Blog

You will write multiple paragraphs for each section. There is no definitive number. You will write enough to cover all of the major points listed below. Use the PIE Technique to help guide you from one major point to the next. Problem Analysis: This section details the definitions of all terms, the history, and the background of the problem along with all of the causes and effects. I have not listed these items in a particular order, but your essay should covers all of these things at some point in this section of the essay. Research and discuss at least three (3) alternative solutions to the problem that we should consider. You will discuss the positive and negative attributes of these two solution.  Convince us that they are realistic. We cannot end all of the problems with industrial food in 5-6 pages, for instance,  but we can consider a couple of things we could do at the local level to help us eat better food. This section is a simple repetition of earlier information. It will be a fully developed conclusion that gives us (your audience) a solid call to action. End with memorable ideas and details, including a call to action; use persuasive ideas that sell the solution to the reader. Give us a CALL TO ACTION – what should we do about this problem? Make us want to implement your solution! Also indicate what the next steps would be for the audience. Remember, you must write a compelling conclusion that helps to understand that the issue is serious and needs addressing immediately.  Help us to understand why we must act to change the situation and help us to understand why it is important. You are required to overcome any opposition to your argument. Learning about how to refute your opposition is a critical part of the assignment. Please be sure to read about refutation in the section below.  Failure to provide us with refutation will result in a failing grade. Be sure that you list ALL of your sources for your research paper in proper MLA format.  The list should include the required sources and any additional sources that you may have used.  Be sure that you give proper in-text citations within the body of the essay! _____________________ Why is it important to recognize an opposing viewpoint? Aren’t I supposed to be providing my point of view? This question is often the first thing t

o come to mind when we think of counterarguments, but acknowledging other viewpoints doesn’t necessarily have to undercut your point of view. Rather, recognizing the opposing view shows a reader that you’re informed on viewpoints other than the one you believe to be the strongest. In college and in your career, you are seldom contemplating issues that only have one right answer. Good communicators can acknowledge that there is more than one way to look at an issue. Further, these communicators can even concede a point to someone with whom they disagree. In the process of acknowledging the opposing view, a writer or speaker can convey a sense of fairness to an audience. A fair-minded writer is more likely to have an influence on the audience because he or she cannot be dismissed as overly biased. In Daniel H. Cohen’s TED Talk ” ,” Cohen shows that there are three main styles of argument. In Cohen’s view, the argument as war style has become much too prevalent. Cohen feels that this style of argument creates winners and losers and precludes the possibility of arguers learning from one another. Instead, Cohen suggests we should consider the argument as performance style, in which we take audience into account. As you view Cohen’s TED Talk, please consider the following questions. Before you start to incorporate counterargument into your body paragraphs, you may want to consider how you will include a mention or hint of it in your thesis statement. You want to include a hint of your counterargument in your thesis statement in order to let the reader know you will be answering objections in your essay. There are several ways to incorporate counterargument in your thesis statement. However, the “Although…because” thesis format method can be particularly useful especially if you’ve never included counterargument in your thesis statements before. Now that you’ve learned how to construct counterarguments, you must remember to refute them in your argumentative research essay. You do not want a counterargument left un-refuted because it could potentially undermine your essay. Note: You always want to keep your language respectful in tone, even when you are in disagreement with a point of view. Using disrespectful or incendiary language could potentially cause your readers to stop reading your essay.