Our first step onto the battlefield that is written argumentation is the Polemic

Our first step onto the battlefield that is written argumentation is the Polemic Argument. This is the most common type of argument today. You can find millions of these types of arguments on Facebook.
Purpose: To express a semi-informed opinion about one of the topics we chose in class.
Audience: Your peers, but keep in mind that your strong opinion will only be embraced by a few.
Voice: Semi-formal, Academic
Emphasis: Problems stemming from Abortion, Racial Justice, Mental Health, and Gambling.
Support: One or two articles used to bring credibility to your claim. These can be somewhat out of context if it is necessary to take them out of context.
Organization: See Polemic Argument in a Nutshell hand out.
Format: MLA format; In-text citations; Works Cited Page; 750-
1000 words
The polemic form is a “strident presentation of an opinion… [or] a strident attack on or refutation of the opinion or perspective offered by someone else on a current social concern.” The polemic allows writers to present their positions more forcefully than other argumentative forms: the writer can express anger, frustration, or even humorous exasperation at the response to a current issue. The polemic is normally brief (similar to and frequently appearing as an op-ed) and can employ humor and irony, but it must present an alternative solution to the problem or a call to action