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ENG 0100 Scott Thomas Gibson, PhD 1er Semestre, 2015-2016 ESSAY #3: ARGUMENT
One of the most important skills you will need in life is arguing ethically and effectively. While many people believe that argument is about winning or losing, right or wrong, effective arguments often produce more nuanced results. Sometimes our audiences simply learn about a perspective they have never considered; other times they may feel called to action and participate in an important social or political movement. Whatever the case, argumentation demands an awareness of the rhetorical situation, our own authority and credibility to speak or write on the subject, and the kind of audience we are engaging.

In this essay, your job is to research a current issue in reputable English-language publications and then formulate and sustain an argument on this issue. Your argument should demonstrate effective use of the strategies from Chapter 14 of the textbook, the Classical Argument structure, and accurate citations of summarized, paraphrased, or quoted material from your sources. The basic requirements are:

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: Your essay will use the Classical Argument structure in class. Each of the six sections should be clearly identifiable and contribute effectively to the essay. I expect that each section will be at least one paragraph, but you may need more paragraphs to fully develop your ideas. You will also need to effectively incorporate a minimum of four credible sources according to the following outline and cite them properly in MLA style. (You may use more sources, but make sure you cite them!)

1. Exordium: an introduction that emphasizes the importance of your topic and announces your thesis (main point and purpose) that you will develop in the essay. The challenge of this section is framing your argument: is it “judicial,” determining some truth about the past? Is it “epideictic,” evaluating some aspect of a present condition/situation, or is it “deliberative,” asking your readers to consider a plan or policy for the future?

2. Narratio: the “backstory” of the topic, including an overview of the existing viewpoints on it. This section uses the “acknowledging other viewpoints” strategy from Chapter 14 in the textbook. Here you also deploy the skills of summary and paraphrase that we have practiced during the Argument unit. * SOURCES: You must cite existing viewpoints by authors from a minimum of two credible sources in this section. (Sources #1 and 2).

3. Partitio: in this section you elaborate on your thesis, explaining briefly how your view differs from the existing views. In other words, this paragraph explains what is new or unique about your perspective that has not been considered before. The purpose here is just to let readers know how your ideas are new – that you are not simply repeating others’ views.

4. Confirmatio: this section is your positive proof, providing supporting reasons and evidence for your position. You may draw on facts, statistics, testimony, or any other credible evidence that you believe your audience will find persuasive. * SOURCES: you must cite supporting evidence from a minimum of two sources; only one of them may be reused from the narratio; the other must be new. (Source #3)

5. Refutatio: this section is where you address other viewpoints, using a combination of strategies from the textbook (recognizing the merits of other views [aka “concession], rebutting other ideas, etc. * SOURCES: you must cite opposing perspectives from a minimum of two sources; only one of them may be reused from the narratio; the other must be new (Source #4).

6. Peroratio: Your conclusion, in which you return to the main purpose of your essay and remind readers what you want them to think, feel, or do. A final appeal to readers’ emotions may get them to sympathize with your perspective; a call to action may compel the audience to do something to support your cause. Whatever you should, it should be commensurate with the original purpose stated in the exordium.

CITING SOURCES: Each source must be cited in accurate MLA style. This includes two parts: 1. A parenthetical reference that identifies the author’s last name and, if the source is in print (as opposed to an internet source), the page number. E.g. (Gibson 15). Typically, the period goes after the citation, not before it. * NOTE: It must be clear where each source begins and ends. Introducing quotations or paraphrases indicates the start of the borrowed material; the citation marks the end:
According to President Obama, ISIS is not yet a direct threat to Americans (Obama 19). However, I think that this position understates the danger that ISIS imposes.

2. A Works Cited page at the end of the essay that lists all of your source in alphabetical order. DO NOT number sources. Use the MLA guide in your textbook for example citations.

EVALUATION: As always, your essay will be graded according to the four basic criteria (Unity, Coherence, Support, and Sentence Skills), with special attention to the following issues relevant to argumentative writing and to improve on the previous assignments:

UNITY: the essay should have a thesis statement indicates your main point and purpose for your argument. Most importantly, your argument should express a unique and original perspective on the subject that has not been expressed in your sources. In other words, do not just agree/disagree with your sources, but express and sustain an idea of your own.

COHERENCE: the essay should be well-organized using the six parts of the Classical Argument structure. Transitions and topic sentences will be extremely important in this essay. Transitions should indicate how your views differ from your sources (for example, “Whereas X believes … , I am claiming that …” and topic sentences at the beginning of paragraphs need to make strong connections across each section.

SUPPORT: Your reasons, evidence, and ability to respond to opposing perspectives will all be considered. Sources (a minimum of four) must be credible and reliable. Any facts or statistics should be derived from reputable, well-known, and generally unbiased sources, not personal opinion websites or biased sources that may misrepresent facts to suit their own agenda.

SENTENCE SKILLS: I will be more particular about grammatical issues in this final essay, especially those you have practice in class and in homework. I will also evaluate your ability to incorporate paraphrases and quotations from your sources into your sentences in way that gives clear credit to the author in line with the Honor Code.

Note on Plagiarism/Honor Code: this is the first and only essay you have written that requires you to use outside sources. ALL sources that inform your essay must be cited, and your citations must clearly separate your own thoughts and ideas from those expressed in your sources. Failure to do so, whether intentional or unintentional, is plagiarism, and will result in a penalty ranging from a reduced grade to failing the project.