Argument Synthesis Essay

Assignment Description Your final formal writing assignment is to write a 5-page argument synthesis following proper MLA guidelines on a current nationally or locally debated argument/debate regarding technology and the impact it is having on our current society or culture. Your job is to provide an argument that reflects your (educated) point of view on the issue.

Rhetorical Context The rhetorical purpose of this formal writing assignment is to persuade your audience to accept your perspective on an issue by using sound reasoning, solid evidence that you gathered from your research and by presenting yourself as a credible, reasonable and authoritative writer. For the purposes of this assignment, you are to imagine you are writing for a publication called “We’ve Got Issues”, a magazine that explores current events through contributions from its readers.

You should assume your audience is academic; therefore, you should avoid using an overly informal tone. Although you may use first person pronouns like “I, me, myself” sparingly, try to avoid overuse by writing more in third person (using he, she, it, they). Since the audience of this magazine comes from a wide variety of backgrounds and perspectives, you should be prepared to address an audience that may be somewhat hostile to your perspective. As a result, you will have to take extra care when choosing how to argue your point of view on the issue, making sure to include a solid counterargument.

Research Requirements One of the most important tasks of this essay is for you to use other writers’ research to help you make your argument more persuasive. In short, you must include 4 or 5 credible, current, and relevant sources total in your essay. Most of these sources will come from Kimbel Library’s Discover! Search. You are not required to use a website in this essay, but you are limited to no more than two and they must be from a reputable website or it will not count as a source. You are also required to cite each source parenthetically and on a properly formatted Works Cited page. If you do not meet these basic research requirements, you will receive a “D” or an “F” depending on the severity.

Citations and Documentation As with the other essays, the argument synthesis will require you to use the skills we’ve discussed in making effective and ethical use other peoples’ words, ideas and information. These skills include:

1. citing precisely and concisely according to MLA guidelines (including a Works Cited page),

2. using quotations, paraphrases and summaries (deciding which one is more appropriate to how you’re using the text), and

3. (when you do quote directly or paraphrase) integrating those quotations or paraphrases in with your own words smoothly using the I.C.E. method. Because this is a research essay, failing to do any of these will result in an “F” on the paper.

Turnitin Since this is a research essay, you are required to submit the rough draft to Turnitin for similarity review/plagiarism test. If Turnitin flags your use of the sources as plagiarism, you will have until the submission of the final draft to fix these citational errors. Otherwise, you will pay the penalty.

Criteria for Success In addition to the general requirements for formal writing assignments described on page 31-32 of the Coastal Writer’s Reference, you should also follow the more specific criteria for success below.

• Begin your essay by grabbing your audience’s attention and drawing them into the world of your topic and why it matters today. Use a “grabber”.

• Provide relevant background information on your topic (key definitions, necessary historical information, background information and etc.).

• Write an argumentative thesis statement that clearly presents the claim your essay will prove. The thesis should not only include the claim of what you believe but should give a general indication as to why you believe it (your reason(s))

• Use sound reasoning, analysis and solid evidence drawn from your research to describe the nature of the debate.

• Use sound reasoning, analysis and solid evidence drawn from your research and help support your points/position on the issue.

• Show evidence of synthesis (i.e. using multiple sources to support a single point)

• Write a counterargument: present yourself as a credible and reasonable writer by accurately summarizing your opponent’s position(s) (the “other side” of the argument) and then fairly responding to their points by 1). providing counterevidence and/or examples, 2). showing a flaw in your opponent’s reasoning or 3). simply conceding to the validity of the opposition’s argument.

• Use best practices when using direct quotations, paraphrase and summary (see Citations and Documentation on the previous page) and following all research guidelines (See Research Requirements on the previous page).

• Strongly conclude your argument by summarizing what you’ve said and then attempting to answer the question: “So what?”. Consider using an “exiting strategy”.

• Include all parenthetical citations as well as a properly formatted Works Cited page for all sources