Argumentative Essay
What is it? An argumentative essay is a genre of writing that requires the student to investigate a topic; collect, generate, and evaluate evidence; and establish a position on the topic in a concise manner.
Instructions
Step #1 Look at the list of controversial topics below and pick ONE. All the topics listed below can be viewed through different lenses. The topic you select must have two conflicting opinions . You will decide how you want to frame the topic.
Religious Freedom
Affirmative Action
Standardized Testing
Animal Rights
Right to Die (Euthanasia)
Vaccines (all vaccines, not just the COVID-19 vaccine)
Global Climate Change
Government Surveillance
Immigration Reform
Opioid Crisis
Green Technology
Cancel Culture
Student Debt Crisis
Universal Healthcare
Step #2 Write a paper that contains all of the following parts:
I: Introduction to the topic you selected.
II: Three evidentiary body paragraphs and its respective discussion of point of view #1. You must have in-text citations. Use reliable sources only.
III: Three evidentiary body paragraphs and its respective discussion of point of view #2. You must have in-text citations. Use reliable sources only.
IV: Three U.S. Supreme Court cases and/or Texas Supreme Court cases related to the topic you selected. Include the name of the case, the date, and a brief description.
V: What is the stand of the Republican Party and the Democratic Party regarding the topic you selected? Explain.
VI: What is your personal opinion regarding the topic you selected? Explain.
VII: Conclusion
Formatting
• Your paper must be 5 complete pages long.
• You do not need a cover page.
• You do not need an abstract.
• Write your name in the first line. Do not write my name, the class number, and the date. They are not necessary in this assignment.
• Use font Times New Roman, size 12, 1-inch margins all around, double-spaced.
• You must use at least 5 reliable sources to support your answers and they must be properly identified in the body of your paper and in the Reference page (APA style).
• You must use in-text quotations, but do not overdo it. You must use your own words in at least 85% of your paper. (APA style).
• Plagiarism will not be tolerated.
• Include a References page (APA style). It will not count as a page.
• Your paper must be submitted in D2L using Microsoft Word or pdf. Do not use any other format like .pages or zip files.
