AP Language & Composition 2017-18
Ms. Leaphart
Tackling a Local Issue Argumentative Essay
Prompt:One of the ways I hope you’ll use your argumentative writing skills is to engage in civic dialogue about issues that affect you and those around you. This fall, you’ll need to choose a current local issue to weigh in on. The topic is up to you, so long as it is one that is truly relevant to the times and the community. Think very local and make an argument about an issue at CHS in particular (weighted grades), or about one at the district level (policy on school drug searches). Address a controversy that exists at the city level (replacing the Confederate memorial in Hill Park), or the state level (wildfire management), but don’t go any broader than MT.
Write an argumentative essay that defends your stance on the issue as well as suggests a way forward. You must write your essay in a form that you can submit in an authentic way: an Op-ed in the CHS Paw Print or a letter to the appropriate elected official/governing body (school board members, commissioners, your House/Senate representative) for your chosen issue.
Requirements (use this checklist to help you as you write):
Write an argumentative essay that is a between 600 and 800 words. Write your total word count in your heading under your name, teacher, period etc.
Write a title that suggests your purpose as well as a clear, arguable thesis statement.
Present plenty of relevant evidence (data, specific examples! etc.) to support your argument and appeal to logic/reason (logos).
Look for ways to establish your credibility (ethos) and appeal to readers’ emotions (pathos): (personal/human stories, expert opinions etc.)
ANALYZE your evidence to explain how it supports your argument
Arrangeyour claims in an order that is both logical and strategic to your argument
If you use outside sources, find credible onesand cite them in the text of your letterusing signal phrases!
Acknowledge the counterargument and respond by rebutting/refuting, drawing a compromise or weighing the options against one another.
Deadlines:
Letter to the Editor from the opposition: 10/11
Summary of public forum: due with Revisions
First Draft: October 15, 11:59 pm through Turnitin, October 16 hard copy in class
Revision: TBA, (You will submit to me as well as to the appropriate representative/body/forum)