Project III
Stick It to the Man “Argumentative” Writing
One of the most common forms of written assignment is the “argumentative essay.” This is because writing, that is, recording, expressing, and organizing one's thoughts, is closely tied to the ancient art of rhetoric. Rhetoric is most often defined as “the practice of meaning-making through teaching,” or proving what something means to your audience. This involves making some kind of “argument” that supports the meaning you believe to be correct.
Any time you want to get someone to do something, no matter how small, you have to create an argument, or a series of reasons and justifications, that convince him or her to take the action you want. A good argument can mean the difference between doing the right or wrong thing and can get you things in life that money can't buy. Learning how to make an effective argument is a valuable life skill that makes you better at inspiring action in others.
The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle put forth some of the most significant contributions to the field of rhetoric that we still utilize today. Among others, he introduced the concepts ethos, pathos, and logos. Respectively, these three principles refer to the credibility, emotional impact, and logic your argument possesses. It is these three elements, along with a strong thesis statement, that your argument is built on. A thesis statement is your chance to say your argument in as little as one sentence. It is a clear statement that tells your audience what you are going to argue for and why. In this assignment you will practice using all these elements.
Your Assignment:
For this assignment, you will argue for a solution to a problem you identify within your life or the surrounding community. In order to make as complete an argument as possible, you will have to do some research. You will present your argument in two ways:
1) In order to reach the most people, we will write a letter or an editorial opinionas if to publish in the Western Herald or send. In the editorial or letter, you will want to establish yourself as a credible source (ethos) by presenting evidence of your research and sounding authoritative, appeal to your audience's sympathies and morals (pathos) by relating your issues and solutions to them in some way, and prove your solution is rational or otherwise practical with clear justification or plan (logos).
2) In order to test your argument's validity and strength you will deliver a 3-minute presentation of your argument to a panel of your peers in class. Prepare yourself with some notes to help you clearly remember your thesis statement, your researched information, and how it proves your point. Also, since you have the opportunity to speak directly to a segment of your audience, you may want to take advantage of that kind of connection by presenting yourself professionally or trying to make an emotional impact. Also, be prepared to answer any criticisms because your peers will have the opportunity to ask questions, ask for clarifications, are offer criticisms of your argument in a Q & A session after your presentation
Final Product:
· A 3-4 page, single-spaced editorial with 1-inch margins and MLA-style Works Cited list
· You will create an annotated bibliography which will discuss your topic and provide researched support of your argument. An annotated bibliography includes a summary and/or evaluation of each of the sources.
· A 3-minute presentation of your argument + notes for your presentation
· All process and research materials
One of the most common forms of written assignment is the “argumentative essay.” This is because writing, that is, recording, expressing, and organizing one's thoughts, is closely tied to the ancient art of rhetoric. Rhetoric is most often defined as “the practice of meaning-making through teaching,” or proving what something means to your audience. This involves making some kind of “argument” that supports the meaning you believe to be correct.
Any time you want to get someone to do something, no matter how small, you have to create an argument, or a series of reasons and justifications, that convince him or her to take the action you want. A good argument can mean the difference between doing the right or wrong thing and can get you things in life that money can't buy. Learning how to make an effective argument is a valuable life skill that makes you better at inspiring action in others.
The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle put forth some of the most significant contributions to the field of rhetoric that we still utilize today. Among others, he introduced the concepts ethos, pathos, and logos. Respectively, these three principles refer to the credibility, emotional impact, and logic your argument possesses. It is these three elements, along with a strong thesis statement, that your argument is built on. A thesis statement is your chance to say your argument in as little as one sentence. It is a clear statement that tells your audience what you are going to argue for and why. In this assignment you will practice using all these elements.
Your Assignment:
For this assignment, you will argue for a solution to a problem you identify within your life or the surrounding community. In order to make as complete an argument as possible, you will have to do some research. You will present your argument in two ways:
1) In order to reach the most people, we will write a letter or an editorial opinionas if to publish in the Western Herald or send. In the editorial or letter, you will want to establish yourself as a credible source (ethos) by presenting evidence of your research and sounding authoritative, appeal to your audience's sympathies and morals (pathos) by relating your issues and solutions to them in some way, and prove your solution is rational or otherwise practical with clear justification or plan (logos).
2) In order to test your argument's validity and strength you will deliver a 3-minute presentation of your argument to a panel of your peers in class. Prepare yourself with some notes to help you clearly remember your thesis statement, your researched information, and how it proves your point. Also, since you have the opportunity to speak directly to a segment of your audience, you may want to take advantage of that kind of connection by presenting yourself professionally or trying to make an emotional impact. Also, be prepared to answer any criticisms because your peers will have the opportunity to ask questions, ask for clarifications, are offer criticisms of your argument in a Q & A session after your presentation
Final Product:
· A 3-4 page, single-spaced editorial with 1-inch margins and MLA-style Works Cited list
· You will create an annotated bibliography which will discuss your topic and provide researched support of your argument. An annotated bibliography includes a summary and/or evaluation of each of the sources.
