Objective
For this assignment, you will complete a 750-word reflective essay about a terrible argument you or someone you know participated in.
This essay aims is for you to explain in detail the nature of the argument and why you were on the winning side. Provide the claim (thesis statement) you were arguing for, and reasons why you believe your claim to be true.
Prerequisites
- Format: please utilize the MLA Checklist to ensure your paper or essay is in correct MLA format. If MLA format is incorrect, you will be asked to resubmit in correct format. You will receive a zero until the resubmission is received.
Requirements
When your essay is complete, it should include the following elements.
1. An Effective Introduction Paragraph:
- Hook: Begin with a hook to engage the reader.
- Bridge: Provide some background information about the argument.
- Thesis Statement: End with a clear Thesis Statement that introduces the main point you were arguing for.
2. An Effective Body:
- Three paragraphs minimum: You need at least three paragraphs in your body. NOTE: a minimum of three paragraphs is required. More than three is very common. Focus on establishing a clear topic sentence for each body paragraph, which introduces the main focus you will discuss in the paragraph. Each paragraph typically introduces another reason why your claim is correct.
3. An Effective Conclusion Paragraph:
- Restatement of Thesis: restate your thesis statement to remind readers about your main idea or claim.
- Summary of Findings: summarize the work you did in your body. Pay particular attention to the topics you identified in your topic sentences.
- Call To Action: Ask the reader to take some sort of action based on the information in your essay, such as considering a different choice if they find themselves in a similar situation.
Grading Criteria
- Word Count (30 points): 750 or more words
- An Effective Introduction (20 points).
- An Effective Body with a minimum of three paragraphs (30 points total):
- Reason #1 why your claim was true (10 points).
- Reason #2 why your claim was true (10 points).
- Reason #3 why your claim was true (10 points).
- You may include additional paragraphs as necessary, including example and background paragraphs.
- An Effective Conclusion (20 points).
Thesis Statement Criteria
One of the graded items for your Big Mistake essay is a thesis statement.
If you review the Lecture Notes: Argumentative Thesis Statements page, you see that there are some basic criteria to remember when constructing your thesis statement.
- Your thesis statement should be only one sentence long.
- Your thesis statement should introduce the main idea or claim of your essay.
- Your thesis statement should be debatable, specific, and concise.
- Your thesis statement should come at the end of your introduction paragraph.
Conclusion
Reflecting on our arguments in real life can help us better understand the process of argument, and the ways we can be both more persuasive, but also understand the views of others.
Good luck, and I look forward to reading your insights!