As we begin to think about our Argument Essay, you want to think about the struc

As we begin to think about our Argument Essay, you want to think about the structures discussed this week: the Toulmin, Rogerian or Classical argument development. These are model approaches to develop ideas remember, and will always be adapted to the specific you focus on. Never force an idea into a form, but rather see how those structures can be used to bring out the argument’s key points.
The general topic area remember you cannot argue any of them as a general point of argument, but must narrow the topic area to a specific context. That means you need to research the areas to find current and specific problems within the topic:
TOPIC: Global Warming. Discuss some specific aspect of the immediate question of global warming as a problem. This means choose an area of information, like fish die-off, rising water levels, or depletion of specific crops; but only one such area (you might choose a region to focus on). By looking at current situations, limit this focus to the present problem rather than speculations about the future.
Keep in mind what we have done with analysis and the objective point of view. Do not argue by taking a stand, voicing your opinions, or talking in the first person. And then as you develop your draft, you should try to narrow your argument even more, to a question or questions related to a specific problem or example of your general topic. The more focused your topic becomes, the better your essay will be, as you will be able to explore in more precise detail the evidence you use. Where general arguments often use a good deal of pathos to carry their points, specific arguments tend to draw on specific examples of both logos and ethos.
The topics above where chosen because they are debatable. Remember you want to build a strong argument by taking into consideration evidence to the contrary, and rebutting those points based on further evidence.
Purpose: Your purpose with the Argument Essay is to demonstrate not just persuasive attitudes, but valid, detailed support of your ideas from the sources you choose. Keep in mind that your paper will develop as you research and write. Do not simply try to “plug in” research ideas to what you already consider your own position. Be aware that good arguments grow and develop through the learning involved in research. Allow for changes in your focus, and develop your ideas as you learn through the research itself. Refine and narrow your topic through the research.
You should rewrite your thesis to make it more specific after you have drafted out your essay and explored the sources.
You should work to have your ideas as the developmental focus of the essay, and the sources you use only as support for your ideas. When you use a source idea or quote, make sure you engage it through the “lens” of your argument focus. This means do not simply present source ideas as information, use such ideas as they relate to your developing argument.
Documentation: It is important that you understand that research begins with the first thing you read about your topic. And when we limit your sources to five, you must be careful not to use ideas or evidence from any source not listed in your Work Cited. This is a difficult task, but one that helps us become aware of the uses of information in a responsible way. Everything that you read and use must be documented; if it is not documented, do not use it in your essay. The failure to do so constitutes plagiarism. As you read, take note of ideas and where they are coming from. Keep a journal of both sources and ideas, so that you can refer back to specific points and know where you first encountered them.
Proper documentation, both in the essay as citations and in the Work Cited at the end, should be your focus for this first Argument Essay. In limiting the research, you will also have time to spend on the proper formatting and citation information. We are using the MLA 7th edition documentation style. The best site for all the information on MLA style is the textbook, then also The Online Writing Lab (OWL) at Purdue University (https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/). The videos included in the quiz this week will make clear the citation process. But keep in mind you need to cite all sources you use. In addition, feel free to ask if you have specific formatting questions you cannot find on the Purdue site.
Audience: Write the Argument Essay for a scholarly audience, such as your instructor and classmates. This means keep the phrases, jargon, and common clichés we use in everyday speech to a minimum. Try to develop specific, critical language that is appropriate to your topic. Do not use the first person “I” or the second person “you.” If you use reference to the third person “we,” do so only in a limited fashion (a couple times in the paper). The Essay should focus on the subject, the area of concern, and the information itself (that way, you can easily avoid using self reference as you point of focus).
Sources: You are limited to five sources on this essay. Try to research the best, scholarly resources you can find for this short essay. Keep in mind that the credentials for a publication are crucial to evaluating the scholarly aspects of a published work.
This is the assignment, but all I need for now is the introduction of the argumentative paper and then also the links to the 5 scholarly articles used. Once you have researched various ideas on the area, and developed your own unique argument position, then present that idea in 3-4 paragraphs.
Let me know if you need anything!