CRTW 201
Dr. DeRochi
Argument 1: Solving a Question on Campus

For your second out-of-class essay, we are leaving the "Process Papers" of the first two writing assignments.  By this time, you've developed an understanding of the process of critical thinking, the work that needs to be done in order for you to issue an opinion--to make an argument.  Thus, this assignment will require you to make an argument--after the critical thinking process.  In other words, you will not be structuring your paper around the elements of reasoning or using any of the language we've learned this semester.  Instead, you will simply be making an argument--one that should demonstrate a real sophisticated level of critical thinking.

Other Requirements:
You are required to incorporate 3 sources: 1 being primary (an interview) and 2 being articles you've researched online.  Be sure to use MLA Documentation--consult the library webpage or your Prentice Hall Guide to Grammar and Usage for guidelines.

In addition, so as to reward those who develop their critical thinking process as preparation of this final paper, students will be required to submit a Critical Thinking Worksheet for this assignment.  Simply use this to document your filters and elements of reasoning--this can be report-style writing, not beautiful prose.

Grading: 90% of your grade will stem from the final paper; 10% from the critical thinking worksheet.

Building the Paper:
So, the first step.  Choose a pressing Question at Issue you've observed or experienced while attending Winthrop.  "Should Winthrop have a football team?" is an example, though you can't use that one of course.  This could be a question about an organization you're in, or a sport you play, curriculum you need to take--whatever.  Remember, your question at issue should be as specific as possible and should stem simply from a problem you've observed.  Each problem should elicit a specific question at issue--and that's where your paper building should begin.

Next, "go around the circle" for your question at issue.  This is the critical thinking process at work, as you discover your concepts, your assumptions, and the information you need to uncover in order to answer the question at issue.  Remember, as a true critical thinker, you need to be prepared to discover that the answer to your question at issue may, in fact, be "no," and your original assumptions were wrong.

As we discussed in class, do this process on the computer--you're already building the paper here.  You can rearrange, revise, organize, and edit later.

Assignment: After fully using your critical thinking skills, building various ideas from your "circle," your final paper is to be a 5-6 page classical argument that fulfills the following:

1.  Introduction
   a. Hook the reader, establish goodwill
   b. establish context for your question at issue
   c.  Give your claim, thesis (which should answer your question at issue.
2. Support
   Give 3 or 4 reasons that will support your main thesis.  Make sure to prove each reason with evidence from your research or your own experiences and observations.
3. Opposition
   Introduce at least 2 points of opposition.  Be sure to introduce those points with transitional language like, "There are those who think..." "Others might say..."
   Once you've introduced each point of opposition, be sure to fully rebut that assertion, or you may choose to concede a point--say that the opposition is making a point that you would accept and perhaps offer a compromise.
4. Summation / Conclusion
   This is your final thrust, your answer to "so what?"  Why have you written this argument? Clearly, your broader purpose will be evident here, as well as some specific consequences to the potential decision.