P&P Research Argumentative Essay
Prompt: For this essay, you will take a carefully considered, nuanced position regarding an issue related to systemic power and privilege (i.e. inequality and oppression). This may be an issue of class, race, ability, gender, religion, education, sexuality, family dynamics, but in a specific context that is important to you and has a timely relevance. You position may also consider the intersection of two or more of these concerns. In order to effectively establish your credibility and to appeal to the logic of your audience, you will conduct thorough independent research to support your argument. To demonstrate authorial credibility, your research will be drawn from critically evaluated sources.
You will need to effectively use rhetorical strategies (pathos, logos, and ethos) to argue your case well. In other words, logic/reason is a vital tool, but not the only necessary tool. You’ll also need empathy, a moral imagination, ethical clarity, passion and courage. Before you can challenge your reader, you have to challenge yourself.[unique_solution]
CLASS ETHIC: Even though our arguments will be very specific and focused, they should always be directed toward the common good, engaging in civil discourse which aims to create a more just and equitable social contract; even a more perfect union. This should lead you to contextualize and critique some kind of systemic power which has historically privileged one group over others, which you may or may not be a part of. It should also lead you to advocate for equality within a context or group you care about which you may or may not be part of. What your argument should not do is intentionally or inadvertently argue for something which detracts from or compromises the safety, dignity, equality or efforts toward equality of a historically oppressed group. A paper that does this would be considered not only unethical within the parameters of the course, but also ineffective argumentation.
Methods: To write an informed, thoughtful, organized, and original argument-based essay you will need to articulate and develop an original claim/thesis based on appropriate and varied research; analyze and synthesize that research into a set of supporting claims; and deploy meaningful rhetorical choices.
Audience: Your instructor and peers.
Format: 2100-2500 words long or 5-6 pages. Use MLA formatting guidelines (12-point font in Times New Roman, one-inch margins, double spacing, a proper heading, etc.). A minimum of seven sources are required for this essay. You are required to you three academic peer-reviewed sources. These sources should be cited in MLA style and in your Works Cited.
Assignment Value: 20% of final grade for the research essay, and 5% for the timed in-class essay (a revised essay proposal). Note that several of the assignments listed in “Due Dates” above will count toward the “Writing Process” component of your grade.