The entire class is focused on a research-based, ten-page Arguing a Position paper. You will be taking a position on a topic that matters to you and trying to convince your readers of it––through logical argumentation (logos), presenting yourself as trustworthy (ethos), appealing to readers’ emotions and values (pathos), and carefully employed research. Your essay should include the following Key Features:
A clear and arguable position
Necessary background information
Good reasons
Convincing evidence
Appeals to readers’ values
A trustworthy tone
Careful consideration of other positions
You are strongly encouraged to choose a topic from They Say/I Say, where you will find collections of essays that take different positions on important current issues. If you do this, you will already have a head-start on your research, but you may consult with your professor if you have a different idea. These topic areas are “why care about the planet?”, “how can we bridge the differences that divide us?”, “what’s college for?”, technology, and gender. It is possible that this project will also be structured as a proposed solution to a problem in the world; if this is the case, you might find the “Proposal” section in the Norton Field Guide to Writing useful, but your essay will still need to include the Arguing a Position Key Features (information about the problem would fall within “necessary background information,” etc.).

Your essay must be ten pages long in MLA or APA format and include the application of at least eight reliable, academic sources. It needs to be submitted to two places: the Originality Check assignment link and Taskstream, where it will be evaluated. Submission instructions can be found in Learning Activities.