Skills In Argumentation

PURPOSE & AUDIENCE

The purpose of this first essay is to demonstrate your skills in argumentation. After spending the first Unit of the course analyzing the components of an argument, you will be writing your own. Your essay should have a clear issue and conclusion, with carefully articulated reasons, all of which are supported by evidence that is used effectively, without fallacies, ambiguity, deceptive statistics, or significant omissions or neglected rival causes. You should identify and back the assumptions (both value and descriptive) that underlie your argument, and, in this way, construct a thorough and logical essay.

Your explicit audience for this essay will be the members of this class, but your argument should be one of value to all California voters, and one that you may choose to share with your community as we prepare for November’s election

PROMPT

The issue and conclusion for this argument is quite simple. You will be choosing one of the state propositions scheduled for the November 2020 ballot to research and respond to (see list on reverse).

Your issue will therefore be: How should Californians vote on Proposition X?

Your conclusion: Yes OR No

To develop your argument, you will begin by visiting Ballotpedia’s website to learn about the details of the proposition as well as whom its supporters and opponents are, as well as any submitted arguments for and against the proposition. What personal bias might those who are financially supporting or countering the proposition have? Finally, identify the descriptive and value assumptions of both sides. Which assumptions do you share? Can you back those assumptions with logical arguments and evidence? Additional research will likely yield yet more arguments in either direction, all of which should be assessed critically, so you can detect any fallacies in the reasoning or weaknesses in the evidence.

ESSAY EXPECTATIONS

You should select a proposition you think is interesting and/or important. Your final essay will present your argument (Yes or No) for California voters facing this proposition with clearly articulated reasons and evidence. Be careful to avoid any fallacies in your reasoning as you construct your argument. Your introduction should introduce the proposition in a way that is engaging and clearly demonstrates why it is important to your reader. Your essay should have an engaging introduction, narrowly focused and developed body paragraphs, a concise and compelling conclusion, strong transitions, and a variety of sentence structures and word choice.

Note:

The final paper must be 5 pages

The final paper must be double-spaced in 12pt in Times New Roman, Arial, or Times

Review grading rubric before submitting

FIRST – SUBMIT YOUR DRAFT TO THE FORUM BY MONDAY, OCTOBER 26 IN ORDER TO RECEIVE FULL CREDIT. MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE USING THE BIBILOGRAPHY CITATION WICH YOU WROTE ALREADY.