I’m working on a english project and need guidance to help me understand better.

Write a Classical Argument Essay

The essay is limited to one of the following four topics/arguments (only pick one):

1. Racism: A generation ago, the Civil Rights Movement was led by great men and women such as John Lewis, Rosa Parks, and Dr. Martin Luther King. Not long ago their efforts seemed to have been conclusive with the election (twice) of Barack Obama as the first African American President. However, there is still so much racial injustice and discrimination. Some people are calling for reparations to African Americans and/or affirmative action programs. If this topic is picked, your essay MUST include one of the following two positions as the second part of your thesis statement:

Reparations/affirmative action programs should/must be made because… (add three reasons)

Reparations/affirmative action programs should/must not be made because… (add three reasons)

1. Police Brutality: For years we have known that people of color especially African American men, have been unjustly targeted with violence by police throughout the US. More recently, this has been captured on video and even in real time. Many argue that the police are out of control and must be defunded and/or dismantled. If this topic is picked, your essay MUST include one of the following two positions as the second part of your thesis statement:

Police departments should/must be defunded because… (add three reasons)

Police departments should/must not be defunded because… (add three reasons)

1. BLM: Black Lives Matter is a decentralized political and social movement advocating for non-violent civil disobedience against incidents of police brutality and all racially motivated violence against black people (Wikipedia). However, some people argue that it is a militant group that needs to be made illegal. If this topic is picked, your essay MUST include one of the following two positions as the second part of your thesis statement:

Black Lives Matter should/must be made illegal because… (add three reasons)

Black Lives Matter should/must not be made illegal because… (add three reasons)

1. White Supremacists: White supremacist groups are growing across the US exponentially. Some say they have the same rights to organize as do any other group in the US. Others argue that they are strictly racist groups calling for violence against anyone not white as their only main goal and thus should be made illegal. If this topic is picked, your essay MUST include one of the following two positions as the second part of your thesis statement:

White supremacist groups should/must be made illegal because… (add three reasons)

White supremacist groups should/must not be made illegal because… (add three reasons)

Instructions

Write an Essay per the prompt and instructions given here in:

• You Must follow MLA formatting and requirements (including double spaced)
• The essay must follow the format/framework exactly described below. Any deviation from that standard framework will affect grade for essay significantly.
• The essay must be a minimum of two (2) pages (750 – 1000 words – not including Cited Works or Headers) and written using MS Word (filename.doc or .docx) type file/document.
• Research: You must have four external sources cited in your essay. Each one has a specific role to play. See the Framework detail below.
• The Cited Works section starts on a new page after the conclusion.
• The essay must be written in Third Person. Essays written in 1st person and/or have instances of second person may be rejected.

A grade of 0 will be given if:

• The essay submitted is blank or has only a few short lines.
• The essay is not submitted by due date (in the required format)

Essay MUST have at minimum the following section/paragraph Headings:

Introduction (minimum 1 paragraph,)

Presentation of Writer’s Position (minimum 3 paragraphs)

Summary of Opposing View(s) (minimum 1 paragraph, no less than 1/4 page)

Rebuttal to Opposing View (minimum 1 paragraph, no less than 1/4 page)

Conclusion (minimum 1 paragraph, no less than 1/4 page)

Cited Work

Framework – Content Requirements

Title

Introduction

• Attention grabber (hook)
• Explanation of issue and background (cite at least one external source for evidence and support)
• Writer’s thesis statement and claim – identifies three reasons

Writer’s Position

• One reason based on evidence, facts, and/or documented anecdote (cite at least one external source)

• One reason based on evidence, facts, and/or documented anecdote (cite at least one external source)
• One reason based on value or belief held by audience (cite at least one external source)

Summary of Opposing View(s)

• Neutral and fair presentation of opposing view
• cite at least one external source for evidence and support
• give example, this needs to be clear

Rebuttal to opposing view

• Refutes parts of opposing view showing evidence against opposing view
• May concede to some strengths in the opposing view but does not have to.
• Shows weakness in opposing view
• Cite at least one external source for evidence and support

Conclusion

• Brings essay to closure (use appropriate transition)
• Sums up argument (restates thesis statement)
• leaves long lasting impression (implications and consequences)
• Calls for action or relates topic to a larger context of issues

Cited Works

• List Sources in MLA format