Compose a 6 to 8 page essay that responds to a topic of your choice and has been approved by your instructor. This is a project that will evolve over time so be certain that you have spent time on it, which means thinking in depth about the issue you have chosen.  If you have chosen a broad topic, be sure that your have sufficiently narrowed your focus.  It is best to choose a topic that you either have some personal investment in or that you are extremely interested in exploring. Also, you may look to your journals as material. You must choose an argument that is feasible and must be supported by examples from the National University database.  Please do not repeat topics that you have previously written about in English 100.

Please provide the following for your Argument Essay, which is mandatory. I have attached a variety of handouts that we have discussed in class that will help to guide you as reference material in your assignment.

Use the handout template from They Say/ I Say on page 9 to organize your  introduction and thesis statement.

See the handout on thesis statements to inform your reader of the purpose of    your essay.

Use the organizational guide from Chapter 8 in Everythings an Argument to assist with argumentative structure.  See EAA. (p.167 -172).

In your essay, please employ logical, ethical and emotional appeals as examples that have been discussed in class and read about in EAA Chapters 2, 3, & 4.                                                                                                                       

Also use MLA formatting that includes Title, Introduction, Thesis, Body Paragraphs that include 3-4 examples, and a conclusion. See Seagull (p. 161-169).

Use a variety of transitions. See Seagull (p.26-28).

Use strong, active verbs to introduce quotations and paraphrasing. See the handout from They Say/I Say (p. 39 40).Be sure to introduce your quotes, provide your quotes, and analyze your quotes.  See the handout on Quotation Sandwich.

Include a Works Cited Page See Seagull (p.129-160).

Your quotes must originate from sources via the National University database.  Refer to the material in our mini syllabus for each class that provides information from National University Library Resource Center regarding how to access and use the database.

Remember, Your analysis is to be 85% of the essay with your quotations that function as support for your original ideas comprising the remainder of the essay.  Essays that are overwhelmed with source and informational material will not be accepted.  See Seagull In-Text Citations (p.122 129).  Essays that I have not seen a rough draft version of will not be accepted on the last day of class.