Argumentative

This material set-off in this fashion in the handout identifies the revision notation for these matters. Guidelines for the Argumentative/Persuasive Essay

Citing Sources

You are not to employ footnotes or endnotes in your essay. Rather, when you employ another's ideas or quote from a source in your essay, please employ the Modern Language Association, "MLA," format for in-text citations; the format is set forth in Keys, p. 144 et seq.

Quoting, Citing, and Referencing Source Material

Please also review the material on summarizing, paraphrasing, and quoting material set forth in Keys, p. 122-25.

Works Cited Page

Given that your essays will contain references to sources that were employed in constructing the arguments in your essay, you are required to attach a Works Cited page, "WCP," to the essay. The WCP will provide all of the information required to locate your sources should the reader wish to review the original documentation. Please review the format for setting forth the information on the WCP in Keys, p. 153 et seq. Further, please note that you may view an example of a WCP in Keys, p.181-82.

Identification Heading

Your essay will begin with a heading that will identify you as the essay's writer and provide other, important information. You are required to employ the MLA format for creating the heading. An example of the heading format is set out in Keys, p.173.

Essay Format

You are required to employ the MLA format in writing your paper. In addition to the on-line MLA resources listed in your syllabus, an example of an essay written in the MLA format is set forth in Keys, p.173 et seq.

Pagination Header

When employing the MLA format, a page number is placed on the first page of the document along with the writer's last name as a "header" in the top, right-hand corner of each page. In this way, if one of the pages became separated from the document, it can be easily located.

Thereafter, the pagination is continuous in the document. Therefore, if the last page of the essay were numbered page "3," then the WCP, which immediately follows the essay itself, would be numbered page "4." An example of the MLA pagination format is set forth in Keys, p. 173. Further, please consult the MLA Pagination Header Handout posted on the Course Document feature of Blackboard for additional information.

Outlines

You are required to create an outline for your essay and to submit a copy of it with your essay. Please employ the outlining approach set forth in Keys, p. 16-18. Please attach the outline to the essay and place it following the WCP as an Appendix A.

Unlike your prior outlines that have been formatted as key word and phrase outlines, this outline must be composed of complete sentences.

Narration

As discussed in your syllabus, you may only include first or second person narration in your essays as part of a quotation or rhetorical question. The essay itself must be written solely in the third person.

Language Considerations

As discussed in your syllabus, please do not employ sexist language, derogatory remarks, or cursing in your essays. Further, remember to avoid the use of the terms set out in the "Stylistic Consideration" section of the syllabus.

Essay Length

The length and format of your essay is required to conform to the guidelines herein set out. Further, each paragraph is required to consist of a minimum of nine sentences.

Essay Format

I. Introduction

A. First Introductory Paragraph

Film reference comparison including a graphic excerpted from the film and properly discussed and incorporated into the paragraph

B. Second Introductory Paragraph

History of topic including a timeline that is properly described and incorporated into the paragraph; the second introductory paragraph must conclude with an argumentative thesis statement written in the although-because format. (See The Although-because Thesis Statement Handout posted in Course Documents feature of Blackboard for additional information.)

II. Body:

A. First Body Paragraph: Definition of Key Terms

B. Con Argument

1. First Con Argument Paragraph: Precis

Summarize the con argument and cite to its expert source with credentials

2. Second Con Argument Paragraph: Example of the Con Argument

3. Third Con Argument: Refutation

Discredit the reliability of the con argument or demonstrate that it is in appositive or irrelevant to the topic by challenging its source, timeliness, authorship, or logic. For additional information, please review the Refutation Handout available under Course Documents.

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