Assignment Details
Assignment Description
You will create this assignment following the Assignment Detail instructions below.
Review the tutorial How to Submit an Individual Project.
Assignment Details
Overview of the writing the argumentative essay that is due in Unit 10: Throughout the course, you will build a 4-5-page argumentative essay. An argumentative essay requires writers to explore a topic (issue), collect and consider evidence, and establish an opinion on the topic in a brief way. The complete essay must incorporate research (quotes, summarization, and paraphrasing), and you must cite the research using APA in-text citations and a corresponding References page. The final product details can be found at the end of this document.
In this unit, you will work on the thesis statement and introduction paragraph of the argumentative essay that is due in Unit 10.
For this Unit 2 Submission, submit only the opening paragraph and the APA-style References page for grading.
Your tasks for this week are as follows:
Finalize the topic for your paper based on the topic you selected for the Discussion Board in Unit 1 and the feedback your instructor and peers provided, or select one from the list of topics/issues below. You can select any topic you like, but you must obtain approval from your instructor first. This is to ensure that the topic is appropriate for an argumentative essay and related to an issue that will hold your interest when you return to this essay in the coming weeks.
Review the source in the Topic Bibliography on your topic.
Locate a similar, credible source on the issue using the AIU Library and this Internet search tool, by conducting a key word search based on your research topic. Think about the evidence you find so that you can form an opinion. Here are some additional tools to assist with your search:
AIU Library Orientation Libguide
TRAP test to ascertain the credibility of your sources.
Complete the unit 2 worksheet to assist you in composing an opening paragraph for your essay (do not submit the worksheet; it is for guidance purposes only with this Submission)
Your introduction paragraph should provide background information on your topic, the controversies or issues surrounding the topic, and how the topic is relevant or significant.
The final sentence of the introduction paragraph should be a thesis statement that reflects the essay’s overall claim..
Additionally, the thesis statement should include at least two reasons that support the claim
Incorporate at least one quote or paraphrase from the sources that you assembled in Steps 2, 3, or 4. Explain the rationale for the selected quote(s) and/or paraphrases.
Include properly formatted APA in-text citations and a corresponding Reference page for the quote and/or paraphrases used in the opening paragraph.
The introduction paragraph should be properly formatted (double-spaced, in 12-point Times New Roman font, with proper in-text citations.
The Argumentative Essay Writing Process, Units 2 – 10
You will complete the finished argumentative essay in stages:
Assess the writing situation. See page 8 of Chapter 1 in your textbook, English Composition, for specific information about the writing situation.
Choose a topic.
Research the issue, and analyze evidence to form an opinion.
Write a claim (thesis statement) that is supported with reasons from credible sources.
Write an introduction that announces your purpose and hooks readers. (Unit 2 Individual Project)
Create an outline and References page (Unit 4 Individual Project)
Write a rough draft with at least three body paragraphs (including at least one quotation, one summarization, and one paraphrase with corresponding in-text citations and Reference page). (Unit 6 Individual Project)
Write at least one counter-argument paragraph that addresses an opposing opinion. (Unit 8 Individual Project)
Write a conclusion that restates your claim and summarizes the evidence. (Unit 8 Individual Project)
Write the Title Page and Abstract (Unit 10 Individual Project)
Complete the final draft (Unit 10 Individual Project.
NOTE: For assistance with this assignment, please refer to the assigned readings listed under Unit 2 Learning Activities, as well as your intellipath® lessons.
Topics/Issues to Choose From
Is TV a leftover media source from the past that will soon be outdated, or is TV keeping up with the times and attracting new viewers?
How is social media affecting young adults, parents, or teens for better or worse?
Should high school students be required to take a civics course as a graduation requirement?
Should journalists try to be objective to regain the public’s confidence?
Do charter schools hurt traditional public schools?
Are drug courts the solution to addressing nonviolent drug offenders?
Should forensic techniques require federal approval for use in court?
Should the U.S. government provide universal health care?
Do video games portray positive or negative gender stereotypes?
Reference
Google Scholar. (n.d.). https://scholar.google.com/
Grading Rubric
Assignment Criteria Proficient Descriptor Points
Introduction Provides an opening paragraph that:
• Establishes a thesis statement that reflects the essay’s overall claim.
• Explains the importance of the selected topic.
• Discusses the evidence that was reviewed in order to form an opinion. /15 pts.
Use of quotes for evidence Utilizes evidence from research to develop the claim.
Presents at least one quote. /10 pts.
Application of quotes to support the essay’s claim Supports the claim with two reasons based on evidence.
Explains the rationale for the selected quotes by either:
• Using a sentence before the quote to introduce the relevance of the quote
OR
• Using a sentence after the quote to emphasize the relevance of the quote /15 pts.
Grammar