ENGL 1302 Causal Argument Essay Assignment

Purpose
To write a causal argument to explore an effect with multiple causes or a cause with multiple effects using
appropriate evidence

Application
A key attribute of being a critical thinker is being able to draw logical conclusions of causality. As critical
thinkers, we must be able to look at the available, appropriate evidence and draw logical conclusions.
Many controversial issues are often posited to have many causes or consequences depending on the
author’s perspective. Critical thinkers need to be able to sort through the facts to draw their own
conclusions.

Critical thinking skills you are developing in this assignment:

Inquiry: Avoid jumping to conclusions. You should examine and question assumptions about causality or
underlying biases or prejudices. You should critically examine your own opinions to make sure they are
supportable by the evidence you gather.

Support: Develop a pattern of causation concerning your particular issue (see pages 244-245). Using this
pattern, show causation using evidence to support your argument.

Synthesis: Put your conclusions in context with the opinions and insights of other people. This is called
synthesis, and it is covered in Chapter 19. You will need to consult outside sources. Your instructor will
provide guidelines for appropriate and useful sources.

Conclusion: The causal argument you make about your topic must be based on specific evidence and
must be objectively supportable.

Assignment
After reading Chapter 11 – Causal Arguments, consider a current issue that you feel needs attention. If
you need ideas, browse the pages of a newspaper or news source or examine the topics in the Readings
of your textbook to discover possible topics. Please remember that you must get your topic approved.
Yours essay will need to be between 1300-1700 words; MLA format. You will need additional research for
this essay: at least 4 sources (no more than 6), 2 of which need to be scholarly sources from the library
databases. Make sure you present your causal claim near the beginning of your essay, usually toward the
end of your introductory paragraph.

You will need to decide on an approach which you can support using evidence. If needed, please refer to
Chapter 11 for different forms causal arguments can take, particularly pages 244-245. As you develop
your claim, consider the audience’s potential objections to your claim and account for them in your
discussion. Don’t forget about establishing an ethos that helps you gain credibility with your audience.
Also, be careful about potential logical fallacies.

Topics
All ACC students who take ENGL 1302 must write a causal argument as described in this assignment
sheet. You may choose any topic of your choice that follows the assignment guidelines. Topics may
include controversial topics.

Format
Prepare your essay in MLA style: Times New Roman; 12 pt. font; 1 inch margins;
Header on the top right corner with your last name and page number; Heading on the top left corner with
your name, my name, the course name, the due date (4 lines total). Double spaced. No contractions.
Third person only. Works Cited, header, and heading are not to be included within the total word count.

Audience
Imagine and address an audience that is hostile to your position but willing to listen.

Deadlines and Submissions

Follow the deadlines for each part of this assignment as listed on your course calendar. Be sure to
complete each upload to Blackboard as scheduled on the calendar. Partial drafts must contain at least
one paragraph. Completed (rough) drafts must be within 90% of the minimum final word-count to
receive credit.

Grading Criteria:

Excellent Good Acceptable

Marginal Poor
Element A 25-22.5 B 22.25-20 C 19.75-17
D 17.25-15.75 F 14.75-
points points points
Effectively Addresses the Addresses Some errors in Does not
addresses the writing task in most of the addressing the address writing
writing task in a thoughtful writing task writing task task and/or
Focus: 25%
a thoughtful manner with with some and some substantial
and organized some errors in errors in issues with issues with
manner organization organization organization organization
Consistently
Accurately
and accurately
interprets Accurately
interprets Some Little/no
evidence, interprets
evidence, interpretation interpretation
draws evidence,
draws of evidence, of evidence,
warranted draws
warranted draws unwarranted
conclusions, warranted
Logic: 25% conclusions, conclusions, conclusions,
analyzes conclusions,
analyzes little analysis no analysis or
alternative some analysis
alternative and evaluation evaluation of
perspectives, and evaluation
perspectives, of alternative alternative
and evaluates of alternative
and evaluates perspectives perspectives
where perspectives
where
appropriate
appropriate
Consistently
Uses language
uses language
that is precise, Uses language Language used
that is precise, Language is
varied, and that is precise, needs to be
varied, and not academic
vivid; employs varied, and more precise
vivid; employs in nature;
diverse and vivid; some and varied;
diverse and major sentence
appropriate sentence sentence
appropriate structure
sentence structure structure
sentence issues; Major
Style/Correctness: structure issues; issues;
structure errors in
25% throughout; Some errors in Many errors in
throughout; No grammar,
Few errors in grammar, grammar,
errors in punctuation,
grammar, punctuation, punctuation,
grammar, and spelling;
punctuation, and spelling; and spelling;
punctuation, MLA
and spelling some issues many issues
and spelling; formatting
MLA with MLA with MLA
MLA incorrect
formatting is formatting formatting
formatting is
correct
correct
Consistently
Selects
selects Most source Some source
appropriate Inappropriate
appropriate material is material is
source source
source appropriate; appropriate;
material; material; poor/
material; correctly poor
correctly no integration
correctly integrates integration of
Research: 25% integrates of source
integrates outside source outside source
outside source material;
outside source information; material;
information; incorrect
information; cites incorrect
cites citation of
cites information citation of
information information
information accurately information
accurately
accurately
Total: