U.S History & Psychology: 1st “Argumentative” Research Essay Assignment
Introduction: The
art of argument is very necessary in the real world. Whether it be at a
higher level institution, at your job, or even in your family life, you
will encounter many moments when it is necessary to demonstrate a point
to someone else. In these cases, you will need to know how to
demonstrate that point, especially through the skill of writing. To end
the semester, you will need to construct a 4-5 (3-4 for Sophomores) page
argumentative essay displaying a thesis in reference to a 2-sided
social, cultural, political or economical issue in these United States.
Requirements:
- Typed, Double Space, 4-5 pages long (3-4 for Sophomores, minus up to 10 points per page)
- Must be done in MLA format (12 pt font, 1 inch margins, etc.) (minus up to 5 points per mis-format)
- Must reference at least 10 different sources (minus 5 points per)
- A Works-Cited page (in MLA) is required. (minus up to 25 points)
Due Dates:
October 26, 2015: Topic Choice Due
December 14, 2015: Final Essay Due (100 points)
Rubric (20 points each):
Exceeds 16-20 |
Proficient 11-15 |
Approaching 6-10 |
Beginning 0-5 |
|
Statement of Purpose (Thesis)
|
Response is consistent and purposefully focused |
The response is generally focused |
The response lacks clarity |
The response has no focus |
Organization |
The response is organized and clear |
The response has some organizational structure with minor flaws |
Response is inconsistent and flaws are evident |
The response has little or no structure |
Use of Evidence |
The response uses thorough and convincing evidence w/ effective use of sources |
The response provides adequate support/evidence and includes sources, facts |
The response provides uneven support/evidence that includes partial use of sources |
The response provides minimal support/evidence w/ little use of sources or facts |
Language and Vocabulary |
Effectively expressed ideas, through use of language |
The response adequately expresses ideas, uses a mix of precise language |
The response expresses ideas with simplistic language |
The response lack clarity or is confusing based on lack of language |
Conventions (Grammar and Spelling) |
Strong demonstration of conventions |
The response demonstrates adequate commands of conventions |
The response demonstrates partial command of conventions |
The response lack command of conventions |
Name: _____________________________________ Period: ____ 12 pts
U.S. Hist. & Psychology: Argumentative Essay Topic Choice Worksheet
Directions: Please provide three of your top choices for the argumentative essay. Even if your topic is not on the list provided, you may choose something to your liking as long as you provide a good reasoning to use it. It can be any two-sided issue that has to do with social, political economical or cultural problems. You must also provide the argument and counter-argument you plan to display in your paper in reference to the topic.
Example
Topic: Education Reform
Reasoning: I think this topic is very important since I will need to pay for college one day.
Argument: Higher education needs to be given more public funding in order for it to succeed.
Counter Argument: Higher education should be privatized since privatized education is better quality.
1st Choice
Topic: ______________________________________________
Reasoning: _____________________________________________________________________________
Argument: _____________________________________________________________________________
Counter Argument: ______________________________________________________________________
2nd Choice
Topic: ______________________________________________
Reasoning: _____________________________________________________________________________
Argument: _____________________________________________________________________________
Counter Argument: ______________________________________________________________________
3rd Choice
Topic: ______________________________________________
Reasoning: _____________________________________________________________________________
Argument: _____________________________________________________________________________
Counter Argument: ______________________________________________________________________
Topic Choice Sheet Suggestions
Campaign Finance Reform
Military Industrial Complex
Gun Control
Gay Marriage Rights
The National Debt
The Natural Gas Boom
Climate Change
American Expansionism
Prison Industrial Complex
The War on Drugs
Oil Production
Gender Discrimination
Education Reform
Immigration Policies
Corporate Power
Privacy Rights (NSA)
Tax Code Reform
Technology Dependence
The War on Terror
Media Bias
Obesity/Hunger Epidemic
Economic Inequality
Wall Street Reform
Healthcare Reform
Electoral College Reform
Use of Drones in Warfare
Urban Violence
Agricultural Reform
Childhood Medication
Marijuana Legalization
Immigration Reform
Business Marketing Reform
Police Brutality
Gerrymandering
Congressional Gridlock