Argument

People argue all the time—over what movie to see, what to have for dinner, who to vote for. People generally have strong opinions, and many don’t hesitate to express them. Your friend doesn’t want to see the same movie you do because he doesn’t like gory horror. Your partner wants to eat at a restaurant that serves healthy food. Your coworker won’t vote for any candidate who doesn’t support universal healthcare.

Your argument essay is an amplified version of those types of arguments you have with family, friends, and coworkers each day. The difference is that you’ll be conducting research and using the information you find to explain a problem and then provide a solution.

The argument essay is 1,600–1,800 words and must incorporate a minimum of 4 secondary sources.

There is no graded prewriting assignment for your argument essay. However, your Journal Part 3 entries are designed to help you write your argument. If you would like feedback on your topic, reasons, or research, you may submit Journal Part 3beforeyou submit your argument.

Assignment Objectives

• Use prewriting, drafting, revising, and editing to write formal, college-level essays


• Distinguish between different patterns of development


• Apply an appropriate pattern of development to a specific purpose and audience


• Write effective thesis statements


• Develop paragraphs using topic sentences, adequate detail, supporting evidence, and transitions


• Employ responsible research methods to locate appropriate secondary sources


• Quote, paraphrase, and summarize secondary source material correctly and appropriately


• Use APA (American Psychological Association) citation and documentation style to reference secondary source material correctly and appropriately


• Apply the conventions of standard written American English to produce correct, well-written essays

Topic

Choose one of the following topics. Each topic focuses on a current problem that many students face.

• The high cost of collegeorstudent loan debt


• The lack of proper nutrition


• Low minimum wage

You may narrow the focus of your topic as you see fit.

Purpose and Audience

The purpose of your essay is to identify, define, and analyze the problem, and then provide a solution to address it. You will use the third-person point of view.

Your audience is made up of your fellow Penn Foster classmates. Many will agree with you, while others will disagree. You need to present evidence to support your analysis and solution, and convince your audience through the strength of your argument and the feasibility of your solution, to side with you.

Research Requirement

You are required to use a minimum of four secondary sources in your essay. Use the Research Writing and Citation and Documentation webinar, Journal Entry 16, and the Argument Essay Research Worksheet to help start your research and organize your essay.

The required secondary sources are

• 
  At least twoarticles from Penn Foster’s digital library database, Expanded Academic ASAP


• 
  At least onenon-profit or government organization (online or print). Look for website domains .org, .edu, and .gov.


• 
  One sourcethat you choose.

Remember that all sources, no matter where they come from, should be evaluated for accuracy and validity. You may use more than four sources, but you should avoid using more than six. Borrowing too much from too many sources will overwhelm your voice in your essay and negatively affect your grade. It could also lead to plagiarism.

Process

1. Once you’ve chosen your topic, use the Guided Writing Assignment in Chapter 20 in your textbook to help you begin prewriting. As you begin your research, review your reading from Chapter 22, “Finding Sources, Taking Notes, and Synthesizing Ideas,” to find and evaluate secondary sources. Required Journal Entry 16 will also help you to narrow your topic, write a working thesis, identify your reasons, and start your research.


2. Use the Organizing & Drafting section of the Guided Writing Assignment of Chapter 20 to develop your thesis statement, choose a method of organization, create an outline or graphic organizer, and begin drafting your essay.

Review Chapter 23 in your text, “Drafting, Revising, and Formatting a Research Project,” as you draft your essay to ensure that you are incorporating your sources accurately and responsibly. Remember to include the sources you use in your essay on your list of references.

You will be using APA citation and documentation style to give credit to your sources. See the APA style section in Chapter 23 of your textbook.

3. Use the Revising flowchart in Chapter 20 to revise your draft. As part of this stage, review the purpose and requirements for this assignment to ensure that you’ve fulfilled them.


4. Follow the steps for editing and proofreading included in Chapter 20 to correct and polish your essay before you submit.

To help you write your research paper, review the sample argument essay, “Pull the Plug on Explicit Lyrics” by James Sturm located in Chapter 20 of your textbook. The essay is annotated to help you see how the student crafted his argument and incorporated his sources. The sample APA-style essay “Schizophrenia: Definition and Treatment” in Chapter 23 in your text illustrates in-text (parenthetical) citation and a list of references.