Unit Overview

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This unit is divided into three parts. In part I you created a Rogerian argument surrounding an issue tied closely to your identity. For part II, you will create a focused position paper on the issue explored in your previous paper, creating a traditional argument that takes a stand on a controversial issue. You will present the issue to your reader in order to contradict their preconceived ideas while using research to create a strong case. This type of research paper is common to the types of papers you will write throughout your academic career. As your final paper in this class, you should use

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this paper as a way to show everything you have learned about effective argumentation.

For part III of this unit you will create a short documentary surrounding the issue you explored in part I and part II. In creating this documentary, you should use the evidence and research that you found for the previous assignments. For this reason, you should not have to do additional research for this assignment, but you will need to find images and video to incorporate into your documentary. Build on the skills you used for your photo essay to

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create this assignment. Utilize the resources available at UAA, such as the DCS in order to perfect your documentary. The DCS is particularly busy during the end of the semester, so be sure to make an appointment ahead of time. Your documentaries will be showcased during the final exam time scheduled for this class.

In this unit you will:

• Take a stand on an issue of importance to you

• Create a position paper and a documentary

• Back up your argument with research

• Convince your audience to reconsider their position

Unit 3: Part II & III

Spring 2015

Your paper should include the following:

• a focused and organized presentation of the issue

• a clear position written as a thesis statement

• convincing and plausible reasons that support your thesis

• anticipation of opposing positions

• appropriate use of sources

Your paper will:

• be 7-8 pages of body

• contain at least 6-8 sources

• be in full APA formatting, including title page, abstract, and a reference page

• be written in a formal, academic tone

• show a consideration of your audience

• use sources effectively

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Now that you have written a Rogerian

argument that explores the opposition

surrounding your topic, you will take a

stand and create a position piece. This

type of traditional argument will

resemble the kinds of arguments you

have written in the past. You will

create a strong, argumentative thesis

and back up the thesis by using the

rhetorical devices we have explored

throughout this semester. This paper

should incorporate the skills you have

learned this semester and utilize them

to show your understanding of the

concepts.

Your paper should use a variety of

argument types including definition

arguments, causal arguments, or

resemblance arguments.

To write a position paper successfully,

you will need to analyze your reader’s

beliefs, opinions, and biases related to

the issue. For this paper, you will

imagine your audience as someone or

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some group that can do something

about this argument. This can be

either an individual or a group.

For this reason, you will need to

use research to back up your

arguments. Consider the following:

What does your audience value and

believe? What side of the argument

do they favor? How will the issue

affect their interests? What kind of

evidence will be most effective

with them?

Consider the types of evidence and

rhetorical devices that will be most

effective for your audience. Will

they be swayed with pathos driven

arguments? What will you employ

to show that you are a credible

source? How will you use evidence

to show that you are a credible

source? Will testimonies and

personal examples be enough

evidence or will you need to use

statistics and expert testimonials?

Part II: Position Paper

Part III: Documentary Photo Essay

For this assignment, you will create a photo essay focused on the controversial issue explored in your two

previous assignments. Your photo essay provides a means to explore this issue in a new genre, exploring the

ways an argument changes as the genre changes, including presentation, what’s included, and what issues are

explored. Much like your earlier photo essay, your documentary can take the form of a photography

documentary. This means that you could create this assignment through the use of video and images. You can

also check out a Flip camera from the DCS and create your own documentary. You do not have to interview

people although you are free to do so. You are encouraged to take your own unique approach to this assignment.

Your documentary must do the following:

• Trace one controversial issue through time and place

• Make a strong argument and back that argument up with research

• Follow a distinct, organized story or message from start to finish by including either text or voice-over

(i.e. it should tell a story)

• Use visual, audio, and/or text effectively to enhance your argument. A successful documentary will use

the audio or text in order to help create an explicit argument

• Use ethos, pathos, and logos to reach an oppositional argument

• Document sources appropriately and effectively

• Stand on its own in the form of a YouTube video or other presentation software

Just like a traditional essay, your documentary should have a clear thesis statement and supporting evidence.

Your documentary must be organized. I encourage you to use storyboarding to layout and analyze your use of

audio, visual, and textual items to see if each supports your thesis, builds on rhetorical devices, and achieves your

overall goal.

Successful videos will:

• Include information in text or a voiceover

• Use images, text, and audio to support the thesis

• Have an explicit argument, rather than an implicit one that leaves room for (mis) interpretation

• Explores an issue through time to see how it’s developed or changed

This project is worth 150 points.

Spring 2015

Course Schedule Date Class Topic Assignments Due

Thursday, April 2 Introduction to final assignments

Writing a proposal paper

Review of Toulmin

Review Chapter 7

Rogerian Argument due Friday, April 3rd by 11:59 pm

Tuesday, April 7 Building arguments

Causal, resemblance and definition arguments

Organizing classical arguments

Work on paper and conduct research

Read “A Directive Approach toward ESL/ EFL Writers” on pages 383-388 of Everything’s An Argument

Thursday, April 9 Analyzing position papers

What makes a good argument?

Group work and individual conferences in class

Work on paper

Come to class with either a detailed outline or a few paragraphs of your paper completed

Blog due Friday by 11:59 pm

Tuesday, April 14 Putting it all together

Integrating quotes, paraphrasing, and citing sources

Rough draft due to blog no later than Tuesday, April 14th by 11:59 pm. I will create peer review groups the morning of Wednesday, April 15th

Thursday, April 16 Peer review workshop in class Bring hard copy of your rough draft to class

Revise paper according to peer review suggestions

Blog due Friday by 11:59 pm

Tuesday, April 21 Introduction to final project

Organizing and story blocking

How to pitch your idea

Position paper due Tuesday, April 21st by 11:59 pm

Thursday, April 23 Analyze documentaries

Workshop time; individual conferences in class. Pitch your ideas.

Bring your laptop or be prepared to use one in the lab

Come with a clear plan for your documentary (either an outline or completed storyboard)

Blog due Friday by 11:59 pm

Finals: April 28-May 2

Final: Thursday, April 30th 10:00-12:45

Showcase of Documentaries

Documentary must be turned in before 9:00 am on Thursday, April 30th

You must be present during entire final exam time to receive points for the final

Final blog post due no later than Friday, May 1st by 11:59 pm