Essay: Argumentative
Essay Assignment. Length ; 1000 to 1200 words
Instructions
1.
Choose one topic
from the list by Supreme Savings Plugin”>below and write an essay
of approximately 1000 to 1200 words (about four double-spaced typed pages).
Expect that if your essay goes over the length requirement, your essay could be
returned to you for revision.
2.
by Supreme Savings Plugin”>Begin your research. You
might start with a general Google search and then a Google Scholar search, but
you will also need to visit the AU library databases to find sound academic articles.
3.
Find two to four
reputable secondary sources and review them carefully. At least one source
should be from a peer-reviewed journal article accessed through the AU library
databases.
4.
Develop a straightforward
thesis that is sufficiently limited in scope (meaning something you can do
justice to in a short essay).
5.
Create an outline and
consider speaking with your tutor to review your thesis and outline. We
strongly encourage you to do so.
6.
Write your first draft
and include all of the following:
a.
An introduction that
includes an interesting lead-in and an explanation/summary of what the issue
is. (As necessary, convince your audience that the problem or issue exists and
that it matters to others—or should.) Then, still in the introduction, briefly
summarize EACH side of the issue, and finally, add a thesis/essay map
that takes a stance and clarifies the purpose of your
discussion, without any kind of announcement. You practiced
this skill in your second session of the discussion forum, so review your previous
work and any suggestions your tutor might have made.
b.
Body paragraphs that
develop your viewpoint. The more thorough and detailed this section, the
better. Don’t leave any stone unturned. Use specific, logical examples and
integrated paraphrases, summaries, and quotations from your research.
c.
Opposing
arguments/rebuttal.
d.
A conclusion that
does not repeat your thesis. Instead, write a suggestive
conclusion in which you offer implications for the reader’s further
consideration. Remember that this is your final opportunity to impress your
reader.
7.
Make use of at least two
(and no more than four) secondary sources within your essay by adding
quotations and paraphrases. Then, every time you paraphrase or quote, follow
the four steps listed inassignment section of
Unit 4.
8.
Create a Works Cited or
References page, and as we have reminded you previously, do not guess, and do
not use a software by Supreme Savings Plugin”>program. Just pay careful
attention to detail, and ask your tutor for help as required.
9.
Revise and edit your
draft. You should have produced and edited at least one preliminary draft
before you hand in the final copy.
10. Consider using the Write Site’s coaching services. Tutors are
not expected or encouraged to review your drafts, but reviewing drafts is one
of the mandates of theWrite Site.
11. Study the assignment checklist and by Supreme Savings Plugin”>answer the questions
honestly.
12. When you’re ready, upload your assignment through the assignment
drop box.
Essay Topics (Choose One)
1.
Has hockey in Canada been
improved or ruined?
2.
Are existing policies in
Alberta regarding pet ownership fair and reasonable? Choose one policy on which
to focus your argument.
3.
In retrospect, should
Wiebo Ludwig be considered a hero or a criminal?
4.
Do the economic benefits
of the Alberta tar sands outweigh the environmental costs?
5.
Should teachers be
allowed to give students failing grades, or should schools’ no-fail policies be
upheld?
6.
Should Canadian judges be
elected or appointed?
7.
Facebook’s by Supreme Savings Plugin”>initial public offeringwas made at $28/share. In early trading, it traded as high as
$41 and fell as low as $26. Was the IPO a failure?
8.
Should Canadian
health-care workers (such as nurses) be able to refuse to work with certain
patients on the basis of “conscience rights”?
9.
Should Canada’s health
care system move towards greater privatization?
10.In Canada, should a member of a religious group have the right
to refuse a blood transfusion on behalf of his or her child?
11.Should the Canadian government fund safe injection sites for
people with drug addiction?
12.A Canadian prime minister’s annual salary is set by legislation
at $315,462. In contrast, the president and CEO of RBC received over $10
million last year. Is the Canadian prime minister adequately paid?
