Essay #1: Evaluating Arguments
Using the information about evaluating arguments from Ch.2 of the text, write a three to five page essay that compares Wayne LaPierre’s argument “What Should America Do about Gun Violence” (501) to M.D. Anderson’s argument, “Arming Teachers: A Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Idea” (504) OR The Baltimore Sun’s article, “Teachers Packing Heat” (505). Which argument do you find the most convincing and why? What to do about gun violence is certainly a hot-button issue in the United States right now, but try to leave your views on the issue at the door and base your evaluation on objective criteria.

Your claim should be one of value. A claim of value will make a judgment about which argument is better base on sound criteria for evaluating arguments. “_______s argument is more effective than ________’s argument because ______, ______, and ______” (list of criteria) will be the general thesis statement of the paper. See p. 112-113 in Ch. 4 or p.158 in Ch.5 for information about how to write a claim of value.

Remember that evaluating an argument does not mean agreeing or disagreeing with it! It means analyzing the work to decide on the argument’s effectiveness based on reasonable criteria. An argument you disagree with is not necessarily wrong. Remember, too, that an argument written by a published author or so-called expert is not necessarily right. (53)

In your evaluation, consider the criteria mentioned on p. 53-54 of the text. These will be sound criteria for evaluating which argument is more effective. To evaluate each argument, consider the following: (choose at least three to compare both essays on)

1) What kind of support is used- facts, opinions, expert testimony?

2) How much credible support is used?

3) Is it a logical argument? Provide examples of sound or unsound logic.

4) Does the essay use emotional appeals? (appeals to the emotions?) Are these relevant, effective, overdone?

4) Is the title engaging, relevant, and meaningful? (or just the opposite) This point might not warrant a full paragraph– combine with another point?

5) Is the essay organizational structure effective? (are the most important points first or last– why does this structure work or not?)

6) Does the essay have consistency? (Does the author stay focused on the main claim of the argument—is anything off the topic?)

7) Evaluate the vocabulary and style the author uses (language). A discussion of language could include whether key terms and concepts are defined, and whether the language is too simple or too complicated.

Use quotes and examples from the reading to support each paragraph of your evaluation!

You may organize your essay around the criteria you will use for judgment. List those criteria in your thesis statement and identify one criteria per paragraph and the compare both essays on that criteria. This criteria should be mentioned in the topic sentence of the paragraph.

The standard conventions for writing apply: Grab your reader’s interest in the topic first, and then include a clear claim of value as the last sentence of your introduction paragraph that clearly states your position. Each body paragraph should include clear topic sentences that state the point/ criteria of that paragraph. Include transitional words and phrases that move your reader from point to point and example to example within each paragraph. Don’t forget to use ample support in the form of quotes and examples from each essay as well.

A conclusion will round out the essay, as it restates your thesis and important ideas and perhaps broadens the focus of the essay a bit. In your conclusion, you may weigh in on what you think about teacher’s having guns in the classroom (briefly), but then be sure to wrap up the main point of your essay that restates which argument you consider to be most effective and why. Leave your reader with a feeling of closure.

The correct use of grammar, punctuation, and spelling are also important elements. In your Works Cited page, please reference each essay discussed in the body of the essay as it referenced in the Elements of Argument. You can find information about how to cite a work in an anthology on p. 406 of the text. No other sources beyond the two you are evaluating should be used in this essay!