kind of action in the conclusion, will be supported by outside evidence. That’s

    what makes it an documented essay. Your topic for this essay must be approved. Submitting a final essay

    based on an unapproved topic will mean an F on this essay.

    Guidelines

  • Be sure to give readers any background information they may need to fully understand the issue and

    • your arguments.

  • In your introduction, to establish where your claim fits into a larger context or conversation, give a

    • background or history of the topic and discuss your purpose for arguing. Then state your claim.

  • You must present a clear and specific thesis (Your claim/what you want to prove and why it

    • matters/why it is important). You’ll have to decide on the best way/place to present your thesis too.

  • You must develop a convincing argument to prove your thesis. This should include a clear explanation,

    • claims that you back up with solid evidence (facts and opinions from qualified, reputable sources).

    You must also include a section devoted to discussing the opposing arguments.

  • For this paper you’ll need a minimum of three sources but no more than five. Only ONE of your

    • sources may come from the public Internet. If you use an Internet source in your essay, it must be a

    credible one. Your other three sources may come from electronic databases, print newspapers, news or

    science magazines, and books. Don’t use outside sources in excess.

  • General encyclopedias (Wikipedia, for instance) do not count as scholarly resources.
  • You must cite your sources every time you use them, whether via direct quotations, paraphrases, or

    • summaries. You must also include a Works Cited page that clearly follows the standards of MLA

    format. If you do not cite sources properly and/or do not include works cited page, you will earn a zero

    on this essay and will have to retake the course.

  • Think about the tone you use because it will help you gain the reader’s confidence. You want to sound

    • fair, informed, and credible. Find common ground between you and your audience whenever possible.

    Remember, your readers will “turn off” if you insult them.

  • While you are stating your opinion, you are not stating your opinion as fact. Avoid biased, emotional

    • language.

  • Be sure that you define unfamiliar or vague terms.
  • Any intentional or accidental instances of plagiarism will lead to a zero on the paper, an F in

    • the course, and further disciplinary action.