13.Was the Occupy movement an effective means of protest?
14.The Government of Alberta is currently suing cigarette makers to
recoup public health costs related to problems associated with smoking. Should
cigarette companies be required to compensate provincial governments for health
care costs associated with treating smokers’ diseases?
15.During the Iraq War, only “embedded” journalists were permitted
to cover news from the war zone. Does being embedded compromise a journalist’s
objectivity, credibility, and integrity?
16.Is the dominance of Internet news over print news leading to the
death of journalism or the revival of journalism?
17.Should Aboriginal communities move toward more or less
self-government?
18.Is the restorative justice approach more or less effective than
Canada’s conventional approach to justice?
19.Should grade schools accept funding from private or corporate
sources?
20.Should Canada, like the U.S., ban the slaughter of horses?
21.A Canadian citizen should be able to carry a licensed, concealed
handgun if he or she wishes. Discuss.
22.Do Western nations have an obligation to intervene in other
nations’ genocidal wars (Rwanda, for example)?
23.Should banks be allowed to engage in proprietary trading (i.e.
trading for their own gain or loss, and not simply as a middleman)?
24.Should the Government of Alberta offer tax credits or other
incentives for “health-promoting” behaviours?
25.Read “Behind the Formaldehyde
Curtain,” by Jessica Mitford.
Defend or oppose the procedures of embalming and restorative work on the
deceased in order to present the corpse for viewing.
26.Should every able-bodied citizen be required to serve for a
certain period of time in some branch of the military service?
27.Should the government subsidize our Olympic teams?
28.Should donors or their families be compensated for organ
donations?
29.Recent elections have been characterized by small turnouts of
eligible voters. Some democracies—Australia, for example—require their citizens
to vote. Should such a policy be adopted in Canada?
30.Is torture ever acceptable?
31.Are nurse practitioners a benefit or a potential liability?
32.Considering two markedly different approaches to training a dog
(or a horse), argue that one is superior to the other.
Checklist for
Argumentative Essay
After you have completed your analysis, use the checklist below
to evaluate how well you have done.
·
Did you use MLA or APA
guidelines to format your essay? Did you check your formatting against examples
in the textbook or on the Purdue Online Writing Lab site?
·
Is your thesis the last
sentence of the first paragraph, or do you have a good reason it is not?
·
Is your thesis
sufficiently narrow for an essay of this length?
·
Did you consider
including an essay map/preview statement with your thesis sentence? (Speak to
your tutor or see Lesson 1, item #2 for further information.)
·
Have you used third
person point of view throughout? If not, do you have a good reason you didn’t?
·
Does each paragraph have
a topic sentence with at leasttwo supporting points and a conclusion?
·
Did you use a
transitional word, phrase or sentence at the beginning of each body paragraph?
Did you use transitional words and phrases as necessary to connect sentences
within your paragraphs?
·
Did you follow the
assignment parameters by integrating at least two reputable sources in your
essay?
·
Did you introduceyour sources properly? Did you presentyour sources according to MLA of APA formatting requirements?
Did you credityour sources parenthetically? Did you discussthe quote or paraphrase? If you don’t understand the questions,
please contact your tutor for help.
·
Did you check each use of
research to determine whether you integrated it?
·
Did you make sure that no
paragraph (excepting the conclusion) ends with a quotation?
·
Does your in-text
citation properly match the corresponding Works Cited or References entry?
Check this verycarefully—remember that the first word of the citation has to
match the first word of the corresponding entry.
·
Did you make sure to do
your in-text and Works Cited or References entries correctly? Did you check
each citation word for word and punctuation for punctuationagainst an example from the textbook, the Purdue Online Writing,
or another reputable up-to-date source?
·
Did you create a
suggestive, emphatic conclusion rather than one in which you unnecessarily
repeat the main supporting points?
·
Did you pay attention to
logos, ethos, and pathos when developing your argument?
·
Did you revise very
carefully for grammar and mechanics?
