University of California Santa Barbara Marijuana in California Argument Essay

At the end of the unit, students should (rubric for evaluation):

• Produce a thoughtful, logically structured, and well-researched argument;
• Show evidence of engagement with a timely topic (problem/solution) and research question;
  • Argues for the best alternative to solve a critical, pressing problem;
• Use secondary sources that are effective for the chosen audience and rhetorical purpose;
• Document secondary research (both in-text and in Works Cited) correctly according to MLA guidelines;
• Use appropriately summary, paraphrase, and direct quotations to support and develop claims;
  • Essay avoid over-use of source material and sources are properly integrated into the writing;
• Employ rhetorical appeals effectively;
• Avoid logical fallacies;
• Includes effective counterargument section with refutation and/or concession of key opposing views;
• Make clear to relationship to and meaning of adversity and resilience in a prominent way (not as an afterthought or mere mention), the course theme
• Produce a final draft that shows evidence of a thoughtful writing process, including invention, revision, and editing;
• Use syntax, punctuation, and spelling effectively in service of rhetorical purpose and to support the writer’s ethos; essay is relatively error-free.

Major Assignment: Writing a Classical Argument

Instructions: Write a formal persuasive paper that solves a “perplexing problem” on which you base a research question that proposes a plausible solution. The topic should be timely and significant, avoiding personal issues and can be somewhat controversial.

Be sure to establish yourself as a credible author by using an appropriate tone and voice. Also make sure your thesis (position) clear and decisive from the beginning and maintain that stance consistently throughout the paper. You must link reasons to your claim that you develop throughout the rest of the argument. You should also be clear about the claim you make, linking reasons or “warrants” that you use as subpoints throughout the paper. You must also make clear the meaning of adversity and resilience in the context of making your argument, and how the problem/solution directly relates to this theme.

Remember to use specific examples, facts, quotations, anecdotes, statistics, images, etc., to back up your general claims, though they should not form the bulk of your paper. Also, be sure to include a fully developed counterargument section, during which you present—then refute or concede to—any opposing views. This paper should be submitted through Canvas and earn no more than a 25% on the report that indicates “similarity to other texts.” The similarity score discounts bibliographic material and citations, so it applies to quoted material. Finally, MLA format should be used, with sources cited appropriately both within the body of the essay and in a Works Cited page that concludes the piece.