7.3: Writing the Basic Argument--Assignment

Purpose: The purpose of this assignment is to practice writing a full classic argument in a shorter form than a longer research essay. For many students, this will be review, and for some this will be their first time writing an argument that requires a counter argument.

SLOs-Employ a voice, style, and tone appropriate to the topic selected and the rhetorical situation  -Direct an argument or explanation to the designated audience  -Establish a clear framework of essay and paragraph organization appropriate to the writing task and the thesis  -Employ rhetorical strategies consistent with the purpose of the writing task  

Course Objectives:   

1. Develop students’ writing process in composing formal, college-level essays using various rhetorical writing modes 
2. Cultivate students’ awareness of purpose and audience when assessing a writing situation 
3. Enhance students’ abilities in organizing, developing, and revising their essays 

Assignment:

Write a short argumentative essay based on the writing prompt below.

The City of Chicago is unique, and like most large cities it is a microcosm of the political, social, and cultural debates happening around the nation. For this argumentative writing assignment, think about the issue that you want the mayor or city council to address this year. This is your audience. You will either argue why your topic is an issue; this can include arguing for what you think causes this issue, OR you can argue for the best solutions to the problem. This means arguing how the issue should be solved. The key is to help your reader understand why this topic matters. You will use your own knowledge and experience to support your ideas. Make sure your thesis statement is argumentative and has logical reasons.

Sources: You can use 1-2 sources for this short essay. The articles you need will depend on the issue you want to address. Once you have decided on an issue, please visit the City Colleges of Chicago library database for sources.

Guidelines:

Your essay should be at least 1000 words.

Your essay should be double-spaced and in MLA format.

It should be multiple paragraphs: including an introduction, support paragraphs, a counter argument, and a conclusion.

 

Assessment Tool:

Here is a basic rubric for assessing argumentative writing.

Criteria

Excellent

Sufficient

Adequate

Lacking

Deficient / Does not Meet Requisite

Focus and Purpose	Purpose is clear. Excellent ability to write a detailed, nuanced thesis with clear main points sustained throughout the essay.	Generally, presents clear main points that are sustained throughout the essay. At times purpose is unclear but has a thesis.	May occasionally present main points that lack clear purpose or distract the reader. Has thesis but needs details.	Lacks clear thesis statement but does have a few main points. Essay has several tangents.	Does not have a thesis statement. Overall, essay has no clear purpose. Does not attempt to answer prompt.  Essay is completely off topic
Development and Analysis	Excellent use of detailed examples, instances, and scenarios to fully support main ideas.  Uses well thought out explanations to analyze sources.	Generally, offers adequate support for main points; incorporates sources in a responsible way that clearly furthers student's ideas.  Adequate explanations that analyze the sources.	May occasionally include information that strays from otherwise consistently supported main points. May contain some confusing explanations but has an attempt at analysis and counter-arguments	Main points are not matched with supported examples, instances, or evidence. Some examples are confusing. Explanations do not work. Constant Repetition. Lacking information and/or counter arguments  Does not meet page or word count.	Has very little support for main points. Examples are confusing.  Does not meet word count requirement.  No explanations. Relies heavily on summary.  Does not have support for main point. No Analysis evident.
Grammar and Mechanics	Correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation shows evidence of editing. Appropriate vocabulary with complex sentence structure. 0-2 major errors	Generally, presents smooth,  easily understood sentences, with few serious grammatical and mechanical problems throughout the portfolio.  3-4 major errors	May occasionally contain wordy or awkward prose with some grammatical and mechanical problems, though errors do not frequently inhibit readability. 4-6 major errors	Some confusing language. Clear lack of editing and punctuation. Overuse of simple sentences.  6 or more errors	Frequent grammatical and mechanical errors in each sentence that inhibit readability. Uses other weak stylistic choices that do not reflect awareness of a reader and/or purpose.
Organization and Structure	Uses a structure that promotes clarity of expression, effective seamless transitions with paragraphing order that highlights the rhetorical mode.	Generally, uses organizational choices that foster sense that essays are cohesive units with a purpose; and some ineffective transitions and focused, ordered paragraphing	May occasionally present paragraphs that lack clear purpose, focus, or logical breaks. Repetitive transitions.  Relies on 5-paragraph structure or unclear structure but has adequate information.	Uses organizational choices that frequently disrupt clarity; presents paragraphs that often lack logical breaks, purpose, or focus.  Relies too heavily on 5 paragraph structure. Structure does not match purpose	Lacks proper paragraph breaks. Does not have ordered paragraphs.  Does not have clear structure.  Does not show the ability to use paragraphs.
Documentation and Synthesis	Integrates all sources correctly and smoothly. Sources support ideas and do not overpower student’s ideas. Excellent synthesis and connection between sources. Offers correctly formatted Works Cited page that reflects cited sources. Sources offer multiple perspectives.	Generally, integrates sources smoothly. Demonstrates the ability to distinguish student’s ideas from source’s ideas and to distinguish student’s words from source’s words. Adequate Synthesis throughout. Good variety of sources.  Has Work Cited page with minor errors.	May occasionally include errors in citations, but errors do not interfere with reader’s ability to identify sources. An attempt at synthesis is visible. Has in-text citations but there are errors. Has Work cited page with missing sources or extra sources. Some variety of sources.	Overuse or underuse of sources, errors in citations, and inability to distinguish students’ ideas from sources used.  Has no in-text citations, or improper in-text citations throughout. An attempt at Works Cited page. Not enough variety of sources.	Shows inability to use sources correctly or does not use sources.  Does not use a works cited page.  Relies on information from the same sources or uses unreliable sources.  Plagiarism or clear over use of sources.

