Due: Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2002

Objective

The objective for this assignment is to practice argumentation as a rhetorical strategy suitable for a persuasive purpose. Your writing task is to produce a short argument (approximately 5-10 paragraphs) in which you take a position on an arguable issue, offer logical reasoning and evidence in support of that position, and effectively negotiating differences with those who disagree with you. You are free to choose any topic which is "arguable"-any topic, that is, on which there is reasonable disagreement which might be resolved by an appeal to rational argument (see The Call to Write, p. 65). You are encouraged to choose an issue that you personally feel is significant and worth arguing for.

Learning Outcomes

When you finish this assignment, you should be able to:

• distinguish between arguable and non-arguable issues;
• call on a reliable method for exploring and understanding more than one side of an arguable issue;
• critically evaluate the arguments of others;
• establish your own position on an arguable issue;
• write an argumentative essay.

Special Requirements

• Read pp. 63-100 in The Call to Write.
• Attend a library workshop (FHG 309) on Thursday, November 14, 2002.
• Attach a minimum of two sources (photocopies) to your final paper which demonstrate your research on at least two sides of an arguable issue.