Grade Weight: 100 points
Length: 3 to 5 pages. Any paper less than three pages will not receive a higher grade than
a C.
Format: MLA. Typed, double-spaced, 12 pt. font, Times New Roman. Please include a title.
Purpose: The purpose of this essay is for you to choose a current social, political, or economic
issue related to your major or intended major and incorporate three or more scholarly sources
and your own opinion into an argument. I highly recommend that you begin your research using
the Pro/Con section of CQ Researcher for this assignment. Your argument is used to persuade
your audience that your stance on the issue is more valid than the opposing argument.
For
instance, if you are going into law enforcement or education, you may want to consider the issue
of gun control. On one side, you could argue why gun laws should prevent instructors from
carrying concealed weapons into classrooms. On the other side of the argument, you may argue
how an instructor with a firearm can protect students during a hostage situation. You may not
use my example (gun control) and you may not write about legalizing marijuana or
abortion.
For this paper, your thesis statement must be the last sentence in the
introductory paragraph and in bold or you will be penalized.
Specifics: Think about the elements of an Argument. Your thesis statement can use a
should/should not sentence. For example, The state of Texas should limit concealed weapons
permits to trained English instructors because of X, Y, and Z.
Think about the elements of a good argument:
1) It takes a strong and definite position.
2) It contains solid supporting evidence to defend the position.
3) It considers opposing views.
4) It has enthusiasm and energy from start to finish.
Other guidelines to note:
You must incorporate a minimum of three outside sources to support your thesis;
sources must all come from library databases or books/eBooks. You may not use
any websites for this assignment
You must include a Works Cited page.
Remember these guidelines to a thesis statement: it fits the size of the assignment; it
states a single main point/position/controlling idea about the topic; its specific; its
an opinion and not a fact; its forceful and debatable; its not a question.
Support the essay with anecdotes, facts, informed opinions, logical consequences,
and answers to the opposition.
Im an Audio Engineer, my teacher is making me write about something pertaining to my major and I think this would be a good thing to write about. I have no time and Ive tried to research this as much as possible.
