An argumentative/persuasive essay in which you take a position on some controversial issue

Task: Write an argumentative/persuasive essay in which you take a position on some controversial issue (by controversial, I mean open to debate, not necessarily an issue that is hotly debated in the media, though those topics are certainly good for this assignment) and argue your point. You must demonstrate your ability to construct an argument and establish credibility through the selection and use of appropriate support. Objective: To design and construct an appropriate rhetorical context To recognize the specific rhetorical needs of a particular argument To select and arrange information for that rhetorical context To construct an argument appropriate for a chosen audience To demonstrate knowledge and application of argumentative and persuasive techniques To select and arrange relevant research-based sources to support an argument To demonstrate knowledge of all aspects of the composition process Audience: A formal, academically aware audience that otherwise fits your essay and rhetorical context Topic: You may choose any issue to discuss as long as it meets the following criteria: Ø An issue that involves a reasonable disagreement (a controversial issue) Ø An issue for which you can find an ample amount of relevant and relatively recent secondary research (books, magazines, journals, newspapers, and/or Internet sources) Requirements: o Length: 3 – 5 typed, double-spaced pages not including the formal, separate Works Cited documentation page o Number of Outside Sources Cited in Paper: minimum of four from Valencia’s Databases o Documentation Style: MLA