Argument in Classical Form 1 English 1213: English Composition 2 C. Verschage Professor of English Essay #3: Argument in Classical Form (also called a Multi-Sided Argument) Come now, and let us reason together Isaiah 1:18 (Bible). When I am getting ready to reason with a man, I spend one-third of my time thinking about myself and what I am going to say and twothirds about him and what he is going to say --- Abraham Lincoln When we quit thinking primarily about ourselves and our own selfpreservation, we undergo a truly heroic transformation of consciousness. -- Joseph Campbell Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored --- Aldous Huxley Welcome to your third essay assignment! Have you ever tried to have a discussion with someone who did not share the same passion or views regarding an issue that you did? Did you feel frustrated when they tried to offer opposing views just so that the argument felt more objective? For this assignment, you will construct an argument for a neutral audience (or one who has not made a decision regarding his or her own position on the issue, but who is interested in your perspective). You will need to choose one of the issues illustrated in one of the readings from the McGraw Hill Reader listed below, and then use your skills in analysis and argumentation to write an 9 14 paragraph (or about 4½ 7 page) argument in classical form. Also, in this assignment, you are aiming to move the readers closer to one side of the fence or the other. Suggested Readings 01. Deborah Tannen s Sex, Lies, and Conversation: Why Is It So Hard for Men and Women to Talk to Each Other (117-121) 02. Mike Rose s What College Can Mean to the Other America (194-197) 03. Fatema Mernissi s Digital Scheherazades in the Arab World (267-275) 04. Edward Hoagland s 1776 and All That: America After September 11 (296-299) 05. Brent Staples Just Walk On By: Black Men and Public Space (300-303) 06. Judith Ortiz Cofer s The Myth of the Latin Woman: I Just Met a Girl Named Maria (305-309) 07. Amy Chua s The Right Road to America (335-339) 08. Esther Dyson s Cyberspace: If You Don t Love It, Leave It (346-350) 09. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. s, Delusions of Grandeur (381-383) 10. Junot Diaz s The Money: Starting Out (384-386) 11. Paul Krugman s The Death of Horatio Alger (387-390) 12. Robert Reich s Why the Rich are Getting Richer and the Poor, Poorer (404-415) 13. Robert Warshow s The Gangster as Tragic Hero (430-434) 14. Stephen King s My Creature from the Black Lagoon (444-450)
Argument in Classical Form 2 15. Gloria Steinem s Wonder Woman (455-462) 16. Deborah Ross s Escape from Wonderland: Disney and the Female Imagination (471-482) 17. Langston Hughes Salvation (548-550) 18. Jill Lapore s It s Spreading (605-614) 19. Kate Chopin s The Storm (697-700) 20. Louise Erdrich s The Red Convertible (704-710) 21. John Hope Franklin s The Train from Hate (711-712) 22. John Updike s Separating (735-743) Assignment So for this assignment, you are to do the following: 1. Choose one of the listed readings and then narrow it down to a particular issue question. 2. Then research all the viewpoints on this issue. 3. Then analyzing the reading and using your research, write a 9 14 paragraph (or about 4½ 7 page) argument in classical form for a neutral audience. 4. Your paper should contain at least 2 direct quotes, 1 summary and/or paraphrase. 5. Your paper should contain a total of 5-7 credible print or web sources. Of these sources, A. one of them should come from one of the readings listed above. B. two of them should be used to support the other views or perspectives. C. then the rest of the sources may be used to support your position. 6. Your paper should demonstrate your ability to discuss the opposing views in a fair and objective, non-bias manner. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Overall Organization & Structure: Your essay should adhere to the following guidelines: Standard College Formatting. 1. Font/Margins. Double-spaced typed, 12 size font (Times New Roman or Arial), and 1 margins on all four sides. 2. Header. In the top-right corner of the header, you should have your last name, 2-3 spaces, and then the page number (allow the computer to put the page number in). 3. Student Information. Under the header, in the top left-hand corner of the page, you should have the following: Your Name Example: John Smith Prof. Verschage Prof. Verschage Eng. 1213-section # Eng. 1213 TR02U Day Month Year 8 July 2010
Argument in Classical Form 3 Title. On the next line (under the Student Information), center the title of the paper. It should hint at or indicate the topic of the paper, as well as your attitude toward the topic. Introduction. The introduction should be one paragraph in length, and it should accomplish the following: A. Lead-in. The title and lead-in should work together to grab the readers attention and draw them into the piece. B. Set up the context of the discussion. Then the introduction should set up the context of the discussion (this may include some background information). C. Thesis Statement. The introduction should end with a clear, concise, thesis statement. Remember, your thesis statement should assert in a single sentence an arguable statement regarding some issue illustrated by one of the readings from the list provided in this assignment sheet. Body Paragraphs. Your body paragraphs for this assignment will be broken down into three (3) sections: 1. In the first section -- you will present your argument on the issue. In each paragraph in this section, you will present a reason for your perspective, as well as your evidence (including any personal observations or experiences), expert testimony, charts, graphs, statistics, hypothetical examples, anecdotes, etc., that may be used to support, illustrate and/or further develop that reason. This section of the body should be 3 5 paragraphs in length. 