Argument Essay Guidelines
This Individual Project is your first draft of your essay. These guidelines are designed as a reference for you to help you structure your essay, so that you are sure to include all the required parts. Complete your essay draft in a separate Word document for submission.
Your rough draft will end up being at least 5 paragraphs in length, with a word count of 800 words in length. The following template will help you understand how to build your essay:
I. Introduction: Begin with 1 paragraph introducing the argument and topic. The introduction should include the following:
• Attention-getter: Include a statistic, fact, quote, or engaging thought or idea that grabs the reader's attention. Build off of that idea to give basic background on the topic and set the focus for the essay.
• Thesis statement: Include a 1-sentence statement that specifies the following:
The topic
The argument being made about the topic
II. Body paragraph(s): 1st Supporting Paragraph: Support for your position (1-2 paragraphs)
• Begin with a topic sentence that explains 1 supportive idea for your thesis statement.
• Add details to your argument by providing specific examples.
• Identify at least 1 source that supports this detail or example. o Correctly cite any quotes or ideas that you use from the source. Explain how the source supports the argument that you are making in this paragraph.
Use APA format, and place your source on the References page.
III. Body paragraph(s): 2nd Supporting Paragraph: Support for your position (1-2 paragraphs)
• Begin with a topic sentence that explains a second supportive idea for your thesis statement.
• Use a transition word to help your writing flow. (Examples of transition words include additionally, furthermore, likewise, moreover, etc.)
• Add details to support your topic sentence by providing specific examples that build your argument.
• Identify at least 1 source that supports this detail or example.
Correctly cite any quotes or ideas you use from the source. Explain how the source supports the argument that you are making in this paragraph.
Use APA format, and place your source on the References page.
IV. Body paragraph(s): 3rd Supporting Paragraph: Support for your position (1-2 paragraphs)
• Begin with a topic sentence that explains a second supportive idea for your thesis statement.
• Use a transition word to help your writing flow. (Examples of transition words include additionally, furthermore, likewise, moreover, etc.)
Add details to support your topic sentence by providing specific examples that build your argument.
• Identify at least 1 source that supports this detail or example.
Correctly cite any quotes or ideas you use from the source. Explain how the source supports the argument that you are making in this paragraph.
Use APA format, and place your source on the References page.
V. Conclusion (1 paragraph)
• Begin by revisiting the thesis statement in a summary statement.
• Review the main points that you made as you developed your argument.
• Call the reader to action or give your final thoughts on the topic.
VI. References
• Complete the APA formatted reference page entry for the three sources that you used in your paper.
• Introduction
o Attention-getter
o Thesis statement
• First supporting paragraph(s)
o Topic sentence
o Supporting details
• Second supporting paragraph(s)
o Topic sentence
o Supporting details
• Third supporting paragraph (s)
o Topic sentence
o Supporting details
• Conclusion
• Reference page using APA format that includes 3 sources .
In addition to these structural guidelines, my Individual Project should also contain the following:
• A cover page
• Headers
• Page numbers
• It must be double-spaced using 12-point Times New Roman font.
APA format must be followed.
Below is a an example of APA format:
Student Name
Course Title
Type Your Title Here
Begin writing your paper with a .5" indent and continue the paper with an indent for each new paragraph.
References
Encyclopedia, S. E. (1993). Article. In The new encyclopedia Britannica(vol. 38, pp. 745-758). Chicago: Publisher.
Lastname, F. (2003). Book title: Subtitle. Sterling, VA: Publisher Name.
Newspaper article without an author. (1993, July 15). The Washington Post, p. A12.
Wittkopf, B., & Shaw, M. E. (2003, fall). Article title from the journal.Journal Name, 43(2), 18-22. doi: 10:109.0932.9385.09