Argumentative Essay

I apologize in advance for the complexity/tedium of this project. Majority of the instructions below are directly pasted along with a couple clarifying points.

Argumentative Essay: You are to write a double-spaced, 12-point font, 16-18 page essay. The topic and arguments of the essay must roughly follow from the diagram and standard form arguments in the attached file, although exact evidence for and wording in the actual text is subject to change for flows sake. Paper must be formatted like the instructions below (numbered sections, standard form arguments in sections, etc.)

I. Introduction Introduction should be identical or very close to the one in attached file, aside from the enthymeme which must be added. This section contains no more than 2 paragraphs. I suggest that for the first paragraph of the introduction you include an explanation of the context or background of your topic. Please explain this context or background in neutral terms.  You must  include an enthymeme in your introduction, in Bold type. Do not include arguments for your perspective here.

In your second paragraph, you will ask a question related to your topic, such as, “Should our current drug laws be strictly enforced? or “Should we have stricter drug enforcement laws? You are to finish your introduction by clearly stating your answer to your own question. This answer will be the conclusion of your main argument (the argument itself is to be placed in section II.A.). Further, make sure that the answer to your own question is the conclusion of an enthymeme that you will include in the introduction. Do not include any arguments here.  The arguments will go in section II. Body of the Paper.

Make sure that you do not end up with an argument for your position that the articles you reference counter and that you have not dealt with. In other words, do not respond to the counter-argument with an argument that has already been dealt with in the article.

II. Body of Paper (supply appropriate title here)

    A. Case for the position (Recommendation: write a paragraph for each premise)

Clearly state the reasons (premises) for why you think that your position is true. (You must include the summary of this argument in “standard form, along with the corresponding diagram)

    B. Counter-Argument

Summarize your opponent’s strongest possible argument in a fair and honest way. Remember that the counter-argument must be a defense of the opposite response that you gave to the question in the introduction.

You must find and cite a source that supports or gives your counter-argument. (You must include the summary of this argument in “standard form” after the main text of the sections. “Standard form” being numbering the arguments and the premises, i.e

1.All men are mortal

2. Socrates is a man.

3. Socrates is mortal)

The argument has no minimum of premises and the premises do not have to be at least two levels deep. However, it is not to have more than 8 premises or it will not be accepted.

    C. Respond to Counter-Argument

Analyze the argument, explaining what is wrong with it.

III. Conclusion (2 paragraphs)

Paragraph 1: Summarize the main point(s) of your essay in one paragraph (no quotations).
Paragraph 2: So what? What is the importance of answering the question in the way you did? (no quotations)       

IV. Bibliography

Bibliography and footnotes are to be done in APA style.

Important Points (reductions in your grade will be made if these points are ignored)

1) You must label each major paragraph of your essay in accord with the above outline (I., II., III, and IV also, you must label section II.A, II.B. and II.C).

2) Section II.A and B of your essay must match your two argument diagrams.

3) Use quotations sparingly and do not use quotations longer than two lines or points will be deducted. Quotations that include ideas must be explained.

4) Define terms that are ambiguous (those that can be taken in two or more sense), obscure, technical, or controversial.

5) Make sure to proofread your paper, taking out spelling and grammatical errors. You will be marked down for these.

6) Make sure that all of your standard form premises and conclusions are written in full sentences.