Free to change the topic
Synthesize interpretations of disparate sources into a cohesive argumentative essay for a specific audience and purpose.
For this assignment, you will select a topic about which you hold a strong opinion. You will perform research on the topic, develop arguments to support your position on the topic, and then write a well-supported argumentative essay in which you argue your position.
1. Select one of the following topics:
A political issue currently being debated
The influence of technology on students’ writing skills
Allowing children to have computers, televisions, and other devices in their bedrooms
The role of parents in financing their children’s college education
Requiring young people to perform community service
2. Research the topic and take notes on your findings. As you learn more information about the topic, narrow your focus and think about what position you would like to argue on this topic. The position will form the thesis statement of your argumentative essay. During this phase of the assignment, also decide on an audience for your essay.
3. Formulate your thesis statement and choose supporting reasons for your position. Next, decide on the best order to arrange those reasons in an essay.
4. Finally, write a three-page essay. As you compose your essay, flesh out your supporting reasons by considering the three means of persuasive appeal: pathos, logos, and ethos. Which type(s) of appeal would be most appropriate to make this particular argument to this audience? For example, say you want to argue to parents that technology can improve their children’s writing skills. It might be best to use facts and statistics (logos) to prove this point to skeptical parents. Or, say you want to make an impassioned argument to local citizens about the importance of volunteering at a local shelter. Pathos might be appropriate in that case.
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