Research-Based Argument

Basic Info

• Length: 5 pages
• Documentation Style: MLA (See EAA chp. 22)
• Required Number of Sources: 5 (see below for more specific requirements)
• Possible Points: 150

Overview:

For this assignment you will write a 3-5 page essay in which you present an argument, using the genre of your choice, and supported by credible sources from your research.

Using the topic you detailed in your Research Proposal (Assignment 2), you will formulate a thesis that states a claim regarding your topic and you will present your position/ideas about that topic in the format of one of the genres detailed in your textbook (EAA):

• Argument of Fact (Chp. 8)
• Argument of Definition (Chp. 9)
• Evaluation (Chp. 10)
• Causal Argument (Chp. 11)
• Proposal (Chp. 12)

You must support your claim and develop your ideas about it by utilizing research to back up and support your ideas. The credibility and efficacy (effectiveness) of the sources you choose will have a significant impact on the success of your argument, so it is essential that you choose your sources thoughtfully.

Developing Your Arguments

A crucial aspect of successfully writing any argument is in the development: how clearly, specifically, & logically have you presented your claim and supporting ideas? The first step in successfully completing this assignment is to utilize the resources available in your textbook. Once you have chosen the genre you will use for your argument, review the chapter in the textbook associated with it. Pay special attention to the “Guide to Writing…” that appears at the end of the chapter. There you will find valuable advice on thesis, structure, and supporting your argument.

Also be sure to review the sample essays that appear after the “Guide.” One is a published essay, the other is written by a student, but both offer concrete examples of successful essays in the genre.

Be sure to note:

• The introduction and conclusion of each essay. Note how they don’t rely on the kinds of cliché students often fall back on. The conclusion isn’t simply a cut-and-paste repetition of the intro. The thesis likely appears in both, but most likely the wording is different. The phrase “in conclusion” is not used. This has to do with creating an engaging and vital STYLE.
• Remember the importance of engaging your reader. If your writing isn’t interesting, your argument is going to fall flat. Remember that you want to “hook” your reader in your introduction. Rather than simply jumping right into your topic, perhaps you begin by relating a personal story. You want to avoid using personal experience as your primary support but using it in the intro & conclusion to engage your reader can be quite effective. Or if you do not have personal experience to share, you could share an anecdote (brief story) relating someone else’s experience (that you learned about via research). Or perhaps you offer your readers a hypothetical scenario to hook them in. This may lead to a first paragraph that tells a story or offers a scenario, then a second paragraph in which you get more specific about your topic then state your thesis. So, yes, you can have a 2-paragraph introduction.
• Craft a thesis that is direct, clear, and assertive. Make a claim that reflects your position on your subject, and one that you can support with credible evidence and logical discussion. Be sure to consider the genre you are writing in and that your thesis works for that genre. See the “Guide to Writing” at the end of the chapter related to the genre you have chosen for more specific details.
• Each body paragraph should serve to develop and support the claim you make in your thesis. Utilize sources to support these supporting claims, not make them for you. Rely on credible sources (expert opinions, credible studies, government reports, interviews) to support the claims you make.
• It’s not enough to refer to a source (whether it’s via quote, summary, or paraphrase). You need to discuss the material you reference to demonstrate how it supports your ideas. Never assume your audience makes the same connections between your source material and your claims that you do. It is up to you to help the audience see those connections by discussing any references to source material you use and how they support your main ideas.
• Proofreading and Editing are important. If you are trying to earn an A- or B-level grade on this assignment, you need to be mindful of details.
  • Avoid unnecessary references to yourself (I think, I feel, I believe). These phrases are empty and redundant. You can refer to personal experience to help your readers connect to your subject, but don’t fill your essay with these phrases.
  • Avoid writing “empty phrases” or “deadweight.” This refers to being unnecessarily wordy, repeating yourself without purpose, using words like “stuff, thing, very, really” and clichés (“in today’s society,” “in this day and age,” “we, as humans,” “in conclusion,” “in this essay I will,” etc.). This kind of writing weighs your essay down. It’s boring and lacks vitality. Give yourself time to cut all this out in editing.
  • Choose specific nouns (e.g. “Camaro” vs. “car”) and active verbs: (verbs convey action, we too often rely on “to be” and “to have” rather than choosing more specific and active verbs.)
  • Read for wrong words: (where vs. were; should of vs. should have; to, too, & two; there, their, & they’re; etc). These sorts of errors impact the credibility of your writing.
  • Make sure the words you choose mean what you think they do. Misusing words also has a negative impact on your credibility.

Rhetoric & The Rhetorical Triangle

Remember that Rhetoric is the art of using language to persuade. So your goal as a writer is to craft an argument that will persuade your audience to accept that your point of view is valid and perhaps to agree with your ideas.

Ethos:

Ethos refers to your credibility as a writer. This credibility is established via your tone and your level of understanding of both your topic and your audience.

