Argumentation paper (Negate proposition)

15 Aug Argumentation paper (Negate proposition)

Posted at 17:31h in Uncategorized by

Paper #2 (Negate the proposition)

Due Date: See Course Schedule

This paper is to be 4-5 pages, typed, double-spaced, 1 inch margins.
At least (5) sources used to support your arguments. These sources should be appropriate for a college level paper on this topic. These must be formatted in MLA style and cited both in the text of the paper and a bibliography at the end of the paper. The bibliography does not count toward the total page number.
You are welcome to write more than 4-5 pages. I am more interested in quality arguments than specific page length. Papers that are considerably longer (or shorter) than this page range may have their grade affected as a result. For example, I generally stop reading past page 6 and anything less than 3 pages indicates a lack of development.

Helpful Advice:

Use strong language. Assert yourself. Be confident in your opinion. Arguments with too many qualifying statements will not be regarded highly.
Be clear and concise. The more specific you are the better. Use concrete examples. Vague or broadly worded statements will negatively impact your paper.
Use the Writing Center. My students have shown a dramatic increase in the quality of the papers by getting help from the writing center. See:

Use Clear Organization. Identify what your main arguments are. Make it clear how many you plan to make in support of your position. Use an introduction and conclusion to preview and review your main points. The organization should be clear.
Use your source material properly. All information should be clearly linked to a source. These sources must be cited in the paper.

The strength of your paper is based on the following:

Overall clarity and organization of paper. The easier the paper is to follow along the better your grade. There should be an introduction, clear main points, and a conclusion.
A clear position taken on the proposition. Papers that do not make their position clear will have an influence on grade. The paper should contain some version of the following sentence: “In this paper I affirm/negate the proposition ______________.”
Quality of arguments. The clearer and more specific your arguments the better. The more valid your arguments, the better your grade.
Use of supporting materials. There should be references throughout the paper to supporting evidence to back up your points.
Your use of MLA formatboth in citations within the paper and in a bibliography included at the end of the paper. All sources referenced in the paper should be included in a works cited page at the end.

Argumentation Paper Rubric

Criteria	Ratings	Pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Overall Clarity/Organization Paper contains a clear introduction that sets up the paper and identifies the position being taken. Paper identifies a series of main points/body paragraphs that relate to the proposition. A conclusion paragraph summarizing the arguments in the paper is identified. Paper is easy to follow along overall.		30 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Clear Position Taken Paper takes a clear position on the topic (affirm/negate). Position is made clear consistently throughout paper.		20 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Quality of Arguments Arguments are clearly identified, well-reasoned, and explained. Supporting information is cited directly in support of those arguments. Arguments avoid vague explanations and/or use of logical fallacies.		40 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Use of MLA Format Sources are cited directly within paper and included in bibliography. Sources are in MLA format for both in-text and bibliography citations.		10 pts
Total Points: 100