Consider revisiting the tutorial Supporting an Argumentative Thesis. Just like in previous Touchstones, your stance needs to be stated in a thesis statement and your evidence in body paragraphs should work to support your claim. For help citing evidence in body paragraphs, revisit the tutorial Source and Quotation Formatting in APA to learn how to quote and paraphrase sources using APA style.
ASSIGNMENT: Write a 4-6 page (approximately 1000-1500 words) argumentative essay arguing one side or stance of an academically appropriate debate using the classical model supported by evidence and research. If the writing exceeds the 1500 word maximum, it will be returned back for revision.
Sample Argumentative Essay
In order to foster learning and growth, all work you submit must be newly written specifically for this course. Any plagiarized or recycled work will result in a Plagiarism Detected alert. Review Touchstones: Academic Integrity Guidelines for more about plagiarism and the Plagiarism Detected alert. For guidance on the use of generative AI technology, review Ethical Standards and Appropriate Use of AI.
CopyLeaks Originality Checker: All writing will be checked for originality. Ensure that all references are credible and include page and paragraph numbers if the source is longer than four pages. If a source cannot be accessed by a grader, you might need to provide digital proof that you possess the source (for example, a photo of the print book). Text from any third party source is prohibited, including internet or chatbot searches, without proper APA-style citations. Focus on developing your own ideas and use evidence sparingly to support your own original claims, following the classical model of argumentation.
- Directions
Step 1. Choose a Topic
Today, there are many different debates being had all around the world about topics that affect our personal, professional, civic, and/or academic lives. Some of these debates have been such hot topics for so long that it has become very difficult to add to the conversation with new and original ideas or stances to take. To move beyond this trend, we have created a list of topics that may not be written about for this Touchstone. This includes example topics that are used in Unit 4. Feel free to access a tutor if you would like support choosing a topic for this essay.
Please AVOID choosing any of the following topics:
- Abortion Rights
- Animal Testing (Unit 4 example)
- Climate Change (Unit 4 example)
- Belief in God(s) or Afterlife(s)
- Death Penalty / Capital Punishment
- Euthanasia / Assisted Suicide
- Fad Diets (e.g., Keto, etc.)
- Funding/Defunding Law Enforcement
- Immigration
- Legal Alcohol/Tobacco Age
- Legalization of Marijuana
- Legalization of Sex Work
- Paying Student Athletes
- Second Amendment Rights (i.e., Gun Control)
- Social Media’s Impact on Mental Health
- Universal Healthcare
- Vaccines
Choosing to write about any of the above topics will result in a non-passing score.
Step 2. Write an Argumentative Essay
Remember the word “argument” does not mean a fight in a writing context. An academic argument is more like a thoughtful conversation between two people with differing viewpoints on a debatable issue. However, you are required to take a position on one side of a debatable issue that is informed by academically appropriate evidence.
For the purposes of this assignment, expressing or relying on your personal opinion of a debate is discouraged. Rather, the essay must argue one side or stance of the debate using the rhetorical appeals (logos, ethos, and pathos) and be supported by academic or scholarly sources. These include physical sources in public libraries, digital sources in academic libraries, online sources (excludes unreliable sources like procon.org and wikipedia.org, which are discouraged), and published expert reports, preferably peer-reviewed by experts in the field to maintain utmost credibility. Consider revisiting the tutorial Finding Sources for more information on appropriate sources for argumentative writing.
Your submission must include an APA style in-text citations and a reference page following the essay. In your research, you will need at least 2 and no more than 4 credible primary or secondary sources to use as support in your essay.
- All sources cited in the writing submitted must be locatable by a grader; include hyperlinks to the sources in the reference page.
- The use of any source that requires payment for access is strictly prohibited for this assignment.
- Avoid using sources that exceed 20 pages in length, as they may be overly extensive for the purposes of this assignment.
- Including more than four sources may cause delays, and you might be asked to provide additional evidence of the credibility for each source.
