Van Noy

English 103

Paper #4

December 2010

Paper #4 should be located somewhere on a continuum between informal persuasion—the kind of thing you find in editorials, advertisements, and letters to the editor—and a formal argument, the kind of thing you’ll be required to write future college classes. Informal persuasion settles for making a couple of best points—perhaps giving reasons and some personal experience all wrapped up together, rather than the careful, elaborate “proof” required in formal arguments. This kind of writing may not intend to change someone’s thinking, but it will certainly plant a seed. You may also write an argument paper that proposes a solution. Either way, Chapters 6 and 7 in your book are the ones to work with.

Choose an issue that’s not completely clear or decided in your mind: an issue you still have some questions about. For example, there should be too voices in your head: “Colleges place too much emphasis on sports.” “Yeah, but without athletics some kids wouldn’t get an education.” We use argument in academic writing to get closer to the truth.

One approach here is to think back to when you first became aware of how you felt about an issue you want to write on. Describe the experience that led you to your stance as in a personal narrative (Paper #1). Explain thoroughly the issue (Paper #2) and evaluate the arguments for and against (Paper #3).

Topics?

Fix something around school

Do away with the prom

We should abolish grades

Should schools report to parents about poor behavior or abuses in the alcohol policy?

Miss America pageants are demeaning to women
We should not drill for Oil in the Arctic
College athletes should get paid
Community service should be required for graduation

Violent video games should be banned

Ok. So we’ve run out of ideas fast (check the “Writer at Work” sections of chapters 6 and 7 for more). But remember: the legalization of drugs, abortion, gun control, are all banned. Choose a topic closer to home, and closer to you heart.

While you need not follow this model rigidly, here's a useful pattern:

1. Introduction: arouse reader’s interest, encourages them to read on.

2. Thesis: give the argument in brief

3. Argument: present a sequence of evidence and analysis

4. Conclusion: develop the larger implications of your argument

Draft the argument first, then form the thesis, add a conclusion, and finally an introduction. The best way to think about papers is through verbs: they probe, explore, analyze, problematize. Your title should present the thesis in brief. Use APA or MLA ( depending on future major) notation and format. In citing evidence, be sure to discuss, explain and interpret it: don't rely on large block quotes or assume your audience knows their significance.

For each paragraph, read the first and last sentences: do they present a continuing line of thought? The first is the topic sentence, the last is the transition. If not, then ask: what am I arguing here? how do I know? so what? And revise to satisfy those questions. Be sure that the introduction and conclusion tie together, as a problem posed and resolved, or as a theme announced and completed.

Read the samples. Try things. Develop a form that seems to evolve from what you have to say, rather than one prescribed to you (have you ever seen a letter to the editor in a five-paragraph format?).

Use your whole rhetorical arsenal.

Grading Criteria

1. The significance of the issue—are you taking on an important topic?

2. A focused thesis and argument

3. The quality of your sources—up to date, “legit” sources.

4. Depth of research/thought—do you look at the topic from all angles, show that you care about it?

5. Correctness of documentation, sentences.

6. Process/revision.

5 pages with at least 5 sources.