Research-Supported Argumentative Synthesis | Knecht | Fall 2021
Length: 7 pages (excluding Works Cited)
Your final essay aims to utilize both the argumentative skills and the synthesis-based skills youve acquired
over the course of the semester. Your goal is to re-evaluate the two (or more) sides of an argument and
take a stand regarding which side is correct. Youve spent a semester researching this topic and planning
out how you intend to argue itnow its time to put everything together. You are expected to clearly state
your position, argue it using evidence, thoroughly address and respond to any and all potential
counterarguments, and discuss why your topic is important, urgent, worthwhile, or relevant
Your paper should begin by introducing the topicincluding the fact that multiple perspectives exist on the
topicthen transition into a presentation of your stance, backed up by research, all while maintaining a
clear, logical, third-person tone.
In preparation for writing this essay, youve located ten sourcesall discussed on your Prospectus. You are
only required to use eight sources for this paper, which means you can cut two sources from your
prospectus if they dont fit what youre working on. If you want to use more than eight, you absolutely can,
as long as you utilize a combination of both scholarly (academic) and popular sources. (I dont care about
the breakdown, how many popular or how many scholarly, but I do expect you to use a variety of both.)
If you find yourself unhappy with your current research, you can go back to the drawing board and locate
new sources as necessary. Keep in mind that each source should be used in a different way. Some may
provide background information and context; others might be used to support the position you take; others
may function as part of your counterargument.
Be sure to synthesize the different points of view surrounding this debate before you making your stance
clear. Use the sources as a way to back up what you are arguing.
Your essay should consist of the following components:
An introduction, an explanation of the problem, the relevance of the problem, and a debatable
thesis statement that suggests the side you are taking in your paper. You already know what Ill be
looking for here: background and context! Pretend Im alien.
Argumentative sections, including body paragraphs that prove how valid your claim is, that
synthesize the sides of the issue, and that support your proposed solutions. These body paragraphs
must utilize topic sentences, cited evidence, and explanations of the evidence. Remember: direct
quotes are useful, but your own words matter more. In other words, direct quotes should take up
less than 10% of your essay. The majority of your referenced material should take the form of
paraphrases.
o Something to remember when writing the body of your paper: You should not have a
paragraph dedicated to introducing your authors and source titles, nor any summary
paragraphs. These should occur naturally throughout your essay. The first time your reader
encounters the source, introduce the title, the author(s), and the main ideas of the material,
then move into whatever quote or paraphrase you intend to reference. In other words,
once the source is introduced, only refer to the source in its most minimal elements moving
forward (in other words, only the author(s)s last name(s), or if there is no author, the title.
Counterarguments, wherein you identify the counterclaim, explain it, and either refute it or
concede to it. Remember that you must always explain why your position is superior in this
address. Remember, too, that there may (and probably will) be more than one counterargument. If
that is the case, examine them all. Refusing to evaluate all possible counterarguments is cherrypicking, and logical fallacies are definitely something we want to avoid!
A conclusion that sums up the main ideas, restates your thesis, and opens the door to further
conversation (i.e., offers solutions or discusses other problems that need to be addressed).
Remember that good conclusions tend to answer the question: So what? Who cares? What might
happen if we dont solve this problem?
A Works Cited page that includes all referenced material. Remember, if your Works Cited page
lists an entry, it must appear in the paper; if material is referenced in the paper, it must appear
on the Works Cited paper. If they do not match, make them. This means you should cut the sources
from your Annotated Works Consulted (remember to change the name of this page back to Works
Cited at this point!) that dont appear in your paper. Be consistent. Also, be sure that all authors
are addressed in your in-text citations if more than one exists on a source. If there are two authors
to a source, list both in the text. If there is an et al. listed, use that in the text. Think symmetrically.
This essay is going to require a lot of work. If youre diligent about using your time wisely
Last Completed Projects
| topic title | academic level | Writer | delivered |
|---|