Argumentative Essay on Free College Pro and Con

Required Resources
Read/review the following resources for this activity:

Textbook: Chapter 15
Lesson
Completed Week 5 Source Evaluation Worksheet (included annotated bibliography)
Minimum of 5 scholarly sources

Introduction
This week, all the hard work you have done in researching your topic and issue will come to fruition in your argumentative paper. Once you feel you have got the final draft, try to put the paper aside, even for a few hours, and then read it again.

Did you address at least three aspects of the issue you chose?
Does each aspect have relevant and authoritative evidence in support of your point?
Have you included a view that is in opposition to your viewpoint, and have you answered that opposing view, pointing out its flaws in such a way as to refute it?

Edit your paper – look for wordiness, repetition, vagueness, ambiguities. Check the organization of the paper as a whole; make sure each paragraph maintains focus. After you are satisfied that the content of your paper is good, carefully proofread it and correct mechanical errors.

Instructions

This week, you will complete your argumentative paper. Following the directions in assigned textbook reading on how write an argumentative essay on the issue you chose in Week 1. Be sure your essay contains the following:

An opening paragraph that states a clear thesis that is focused, plausible, and arguable and that gives direction and purpose to the paper
A fair-minded, balanced, and objective development of the pros and cons of the issue in a well-organized sequence of ideas, free of mechanical errors
Credible, reliable, and authoritative evidence in support of the points made
A strong conclusion that summarizes your views, reminds the audience of the issue and its importance, and shows in brief that you have successfully defended your thesis

Note

As you do your research, it is permissible to change your sources. Also, because of the recency and relevance of these issues, no sources older than 5 years should be used other than as historical information. Critical thinkers do the research first and then side with the preponderance of evidence. You might want to follow that principle.Writing Requirements (APA format)

Length: 4-6 pages (not including title page or references page)
1-inch margins
Double spaced
12-point Times New Roman font
Title page
References page
W7 Course Project Grading Rubric – 185 pts
W7 Course Project Grading Rubric – 185 pts
Criteria Ratings Pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome
Length

5.0 pts
Meets length requirement

0.0 pts
Does not meet length requirement

5.0 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome
Purpose & Focus

10.0 pts
The writer has made insightful and mature decisions about focus, organization, and content to communicate clearly and effectively. The purpose and focus of the writing are clear to the reader and the organization and content are well chosen, sophisticated, and/or persuasive. Has a highly developed, defendable thesis that provides focus and direction to the essay.

8.5 pts
The writer has made good decisions about focus, organization, and content to communicate clearly and effectively. The purpose and focus of the writing are clear to the reader and the organization and content achieve the purpose as well. Has a clear recognizable thesis that provides focus and direction to the essay.

7.5 pts
The writer’s decisions about focus, organization, or content sometimes interfere with clear, effective communication. The purpose of the writing is not fully achieved. Thesis is unclear OR is not focused

6.0 pts
The writer’s decisions about focus, organization, or content interfere with communication. The purpose of the writing is not achieved. Lacks a clear thesis

0.0 pts
Completely unfocused and/or disorganized. Purpose of writing is not achieved. No recognizable thesis

10.0 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome
Quality of Research/Evidence

40.0 pts
Sources are scholarly or of very high substantive quality where subject matter requires and no scholarly reference will serve the purpose, but all are current, authoritative, and relevant to topic.

34.0 pts
Most sources are scholarly or of very high substantive quality where subject matter requires; but all are current, authoritative and relevant to topic.

30.0 pts
Sources are mostly substantive, even where subject matter does not require. All are relevant to the topic. One source outside of current range.

24.0 pts
Sources are substantive, even though scholarly sources are available and relevaant. Only one scholarly source. All are relevant to the topic. More than one source outside of current range.

0.0 pts
Popular sources only and are not, therefore, authoritative, OR sources are not current, OR sources are not relevant

40.0 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome
Reasoning

45.0 pts
Substantial and well-reasoned development of ideas. All key assumptions are made explicit. Credible evidence is germane, and accurately analyzed and fair- mindedly interpreted. Displays strong critical thinking skills and habits of mind.

38.25 pts
Offers solid reasoning. Most key assumptions are recognized or made explicit. Most inferences are accurate, most examples are on point.

33.75 pts
Offers some supporting evidence. The case includes some examples that are too general, not interpreted, or not clearly relevant to thesis.

