Write an argument that discusses a current controversial issue. Your specific topic must have a narrow focus – for example, do not try to write on gun control, but you could write an argument on repelling the concealed carry on college campuses law in Texas.
Length: 1500 words MINIMUM, excluding the works cited page. Papers shorter than the required minimum WILL NOT be graded and WILL earn a zero with no option for revision.
You will need to include all three appeals: ethical (ethos), emotional (pathos), and logical (logos).
Point of view: The paper will be written entirely in third person unless you are using a direct quote. Papers written in first person will receive a 10% (20 point) deduction from the overall grade of the paper.
Papers without parenthetical documentation and/or a works cited page will receive a failing grade with zero (0) points awarded. The works cited page is the last page of the paper.
Organization: The paper MUST use the pattern for a classical argument (this is the format required for the outline assignment). In your paper, you will address three points for your side of the argument and two points for the opposition. You will also need to refute the opposition’s points. For a classical argument, the thesis is usually placed at the end of the introduction.
Sources: Seven (7) sources are required. General encyclopedias (i.e. Wikipedia, Encarta) are not allowed to be used as a source. In addition, you must use at least two different types of sources (print, web, email, interview, video, etc.). Papers that only use one type of source will receive a 10%-point deduction.
Citations: At least ten (10) in-text citations must be used – quotes, paraphrases, summaries. No more than one long quote may be used in the paper. A long quote is one that is four or more complete lines in your paper. Quotes that exceed 250 words may be used only with the written permission of the author, as quotes longer than 250 words violate fair use copyright laws. Papers that have more than one long/block quote will receive a 10%-point deduction for each additional long/block quote. No more than 15% of the paper may be directly quoted material.
Documentation: All in-text (parenthetical citations must be in correct MLA format. Also, the works cited page must be in the current MLA 2016 format (MLA8). If you use an outdated MLA format it will impact your grade.
