Persuasive Argument/ Research
…reason always cuts a poor figure beside sentiment; the one being essentially restricted, like everything that is positive, the other being infinite. —Honore de Balzac
For your second essay, you will compose a research-driven, formal/academic argument. You will continue to work on mastering unified and coherent essay structure, refine your ability to utilize sources properly and effectively, and you will learn and practice a very important argumentative technique — counter-argument — as you create a compelling, academic-level persuasive argument.
Assignment: Write a thoroughly researched, persuasive argument about whether or not we should extend the amount of time we require our students to spend in school every year. To persuade means to prevail upon someone to do something (or not do something), by advising and urging; therefore, you may focus your persuasive argument either positively (your claim argues for a specific course of action) or negatively (your claim argues against a proposed course of action).[unique_solution]
Audience: The target audience of an argument is always people who either disagree with you or who have not yet made up their minds, and persuasive argumentation is the most directly confrontational by nature; you will be facing a resistant and even antagonistic reader. We will discuss how this affects the Reader-Writer Relationship as well as different strategies, such as counter-argument, for overcoming this resistance.
Primary Objectives: As always, I will hold every aspect of your essay to the highest standard of excellence. Specifically, I will be looking for your ability to state and support a thesis, the quality and coherence of your support, effective integration of sources, your ability to counter-argue effectively, and your overall professionalism.
Essay Requirements:
–5-8 pages + a Works Cited page
–adherence to MLA format and documentation guidelines
–effective use of counter argument (minimum one full paragraph)
–reference to a minimum of five credible sources, at least one of which must present evidence or
reason in opposition to your thesis
***As always, an excellent (A) paper will meet all of the above requirements, will demonstrate strong competence in all of the primary objectives, will be meticulously proofread and edited, will demonstrate an active and engaged intellect, will present a compelling argument, and, perhaps above all else, will be an enjoyable read.