Argumentative PaperFor the following paper, you will be asked to write an argument. When you make an argument, you are trying to persuade the audience that your position is correct. You are arguing that your perspective, an interpretation, an evaluative judgment, or a critical evaluation, is a valid one.
Like any formal paper you must have a specific, detailed thesis statement that reveals your perspective, and, like any good argument, your perspective must be one which is debatable.
Examples
You would not want to make an argument of this sort:
Tommy Boy is about a man who inherits a company and goofs off.
That doesn’t say anything. It’s basically just a summary and is hardly debatable.
A better thesis would be this:
The Character Tommy Boy, played by Chris Farley, starts as an immature, juvenile character who grows through internal conflict, becoming a savior.
That is debatable, controversial even. The rest of a paper with this argument as its thesis will be an attempt to show, using specific examples from the movie and evidence from sources, (1) how Tommy’s character grows, (2) why he must grow, and (3) what implications there are for viewing the movie in this manner.
This paper must also examine a counter argument and thoroughly refute that counterargument. Conceding the point and demonstrating how your interpretation or position is still stronger is also acceptable.
For this paper you will be allowed to write on any controversial topic that interest you. Just make sure that one of your sources was published within the last year.
Requirements
– The essay should be argumentative in nature
– It should include a minimum of two sources.
– Students must demonstrate proficiency in using MLA in-text citations and integrating source materials in the form of summary, paraphrase and/or direct quotes, in creating a Works Cited page for sources used, and in searching pertinent databases (if applicable)
-At least one quotation
-At least one paraphrase or summary
-3-4 pg. double spaced Times New Roman
-Third person formal