The following resources will be helpful to you as you work on this assignment:
1 Purdue Online Writing Lab’s APA Formatting and Style Guide
1 This site includes a comprehensive overview of APA style, as well as individual pages with guidelines for specific citation types.
2 Frequently Asked Questions About APA Style
1 This page on the official APA website addresses common questions related to APA formatting. The “References,” “Punctuation,” and “Grammar and Writing Style” sections will be the most useful to your work in this course.
3 APA Style: Quick Answers—References
1 This page on the official APA Style website provides numerous examples of reference list formatting for various source types.
Step 3. Think About Your Writing
On a separate page, below your reference page, include thoughtful answers to the Think About Your Writing questions. References and Think About Your Writing questions are NOT included in the word count for this essay.
Below your reference page, include answers to all of the following reflection questions.
1 What have you learned about how to present a strong argument? How could/will you apply this knowledge in your professional or everyday life (3-4 sentences)? Sophia says: Think about the specific skills and techniques that you used while developing and writing your essay. What tools will you take with you from this experience?
2 Consider the English Composition I course as a whole. What have you learned about yourself as a writer (5-6 sentences)? Sophia says: What did you learn that surprised you? Is there anything that you have struggled with in the past that you now feel more confident about?
Title: The Benefits of Implementing Universal Basic Income
Thesis Statement: Universal Basic Income (UBI) holds the potential to alleviate poverty, promote economic stability, and enhance individual freedom, making it a viable solution to address contemporary socioeconomic challenges.
Body Paragraph 1: Economic Stability One of the primary arguments in favor of UBI is its ability to provide economic stability. According to research by Smith (2019), implementing UBI ensures a baseline income for all individuals, regardless of employment status. This stability not only reduces poverty rates but also stimulates consumer spending, thus boosting the economy (Johnson, 2020). Furthermore, in times of economic downturns or technological advancements leading to job displacement, UBI acts as a safety net, preventing widespread financial crises (Smith, 2019).
Body Paragraph 2: Poverty Alleviation UBI serves as an effective tool for poverty alleviation. Studies have shown that UBI reduces income inequality by providing a basic level of financial support to all individuals (Smith, 2019). By lifting individuals out of poverty, UBI leads to improved health outcomes and increased educational opportunities, ultimately breaking the cycle of poverty (Johnson, 2020). Moreover, UBI eliminates the stigma associated with traditional welfare programs, as it is universally distributed without means-testing (Johnson, 2020).
Body Paragraph 3: Individual Freedom Another significant benefit of UBI is the enhancement of individual freedom. With a guaranteed income, individuals have the financial security to pursue entrepreneurship, education, or creative endeavors without the fear of financial instability (Smith, 2019). This freedom empowers individuals to make choices based on personal fulfillment rather than economic necessity, leading to a more equitable society (Johnson, 2020).
Conclusion: In conclusion, Universal Basic Income offers a multifaceted solution to contemporary socioeconomic challenges. By providing economic stability, alleviating poverty, and enhancing individual freedom, UBI has the potential to create a more equitable and prosperous society for all. As policymakers grapple with the complexities of modern economies, implementing UBI emerges as a promising avenue for addressing the needs of the most vulnerable members of society.
References:
Johnson, A. (2020). The Case for Universal Basic Income. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 34(3), 41-56.
Smith, J. (2019). Universal Basic Income: A Path to Economic Security and Equity. Stanford University Press.
Think About Your Writing:
- Presenting a strong argument requires thorough research, logical reasoning, and effective communication skills. Through this assignment, I learned the importance of structuring my arguments coherently and supporting them with credible evidence. This knowledge can be applied in both my professional and everyday life by enabling me to construct persuasive arguments in various contexts, such as business proposals or policy advocacy.
- Throughout the English Composition I course, I discovered several aspects about myself as a writer. Surprisingly, I realized my ability to analyze complex topics and articulate my thoughts in a clear and concise manner has improved significantly. Additionally, I’ve gained confidence in my research skills and my capacity to engage with academic literature effectively. This course has not only enhanced my writing abilities but also equipped me with valuable tools for critical thinking and communication.