The Argument Paper This is a difficult essay! You need to choose a topic, and have a firm opinion about that topic. You then need to persuade me that your opinion is “right”. As the notes dictate, there is a difference between an opinion paper and a persuasion paper; I need the latter. You will also need to use at least two counterarguments in this paper. This paper’s body must be 7-10 pages long, typed, double-spaced (this does not include the title page, outline or works cited page). I expect to see both in-text and reference citation. It (the paper and the citation) also must be in MLA or APA format, using a cover page and outline. You must use at least three counterarguments and refute them. It must use logical and ethical appeal. You can use emotional appeal, but this is not to be the sole appeal of the paper. I do not want to see the use of 1st or 2nd person pronouns in this paper (I, me, my, you, yours). You are to use 3rd person singular or plural (“as one can see”, they assume), or, if referring to American society as a whole, 1st person plural (we). The overall grade for the assignment includes the submission of both a rough and final draft, as well as an outline. The final draft should be a significant revision of the rough draft, in terms of grammar/punctuation, organization, MLA or APA format/usage, etc. I am also grading on the criteria listed in the previous two paragraphs. Outline for the Argument Paper There are 2 main types of outline: • Counter-argument/Rebuttal by information • Point-by-point Counter-argument/Rebuttal by information Outline In this outline, you list all the counterarguments first, and then give your rebuttal by giving us the information you have researched. The essay in the back of Chapter 20 of SBCE shows this type of outline. I will use a different topic: Uniforms in Public Schools Intro/Thesis: Uniforms should be mandatory in all public schools I. Why uniforms shouldn’t be in public schools a. Expense—costly b. Loss of individuality c. Doesn’t stop student cliques/fashion competition II. Why they really should be required a. Expense—actually cheaper b. Students are in school to learn, not express individuality c. Will cut down on fashion competition d. Safer for students *Notice how there are more arguments than counter arguments—this is ok. Point-by-point Outline Using the same topic, it would look one of two ways—either argument, counter-argument, rebuttal; or counter-argument, rebuttal through information. Let’s look at the 2nd one first—I suggest you use it, as it is easiest! Counter-argument with Rebuttal through Information Outline I. Cost a. Uniforms are costly b. No, they aren’t—supply your data supporting this here II. Individuality a. Students can’t be individuals in uniforms b. Rebuttal #1: Yes, they can still have their own hair cuts, etc. c. Rebuttal #2: They aren’t in school to be unique, they are there to learn (include any expert quotes re: these two, as appropriate) III. Competition a. Cliques and competition will still exists b. Concede that this is true, to a point, however… c. It will cut down on this problem (insert eyewitness testimony and/or expert testimony, as necessary) IV. Safety—students will be safer Argument-Counterargument-Rebuttal Outline I. Cost a. Is cheaper (give data etc.) b. Bring up counterargument (no, it isn’t) c. Refute the counterargument, using more data II. Individuality a. Students are there to learn, not be individuals b. Bring up counterargument (Constitution, perhaps? Freedom of Speech/Expression?) c. Rebuttal: Can still express selves via haircuts, etc III. Competition a. Will cut down on fashion competition b. Bring up counterargument c. Refute using expert or eyewitness testimony IV. Safety—is safer for students Please use Counter-argument with Rebuttal through Information if you go with this “point-by-point” style outline—it is the easiest to follow, and less likely to repeat information! *Again, notice how not all arguments have a counterargument. This is ok, because remember: you only need a total of three counterarguments for this paper. At the end of this paper I should have: • Outline (submitted with both rough and final draft • Rough draft • Final draft—completely in MLA or APA style with a cover page, outline, and works cited/references page (notes page, as seen in Kessler’s essay, is optional/not required) Good Luck!