Argumentative Assignment | Online Assignment

Before I include the instructions from the professor, I want to give some information first. For this assignment, it will be up to the writer to write an argument paper or a persuasive paper. I do not mind either.

A possible topic that I have chosen is – Animals Should Not be Killed for Their Fur – or something similar.
If the writer wants to choose another controversial topic that will make finding adequate sources easier, then that is okay too. However, take into consideration that certain mediocre topics should not be used as listed in the professor’s instructions below.

Please read the instructions of the professor as they are imperative to my grade! Credible sources must be used.

Also, 1250 words is the minimum and 1375 being the maximum.

Professor’s Instructions –
You may write either a Persuasive or General Argument paper.
So choose ONE.
______________________________________________________
PURPOSE: To introduce persuasive writing and debate employing independent research as well as all three persuasive appeals (logos, ethos and pathos). Rhetoric–the art of argument–is characteristic of academic discourse and useful in the professional world. Real world application (more): the ability to persuade others, in writing or speech, to adopt your views is crucial in the professional workplace (for instance, you may have to persuade your boss not to fire you if your company is rightsizing).

DIRECTIONS: Select a controversial issue and defend a position on the spectrum of debate surrounding the topic in a 1,250 word essay incorporating independent research as support.

OR

PURPOSE: To introduce the most common type of academic writing, the research argument essay (i.e. this is still not a report, a mere gathering of facts, but a thesis driven paper). This type of paper requires writers to bring in a deep body of evidence to support their argument (thesis). The ability to conduct research and find credible support is a useful skill personally and professionally as is the ability to effectively argue one’s point using logic and evidence. Additionally, while researching, a writer furthers their own knowledge concerning their topic.

DIRECTIONS: Select any topic you wish (as long as it is not one already listed as verboten or the one you wrote about on your previous paper), and write an argument or persuasion essay (i.e. with either choice, you need to construct a thesis with a clear argument–this is not a report) of 1,250 words incorporating outside research properly cited.

[These directions are the same for whichever essay you decide to write: length, number and types of sources, etcetera—none of that changes.]

YES!
-1,250 WORDS

-AVOID SAME TOPICS AS IN PREVIOUS ESSAY (SEE LIST UNDER NO-NOS)

-3RD PERSON P.O.V.

-RESEARCH/SUPPORT: MLA
>MLA CITATIONS: 1) IN-TEXT AND 2) WORKS CITED–WHEN USING WEBSITE, INCLUDE URL (WEB ADDRESS) AT END OF ENTRY
>BLOCK QUOTE: YOU MAY USE ONE, NO LONGER THAN SIX LINES ONCE BLOCKED

-SOURCES: 4 MINIMUM (DROP ONE GRADE)–ALL MUST BE CREDIBLE (I.E. FROM PYRAMID OF CREDIBILITY SO NO .COM, .NET, .ORG OR GENERAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OR DICTIONARY ENTRIES)
>1 SCHOLARLY JOURNAL ARTICLES
>1 BOOK BY AN EXPERT FROM THE E-BOOK COLLECTION AT OUR LIBRARY OR ANOTHER SCHOLARLY JOURNAL ARTICLE (FOR A TOTAL OF TWO OF THOSE).
>INCLUDE COPIES OF SOURCES W/ QUOTES & PARAPHRASES HIGHLIGHTED:JUST PAGES YOU USED

NO-NOs
-MLA CITATIONS: MISSING OR MISMATCHED IN-TEXT AND WORKS CITED CITATIONS; IN-TEXT OR WORKS CITED CITATIONS THAT COMPLETELY MISS THE MARK (I.E. DEMONSTRATING LITTLE FAMILIARITY WITH THE MLA).

-SOURCES THAT FALL OUTSIDE THE PYRAMID OF CREDIBILITY(E.G. .COM, .NET, .ORG, GENERAL ENCYCLOPEDIAS & DICTIONARIES)
-1ST PERSON

-TOPICS NOT ALLOWED (VERBOTEN): PRO-LIFE/PRO-CHOICE (ABORTION), GUN CONTROL, CAPITAL PUNISHMENT (DEATH PENALTY), LOWERING THE DRINKING AGE, LEGALIZING MARIJUANA AND ANY CONSPIRACY THEORIES

-CONTRACTIONS