Essay 2: Arguing a Position

Argument and Counterargument:

The Socialist Dream or the American Dream

Weighting: 20%

Word count: 1000 words min.

Drafts: 3

Sources: minimum 3 – at least two of which must be academic

Essay Requirements

• Provide an outline for your essay
• Provide a suitable title for your essay
• Format your paper according to MLA Style Guidelines
• Provide a Works Cited page for each of the three typed drafts you will submit.
• Your essay should be carefully proofread and checked for typing and other errors before submission.
• All drafts due on turnitin

Assignment Background

The pursuit of realizing a utopia in this world in real time has driven modern history. The socialist vision inspired by Thomas More’s Utopia claims to realize the morally good and just society through carefully crafted social, economic and political socialist ideals. The American dream quest for liberty and prosperity, and based on capitalist ideals promises likewise the good and progressive society.

Assignment Description

For this assignment you will write an argument essay in which you will take a clearly defined position regarding the superiority of the socialist utopia or the American dream. You will need to present the counterargument (which you should concede/refute) in your essay, and consider where to position it. You will need to provide evidence and support for your position.

As evidence for your essay, you should identify effective aspects of the model that you are arguing for, such as work, family life, ownership of resources, power, governance, and justice. You should refer to these as you explain the reasoning behind your opinion. You may use examples from particular situations or countries to support your argument.

NOTE: Failure to submit both the first and second drafts lowers the essay grade to a maximum of a D.

Required readings and texts

Wax, Amy L. “Saving the American Dream: It’s not just about the people at the top”. Commentary. Nov2017, Vol. 144 Issue 4, p33-39. 7p.

David, Patty, Vicki Gelfeld and Andreina Rangel “Generation X and its Evolving Experiences with the American Dream” Generations Fall2017, Vol. 4 Issue 3, p77-83. 7p.

Browse

What is capitalism?

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjctCS1kZp4
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-Ozq4vCRkQ

What is socialism?

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBYmeLBWjeI
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2A_dP5t5WFM

Kibbutzim:

• http://vimeo.com/13245192
• http://vimeo.com/13261986
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWMmcjh4wBw

What is the American Dream:

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNtKt1WQcZ4

Capitalist vs Socialist workplace

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4tIhHHvzNA

Why socialism is better than capitalism

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zCELvE-tCc

Is capitalism saving us or destroying us?

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUP4DVSb0rk

Steps in the process

1. Read source material and come to class prepared to discuss the ideas presented and the different viewpoints.
2. Sketch out the position you would like to take on the topic while gathering and assessing evidence from source material
3. Determine who your audience is, what they know and what their opinion is likely to be.
4. Anticipate and address opposing viewpoints and likely objections.
5. Define your position and write a thesis which presents your argumentative claim.
6. Clarify and organize your reasons and make sure that they are logically sound
7. Research and incorporate relevant sources to develop and substantiate ideas

Points to consider

• What aspects define the models of the socialist utopia and the American Dream?
• What aspects do you think are most important in creating a good society? What do you think shapes your stance regarding these issues?
• Can you find evidence that shows that other people also consider these aspects to be important?
• Can you find examples where these aspects have been seen to work in real life?
• What arguments would you expect people who have the opposing viewpoint to present? Will you concede to these views or refute them?

Focus skills

You should demonstrate an understanding of the basic conventions of argumentation that determine the organization of ideas as well as the logical and persuasive choices your make.

Argumentation skills

• Define a position
• Persuade an audience that position on an issue is valid
• Gathering and assessing evidence and supporting/substantiating one’s position with relevant source material
• Acknowledging the opposing viewpoint
• Addressing the opposing viewpoint by making a concession and/or refutation that is logical and objective
• Developing audience awareness

Writing skills

• Integration: Quote, summarize, or paraphrase ideas from 3 sources
• Integration: Integrate sources smoothly and meaningfully using attribution verbs
• Citation: Cite and document 3 sources using a MLA style.

Revising the Draft

• Have I responded to the assignment? What is my purpose for this essay?
• What should I keep? What is most effective?
• What should I add? Where do I need more details, examples, and other evidence to support my point?
• What could I get rid of? Did I use irrelevant details? Was I repetitive?
• What should I change? Are parts of my essay confusing? Do I need to explain my ideas more fully?
• What should I rethink? Was my position clear? Did I provide enough analysis to convince my readers?
• How is my tone? Was I too overbearing, too firm? Do I need qualifiers?
• Have I addressed differing points of view? Does my conclusion show the significance of my essay?
• Make a plan of how you will address key claims you have identified as most important in each reading.

Grading

You will be graded based on the RHET 1010 Argumentative Essay Grading Rubric attached below.