2. In the 2 nd section -- In this section of the body paragraphs, you will present any other views on this issue. You should present their overall arguments, their reasons for these arguments, and some examples of evidence that they present to back up, support, and illustrate their reasons. This information should be presented objectively and unbiasly. It should not include any of your own views, criticisms, or thoughts This section of the body should be 2-4 paragraphs in length. 3. In the 3 rd section -- Then, in this last section of the body paragraphs, you will present your response to the other views. You may agree on some points, disagree/rebuttal with other points, or both agree on some points and disagree/rebuttal with other points. This section of the body should be 2-3 paragraphs in length. Conclusion. 1. It should begin with a reaffirmation of your thesis statement (same idea different words). 2. It should summarize and emphasize the main points from the body of the paper. 3. It should discuss any possible implications or the suggested change in policy. 4. It should provide a creative ending that gives the reader a clear sense of closure. Appendix (optional page) 1. Each page (Appendix A, Appendix B, etc.) contains only one picture, illustration, chart, or graph.
Argument in Classical Form 4 2. It has a written description of the picture, illustration, chart or graph underneath it. 3. It cites where it was found in parentheses. 4. The Appendix page is properly referenced within the text of the paper, such as (see Appendix A). Notes (optional page) 1. Each note begins with a superscript number. 2. If the note is a definition, then the term being defined follows the superscript number, and then the definition or explanation for the term is provided. Where the information was found is then cited in parentheses after the definition. 3. It the note is related information to the topic, then again the superscript number comes first, then the related information, and the where the information was found is then cited in parentheses after the information. 4. The superscript number, referencing the note, is properly used within the text of the paper, such as carpet baggers 1. Works Cited. 1. It should list only those sources that have been cited within the paper, either as a summary, paraphrase, or direct quote. 2. All sources should be listed in alphabetical order, according to either the author s last name or the name of the article or the web page (if the author s name is unknown). 3. All sources should be written and punctuated in accordance to MLA guidelines. Essay Overall. 1. The student effectively addresses only one specific question regarding the issue not the whole issue. 2. The student s in-depth and detailed analysis of that aspect of the issue is clearly evident within the paper. 3. The student demonstrates an eye for details and a clear mastery of the English language. Copies of Sources Used: Included with the final draft, I need copies of any pages that you cite within the paper, regardless if the citation is in the form of a summary, paraphrase, or a direct quote. Objectives: To demonstrate your ability to write a unified, coherent, and logically organized paper that is an argument. To integrate or synthesize the ideas from multiple sources and multiple types of sources. To articulate a clear position on a complex issue. To argue the position with reasonable evidence from multiple sources and multiple types of sources. To learn the value and necessity of compromise when approaching complex issues.
Argument in Classical Form 5 To think outside of binary oppositions. To learn how to use the rhetorical triangle effectively and see how ethos, logos, and pathos interact. To summarize, paraphrase, and use direct quotes from multiple types of sources effectively and properly; this includes integrating and citing the sources properly using MLA guidelines; this also includes the format and organization of the Works Cited page. To achieve a tone that is reasonable and academic To recognize the pervasiveness of argument outside of traditional debate and critique an argument on academic (as opposed to emotional) grounds. To learn how to identify errors in reasoning, including faulty logic or rhetorical fallacies. To utilize the writing process inventing, writing, revising, and editing from start to finish To communicate with as few errors as possible in grammar, mechanics and usage. Essay Packet: When you turn in the packet, it should include the following: In the left pocket, you should have the final draft. In the right pocket, you should have the following: a. Peer Review Activity a. At least Drafts #2, #3 (plus any other drafts you ve done) b. Draft #1 c. Outline d. Invention Activity e. Copies of the printed and/or web sources used in the construction of the paper. The portions cited in the paper should be highlighted (copies should be on the bottom) Grading of the Final Draft To see the criteria that will be used to grade the final draft, please see the Essay Rubric. Due Dates: see course calendar.