POL 1101 American Government: Practices & Values
Argumentative Essay Assignment
Overview
You will be responsible for researching and writing an 800-900 word argumentative essay regarding a controversial policy issue in American politics. You will (1) choose an issue from the list below, (2) pick a stance on the issue, (3) write an essay convincing the audience to take your stance. Your essay will be due on Blackboard by 11:59pm on Friday 11/26.
Assignment Requirements
- Thesis or Claim: Your essay must contain an arguable claim that is insightful and clear.
- Support/Reasoning: You must include original and strong reasoning to support your claim.
- Opposing Viewpoints: You must acknowledge the opposing stance on the issue and argue it fairly and logically.
- Sources and Citations: Any sources you use must be cited. I do not care what type of citation format you use, if you use it correctly and consistently throughout the paper.
- Grammar/Mechanics: To receive full credit, your essay must be essentially free from mechanical, grammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors.
List of Issues
- Student Loan Debt
- DC and Puerto Rico Statehood
- Private Prisons
- American Socialism
- Paying College Athletes
- Reparations for Slavery
- Defund the Police
- Death Penalty
- Gun Control
- Abortion
- Historic Statue Removal
- US Supreme Court Packing
- Right to Health Care
- Vaccines for Kids
- Prescription Drug Ads
- Climate Change
- Nuclear Energy
- Fracking
- Net Neutrality
- Felon Voting
- Electoral College
- Lowering the Voting Age to 16
- Minimum Wage
- Churches and Taxes
- Medical/
Recreational Marijuana
- Drug Decriminalization
- OTC Birth Control
- Gender Pay Gap
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