Using the guidelines set forth in PCI Chapter 5, and following the structure of the outline you created for PN 3, write a 500-600-word Argumentative Essay that incorporates synthesis of at least two sources for support. Ideally (to make less work for you), the articles should be the ones you used in PN4, but it’s okay if you need to switch to new ones, as long as the articles are from PCI.
Please note that the primary purpose of this essay is not to review these sources, but instead to create your own argumentative stance on the topic, which means you should assert your own argument about the topic you’ve been exploring. The articles from PCI should be used to support your argument or to show the opposing points you will refute.
You should take care to avoid logical fallacies and inconsistencies, as pointed out in PCI Chapter 5, and you should take care to include the components of a well-developed argument, also as pointed out in Chapter 5.
You should include at least one long (block) quote and one short quote, and a works cited page, all of them properly formatted.
Double-space the paper, and use the proper MLA heading, pagination, and formatting. Example of a properly-formatted paper: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_general_format.html
Word Count: Please do not go more than 50 words over or under the word count for any paper.
Grammar: All essays should make use of correct grammar and punctuation.
A note on the thesis and content: All essays should contain a clear, debatable thesis. All quotes and information should be in the paper to support or introduce the thesis. Be careful not to confuse a thesis statement with a forecasting statement. A thesis sentence encapsulates the main idea of the essay, whereas a forecasting statement indicates the structure your paper will follow and what it will discuss. A thesis is required; a forecasting statement is not required, though a forecasting statement can enhance the paper. As well, the thesis and forecast can be combined into one statement. Although your book states that a thesis statement may ask a question, for the purposes of this class, in which your writing is driven by analysis and/or argument, your thesis should be an assertion, not a question. You should bold your thesis statement in your paper. Failure to do so will result in the deduction of a letter grade.
As, well, your essay should include topic sentences. That is to say that each body paragraph (not the introduction and conclusion) should include a sentence that conveys the main idea of the paragraph and supports the thesis. These topic sentences should also be bolded in order to avoid the deduction of a letter grade.
Essays should have original titles. Do not use the tile of a work you read as the title of your paper or title your paper something generic, such as “Argument Essay 1.” Do not underline, bold, use quotations around, or in any other way embellish your title visually. The fact that it is centered at the top of the essay indicates that it is the title.
Word count does not include headers, works cited page, or other material that is not part of the main text of the essay.
A note on organization: Papers should contain multiple paragraphs, and I should be able to look at each paragraph in your paper and clearly see how it supports the thesis.
A note on style: All papers should be written in an engaging style that promotes human interest. It is okay and encouraged to use the first person pronouns in my class, though, as a rule, this is something you should check with each professor. As well, though you must have a certain number of academic sources, you are also permitted to supplement with additional sources, such as quotes from songs, friends, family members, movies, novels, poems, etc.
Important: Do not use any Webster’s Dictionary Definitions, define terms or provide information your audience already knows. These tactics are filler and waste space that could be used to advance argument.
Note: Scroll down the page at this link to “A Work in an Anthology, Reference, or Collection” to see how to do works cited entries for essays from your textbook: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_works_cited_page_books.html
The post Using the guidelines set forth in PCI Chapter 5, and following the structure of appeared first on School Core.