Title: Competency Assessment: (CU2 M4) Essay 2
Course: SkillsCom WR 122 15.0 > Section: Credit Unit 2 Module 4 - Final Draft and Example

Personal Argument

For this essay, you will write an argumentative essay of no more than seven pages addressing a topic currently at issue in your life. For instance, you may choose to argue that a certain career path is the right one for you. You can also choose a topic of controversy within your major field to discuss and argue. You may choose any topic of local or national importance, but you must follow these criteria closely and exactly: Your topic must be narrow enough to be covered in a 5 to 7 page paper. This means that if there’s a book on your topic in our library, your topic is too broad.

Example:

Bad topic: “Gambling is harmful" or "We need more nurses" or "Colleges shouldn't require so many classes."

Better topic: “Casino X should be shut down" or "Nursing will meet my criteria for a good career" or "A bachelor's degree is not necessary to be a good nurse."

If you choose to write about a controversy of national significance, you must narrow your topic to something that’s currently at issue and describe how it actively has an effect on you. Your readings will further expand upon the meaning of “at issue,” but know that you can’t expect to tackle all of the arguments for/against the death penalty, abortion, gun rights, or climate change legislation in a single 5 page, introductory college paper and succeed.

Example:

Bad topic = “The Second Amendment is under siege.”

Better topic = “Specific gun law X should be repealed.”

You do not have to choose a “serious” or “heavy” issue for this paper. Successful past papers have argued about everything from charging for parking on campus to whether the toilet seat should be left up or put down after use. Choosing a topic that’s of interest and import to you will make the assignment much easier. Caveat: Do not choose a topic on which your opinion is rock-solid, unchangeable, and/or unreasonable. Rather, pick a topic where you still have a measure of uncertainty and let your research and writing process guide you to a stronger answer. If you’re having trouble choosing a topic, check out this great list of 301 Possible Argument Topics (PDF). Your essay must include a position that’s strongly supported with outside research, and it must also present at least one (but possibly more) strong counterarguments against your position. You’ll be expected to refute this position within your paper. Use the Toulmin model of argument to structure your paper and to strengthen your arguments. Your final piece of writing will be evaluated using this model. The paper needs a clear claim, persuasive (and rational) evidence, and an understood warrant.

Any research – including that drawn from web sites – must be cited in your text and in an MLA formatted works cited page, which should appear at the end of your essay. This page does not count into your total page count. You must have at least 4 outside, credible sources. You may use the texts that you evaluate in the Toulmin assignment as some or all of your sources.