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ENGLISH 101 ESSAY 3
ARGUMENT: CAUSAL ANALYSIS

Final Draft: 150 points Minimum 1,500 words
Required Sources: Minimum 4 reliable research sources

“When writers construct arguments . . . they try, through reason and use of evidence, to avoid the emotional outbursts that often turn verbal arguments into displays of temper. Strong feelings may energize an argument . . . but written argument stresses a fair weighing of pros and cons. . . . A written argument creates an atmosphere of reason, which encourages readers to examine their own views clearly and dispassionately.” (Writing Well 149)

The final two paper assignments will give you a chance to persuade an audience of your own to take action on an issue of interest and importance to you. The first step in that process will be this essay, essay #3, the causal analysis essay. This paper will allow you to uncover the causes of the issue on which you will focus. When did this issue first arise? Why? Why does the issue continue to be problematic?

Adequately examining the causes of a phenomenon will begin to suggest to you new ways of seeing the issue at hand and will help you to avoid simplistic solutions. (In this paper, do not address solutions to the problem; those will be the focus of essay #4.)

For this assignment, choose an issue that is important to you and uncover the underlying causes. Research the topic carefully, follow all prewriting and outlining steps, and then write a 1,500 word essay that proves that the causes you explore are the legitimate, significant causes of the issue. Why student athleses should get paid

Minimum Requirements (Necessary to Earn a C or higher):
• 1,500 words Minimum (see syllabus for minimum length requirements & penalty).
• 12-point Times New Roman font and 1” margins.
• Double-spacing throughout
• Proper Heading (your name, instructor’s name, course title, date)
• Appropriate/creative title
• An introduction that gives the background and history of the problem, appeals to your audience/hooks the reader’s attention, and progresses logically toward your thesis..
• Construct a thesis statement that clearly states what the problem is and the specific causes of the issue.
• Provide strong evidence that the problem exists and present its major characteristics.
• Persuade the reader that the causes you identify are indeed the significant and relevant sources of the problem.
• Use a reasonable and authoritative tone to show either why the causes you outline are the best available explanation for the issue and why other potential causes are more secondary or to argue how these causes fit together in a causal chain.
• Sufficient evidence to support your claims. You may use examples, but limit the use of these pathos appeals and provide sufficient logos evidence (facts, statistics, expert authority, etc.). You must include appropriate quotations, paraphrases, and/or summaries from at least 4 reliable outside research sources as evidence for your claims. Keep in mind that this is the minimum. You will need more than 5 pieces of evidence, so consider using multiple pieces of evidence from each source. Also, keep in mind that 5 sources may not be sufficient to prove your claims. Use as much evidence as is necessary to prove your arguments.
• Include appropriate organization and paragraphing, including use of clear topic sentences and strong concluding sentences. The paragraphs should be in a logical order and use transitions to show links between ideas.
• Carefully consider other positions. You should refute at least one counterargument – at least one objection to your own argument that is fairly represented must be refuted.
• Include a conclusion that provides closure to the essay, restates but does not merely repeat your thesis, and considers the implications of the argument providing the reader with “food for thought.”
• Use MLA style consistently and correctly and include a properly formatted Works Cited page.
• Observe the conventions of standard written English.
• Proper MLA page headers.
• Proper MLA in-text citations for all paraphrases and direct quotations from your sources.
• A works cited page in correct MLA format. Remember to include at least 5 reliable outside research sources.

Assignments (include proper MLA headings, formatting, and page numbers for each):

Annotated Bibliography (10 points)
An Annotated Bibliography provides a list of potential sources (in proper MLA Works Cited format) for your essay along with a brief description of each source. As you research your topic thoroughly and take notes, locate 5 potential sources that will support your essay’s claims. Create an annotated bibliography in alphabetical order that includes the following:
1) A proper MLA Works Cited citation of the source.
2) A brief summary of the source’s main argument (1-2 sentences).
3) An explanation of the source’s reliability; look for potential bias, source, peer review, etc. (1-3 sentences).
4) An explanation of the source’s connection to your topic. Explain how you will use the source in your essay; be specific (2-4 sentences).

Typed Prewriting and Outline (15 points)

1. Brainstorm a list of at least five issues that are appropriate for this assignment and are of interest to you. Explore library resources if you are having trouble locating a topic.
2. Circle your top two choices and use one prewriting technique for at least 10 minutes with each topic to explore which one is more interesting. Read through what you’ve written and put a star next to the one you are most interested in – this will be your topic. Complete steps 1& 2 before our library visit.
3. Begin your research. Use the library databases to explore your topic thoroughly. Take notes as you research. Start work on your annotated bibliography. Once you have a good sense of the issues involved, make a chart that lists the possible causes of the issue. Under each cause, list several reasons for this view (make sure to have at least four entries under each column).
4. After completing the chart, cross out any causes that are insignificant, weak, or illegitimate. Identify the most significant causes of the problem – that will become your position. Write a tentative thesis based on your ideas so far.
5. Develop more reasons for your argument. Think of your reasons as responses to someone questioning you about why you believe in your thesis statement (your reasons may come from your chart in #3 above but you will also want to include more). Make sure to list at least five reasons.
6. List at least three pieces of support for each of your reasons. Your support should be specific evidence that proves your reasons. Your support may come from firsthand accounts, from our textbook, from Proquest or other databases, or from reliable internet sources. It is best to have several different types of support. Remember, you must include at least five reliable outside sources from your own research.
7. List at least three possible objections/competing causal theories that it may be important for you to refute (you may find it helpful to look at the chart you created for #3 above); provide researched responses to these objections. You will probably use only one in your eventual essay, but this will give you some ideas to choose from.

Outline—
Create an organized/typed outline with a clear structure. The outline of your essay will help organize your ideas. This assignment must be a formal outline (see sample) that is properly formatted and written in complete sentences. Include an idea for your introduction’s hook, a full thesis statement, complete topic sentences (along with transitions), and numbered evidence to support each topic sentence. Your evidence needs to be specific and clear: include specific examples, specific quotes you intend to use, etc. Your outline must include the minimum required sources. Don’t forget to include one counter argument paragraph with evidence.

Rough Draft (15 points):

• Must meet minimum length & minimum source requirements
• Must be properly formatted
• Must include Works Cited page

Final Draft (150 points)
Must be Submitted to Canvas by 2 PM
Post picture of TLC stamped Rough Draft or use Online tutoring for 5 points extra credit
Your final draft should be the result of careful, multiple revisions informed by feedback from me and from your peers. Take care to ‘put your best foot forward’ not only in terms of accuracy and presentation, but also in terms of planning ahead and avoiding any last minute problems with transportation, technology, etc. If your submission is late on turnitin.com, points will be deducted from your final score (see syllabus).