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In MLA format, write a 3-5 page Toulmin Method argument essay with 3-4 sources to support your approved claim/thesis. The topic must come from the thematic unit “Culture and Identity” or “Gender, Family, and Love,” but it must be controversial in nature in order present an argument. Support your claim with evidence/grounds (personal experience, observations, facts/ quotes/ statistics, etc.), followed with warrants. Use the rhetorical situation to establish audience, tone, and purpose. As you work through the writing process, your first publish should have a minimum of 2 full pages of text BEFORE adding any research to your essay.
Introduction (5-6 sentences in length):
Identify your issue and capture the attention of your audience by opening with a vivid example, dramatic anecdote (story), memorable quotation, or fact/statistic; perhaps it is necessary to provide some historical background for your audience. Incorporate any information you think the audience needs to know to fully understand the issue. End the introduction with a strong thesis statement that clearly states your position on the issue.
Body paragraphs (three paragraphs/each paragraph should be a minimum of 10-12 sentences in length):
Use strong sub-claims/topic sentences that point back to the claim to make your argument. Use your outline to build your argument by using sound evidence/grounds. You must prove your position is sound. The bulk of your support should come from information based on personal experience and observations; minimal research information will be added to strengthen points already made. Be sure to end your body paragraphs with a strong warrant which links your evidence back to your sub-claim.
Rebuttal (10-12 sentences in length):
Topic Sentence: Have a clear topic sentence going into the rebuttal. You can use this sentence: Although many people believe that (insert your claim here), others disagree.
Concession: Acknowledge the opposing position (give 3). Summarize what the opponent has argued. Recognize which aspects of the opposing position are valid. Addressing the opposing position in this way indicates that you are fair‑minded, which makes it easier for opponents to recognize merit in your own case.
Refutation: Show why you are not convinced by the arguments of the opposition by summarizing your own position and demonstrating why it is valid. Argue ONLY against the 3 opposing points brought up in the Concession.
Conclusion (5-6 sentences in length):
Restate your thesis statement. Also, you can summarize your most important points, but do not ONLY summarize. Be sure to end strong, perhaps return to an anecdote if you used one to introduce the essay, call your readers to action, use a compelling quote, bring up a strong fact/statistic, ask a question, etc.
The paper must be properly formatted according to MLA 8 documentation. Remember that you can only use 1st or 2nd person in the attention grabber of the introduction and in the conclusion; the remainder of the essay should be in 3rd person.
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