Assignment: This paper explores your understanding of basic construction of argument and the use of claims, supporting evidence and reasoning to establish a position. While I don’t expect this paper to thoroughly explore an issue, I will be looking for an understanding and capability of looking at two (or more) sides of an issue with credible supporting evidence. This should be based on a knowledge of discussions of evidence and general argumentation introduced during the first unit of the course.
You can choose any sort of topic which may be considered “controversial.” This can include a localized topic, a national issue, or a general issue of interest. The purpose of the paper is to examine your construction of a basic (traditional) argument and your ability to apply some reasoning and valid evidence.
Considerations: Your job is to examine at least two sides of an issue and construct a summarized argument with three claims for each side – and to support it with at least three pieces of credible evidence (at least one per claim) on each side. Evidence must be cited and attributed within the paper (don’t just use foot or endnotes) and full citations should be included at the end of the paper. You do NOT have to create a comprehensive argument covering every claim involving an issue – limit your construction to a single argument on each side.
In addition, when you list citations at the end of the paper, write comprehensive explanatory statements under each source explaining why you chose that source to assign credibility in supporting your claim. Proper vetting would include attempting to find original and/or corroborating sources, some background on the author or experts being used (whether a primary or secondary source), any possible bias which might be construed from a governing board (consider that with .org) and if that bias has any direct effect on the information you are using from the source. (Remember that the presence of bias does not necessarily negate all information, but an awareness of any bias is essential in analyzing a source.
Essentially, this can be a difficult task. Those of you who select topics which you have a passionate opinion about may face challenges in making effective arguments on the opposing side. If you select a topic which is too simple (for example one class years ago chose an in-person debate on if The Forum was better than The Change of Pace (two local bars in Macomb) but then really struggled to find enough categories and sources to make more than two or three claims, so don’t select a topic that appears too limited.
Usually with this assignment, I’ve emphasized constructing a policy paper, as it is often easier to logically select and locate evidence. However, arguments often center around questions of fact (did a meteor destroy the dinosaurs?) or questions of value (Guardians of the Galaxy I is a better movie than Guardians of the Galaxy II). In a question of fact, you need to explore the competing possibilities of an occurance; in a question of value, you’d have to decide which standards should be applied to claim something is “better” than something else and then argue against those standards or apply different standards in the latter half of the paper. I’ll give you the freedom to explore a topic you have an interest in – but email me if you have any concerns or questions.
A general simple OUTLINE of the paper would look like this (please note that an outline is just an organizational tool, NOT the actual construction of the essay required by the assignment):
I. Argument #1 – The drinking age should be lowered to the age of 18.
Claim A. “if you can fight for your country, you should be able to have a beer. Use supporting evidence from national association.
Claim B. 18 year olds already drink – supporting evidence from data study.
Claim C. Other nations have lower drinking ages without significant issues – supporting evidence from studies of habits/laws in other countries.
II. Argument #2 – The drinking age should not be lowered to 18.
Claim A. Drinking age inhibits physical fitness – evidence of studies about effects of alcohol abuse on 18-21 year olds.
Claim B. Allowing underage people to drink encourages abuse – evidence from study indicating numbers of drinkers goes up when legal.
Claim C. The culture of other nations is constructed differently than ours – cite evidence explaining how differences affect privileges.
Endnotes or Bibliography – these do not have to follow any set citation style – use what you are comfortable with from your own majors. However, they must include enough information that I can access the source used for my own analysis.
Remember to include attribution within the summary of evidence you present within the text, and the source credibility statements in your endnotes (bibliography) as an indication that you have thoroughly vetted the source. This involves at least a sentence or two about the author of a study, and/or the reputation of a group or subject quoted, and/or an association after EACH source on the SOURCES CITED page and/or the validity of the study itself. If you are using a long article, you aren’t required to vet each part of the article, only the portion which you use to support the claim/argument – and any connecting parts that are relevant to the whole of the use of that evidence.
The task here is to construct the claims/counter-claims on an issue with equal strength and balance rather than advocate one side, so you don’t need to argue for only one point of view on a topic – you are summarizing as if you are arguing for each claim on each side.
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