The Assignment:  Write a six-to-ten page argument paper that addresses a current issue that will address our theme of the impact of technology on communication on ourselves, on our world and on what it means to be human (Barrios, 583). The topic and the issue for this paper is the same as your exploratory paper assignment.  The purpose of this paper is to present your position on the issue and then argue why by presenting your own reasons and evidence to support your thesis statement.

Locating Sources for Research.  The purpose of the exploratory paper was to explore different writers and their position, their perspective, and the types of evidence they used in order to form your own position and perspective. You have three sources that you may use in your paper.  For this paper, you must include a variety of sources; they cannot all come from Web sites.  Search SMC’s library online catalog, search for a book, search online databases, find newspaper articles, use the search engine Google scholar at www.google.com, or www.yahoo.com .  In addition, observations or experience from your personal life are not allowable.   Refer to the following handouts: “Research Guide for Papers,” “Sources Acceptable for Academic Papers.”  Both of these handouts are on eCompanion.  If you include an article from a Website, there must be a date and a sponsor/publisher.  If this is not available you cannot use this source.

Thesis Statement and Claim:  Does your thesis clearly include a claim?  Is it arguable?  Does it take a perspective on an issue?  Is it narrow and specific enough for the length of this assignment? Is it focused on one subject?  Is it a claim of policy where you argue that certain policies should be changed?   Is it a claim of value where you argue that some action, belief, or policy is morally wrong, good, or bad?  Once your claim is clear, you must develop reasons that match and correspond to the type of claim being made.

Audience/Point of View:  An effective argument is tailored to its audience.  The reasons and the types of evidence you offer, the needs and values to which you appeal, terms defined, all depend on your audience and the type of claim. Ask:  What does your audience know or not know about your topic?  The audience is your instructor and classmates.  Never assume that the audience is familiar with your topic or terms.  You may need to include definitions and relevant details to help the audience understand your position in the first body paragraph.  For this argument essay, you will use only the third-person point of view.  No, “I” “We” or “You.”

Content/Body Paragraphs. For the length of this assignment, you should have at least three-to-four distinct and relevant reasons to support your thesis. Follow the guidelines for writing the argument paper when developing your reasons.  Use the “because” clause approach.  You may include one block quote for this short paper.

The Refutation Paragraph: Also you will include one-to-two paragraphs that address an opposing point of view.  Strategically the opposing paragraph will follow your most important reason and precede the conclusion.  Include the source of this inside your paragraph and cite it correctly.  Follow MLA format: signal phrase, the source, citation, and tag line.  McWhorter writes, “Refutation involves finding a weakness in the opponent’s argument, either by casting doubt on the opponent’s reasons or by questioning the accuracy, relevance, and sufficiency of the opponent’s evidence” (518). You must include your rebuttal to the opposing view in this paragraph.

MLA Format/Documentation:   The paper must follow MLA format, typed, double-space, 12-font Times New Roman.  The maximum number of sources for this assignment is eight.  Incorporate evidence into your essay using correct MLA format. It is important to integrate your sources with correct signal phrases, proper punctuation, and parenthetical references at the end of the sentence, and tag lines that follow the citation that explain how the source supports your topic sentence.  For this paper, you should include a variety of sources:  scholarly journals, print, and some Web sites that are reliable.  Include one primary source (Refer to the handout located in the folder “Argument Paper.” All Websites must have an author, a sponsor and a current date. 

Annotated Bibliography:  Include a two-to three sentence summary of each of the sources you cite in your paper.  This will be included under each entry on the works cited page.  (Refer to the handout on formatting this).

Method of Organization.  Organize your reasons that support your thesis from least-to-most important. 

Outline:  Complete an outline.  You will submit an outline and a draft to me for my comments on May 17th. 

Due Dates:                   

Outline and Draft for Peer Review #1:            May 17                                  BRING TWO COPIES OF THE OUTLINE AND DRAFT #1. 

Second draft and outline revised:                    May 31                                   BRING TWO COPIES OF THE OUTLINE AND DRAFT #2