Question description

Writing About a Controversial Subject

In the discussion forums for this course, you’ve had the opportunity to read and respond to a variety of controversial topics: immigration, stereotyping, and civil disobedience. In this assignment, you will write an argumentative paper based on any of these topics.

Take your own premise–whatever premise you offered in our discussions throughout the course–and expand on that idea throughout this piece of writing. Or, you may develop a new premise, tying all topics together, and using the articles as supporting evidence.

Note: If you used a previous response to inform your Researched Argument Paper, you cannot use the same topic again.

Your essay should contain the following:

• a clear thesis and introduction
• two or more points supporting your position
• at least one point of contention
• a refutation of each opposing viewpoint
• and a conclusion

You can review the articles from the discussion forums, but no external sources/research should be included.

This essay will be evaluated on the strength and completeness of your argument, not on formatting or your grammar/usage skills (provided they do not affect the clarity of your thoughts).

Week 8 Discussion:

In week 1, an article was introduced:

Blum, J. (2008). 8 Steps to Writing: A Good, Very Good, Excellent Essay. Writing, 30(4), 12-15.

Here is another article that offers some tips on writing:

Kovach, R. (2010). 25 tips to sharpen your writing: Want to learn some ways to strengthen, energize, clarify and trim your Words? Here are a few tricks of the trade from a “writer” editor. Writer, 123(11), 28-55.

After reading the second article, offer your critique of the pointers provided by the author. Further, see if you can improve the article by applying some of those tips.

For the second part of this discussion forum, reflect on the following questions. Share your responses with your peers.

What activity(ies) did you find most helpful in developing your writing and research skills?

Which course objectives (refer to syllabus if necessary) will be valuable to you outside of this EN102 course?

What else do you feel you need to know to continue developing your writing and research skills?

What has helped you gain confidence in your writing abilities?