Water Pollution in Brazil

Question

Instructions

**The topic I chose for this research paper is Water Pollution in Brazil**

World Community Assignment ( Research Essay)

The final paper in this class will be an argumentative essay using the Toulmin model. Since the emphasis for this entire course is the world community, it makes sense that the final essay must be on an international topic such as "international relations" or a global problem.  With the instructor and reference librarian’s assistance, each student will research a unique topic, write a research essay about it using APA format, World Community Essay (Counts 30%)  

Approach an issue by doing research for both sides of the issue.  Be objective when seeking evidence for your subject. The Toulmin model will require you to research the opposing side’s point of view.  Knowing the opposing side’s point of view often allows you to understand anyone in your audience who is of the opposing point of view.  An argument that correctly represents the opponent can often gain more trust from the audience than one that generalizes the opponent’s beliefs and opinions.  

In this essay, you will have to take a position on an issue.  You will begin this essay with a claim and follow it up with reasons why it is true.  This will establish your claim as being a reliable point of view.  The first three to four paragraphs should look like a traditional argument paper with each paragraph reflecting a reason as to why a particular claim is the best position to take.  However, in the Toulmin model, we will add new elements that should ultimately make your paper look even more convincing.  We will add the warrant, backing, counterargument, rebuttal and qualifier.  This should add at a minimum four more paragraphs. Please follow the directions in Moodle and in the syllabus. Please read the excellent student example (Hunsucker) and ALL the videos and documents regarding this assignment under RESOURCES/TOULMIN .

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12 hours ago

As far as structure goes, it should look like this:

Paragraph 1:  Introduction (w/claim & 3 reasons of support, which is your THESIS statement)

P2:  Reason 1/ Support

P3:  Reason 2/ Support

P4:  Reason 3/ Support

P5: Warrant & Backing (This may be two or three paragraphs)

P6: Counter-argument

P7:  Rebuttal

P8:  Conclusion/Qualifier

Please refer to your textbook and PowerPoints for more information about the Toulmin method of argumentation. 

 How to Write the Toulmin (Research) Essay 

As you write this essay, you should have three reasons for supporting your claim OR an extra counter-argument and rebuttal. 

5+ pages

5-7 credible sources (from NC LIVE, not just “Google information”

Your argument should be centered on the claim, which is your thesis statement. Your support should establish your claim. Read the excellent student example.  

Warrant: This will require you to do some research.  Warrants accomplish two purposes:

 (1) They link how the support is linked to the claim

(2)  Help establish a value that is difficult to disagree with. 

Try linking one of your "reasons" in your support category through using the warrant.  The "support" of your argument often deals with the logical side of evidence, yet warrants often ask the audience to consider a value question or statement that your audience(especially on the opposing side) will agree with.  Your reasons for the warrant are called backing.  You will conduct research so that your backing has some evidence and your argument is rhetorically sound.  Remember the three parts of rhetoric:  logos (reason), ethos (ethics), and pathos (passion).

Counterargument:  Accurately give an argument that the opposing side uses against your claim.  Use at least one source to represent this point of view.  Beware of the straw man and all the other logical fallacies (chapter 5) arguments.  Remember the straw man?  That is using caricatures and cliché points of view to represent your opponent.  Please use an objective tone when describing your opponent's point of view so that you will be taken seriously by those who might hold that point of view.  Misrepresenting the opposite side will only cause those who already agree with you to agree with you. 

Rebuttal:  Construct an argument against the counter-argument.  Give reasons why the counterargument isn't as good a choice in the end.  If you feel the counter-argument is actually a good reason, remind your audience of other reasons why this still isn't as good a choice for reasons X and Y. 

Qualifier: As your conclusion paragraph, qualify your original claim a bit so that your opposing side might be more willing to accept it.