Assignment:
Objectives:
- Construct an argument using various methods of argumentation
- Utilize the three persuasive appeals (ethos, pathos, logos) to persuade the intended audience(s)
- Gather, summarize, synthesize, and explain information from various sources
- Incorporate in-text and Works Cited (MLA) or Reference (APA)
- Use research from sources (direct quotes, summaries, paraphrases) to provide evidence that supports the reasons, and ultimately, the claim
- Explain and discredit one counterargument to establish an understanding of the opposing point(s) of view and to aid author credibility
- Practice producing coherent, organized, readable prose for different rhetorical situations and audiences
- Engage in writing as a process, including invention (such as brainstorming for ideas), developing a thesis statement, drafting, revising, editing, and proofreading
- Use grammatical, stylistic, and mechanical formats and conventions appropriate for different audiences and writing situations
Assignment Description:
1. For this assignment, you will write an argumentative essay in which you research controversial (or often debated) topics within your intended career field. Need Assignment Help?
- For example, if you are an Education major, a possible topic could be: Should the government divert funds from public schools in order to partially fund charter schools and/or school vouchers?
- Or as another example, if you are a Social Work major, a possible topic could be: Are harming reduction strategies ethical, or do they compound the problem?
- You will most likely need to do some preliminary research to determine what the current topics of debate are in your prospective field.
2. Once you have selected your topic, you MUST choose a side and determine your claim (position).
- Include at least FOUR reasons that support your claim (position) on the topic.
- Each time a reason is stated, evidence (information from sources) must be provided to support that reason.
3. Students MAY NOT write about the following topics:
- Legalizing marijuana, death penalty, assisted suicide, sex education/birth control availability in schools, dress codes/school uniforms, creationism vs. evolution, gay marriage, conspiracy theories, issues of faith/religion, prayer in public schools, smoking in public places, video game violence, lowering/raising the legal drinking age, English as the national language, gun control, paying student athletes, or any other topic that has been written about so much there are few (if any) new viewpoints to share.
4. Students will identify and discredit at least one opposing point of view. Develop the counterargument in a body paragraph within the essay. You will need at least 5-8 sentences to state the opposing point of view, discredit the opposing point of view, and then provide evidence to support your assertion.
5. Write a direct thesis in which you state your position and list your reasons. Keep in mind that the body paragraphs should reflect the order of the reasons listed in the thesis.
Essay Requirements:
1. Word Count: A minimum of 1000 words (This will be roughly three to four pages.)
- Include the Word Count on page one below the date.
- In-text citations and Works Cited (MLA) or Reference (APA) citations are included in this word count.
2. Use MLA (Modern Language Association) or APA (American Psychological Association) format.
3. Use a minimum of four sources.
4. You may not use Wikipedia or other similar sources (such as Encyclopedias)for this assignment.
- You may use first- or third-person point of view.
Please use interview questions and answers to complete the assignment.
1) What is your intended career path, or if you are undecided, which career path are you most interested in?
The career path I am interested in is working with juveniles in the probation office or in the juvenile justice system. I want to help young people who get into trouble learn from their mistakes and get back on the right path.
2) Which controversial topic have you chosen to write about? Explain the link between this topic and your intended career path.
The topic I chose is whether juvenile offenders should be sent to rehabilitation programs instead of detention centers. This connects to my career path because people who work in juvenile probation often help guide young offenders through programs that focus on improving behavior instead of only punishing them.
3) What is your position (claim) on this topic? Why have you taken this position?
My position is that juvenile offenders should be placed in rehabilitation programs instead of detention whenever possible. I believe this because many young people who commit crimes are still learning and can change if they receive the right support and guidance.
4) Who is your intended audience? Why have you chosen them?
My intended audience is people who believe that juvenile offenders should always be placed in detention facilities. I chose this audience because many people think punishment is the only way to deal with crime, but I want to show that rehabilitation can be more effective.
5) State at least FOUR reasons that support this claim.
Reason #1: Rehabilitation programs help juveniles learn better decision-making skills.
Explanation: These programs often include counseling and education that help young people understand the consequences of their actions.
Reason #2: Juveniles are still developing mentally and emotionally.
Explanation: Because their brains are still developing, they have a greater chance of changing their behavior compared to adults.
Reason #3: Rehabilitation can reduce repeat offenses.
Explanation: When juveniles receive support and guidance, they are less likely to commit crimes again.
Reason #4: Detention can sometimes expose juveniles to more negative influences.
Explanation: Being around other offenders in detention may encourage more criminal behavior instead of helping them improve.
6) Below, write a thesis for this topic.
Juvenile offenders should be placed in rehabilitation programs instead of detention whenever possible because rehabilitation teaches better decision-making, recognizes that juveniles are still developing, reduces repeat offenses, and helps prevent negative influences.
7) Counterargument
Counterargument: Someone who disagrees might argue that juvenile offenders should be placed in detention to teach them discipline and punishment for their actions.
Discredit the counterargument: However, this argument is weaker because punishment alone does not address the reasons why juveniles commit crimes, while rehabilitation focuses on changing behavior and helping them become productive members of society.
8) Possible Sources
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Juvenile Justice Programs.
National Institute of Justice. Rehabilitation Programs for Juvenile Offenders.
American Psychological Association. Adolescent Brain Development and Behavior.
Juvenile Justice Information Exchange. The Importance of Rehabilitation for Youth Offenders.