Essay: Argumentative Essay Assignment. Length ; 1000 to 1200 words
Essay Topics
1. Has hockey in Canada been improved or ruined?
2. Are existing policies in Alberta regarding pet ownership fair and reasonable? Choose one policy on which to focus your argument.
3. In retrospect, should Wiebo Ludwig be considered a hero or a criminal?
4. Do the economic benefits of the Alberta tar sands outweigh the environmental costs?
5. Should teachers be allowed to give students failing grades, or should schools' no-fail policies be upheld?
6. Should Canadian judges be elected or appointed?
7. Facebook's initial public offering was made at $28/share. In early trading, it traded as high as $41 and fell as low as $26. Was the IPO a failure?
8. Should Canadian health-care workers (such as nurses) be able to refuse to work with certain patients on the basis of "conscience rights"?
9. Should Canada's health care system move towards greater privatization?
10. In Canada, should a member of a religious group have the right to refuse a blood transfusion on behalf of his or her child?
11. Should the Canadian government fund safe injection sites for people with drug addiction?
12. A Canadian prime minister's annual salary is set by legislation at $315,462. In contrast, the president and CEO of RBC received over $10 million last year. Is the Canadian prime minister adequately paid?
13. Was the Occupy movement an effective means of protest?
14. The Government of Alberta is currently suing cigarette makers to recoup public health costs related to problems associated with smoking. Should cigarette companies be required to compensate provincial governments for health care costs associated with treating smokers' diseases?
15. During the Iraq War, only "embedded" journalists were permitted to cover news from the war zone. Does being embedded compromise a journalist's objectivity, credibility, and integrity?
16. Is the dominance of Internet news over print news leading to the death of journalism or the revival of journalism?
17. Should Aboriginal communities move toward more or less self-government?
18. Is the restorative justice approach more or less effective than Canada's conventional approach to justice?
19. Should grade schools accept funding from private or corporate sources?
20. Should Canada, like the U.S., ban the slaughter of horses?
21. A Canadian citizen should be able to carry a licensed, concealed handgun if he or she wishes. Discuss.
22. Do Western nations have an obligation to intervene in other nations' genocidal wars (Rwanda, for example)?
23. Should banks be allowed to engage in proprietary trading (i.e. trading for their own gain or loss, and not simply as a middleman)?
24. Should the Government of Alberta offer tax credits or other incentives for "health-promoting" behaviours?
25. Read "Behind the Formaldehyde Curtain," by Jessica Mitford. Defend or oppose the procedures of embalming and restorative work on the deceased in order to present the corpse for viewing.
26. Should every able-bodied citizen be required to serve for a certain period of time in some branch of the military service?
27. Should the government subsidize our Olympic teams?
28. Should donors or their families be compensated for organ donations?
29. Recent elections have been characterized by small turnouts of eligible voters. Some democracies-Australia, for example-require their citizens to vote. Should such a policy be adopted in Canada?
30. Is torture ever acceptable?
31. Are nurse practitioners a benefit or a potential liability?
32. Considering two markedly different approaches to training a dog (or a horse), argue that one is superior to the other.
Checklist for Argumentative Essay
After you have completed your analysis, use the checklist below to evaluate how well you have done.
• Did you use MLA or APA guidelines to format your essay? Did you check your formatting against examples in the textbook or on the Purdue Online Writing Lab site?
• Is your thesis the last sentence of the first paragraph, or do you have a good reason it is not?
• Is your thesis sufficiently narrow for an essay of this length?
• Did you consider including an essay map/preview statement with your thesis sentence? (Speak to your tutor or see Lesson 1, item #2 for further information.)
• Have you used third person point of view throughout? If not, do you have a good reason you didn't?
• Does each paragraph have a topic sentence with at least two supporting points and a conclusion?
• Did you use a transitional word, phrase or sentence at the beginning of each body paragraph? Did you use transitional words and phrases as necessary to connect sentences within your paragraphs?
• Did you follow the assignment parameters by integrating at least two reputable sources in your essay?
• Did you introduce your sources properly? Did you present your sources according to MLA of APA formatting requirements? Did you credit your sources parenthetically? Did you discuss the quote or paraphrase? If you don't understand the questions, please contact your tutor for help.
• Did you check each use of research to determine whether you integrated it?
• Did you make sure that no paragraph (excepting the conclusion) ends with a quotation?
• Does your in-text citation properly match the corresponding Works Cited or References entry? Check this very carefully-remember that the first word of the citation has to match the first word of the corresponding entry.
• Did you make sure to do your in-text and Works Cited or References entries correctly? Did you check each citation word for word and punctuation for punctuation against an example from the textbook, the Purdue Online Writing, or another reputable up-to-date source?
• Did you create a suggestive, emphatic conclusion rather than one in which you unnecessarily repeat the main supporting points?
• Did you pay attention to logos, ethos, and pathos when developing your argument?
• Did you revise very carefully for grammar and mechanics?