• Audience: you have to know who they are, what they think or believe about your subject, and what they will need from you in order to take you seriously
• Tone: This literally refers to the words you choose. You must present an articulate and thoughtful argument (you seem informed). You must present that argument in a way that appeals to your audience rather than in a way that makes them angry or causes them to dismiss you.
• Topic: You must appear well-informed. You have to assume your audience will have their own ideas and understanding of your topic and you must work to not insult them by talking down to them or by making claims that can’t be supported.

Logos:

Logos refers to logic. Your argument must be grounded in logic. If it is not, it will fail. The success of this aspect comes down to how well-informed you present yourself, the type of source material you use, and how you use it. This is all related to your research.

• Use credible sources: journal, magazine, and newspaper articles (utilize the library’s search engine, not Google), studies performed by credible (nationally/internationally recognized) institutions/experts, interviews with experts, chapters from books, credible websites, perhaps even documentary film.
• Don’t allow your sources to take over your essay. Use them to support, add detail to, add credibility to your own ideas.
• If it’s worth referring to, it’s worth discussing. Don’t reference source material without discussing it. Show your readers how it supports your claims.

Pathos:

Pathos refers to the emotional appeal. It has to do with how you choose to draw your readers into your subject. You cannot base an entire argument on emotions or trying to get an emotional reaction. But you can use emotion to help your reader feel a connection to your subject.

• Use emotion sparingly. Don’t try to trick your reader into having an emotional reaction.
• Offer anecdotal evidence to inspire pathos. This means telling a brief personal story or sharing someone else’s story (from your research) as a means of helping your reader feel connected to your topic.

Using Sources

You are required to use at least 5 sources

• 3 journal, magazine, or newspaper articles. Go for substance here. If the “article” is only a few paragraphs, then it’s likely not detailed enough to be of real help to you. Make sure not to use an abstract (a summary of the article). You need to read the full article.
• 1 Website. Make sure it is a credible one. Finding a magazine or newspaper article on the publication’s website does not count here. You should try to find a website devoted to your subject. Look for sites that end in .org, .edu, or .gov. These should offer information gathered from studies and surveys.
• 1 Source of your choice. Consider published interviews with experts. Consider conducting your own interview if you have access to someone with firsthand knowledge or expertise regarding your subject. Documentaries can offer some interesting (although often contentious, or arguable, perspectives).

Tips for Using Sources Effectively

• Use your textbook. Chapters 18-22 offer detailed information on finding, evaluating, using, and documenting sources. If your goal is to get an A on this project, then you should make the most of the resources available to you here.
• Document your research using MLA rules. See Chapter 22.
• In-Text Citations, see pg 496-500. Page 496 explains, briefly, the purpose of the in-text citation. Then the next several pages give examples of how to successfully create in-text citations for any type of source you may use.
• Works Cited Entries, pg. 501-513. On page 501 you will find a brief explanation of what the entries should do and contain. Then you will find examples of the types of citations you must create for every kind of source.
• Sample MLA Essay, pg. 514-515. This is how your final draft of the essay should be formulated: proper MLA heading, title, last name & page number (page 1) and a sample Works Cited page (last page).
• Observe the following rules re: Works Cited page:
  • “Works Cited” is centered at the top of the page.
  • The entire page is double spaced.
  • There are no extra spaces between entries.
  • Entries are in alphabetical order based on the author’s last name, or the first word (excluding a, an, or the) of the title if no author is identified.
  • Entries are not numbered or “bulleted.”
  • All entries over one line in length utilize a hanging indent. Follow this link for step-by-step instructions: How to create a hanging indent in Word

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• This is the prof comments about the research proposal
• Wow! This is an ambitious project. Taking on the task of trying to help powerful countries craft policy that helps them recover is a big challenge.You mention offering firsthand experience with the virus as a means to establishing credibility. Can you do that? Do you have personal experience with Covid19?(my experience that 3 weeks ago I was not feel good all the night I was vomiting every 45 minutes, and I did not want to go the ER because of the corona at the end I could not stand the pain so I went to the my primary care doctor who give me a pine relief and send me to the hospital to do a CT SCAN, The situation in my doctor office and in the hospital was scary, every one ask if I had any symptoms and every one scar of doing anything, after the CT scan result came back, it turn out that I have appendicitis and it is really bad and they need to do an immediately surgery to take it off. The nurse took me from the scan office by a wheelchair to the ER and we had to stop by every door to check the temperature and been asked if I had any symptoms. The ER looks empty and there is not any body just the ER staff they took my information then pot my in a room, they did not let anybody come to stay with me until they released me. (this is my personal experience I did not write everything because I did not know if it is will work or not.)You can, however, establish credibility by using trustworthy sources and by offering a logical discussion of the virus and how governments and societies can best recover from its impact. I like this topic better than the idea you first offered in class, but be sure that you aren’t representing yourself as an expert in these areas.
• If not, then that will not work for you. You also mention using your educational background as a means of establishing credibility, but unless you have an educational background in medicine or government, I’m not sure that will work for you, either.

I have attached the previous work and part down here I also attached a sample from another student

the Research proposal I took 90/100 it is not bad but I was looking for a better grad.