 

https://brightspace.ccc.edu/d2l/lp/rubrics/edit_structure.d2l?rubricId=93003&ou=214781

As you brainstorm for ideas, remember to think about issues that you can personally give examples for. This will help you keep the topic local and relevant.

Here are some possible topics:

• Arguing why abandoned CPS school buildings should be re-purposed as activity centers.
• Turning small city plots into neighborhood gardens for residents to has access to free, fresh vegetables and fruit.
• Adding wellness centers and activities for teens to the Chicago Park District events.
• Extending bus routes and train service to areas of the city with infrequent service.
• Investing in transportation for Chicago Public School students to keep them safer to and from school.

Some students start with an outline, while others prefer to write out their ideas in a free writing exercise. Here is an example of prewriting narrative that will help the student start to think about how to formulate their argument.

 

Example \(\PageIndex{1}\)

Student Example Prewrite

Gun violence in Chicago

The great city of Chicago is known for many things across the nation. From its beautiful skyline to its historical sites and architecture. Unfortunately, Chicago is also infamous for one major problem that has plagued the city for my entire lifetime; gun violence. Gun violence has gone ignored for too long and far too little has been done by those put in charge to take care of our beautiful city as the violence taints the name of Chicago.

It seems like not a day goes by where we hear of gun violence on the news in Chicago. One has to wonder when it will be time to be proactive instead of reactive since nothing seems to have changed. In fact, it seems that the issue is getting worse. This doesn’t just affect the south side of the city as some who know little about the issue might think. Yes, it has a larger impact on impoverished neighborhoods compared to wealthy neighborhoods, but it is a plague that has spread across the city. Myself and many other people that I have known across my life have been impacted in some way, shape, or form from gun violence. The residents of Chicago should not have to keep their head on a swivel whenever they leave their homes.

I strongly believe for the next mayoral election this should be a main focal point of the campaign for all parties. Mayor Lightfoot and all her predecessors have not done nearly enough to help resolve this issue. The Chicago police department has done an adequate job of taking many illegal and unregistered guns of streets of Chicago, but what about the ones that are legal? I don’t believe we should completely take guns of the streets, but it is far too easy for anyone to purchase a gun. I know friends and family who owns guns and when I questioned them about how that process was, they explained to me that it was seemingly super simple, with little to no background check being done. This is extremely alarming and could be one of the reasons the gun violence in this city is so out of control. Another explanation for the issue at hand could be gang violence. What about the innocent caught in the crossfire of a gang shootout? Regardless of whether it is gang related or not, the weapon of choice are guns.

In Chicago around the summer holidays are when gun violence spikes the most. Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day are the deadliest holidays here in the city. You always wake up to the news the next day with an alarming number of shootings that took place during the holiday weekend. Just recently we had a large shooting in one of our suburbs that shook people to their core. Every time I have gone to lollapalooza, another music festival, or even on a night out my parents are always cautioning me to stay alert. It is incredibly saddening that people have to live in this constant state of fear and paranoia, and that Chicago, instead of being recognized for all the amazing qualities that make up the city, is recognized by the entire nation as one of the most violent cities in America. No one should have to lose classmates, children, and parents to gun violence. The lasting affect gun violence has on the communities it has impacted is irreparable.

Thinking towards the future, how many people would want to stay here in Chicago? I love my city but personally, I don’t know if I would raise my kids here. There is simply just too much exposure to gun violence and most people I know see it getting worse before it gets better. Illinois is actually one of the states with the most people leaving it. People are recognizing the issue here and taking action into their own hands by abandoning the city.

Something must be done by our leaders that gives Chicagoans hope for a brighter future. Chicago has been tirelessly portrayed as one of the most violent cities in the country and for good reason. There is a lot of work to do in order for that image to change but the work must be done.