Composition Argument based essay

The argument based essay is perhaps the most prevalent of all in a democracy
similar to the persuasive essay, which is more ubiquitous, and a kind of argument.
Freedom of speech allows for opinions to be widespread and far reaching and deal with
everything from broad political subjects to the smallest minutiae of everyday life.
In this essay the topic and the genre or styles are key. Choosing a topic should be
your priority and will probably involve some serious soul-searching. By no means
should this be a simple form of persuading someone of lifestyle (i.e. vegetarianism,
political lefts or rights, etc.). This essay must deal with the specific purposes and causes
of a point of view. You may indeed choose to do political topics, but do not choose the
broad spectrum, you should be Republican/Democrat/Green because rather your
essay should focus on the specific aspects of a belief, cause, point of view, etc. and then
give specific, researched and well thought out reasons for that point of view. Your
persuasive essay must be a call to action of some kind, even if that action is just change
of heart.
The main thing to remember is that a persuasive essays audience is someone who
holds the oppositeor at least a differentopinion.
Examples of topics:

Argue for specific types of education (Common core, vouchers/public/parochial, etc.)

Specific Political Issues (taxation, abortion, economics, etc)
Parenting issues
Law and teens issues
Many others!

Research is important but this is not a research paper. Research should serve more as a
background of information rather than the basis for the piece. If, however, you do quote
someone or some other work, standard MLA citation applies.
The essay should be written in classic thesis form and should be no shorter than 3
pages (12 pt. Font, double spaced, cover page, etc.). The due date for the first draft
is Dec. 8. This is just the rough draft. Final draft due date will be Friday, December 18.