1. Develop an argumentative topic and then thesis based on the topic listed below. You will be both evaluating the article AND arguing either that the author is right or that the author is wrong. 2. You must use at least one quote from the article within your essay. 3. Avoid logical fallacies. 4. Support your points and refute the opposing viewpoints with evidence from other sources. In other words, use research material to support your points. Your sources should include at least one scholarly/academic journal and one book, even if it is a reference book, as well as an article from one of the librarys databases, among other sources. (This should be in addition to the one from the scholarly/academic journal, which you will probably also find on a database.)
5. You must use at least five sources. 6. The article you are evaluating and arguing for or against does not count as one of these sources. (You may use as many over and beyond five as you wish.) 7. Cite your sources (including the article/essay you are evaluating and arguing for or against) correctly according to the 8th edition MLA documentation style using in-text and/or parenthetical citations in your essay, as well as in a Works Cited list at the end of the paper. Errors in your citations will seriously damage your grade. 8. Note: Wikipedia is not a valid academic resource! You may not use it! And though you may quote from a dictionary in your paper, a dictionary does not count as one of your required resources (though you do have to cite it if you use it).
Topic:
Find an argumentative opinion/editorial/op-ed column from a reputable newspaper or magazine (not a TV or streaming video one). It must have been published after September 1st, 2019. Argue whether or not the author is right in his/her argument, and use the strengths and/or weaknesses of the argument to support your points either in your reasoning or through refutation. If you argue that the author is right, you must add substantially to that person’s argument.
Note: Make sure you find an article that is an actual argument and an editorial/opinion/or op-ed article from a newspaper or magazine. You may NOT use a news article or one that is just analyzing something. You also may NOT use a letter-to-the-editor.
