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Argumentative Paper
An Argumentative Paper is due in Week Five. Below is a list of potential topics. Please see “Graded Writing Assignment Notices” in your Discussion Forum.
This set of topics and the topics on the grading forum have all been tested over time and can be successfully argued from different perspectives. Thus you need to choose a topic where you can see at least two points of view and present both points. You will have your own opinion and need to present that in Part III of your argument. If you feel so strongly about a topic that you cannot see another point of view, avoid writing about it.
Suggested Topics * Should abortions be legal? * Are Affirmative Action laws fair? * Should America have stronger Gun Control laws? * Should assisted suicide be legal? * Are charter schools/vouchers detrimental to the American educational system? * Should the death penalty be abolished? * Should homosexuals be allowed to legally marry? * Should homosexuals be allowed to be Christian ministers/pastors? * Should animals be used in medical research? * Is global warming a genuine threat to the planet earth? * Should human cloning be legal? * Should embryonic stem cell research be federally funded?
Select one of the above issues and construct a six-to eight-page argument in which you use the following format. Your paper will have three parts: Thesis, Anti-thesis, and Synthesis. 1. Mark each section clearly with a section header. 2. The sources used in the two sections may overlap and need not be completely different. 3. No orphan sources: if a source is in the reference list, it must be quoted in the text, either a direct quote or paraphrased; if a source is quoted in the text, it must be in the reference list. 4. Popular websites such as Wikipedia are not considered suitable as academic sources. 5. You are to use the Ashford online library databases for your academic resources. 6. If you do want to use articles from the Web, start with Google Scholar: http://scholar.google.com/.
Part I: Thesis
Part I is your thesis. Write a short essay (two-to three- pages) taking one side or the other on the issue you select. You want to state very clearly the reasons you are taking the position you take, but you don’t have to defend it thoroughly (that’s what Part III is for).
Part II: Anti-thesis
Part II is the anti-thesis. Write a critical analysis in reply (two-to three- pages) to your essay in Part I by imagining that you oppose what the writer of Part I has stated. Careful reasoning is required. YOU MUST USE AT LEAST 3-5 academic/scholarly sources in the formation of this section. Remember that you are playing the “devil’s advocate,” but what every student must realize is that a sound critical thinker can argue any side of an argument because he/she is diligent and flexible in his/her thinking.
Part III: Synthesis
Part III is the synthesis (about two pages). Revisit Part I and, taking into account all the criticisms of Part II, write a thorough defense of your position. Again, like Part II, you must use at least 3-5 academic/scholarly sources in the formation of this section.
Writing the Argumentative Paper
The Argumentative Paper: * Must be six-to eight-double-spaced pages in length and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the approved style guide. * Must include a title page (in addition to the six-to eight- content pages) that includes the following in sequence: * Title of paper * Student’s name * Course name * Instructor’s name * Date submitted * Must include an introductory paragraph with a succinct thesis statement. * Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought. * Must conclude with a restatement of the thesis and a conclusion paragraph. * Must use APA style as outlined in the approved APA style guide to document all sources. * Must include a Reference page (in addition to the six-to eight-content pages) that is completed according to APA style as outlined in the approved style guide.