For this assignment, you will choose a debatable controversial topic or social problem about which you have some general knowledge or wish to research. Then you will need to isolate one specific issue related to this topic and present your position/proposal concerning it. For example, you may choose to write about immigration. This is a controversial topic, certainly one open to debate, but it could hardly be covered in a short essay. Therefore, you would need to choose a narrower issue on which to focus, like amnesty or the building of a border wall. Because these subtopics are narrower (more specific), you will be able to easily present your positions on them with a 3 page essay (minimum).

Banned topics include: abortion, the death penalty, lowering the drinking age, legalization of marijuana/etc., and any topic that suggests a conspiracy theory (if you have a question about whether your topic is acceptable, please email me as soon as possible). If you write on one of the above topics, you will receive a zero (0) for the assignment.

The essay should be at least five (5) paragraphs, though you may use more if necessary: Introduction; Body Paragraph for 1st reason; Body Paragraph for 2nd reason; Body Paragraph for 3rd reason; Conclusion. In the introduction, please provide information on the history of the issue and discuss why it is controversial and place the thesis as the final line of the introduction. The body paragraphs should follow the Analytical model we have been using throughout the previous assignments, and each body paragraph should have at least one (1) quote from an outside source to help support your points and positions. The conclusion should restate the thesis (not a copy/paste), briefly summarize the essay, and provide a call to future action for your readers (what do you want them to do now that they have an understanding of the issue?).

Essay Guidelines:

3 reasons for why you support or oppose the controversial issue or social problem
2-4 credible and relevant outside sources used to support your position and argument, with an MLA Works cited page for these sources (you should find these sources from library databases, library books, or from the provided list of credible websites; remember any non-preapproved source used without approval will not count towards the 2-4 requirement)
The use MLA documentation for in-text citations in the body paragraphs: signal phrases, direct quotes, and parenthetical notations for source integration (you may use only one paraphrase, one summary, and one block quote if needed—these are not required, however).
The use of only one appeal of pathos (a religious appeal is an argument of pathos)
3 complete pages (minimum)
Please upload this assignment in either a .docx or .pdf file. This assignment is worth thirty (30) points outlined in the rubric.