Topic:
Is the American Dream dead? ―It is a central premise of the American Dream: If one is willing
to work hard, he will be able to make a living and build a better life for self, family, children, etc.
But what if working hard isn’t enough to ensure success—or even the basics of daily life? In
most ways, the American Dream has always been an unattainable façade, a cultural myth to
keep the masses dreaming, but most importantly, keep the wheels of capitalism turning.
Choose a side and argue pro or con.
I’m going Con!
North Lake College
ENGL 1302-Composition 2 Essay 1 – the Rogerian Argument
DIRECTIONS:
This essay must adhere to the following guidelines:
*Eight-paragraphs ONLY + a Works Cited page (* = 2-introduction para., 4-body para.,
1-refutation para., and 1-conclusion para)
Use MLA formatting and rules of citation (Arial 12-point font ONLY; review other rules in folder
on Blackboard: MLA Formatting and Citation Rules and Guidelines)
Use a minimum of 4-cited sources from research (no information from a .com website is
allowable unless you approve it with me; quotes from Wikipedia is never acceptable)
Provide one-piece of evidence in each body paragraph, ONLY!
Evidence is
o a quote,
o paraphrased information,
o a concise (2-to-3 sentence) explanation of personal experience, only allowed in one
body paragraph
o statistics,
o historical or scientific fact,
o credible common-knowledge information from popular culture,
o etc. (If you are unsure whether or not some information or a source you want to use is
credible, discuss it with me before using it.)
Thesis statement must be underlined and placed as the last sentence of the 2
introduction
paragraph If it isn’t, I will assume you didn’t create it and 20-points will be deducted.
Essay must have an original title
No title page; use the MLA formatted required heading
Must create a Works Cited page
Grading Rubric
Thesis statement 20%
Topic sentences 10%
Critical analysis of evidence 30%
Grammar and mechanics 10%
MLA formatting 10%
In-text citation/parenthetical citation 10%
Works Cited page 10%
The Rogerian Argument
must be organized according to this outline.
- 1st Introductory Paragraph
Provide background information on debate
Don’t assume that the audience is as familiar with this subject and debate as the author
Provide the audience with basic, necessary information to understand this subject
No quotes allowed in this paragraph
- 2nd Introductory Paragraph (moves the audience towards your position in a debate)
Sets the context for your position.
No quotes allowed in this paragraph
Thesis Statement (must be the underlined last sentence of intro. Para. 2): States the position
being argued.
III. Four Body Paragraphs w/one piece of evidence in each
Topic sentence
Sub-topic sentence
Evidence = quote/example/statistic/historical fact/personal experience, etc.
(Evidence supports the position being argued. Without it, you do not have an argument but
just your opinion, which is unacceptable.)
Critical Analysis = the explanation of “how” and/or “why” this evidence supports your position
Transition sentence to next paragraph
- Refutation Paragraph – Objections to your position
Mentions positions opposed to the one being argued.
Provide at least 3-reasons against your position.
Create two-concise sentences for each reason, and do not counter-argue these reasons.
No quotes allowed in this paragraph
Refutation must be presented in a separate paragraph, just before the conclusion paragraph or
immediately after the 2
nd
introduction paragraph
- Conclusion Paragraph
Do not start this paragraph with the phrase “In conclusion”
It must bring the essay to an end that flows logically and gracefully from the rest of the essay.
No quotes allowed in this paragraph
Now, you can provide your opinion using first person (“I think; I believe; I know; etc.).
- This is the only place in this essay where you are allowed to use first person.
Sidney Chavez
Professor Bush
English 1302-71428
September 14, 2015
Essay 1- Paper Proposal
- Thesis Statement: The American Dream is dead because people that are currently coming to this country are not successful.
- Reasons for my position
- Immigrants that come to the United States more than likely don’t have their documentation papers to be able to get a job or driver’s license it’s a lot harder to make a living in order to live the American Dream.
- Education is not recognized coming from another country in that case they have to start all over to get their college degrees.
- Immigrants that come too this country can’t always stay in the US legally they have to return to their Native country before realizing their American Dream.
- Without a family connection or friends in the US it’s hard to get established.
· USE THIS CHECKLIST BEFORE YOU SUBMIT ESSAY 1
Use this list to check-off the following items before you submit Essay 1 – Rogerian Argument:
- Did I correctly format my essay?
-
- header
- heading
- margins
- font size & type (Arial 12-points ONLY)
- title is centered
- text is left aligned
- paragraph indentation is one tab
- line spacing is double throughout entire paper
- page break at end of essay
- Works Cited page is a separate page from the essay
- has hanging indentation
- sources are alphabetized
- I did not add the URL to this document
- Did I use the correct voice in my essay?
-
- first person is only allowed in the paragraph in which you use personal experience as evidence
- use third person–objective voice throughout the essay
- never use second person–the indefinite “you”
- never use ambiguous pronouns–first person plural (we, us, our, ours, us as Americans, etc.)
- Did I edit for grammatical errors?
-
- faulty syntax: confusing sentence structure; imprecise ideas
- misspelled words
- incorrect word choice: their vs. there
- run-on sentences/fused sentences
- comma splices
- sentence fragments
- Did I edit for mechanics errors?
-
- My thesis statement is underlined and the last sentence of the 2nd-introduction paragraph
- the refutation paragraph is immediately after the second introduction paragraph; OR, it is immediately before the conclusion paragraph
- italicize brand name products, titles of films, books, songs, TV shows, etc.
- add the appropriate punctuation where necessary
- every piece of evidence in body paragraphs that needs citation is accurate
- a quote longer than 3-lines, is set apart from the left margin 2-tab spaces
- Did I correctly organize my body paragraphs?
-
- every body paragraph has a topic sentence
- there is ONE piece of evidence/quote in every body paragraph
- the evidence has been explained and linked to the ideas in my thesis statement
- All of the information in essay, excepted for quoted and paraphrased evidence, are solely my ideas–I didn’t copy/plagiarize this information from anywhere
Use this check-list accordingly. However, you are also held accountable to the assignment directions, requirements, guidelines on the official assignment document, as well as information provided in attached lectures, emails, and meetings with me.
The final draft of this assignment is due Wednesday, September 30, by 11:59 PM.
Do not start this paragraph with the phrase “In conclusion”
It must bring the essay to an end that flows logically and gracefully from the rest of the essay.
No quotes allowed in this paragraph
Now, you can provide your opinion using first person (“I think; I believe; I know; etc.).
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