27.0 pts
Offers simplistic, underdeveloped, circular, or irrelevant arguments.

0.0 pts
Includes fallacies, exaggerations, faulty reasoning, factual errors, biased statements, etc.

45.0 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome
Organization

30.0 pts
Sequencing of ideas within paragraphs and transitions between paragraphs flow smoothly and coherently throughout the paper. The writer shows clear effort to assist the reader in following the logic of the ideas expressed. Develops a complete reasoning pathway that contains logical follow through, considers multiple points of view,and examines assumptions.

25.5 pts
Sequencing of ideas within paragraphs and transitions between paragraphs make the writer’s points coherent and easy to follow. Develops a logical reasoning pathway with minor gaps or leaps while addressing other points of view.

22.5 pts
Sentence structure and/ or word choice sometimes interfere with clarity and coherence. Needs to improve sequencing of ideas within paragraphs and transitions between paragraphs to make the writing easy to follow May contain some gaps in reasoning pathway; deals minimally with other points of view.

18.0 pts
Ineffective sentence structure, word choice, transitions, and/ or sequencing of ideas make reading and understanding difficult. Contains gaps and/or leaps in development and does not examine other points of view.

0.0 pts
Disorganized; little or no sequencing of ideas; awkward and ineffective sentence structure; reading and understanding extremely difficult Undeveloped and/or does not examine other points of view.

30.0 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome
Academic Tone

20.0 pts
Maintains objective and professional tone; uses professional vocabulary. The use of words, sentences, and punctuation creates a distinct and engaging voice, tone, and level of formality appropriate to audience, purpose, and genre.

17.0 pts
Uses objective and professional vocabulary. The use of words, sentences, and punctuation creates a consistent voice, tone, and level of formality appropriate to audience, purpose, and genre.

15.0 pts
Some informality in vocabulary. The use of words, sentences, and punctuation creates an inconsistent voice, tone, or formality level that is occasionally inappropriate to the situation.

12.0 pts
The use of words, sentences, and punctuation shows a lack of awareness of the voice, tone, and formality level expected in academic writing.

0.0 pts
Informal; uses slang or colloquialisms; fails to achieve tone and level of formality expected in academic writing.

20.0 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome
Writing: Punctuation, Spelling, Capitalization

5.0 pts
Virtually free of punctuation, spelling, or capitalization errors.

4.0 pts
Occasional punctuation, spelling, or capitalization errors.

3.0 pts
Many punctuation, spelling, or capitalization errors. Interfere with meaning in some places.

2.0 pts
Punctuation, spelling, or capitalization errors that hinder communication.

0.0 pts
Severe punctuation, spelling and capitalization errors.

5.0 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome
Writing: Sentence Structure

10.0 pts
Sentence structure is complex and powerful. The writer has used vivid, purposefully crafted, and varied sentence styles and lengths.

8.5 pts
Sentences are effective and varied in style and length.

7.5 pts
Sentences show limited variety in sentence style and length.

6.0 pts
Sentence structure is simple, without variety in sentence style and length.

0.0 pts
Sentence structures are awkward and/or unclear, impeding the clarity and flow of ideas.

10.0 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome
Writing: Word Choice

10.0 pts
The writer displays a broad range of vocabulary, with effective, accurate, and contextually appropriate word usage.

8.5 pts
The writer displays a satisfactory range of vocabulary and accurate and appropriate word usage.

7.5 pts
The writer displays some varied word choice but language is mostly vague and needs more accuracy to properly convey ideas. Some errors of diction and usage are evident but do not interfere significantly with readability.

6.0 pts
The writer displays a limited range of vocabulary. Errors of diction and usage are evident and begin to interfere significantly with readability.

0.0 pts
Limited vocabulary. Diction and syntax errors are evident and impede a clear reading of the text.

10.0 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome
APA Format

10.0 pts
Intext and reference citations in correct APA format with no errors.

8.5 pts
Intext and reference citations in correct APA format with only occasional minor error.

7.5 pts
Interfere with meaning in some places. Some major errors in APA format for intext, reference citations.

6.0 pts
The writer does not use APA format, presentation, or style (citations) for the assignment or APA formatting has many major errors.

0.0 pts
No intext citations to sources and/or no list of references in APA format

10.0 pts

Total Points: 185.0
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