The word argument usually conjures up images of agitated people disagreeing with each other, often emotionally. In academic writing, the argument or persuasive essay is not about confrontation. Instead, this essay relies on detailed evidence, cool logic, and precise language to persuade readers to accept a viewpoint or to take an action. This ability to make a reasonable, persuasive case for your point of view can be one of the most important skills for your advancement in the workplace.

For this Individual Project, you should either choose one of the topics below or devise one of your own (with your instructor’s approval) and write a short argument or persuasive essay. As you discovered in your reading, you will assert a position on the topic and then defend that position so well that others might agree with you. Remember, the argument or persuasive essay is not a personal rant. Your goal is to appear unbiased.

One of the ways of achieving a level of objectivity is to consider counterarguments against your position. Therefore, at least one of your paragraphs should include some discussion of a counterargument. For example, if you write in favor of abolishing the death penalty, you might devote some discussion to the loved ones of a murder victim, the need for these survivors to gain closure, or even their demands that the perpetrator meet a similar fate as the loved one taken from them.

You are welcome to rely on the five-paragraph essay structure of English 106. Click here for a sample outline for an argument or persuasive essay.

Topics

Click here for the suggested topics list for the argument or persuasive outline.