Preparing your argumentative essay / speech may seem overwhelming. Doing these little things will pay off big!

 Know the requirements of the assignment and fulfill them! It’s difficult to get a good grade on an assignment if you don’t know what the requirements are! So let me spell them out:

YOU MUST: (1) demonstrate you have done thorough research on your topic (all viewpoints) using credible sources, (2) show you have critically thought about your topic and decided what your position is, (3)create and present a logical argument for your position using evidence (facts and data, not opinion) from credible sources, and (4) document and cite sources you use.

This is a LOGICAL ARGUMENT assignment! I am less interested in what position you have on your topic and more interested in HOW YOU ANALYZE the concern and ORGANIZE your response. Use reason, not opinion.

In this 2 – 4 page essay, you must construct a fully developed logical argument, including: ~ an introduction with any necessary background information, ~ a clearly stated thesis (or claim), ~ at least 2 sub-claims which cover the problems inherent in the concern and the harm caused by it, ~ strong supporting evidence for all sub-claims from credible sources,

~ a warrant which clarifies the interpretation of the evidence, ~ all opposing viewpoints with their counter-arguments and strong supporting evidence for them, ~ backing in defense of your thesis (or claim) against opposing viewpoints and their counter-arguments, & ~ a conclusion which wraps up your argument with a clearly restated thesis (or claim) and a call to action.

In this 3 – 5 minute speech, you must take your audience through your logical argument, demonstrating your skill in: ~ speech content by using at least 5 effective speech tactics, & ~ speech delivery by using good speaker skills.

 Use your time wisely. Do what you need to do when you need to do it so you can do well on both essay and speech – researching, outlining, writing, practicing, etc.

 Use the resources available to you. I want you to success, so I have provided a number of resources – checklists, notes, advice, examples, templates (like the Research Records and Outline ), etc.