Is Religion Still Important in the Modern World?

Question

Instructions

Everything its said in the docuemtn uploaded.

 Essay #3: Research-Based Position

Due: Friday, July 2, 2021, at 11:59pm

Length and Format: The paper should be at least 950 words and should not exceed 1,250

words. (One double-spaced page of 12-point Times New Roman font is about 300 words.) It

should be formatted according to MLA guidelines.

Assignment Description: We’ve spent the semester analyzing the structure and merits of other

writer’s arguments. Now it’s your turn to write an argument that presents a position about a

problem/issue/situation in contemporary society by effectively

utilizing logos, ethos, and pathos. Your paper should acknowledge and refute your opposition

while also avoiding logical fallacies. Each point you make must be supported with relevant

evidence and sound reasoning that explains why your position is ethical, feasible, and cost-

effective.

Sources: The paper must include a works cited page listing at least THREE sources that are cited

within the paper and used in significant ways to develop the paper’s argument. One source

must be academic, but the other two do not; although, they do need to be credible and

substantial.

Rhetorical Situation: You are part of an independent think tank that provides articles intended

to help citizens and lawmakers make informed policy decisions about problems in our culture.

Pick one of the following topics. You cannot venture off of this list without the instructor’s

approval:

1. Is art (music, art, dance, etc.) education important?

2. Is religion still important in the modern world?

3. Do cell phones in the classroom impede education?

4. Do cell phones strengthen or hurt interpersonal relationships?

5. Should cigarette smoking be completely banned?

6. Should the US be less dependent on oil for energy?

7. Is spanking child abuse?

8. Is a college education the right choice for everyone?

9. Should vaccines be required?

10. Should children go to school all year?

11. Is fracking a safe and useful way to acquire oil/natural gas?

12. Should white supremacy groups/rallies be protected under the 1st Amendment/Free

Speech?

13. At what age should kids start playing tackle football?

14. Are tax cuts a good way to reduce our national deficit?

15. Should the government ensure that all people have access to health care or is this a

personal responsibility?

16. Should the penalties for animal abuse be more severe?

17. Should severely mentally ill people be institutionalized?

18. Should youth sports be competitive or should we focus on participation?

19. Should the US accept more refugees than we currently do?

20. Should the US participate in the Paris agreement (regarding global warming)?

21. Should the US eliminate the electoral college?

22. Should journalists be forced to reveal sources of leaked information?

23. Should we trust the media?

24. Should we defund the police?

25. Should people be required to recycle?

Essay #3: Research-Based Position

Paper Structure: The paper should be multi-modal, meaning it should utilize at least two

rhetorical modes. Use the following guidelines to structure your paper:

I. Introduction: Your intro should identify an issue by describing it in detail, gain the readers’

interest and create common

ground, establish the importance of the issue, establish credibility for you to speak on this

topic, and set up the thesis

statement. The thesis statement should give your readers a clear sense of what your position

will be.

II. Body: Your body paragraphs should effectively use logos, ethos, and pathos to appeal to

readers, while also acknowledging and rebutting the opposition when appropriate. Your body

paragraphs should use the various rhetorical modes to define and defend your position, such as

narration, explanation, definition, compare/contrast, description, and cause/effect. The

paragraphs should build off of each other to gradually develop a detailed and complex

argument.

III. Conclusion: Your conclusion should explain what the fully-developed argument of the paper

is and reflect on the implications of that argument for the paper’s audience: sophisticated

readers who are interested in or involved in public

decisions involving your topic. Make sure it is clear what you want the audience to think or do.

This is also a good place to reinforce your credibility and offer an emotional appeal to further

move your audience.

Style and Tone: This paper requires you to work closely with multiple sources, which means

that you will need to use signal phrases and in-text citation consistently and properly (according

to MLA guidelines) in order to effectively manage your source material without allowing it to

overpower your own voice. In describing and responding critically to your source material, you

must be sure to avoid unintentional plagiarism. Remember that you are addressing an audience

of intelligent, sophisticated readers who come from a variety of backgrounds and hold a variety

of positions on cultural issues. Your tone, therefore, should remain objective and respectful

throughout the paper.

Grade: I will grade your essay based on the following criteria:

• Critical Thinking 25%--Paper should demonstrate solid powers of analysis and synthesis. The

paper clearly defines appropriate criteria for evaluation of an issue and develops a focused and

compelling argument supported by insightful analysis of relevant and adequate evidence. It also

demonstrates sensitivity to the complexity of the subject matter.

• Source Work 15%--Source material is well selected and appropriately used. References to the

sources are clear, accurate, and adequately support the paper’s analysis without being

cumbersome or distracting. Paraphrases, quotes, and summaries are skillfully executed with

clear signal phrases and citations.

• Organization 15%--Argument proceeds along a clear and logical path of development with

lucid transition and without unnecessary digressions. Introductory and concluding paragraphs

skillfully frame the discussion. Paragraphs are well-developed, internally coherent, and build off

of each other in meaningful ways.

• Style 20%--Clear, fluid prose with minimal errors in grammar and mechanics. Word choice and

tone are appropriate.

• Format 10%--MLA guidelines are followed with minimal errors in header and in-text citations.

A full and properly formatted Work Cited page is included and contains accurate bibliographical

citations for each source used.

• Rhetorical Awareness 10%--Consistently demonstrates a keen sensitivity to the rhetorical

situation as described on the assignment prompt.

• Thesis 5%--Thesis statement is easily identifiable and puts forth an arguable claim that

provides a specific, original, and compelling position