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In Paper #4, you will be building on the skills we learned in our previous three papers and, this time, asserting and supporting your own position on an issue related to the food system in the United States OR another approved topic (see list below). You will research, integrate, and cite 4-5 sources in MLA format as you develop and support your position. This 4-5 page researched argument assignment is worth up to 30 points of your final WR 121 course grade.
Argumentative Essay Elements
Your essay will include the characteristic features of argumentative writing (read more about these in Ch. 12, starting on p. 143): an explicit position, background information about your topic, good reasons and researched support for your position, attention to more than one point of view, a convincing tone, an appeal to readers’ values, and an explanation of why the topic matters (the so what?).
Sources
To build and support your argument, you will need to analyze researched sources that are current (last 10-15 years, depending on topic and how this source will contribute to your argument) and credible. To refine your topic and to find your sources, you will use the databases that we learned about in our research lesson in Week 4.
One of your sources can be a reading from your textbook, and the other three or four sources will be credible outside sources that come from your research. One of the four sources should include a perspective that differs from your position. Sources must be approved before you begin your writing.
Grammar and Sentence Fluency
Proofread and get help with sentence skills! Be sure you are finding and correcting run-ons, comma splices, and fragments. Make sure your punctuation, spelling, and capitalization are well-executed.
Help and resources
See Ch. 12, 18, and 19 for information and help with argumentative writing.
See Ch. 28 for guidance with MLA style.
Visit me in office hours, or email me to set up an appointment for help.
Visit a tutor in the Tutoring Center (SSC building) or in Zoom!
Visit a librarian for help with finding and evaluating sources and formatting in MLA style.
WR 121—Coen
Essay Structure
Introduction
Here, you are to kick things off with a personal anecdote or a hook for your topic. Be creative.
Thesis
Your argument’s claim can be in either paragraph one or paragraph two, depending on how you set up your introductory hook. You may consider one or more sides in this introduction section.
Body Paragraphs
This is your “reasons” section in which you’ll work in four or five sources including:
One reading from the textbook (optional, not required).
Four sources that are relevant to your topic and that you find through research. These sources need to be approved by me!
Opposition
This paragraph’s where you confront cynical “attitudes”—n.b., not cited sources, just cynicism generally—to one hoping to insert a bit more awe into the day-to-day. Here, you address skepticism about your topic, the why-should-I-bother-to-care-about-this issue demographic. What are some holes in your discussion? Write about these, and then respond to them.
Conclusion
Wrap up your argument by returning to your introductory anecdote or extending it some meaningful way. Answer the so what? Why is this issue important? What’s at stake for individuals, society, etc.? Offer some solutions, if appropriate.
Essay Format
The argument essay must be four to five pages long, and then will be the Works Cited page. Format your heading in MLA style (see a sample MLA style essay on p. 601 in your textbook). Your name, Instructor Coen, Wr 121, and due date should be in the upper left corner of your page (outside of the header space). Title follows in the center of the next line. Your last name and the appropriate page number of your essay should be in the header space in the upper right of each page of your essay. Include in-text citations and a Works Cited page, both formatted in MLA style.
Essays should be typed in 12-point font, using Times New Roman or another legible font, and double-spaced with 1-inch margins
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