Documented Argument Assignment
In the Documented Argument, you are expected to make an argument—through research and writing. It is important to remember that your argument must be supported by research, thus the name “Documented Argument.” This means that you must persuade readers to consider your point of view by using effective rhetorical appeals, considering opposing viewpoints and counter-arguments, and use credible and relevant sources that support your claims.
Purpose
This academic writing assignment has many purposes, and it is your opportunity to demonstrate all that you have learned this semester. By writing your Documented Argument, you should be able to: (1) demonstrate your ability to gather and select relevant, credible information through research; (2) explain clearly and accurately to your audience a controversial or debatable issue; (3) ethically and fairly summarize opposing viewpoints; (4) demonstrate critical thinking by questioning, analyzing, and synthesizing information; (5) identify and evaluate other writers’ claims and their use of logic and evidence to make an argument; and (6) communicate a message for a specific, targeted audience while supporting your main claim with good reasons and sound evidence.
Audience
For this assignment, you should research a specific audience that might be interested in your argument. Additionally, your classmates and instructor comprise the audience for this essay. Not only do you have the task of educating your audience about the selected topic/controversial issue, you also need to persuade them to consider or agree with your point of view. To accomplish these rhetorical tasks, assume that your audience depends on you to adequately inform and persuade them.
The audience is relying on your quality research and effective rhetorical presentation of the topic to see the issue from multiple perspectives. While your audience may or may not agree with your position, they should at least be persuaded to consider or share your perspective after reading your Documented Argument.
But what is a Documented Argument?
Documented Arguments do the following things:
Target a specific audience
Provide some background information on your topic
Discuss the different perspectives on the issue
Include your analysis of sources and different perspectives
Anticipate objections to your own arguments
Counter opposing arguments
Argue your own position in relation to what others are saying
End with a strong conclusion
Realistically, your Documented Argument will not fit neatly into one argument type. You will likely use characteristics of several kinds of arguments.
Clearly, you can see that this assignment asks a lot of you. But that’s okay because you can handle it. We will work on this assignment for the rest of the semester. You will need to do careful planning and research to construct a well-written and supported Documented Argument, so let’s get started!
Final Product Guidelines
DA final essay: 4-6 pages + Works Cited/Reference Page
Sources: At least 6 sources appropriate for an academic paper
Citation Style: MLA
Format: Times New Roman or Calibri font, 11-12 pt, double-spaced, one-inch margins on all sides of paper, saved with proper file name (YourName_DA_Final) and in proper format (.doc or .docx). Each document includes a header in the upper left-hand side of page (your name, date, class, and name of assignment)
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