Develop a 1-2-page thesis statement, introduction paragraph, outline, and conclusion paragraph as part of the prewriting process for an argumentative essay on a topic of your choosing. Include a list of APA-formatted resources.
Writers use an argumentative (or persuasive) essay to try to change peoples viewpoints or convince them to accept a new behavior or action. People seldom agree on what is right, so a well-developed and supported argumentative essay can help uncover truth. This type of essay can help you think critically about your own ideas, evaluate different sides, and judge the evidence.
For example, in professional environments, you may be asked to help gain employee buy-in for changes to a dress code, benefits or compensation, procedures, and so on. You will need to be able to present these changes in a way that will make it easier for everyone to accept them.
Using prewriting strategies to develop an argumentative essay will help you plan your writing, organize your thoughts, find and organize supporting evidence, and present information clearly to your readers.
Note: The assessments in this course build on each other and must be taken in sequence. Assessment 6 is paired with Assessment 7. You must complete Assessment 6 and receive feedback from faculty before you complete Assessment 7.
Demonstration of Proficiency
By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the course competencies through the following assessment scoring guide criteria:
Competency 2: Apply information and use literacy skills to produce evidence-based written work.
Apply research skills to locate scholarly resources relevant to an essay topic.
Competency 3: Apply prewriting, planning, drafting, and revision skills.
Apply accepted conventions of outlining an essay, including main points and subpoints.
Overview
Writers use an argumentative essay to defend a position on a particular issue. The goal is to persuade the reader to accept the argument; thus, this type of essay is also referred to a persuasive essay.
For this assessment and Assessment 7, you will write an argumentative essay on a topic of your choice. Try to choose a topic that reflects your professional or academic interests, keeping in mind that your goal will be to convince your reader to accept your argument.
Instructions
For this assessment (which is paired with Assessment 7), you will need to develop an outline for the essay you will write in Assessment 7. Use the following headers to guide your outline development:
Brainstorming (How to pick a topic)
What resources can you find to support your position? Be sure you list resources in APA format.
What questions should you ask in order to determine if a topic is suitable?
Evaluating the Context of the Essay
What things do you need to know about the target audience before you begin to write?
What resources can you find to support your position? Be sure you list resources in APA format.
Developing a Thesis Statement
How do you develop a good thesis statement?
What are the characteristics of a good thesis statement?
Why is a thesis statement important?
What resources can you find to support your position? Be sure you list resources in APA format.
Developing an Introduction, Outline, and Conclusion
How can you turn your thesis statement into an introduction?
How do you develop an outline?
What is the connection between the introduction and the conclusion?
What resources can you find to support your position? List resources in APA format.
Listing References
What should you include in a list of references?
How should you format references?
Additional Requirements
Style and Format: Use current APA style for references. Include a title page and references page.
Length: Compose 12 pages in addition to the title page and references page
Resources: Cite a minimum of two resources.
Font: Use Times New Roman, 12 point.
