Writing An Argument Final Essay #4 - Assignment

 Assignment Overview

Final Exam Essay Topic - Argument

Learning Objectives

• To know how to write Argument essay with point, counterpoint, and refutation organization
• To clearly support argument points with details from text, and articles and own personal experience
• To know how to correctly bring in outside source material from text and online articles as in-text citations

 Guidelines

PROMPT - YOUR TOPIC

Do you believe the United States is a land of opportunity?

Write from your own personal experience of you and your family, now that you've been living in the U.S. for awhile. Use an example from one of the characters in Hidden Figures also. Brainstorm ideas and write them down. Read the two articles posted in this module for Pro/Con arguments. They will help give you ideas. Pick two or three areas you want to write about** and start creating your outline.

**business? education? family matters? housing? politeness? discrimination? free religious worship? women's opportunities? children's services? clothes? appearance? etc. etc. BRAINSTORM!

INSTRUCTIONS - What to Turn In

• Include an outline of supporting points (topic phrases) above your paper with Thesis Statement on top
• Answer the above question. Stay on topic.
• Argue your opinion in a five-paragraph argumentative essay. Write from your own personal experience added to the characters in our novel Hidden Figures. Additional points may come from events in any of the many Videos that were posted.
• A counterargument to your point must be chosen from one of the articles on the previous page and placed at the beginning of body par.#3
• Include one quote from one of the articles to support counterargument in body par. #3
• After writing the counterargument at the start of body par #3, in that same paragraph refute that point with your own argument. (see body par.# 5 on page 150 of GW5 for a good sample).
• Add a Title on Top
• Use MLA formatting with in-text citations (no need for Works Cited)
• Edit your paper for your most common errors.
• 600-800 word essay

MODEL THESIS STATEMENTS:

• I believe the United States is a land of opportunity.
• I think the United States is the land of opportunity because ________, _________, and _______________. (your three points)
• The United States is not as free as I thought it would be in the areas of _________, _____________, and ________________. (your own personal experiences).

MODEL TOPIC SENTENCES:

First of all, America has religious freedoms. (your own personal experiences in this area)

First, it's difficult as an immigrant to get a good job in America. (your own personal experiences)

First, I am pleased with the free health care system offered to newly-arrived immigrants. (your own personal experiences)

First, there are still not many good job opportunities available for women in the U.S. (your own personal experiences) (or maybe one from Hidden Figures about one of the black women's job opportunities)

Re-read the Pro/Con articles again for more ideas.

CHECKLIST FOR POINTS OFF: Points Deducted for the following:

• PLAGIARISM - Outside material, passed off as your own writing or copied material from another source, or student
• Examples given about people in general - this will be considered Off Topic - you must give your own personal experience examples.
• Missing quote from a pro/con article in body par.#3
• Being off topic - make sure you understand topic question and write from your own personal experience.
• Not a clear Introduction, Thesis Statement, Topic Sentences, Conclusion
• Weak paragraphs - not many examples supporting topic
• Missing or incorrect counterargument and/or refutation
• Missing or incorrect outline
• Paragraphs not indented
• Grammar, sentence structure, verb tense, and spelling errors.

PROOFREAD PAPER BEFORE SUBMITTING.

DEADLINE: MONDAY, JUNE 07, MIDNIGHT