Background: Topics should be focused. Thesis statement required. Only provide
background information where it seems appropriate/necessary. If you are arguing a
particular side or looking at one point of view, it is often a good technique to at least
recognize the opposition. In other words, you should at least make mention of other
viewpoints or common arguments related to your topic so that it doesn’t seem like you
are ignoring issues that others deem important.
Aims/Goals: To engage the recent debates surrounding an issue, to develop a more
complex understanding, to question the accepted version of events, and/or to sift through
related sources to try and get at the truth.
Audience: Analyze and question your sources, look for places where authors seem to
contradict each other, and you might want to speculate on the motives of each. In an
argumentative paper your goal is never just to inform, you’ll also need to analyze, to
persuade, to take apart the “accepted” arguments that came before, and/or to find
common ground between opposing viewpoints. Assume readers are at least a little
familiar with the topic, but it will be your job to educate us on what we should believe
and/or do about the current state of the topic.
Documentation: Minimum two sources required. MLA format, documentation, and
works cited required (12 pt. font: courier, times roman, or arial, one inch margins).