The Classical Argument has its foundations in syllogisms (a type of deductive reasoning). For instance, we could state: Americans like to argue. Jean is an American. Therefore, she likes to argue. When we use deductive reasoning, we begin with a generalization and follow a set process that allows us to reach a specific, logical conclusion.
Topic: Â Â For this issue, you will use the topic selected through the Topic Proposal and approved by your instructor. The topic selected must be debatable or have at least two views to be used for this assignment.
Do not select topics from the following list unless you have permission from your instructor. These topics fall into the following categories: too broad (you will not write a book for this class), the topic is too current making reliable sources difficult to obtain, or the instructor has seen the issues too many times to read another paper on the issue.
| Abortion | Capital Punishment | Censorship |
| Cell phone use while driving | Child Abuse | Eating disorders |
| Euthanasia | Evolution | Gun Control |
| Legalizing Marijuana | Smoking | Stem Cell Research |
Purpose: The purpose of this assignment is to persuade your audience your view about the selected topic is valid. Care must be given in the essay to avoid terms that may cause an audience member to stop reading and listening to your point of view on the topic.
Audience: The audience for your argument is everyone in our class and everyone in America and/or the world who is affected or could be affected by your topic. Think carefully about your audience. Should you not consider your audience you could lose the argument before you make your final “sales pitch†that your view is the best view for the topic. Remember, your topic must be approved by your instructor before beginning the essay.
Focus: Narrow the topic into manageable size that will fit the criteria for this essay. Be a superb detective and find the best sources to support your view about the topic.
Development: Once you have an issue, you will need to use effective reasoning and specific information to make your position convincing. You are required to use a minimum of five (5) outside sources to support your argument. Make sure you use a variety of source types (books, magazines, journals, newspapers, and so forth) and were taken from reliable databases such as those found on the Virtual Library. Standard reference works (dictionaries, encyclopedias, and Wikipedia) should not be used.
Review the argumentative techniques studied. As you write your position on the issue, you will need to make clear for the reader your reasons for the position you hold. You will also need to refute (prove the other positions are not valid) other positions held by your opponents.  Do not use first person (I, me, my, etc.) or second person (you, your, etc.) unless in a direct quotation from a source author.
Focus: The focus is on your position or perspective, while refuting your opponents.
Audience: The audience is appropriately identified stakeholders and/or citizens interested in and affected by the issue.
Organization and Development: As you begin your essay, read and annotate articles on the issue. Be sure you find articles supporting your view as well as the opposing view. Summarize articles and take notes. Make sure the controlling ideas presented in the paper are yours and that all sources are clearly cited in the text of your essay. Include a Works Cited/Reference page and proper in-text citations for the documentation style per your instructor’s requirements.
Use a list or outline to address the following items in your paper.
- Introduce the issue.
- Explain the controversy and what others have claimed about this issue.
- Explain the prominent positions.
- Explain in detail how you agree or disagree with the positions held about your issue.
- Consider the audience’s value for the paper.
- Give evidence and support for your claim about the issue.
- Decide where to put your most powerful evidence.
- Decide how and where the rest of your evidence will be presented.
- Decide where in the paper you should show the opposing views.
- Acknowledge what has been left out of the discussion about the topic.
Length, Format, and Minimum Requirements: 1,200 to 1,500 words, plus Works Cited or Reference page following MLA (7th ed.) or APA (6th ed.) formatting and documentation guidelines per your instructor’s guidelines. You are required to use a minimum of five (5) outside sources for this essay (more may be used). Do not begin your research using Google or Yahoo! search engines. Quality sources from a .com or .net source seldom happens. Use the Library tab in Blackboard to access the campus library databases and e-books.
Coherence: Show the connections between the evidence presented and your claim.
Due dates: See the calendar for due dates.
Grading:Â Review the grade rubric to see how the instructor will grade your essay.