Argumentative Essay Assignment (Formative/Summative Assessments)Name: Period:

Do you feel that CDs should carry warning labels about bad language? Do you think school lunch periods should be longer? Do you believe professional athletes have a responsibility to be good role models?

You probably have strong opinions about these and many other issues. However, your opinion alone will probably not convince anyone to agree with you. The question is, how do you make it more likely that people will agree with your opinion? One way is to use the tools of persuasion to show your readers that your point of view is the right one.

In this type of an assignment, you take a stand on a particular topic that is debatable. You present a clear and strong statement usually at the start of your paper that asserts your position on the topic. You then provide strong, logical evidence that supports the validity of your argument throughout your paper.

Consider your Audience! Who is the intended audience of your paper? It may be your professor, classmates, or some other person or group out in the world that you want to convince. Knowing your audienceis essential to making a strong argument! Ask yourself the following:

  1. What does your audience value and believe? Keep these things in mind when writing the paper! Your argument is going to be more convincing if you show that you have taken the situation of your audience into account.
  2. What side of the argument do they favor? Are you trying to convince someone who probably already agrees with you, or is the reader someone you need to convince to think otherwise?
  3. How will their interests be affected by the issue? In other words, why should your audience careabout this issue? This question can also be broader—why should anyone care about this issue?

What type of evidence do I use to support my argument? The evidence you use will come directly from an article included in an edition of a Scope magazine. No additional resources will be used.

  1. Statistics— always investigate how this data was achieved. This could influence the credibilityof the information.
  2. Factual data—this data should be widely agreed on by most people, or supported by other reliable information.
  3. Reputable opinions and claims—make sure the individuals have thecredentials to be making these claims and are respected in their fields.
  4. Relevant Personal Testimony—the testimony might be from individuals directly involved in the issue you are investigating. They may be able to provide first-hand experience that will help validate your argument.

How do I set up my paper? For your argument, you will write a 5 paragraph essay, a maximum of two (2 pages) that includes the classical argument structure 1) introduction 2) body paragraph 1 (claim 1) 3) body paragraph 2 (claim 2) 4) body paragraph 3 (claim 3) to include a counterargument, 5) conclusion . Final drafts must be typed using MLA format and a works cited page included. The computer lab will be checked out for two days. You are expected to use your time wisely, so that you may meet the deadline. Not having a computer at home will not serve as an excuse. Students who are absents are expected to get their work from the teacher. If you need additional help of a concept that was discussed when you were absent, you may come after school on Tuesday or Thursday, so that I can offer you one-on-one assistance.

How will I be graded? Your final draft will be counted as a summative assessment and worth 100 points. To ensure that you are working on the assignment daily in class and that you meet the final deadline, you will receive daily class grades which will be weighted as formative assessment grades. The formative assessment grades are as follows: Brainstorming worksheet, Graphic Organizer, Introduction, Body Paragraph, and Conclusion Paragraph. You will receive a grade for three of the five assignments. You are expected to complete all five assignments during the deadline as you do not know which assignments will be collected and graded. You will also need each assignment to write your final draft.

Argumentative Essay Topics: You will choose one of the below topics to write on. Your topic must be discussed with the teacher first, and cannot be changed. Please circle the topic, so that you may reference the writing prompt often.

  • Topic One -
  • Should everyone get atrophy or should trophiesgo only to the best players? What is your position? Write an argumentative essay to an athletic coach either in support of trophies going only to the best players or in support of everyone on the team getting a trophy.
  • Topic Two -
  • Should kids be on reality shows? What is your position? Write an argumentative essay to the Producers of Honey Boo Boo either in support of kids being on reality shows or against kids not being on reality shows.
  • Topic Three -
  • Shouldschool startlater? What is your position? Write an argumentative essay to Superintendent Rudy Falana in support of school starting late or in support of school hours not changing.
  • Topic Four -
  • Should stores ban plastic bags? What is your position? Write an argumentative essay to a local grocery story in support of stores banning plastic bags or in support of stores keeping plastic bags.

Assignments Due Date Points

Brainstorming Worksheet ______10 Graphic Organizer ______15 Introduction ______5 Body ______6 points per paragraph Conclusion ______5 Typed Final Draft ______100

RUBRIC: See Attached. The rubric must be submitted with your typed essay.

Brainstorming Worksheet

Pros – Year-Round School / Cons – Year-Round School
Pros – School Uniform / Cons – School Uniform
Pros – Homework / Cons – Homework
Pros – Eligibility / Cons – Eligibility
Pros – Fast Food Cafeteria / Cons – Fast Food Cafeteria