Advanced Composition
Advanced Composition Assignment #2
Rough Draft due Mon. July 17 Argument of Definition
750 words
Write an essay with a definitional claim on a controversial issue. Focus your essay on a key term of the issue, such as the definition of privacy or the definition of marriage (see the examples below).
Your definitional claim should use the following formula: X is (or is not) a Y because it has (or does not have) features A, B, C, and so on... Example: Forrest Gump is (or is not) an American hero because he has (or does not have) the features A, B, C of the definition of a hero.
Your essay should include the following parts:
1. A claim that involves a question of definition
2. An attempt to establish a general definition acceptable to readers
3. An examination of the claim in terms of the accepted definition and all its conditions: X is (is not) like Y why because it meets (does not meet) criteria A, B, C, etc.
4. Evidence for every part of the argument
5. A consideration of alternative views and counterarguments
6. A conclusion, drawing out the implications of the argument
Follow the guidelines for writing an argument of definition on pp. 122-126.
Select one of the following topics or develop one of your own (with my approval):
• Burning the U.S. flag is a hate crime.
• Plagiarism is an act of civil disobedience.
• Satanism is a religion properly protected by the First Amendment.
• Committed gay couples should have the legal privileges of marriage.
• Campaign contributions are acts of free speech.
• Intellectual property should belong in the public domain (like Martin Luther King, Jr.s’ “I Have a Dream” speech).
• Pornographic images on a college professor’s office computer are grounds for dismissal.
• Beer is a health food
• Washington, D.C. should have all the privileges of an American state.
• Computers are more intelligent than human beings.
• Title IX has achieved gender equity in college sports.
• Privacy of information is no longer possible in the computer age.
• Racism no longer exists in the United States.
• Education can only be acquired in an academic environment.
• Marijuana is a dangerous drug.
• Cheerleading is/is not a competitive sport.
• Hate speech is/is not free speech.
• Hunting is/is not cruelty to animals.
• Displaying pinup calendars is/is not an example of sexual harassment.
• Ebonics is/is not a dialect of English.
• A person paid to do public service is/is not a volunteer.
For many of the topics above you will find an essay(s) related to the topic in your textbook. If not, you will probably need to find a periodical article or a web site to help you with your argument. Please include a citation in MLA format for any sources you use.
Planning Sheet for Argument of Definition
Claim involving a question of definition:
Audience:
General definition acceptable to readers:
Reason 1:
Grounds:
Warrant:
Backing?:
Reason 2:
Grounds:
Warrant:
Backing?:
Reason 3:
Grounds:
Warrant:
Backing?:
Opposing Argument 1:
Refutation:
Opposing Argument 2:
Refutation:
Implications (why does this definition matter?):
Toulmin Terminology
Claim (thesis): the position that the article/essay is trying to get the audience to accept
Backing : evidence/arguments which support the warrant, if necessary
Warrant : the unstated assumption(s) which must be accepted by the audience for claim to be accepted
Stated Reason: support for the claim
Grounds: the evidence (data, facts, testimony, examples) that supports the reason
Rebuttal: the limits under which the claim does not hold, anticipation of any counterargument against reasons, grounds or backing
Qualifier: words or phrases limiting the force of the claim
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