Keeler -- Argumentative

ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS: In this position essay, you will take a position and support it with evidence. Your analysis can be grounded in your personal experiences, but you also need to support your ideas with the facts and theories in research that supports your position. The essay should be five (5) paragraphs in length (not including a works cited page and title page). You are then to write a position paper expressing your point of view on the issue or problem. Definition of a position essay Position essays concern controversial issues, matters on which reasonable people disagree. In this essay, writers take a position on a controversial issue and declare their position, letting the audience know where they stand. A position essay, though, cannot merely assert a writer's views. To convince readers, writers must argue their point by providing sound reasoning and solid evidence in support of their claims. Claims, reasons, and evidence are essential to a successful argument. INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: An explanation of the issue/problem including any necessary background information) as well as your position. NOTE: You will need to justify your position by including reputable sources. Remember to revise your essay so it reads smoothly, logically and clearly from beginning to end. Check for grammatical correctness, punctuation, and spelling. OUTLINE FOR THE POSITION ESSAY Introduction (Paragraph #1)
Build your introduction Provide background information on the topic. Tell why you are writing on that topic. Tell why the topic is important.

The purpose of the introduction is to introduce the reader to the argument of your essay. The introductory paragraph should capture the interest of your reader and give appropriate background information on the topic. Therefore, a brief summary of the ideas discussed in the body of your essay as well as other information relevant to your argument should be included in this paragraph. Yet, the most important component of the introductory paragraph is to present your position on the topic. This is your thesis (the main idea of the essay). Ultimately, your thesis statement should help the reader understand the position being taken. II. Body (Paragraphs #2, 3, 4) This is your actual position. Here you tell the reader something about the topic. Organize the body paragraphs so that the reader can easily follow your thoughts. Your purpose is to simply present your point of view to the reader. The body paragraphs should be detailed without being confusing and should include examples that support your position. III. Conclusion (Paragraph #5) In the concluding paragraph, you review for the reader what you told them in the essay. You should summarize the main points you wrote about and tie your position essay together with a concluding statement.

Keeler -- Argumentative IV. Documentation You must include the appropriate parenthetical documentation in the body of work and provide a properly formatted Works Cited page. (NOTE: Refer to the MLA Style Manual and page 30 in your student handbook.)

In a position essay, argument does not mean fight or dispute. Rather, an argument consists of a claim that cannot be conclusively proved together with the backing for that claim. Real arguments are based on claims about the probable; that is , an effective argument establishes the high probability of a claim such as the following: The new novel Teeth is commercial success because it panders to the lurid interests and materialistic values of the American reading public. Arguable claims have two characteristics: definition and uncertainty. A good way to appreciate these characteristics is to take a look at an unarguable claim, such as this one: Changes in the life styles of Americans would improve their health. No one would challenge that claim; it is too broad and ill-defined to generate an argument. However, if the claim is narrowed and focused, it would satisfy criteria of argument. For example: By playing tennis, my daughter learned the competitive skills that enabled her to succeed in business. In order to be convincing, the arguer must provide backing for the claim that tennis was the basis for the daughters success, as well as evidence that the daughter is a success. Also, the author may need to include qualifications that limit the scope of the claim. Example: Therefore, your composition should address the primary structural members of an argument. The claim Backing for the claim Evidence for the logical conclusion of the argument Qualifications Furthermore, as you analyze your own argument and analyze your opponents argument, consider the following questions below. Is the backing for the claim adequate? Is the evidence for the conclusion adequate? Is the claim adequately qualified?

Keeler -- Argumentative
Mr. Keeler

Position Essay

Claim: By playing tennis, my daughter learned the competitive skills that enabled her to succeed in business. Backing: To be a successful tennis player, you must be completely dedicated, willing to sacrifice all of your spare time for practice. You must also develop the ability to concentrate, letting nothing distract you from your goal: winning. Finally, a good tennis player has no sympathy for the opponent; the only consideration is winning. Evidence: When my daughter went into business, she sacrificed everything for the sake of her construction company, just as she had sacrificed everything for tennis. She concentrated totally on making the business a success, letting nothing distract her; you might say that she kept her eye on the ball. And she was ruthless with competitors, cutting them out whenever possible, just as she had learned to be a cold-blooded winner in tennis. Qualification(s): By playing tennis, my daughter learned the competitive skills that enabled her to succeed in business. Of course, Im not claiming that tennis is the only reason for her success. After all, I gave her three million dollars with which to start her business.