· A 3-minute presentation of your argument + notes for your presentation
· All process and research materials
Grading Project III:
Concept/ Focus
Developing- I guess I can see how this could be persuasive. Have more maturity in the argument that is present.
Progressing- Good start. Keep working though. Try to change your language, word choice and tone. Has potential.
Understanding- The paper really brings up interesting points. I am going to be contemplating this topic all day.
Utilizing- Fabulous. Content really kept my interest. Great points. Consider sending this to the local newspaper!
/ 8 pts
Organization
Focus and Flow
Scattered thought after thought. Does not make sense. Maybe you should see me to talk later.
Okay job. The paper has limited focus. The writer presents unnecessary info. The organization barely exists.
Good Job. This paper flows with ease and all the topics seem to follow one another.
Wow! This paper is organized effectively and purposefully. The flow is impeccable.
/8 pts
Conventions
(citations, grammar, annotated bibliogrpahy (4pts)
Hmm…. Did you come to class? Citations are not correct and the grammar is nonexistent.
Okay job. Some citations are right on and others, not so much. Grammar is still a work in progress.
Great Job. Most of the citations were correct. A few grammatical errors.
Wow! All the citations were perfect and there were minimal grammatical errors.
/8 pts
Logos, Pathos, Ethos
What appeal was the plan of attack? In what way did the student accomplish this?
“There were suppose to be appeals? What are those?”
There was an appeal used. It was hard to figure out how, but it was present.
Appeals were used. They are present when looked for.
Multiple appeals used. They are clear and effective (great tone and word choice).
/8 pts
Process
Revision
No process. No revision.
The process is incomplete. Revision is slightly helping. Keep working.
The process is fully present. Revision is beginning to help.
Really allowing the process to help time-management. The revision is obvious; Great Work.
/8 pts
Reflection Piece
No reflection.
Reflection is present but lacks actual thought on behalf of the author. Author did not follow directions.
Reflection is well executed. Important focus points are addressed. But piece lacks relation to past and future experiences.
Excellent reflection. Makes the reader think and see what author is discussing through examples and clear focus.
/4 pts
Materials
Missing more than four materials.
Missing two or three materials.
Missing one or incomplete assignment
All assignments and materials accounted for.
/6 pts
Concept/ Focus
Developing- I guess I can see how this could be persuasive. Have more maturity in the argument that is present.
Progressing- Good start. Keep working though. Try to change your language, word choice and tone. Has potential.
Understanding- The paper really brings up interesting points. I am going to be contemplating this topic all day.
Utilizing- Fabulous. Content really kept my interest. Great points. Consider sending this to the local newspaper!
/ 8 pts
Organization
Focus and Flow
Scattered thought after thought. Does not make sense. Maybe you should see me to talk later.
Okay job. The paper has limited focus. The writer presents unnecessary info. The organization barely exists.
Good Job. This paper flows with ease and all the topics seem to follow one another.
Wow! This paper is organized effectively and purposefully. The flow is impeccable.
/8 pts
Conventions
(citations, grammar, annotated bibliogrpahy (4pts)
Hmm…. Did you come to class? Citations are not correct and the grammar is nonexistent.
Okay job. Some citations are right on and others, not so much. Grammar is still a work in progress.
Great Job. Most of the citations were correct. A few grammatical errors.
Wow! All the citations were perfect and there were minimal grammatical errors.
/8 pts
Logos, Pathos, Ethos
What appeal was the plan of attack? In what way did the student accomplish this?
“There were suppose to be appeals? What are those?”
There was an appeal used. It was hard to figure out how, but it was present.
Appeals were used. They are present when looked for.
Multiple appeals used. They are clear and effective (great tone and word choice).
/8 pts
Process
Revision
No process. No revision.
The process is incomplete. Revision is slightly helping. Keep working.
The process is fully present. Revision is beginning to help.
Really allowing the process to help time-management. The revision is obvious; Great Work.
/8 pts
Reflection Piece
No reflection.
Reflection is present but lacks actual thought on behalf of the author. Author did not follow directions.
Reflection is well executed. Important focus points are addressed. But piece lacks relation to past and future experiences.
Excellent reflection. Makes the reader think and see what author is discussing through examples and clear focus.
/4 pts
Materials
Missing more than four materials.
Missing two or three materials.
Missing one or incomplete assignment
All assignments and materials accounted for.
/6 pts