To produce complex, analytic, persuasive arguments that matter in academic contexts.

• The argument is appropriately complex, based in a claim that emerges from and explores a line of inquiry.
• The stakes of the argument, why what is being argued matters, are articulated and persuasive.
• The argument involves analysis, which is the close scrutiny and examination of evidence and assumptions in support of a larger set of ideas.
• The argument is persuasive, taking into consideration counterclaims and multiple points of view as it generates its own perspective and position.
• The argument utilizes a clear organizational strategy and effective transitions that develop its line of inquiry.

As with each new outcome presented in this class, it builds off of the previous ones. For instance, while Outcome 2 is about learning how to read and understand complex sources, Outcome 3 is about using the information you have gathered to produce a complex claim and a persuasive argument.

To demonstrate my understanding of Outcome 3 I decided to use my MP1. First of all, I absolutely loved writing it because it is a piece that I put a lot of effort into. I was also very passionate about the argument I was creating, and there’s no better piece to show a persuasive argument than one that you care about. According to Outcome Three, an argument must be complex by synthesizing multiple pieces of evidence gathered from an array of sources to all make one point, which is evident in my complex claim (2^nd paragraph) in my MP1.

Adding to the complexity of your issue, it’s also useful to articulate the stakes. Your reader will be more invested in your argument if you explain WHY it must happen; what’s at stake here? What is there to lose? For instance, in my MP1, I argued as to why we need more doctors and nurses as well as aid in the form of supplies from the United States to fight the Ebola outbreak in western Africa instead of the financial aid currently being sent. To support my argument, I integrated stakes that were relevant such as “the expected total for those infected with Ebola is supposed to triple in numbers, and only a quarter of the isolation beds needed throughout Western Africa are in place.”

Outcome Three also emphasizes that there must be a clearly described set up in your complex claim that will outline the rest of your paper.  In my MP1, I do this by drawing a “roadmap” that details what each paragraph will be about and that the reader can use to follow through my essay.

Also crucial to building a complex argument is the counterargument. The counterargument is what grounds your solution as not only being a plausible solution, but the ONLY solution. In my MP1, I stated how “many in the West worry that sending doctors and nurses will spread the pandemic into the US, causing a full-blown, worldwide epidemic.” I argued against this by saying “these fears are unfounded, especially considering the extreme precautions taken thanks to a strictly enforced three-week quarantine period before visitors to West Africa are allowed to return home.” The counterargument is very beneficial to the overall argument. This adds a sense of security to individuals about the proposed idea of sending doctors and nurses to West Africa. Knowing that the chance of the epidemic being brought home is low helps influence their thoughts on the issue in a positive way.

All of these parts of the “BIG 5” are needed to construct a persuasive argument on an issue you find important, and I believe these are all represented well in my MP1.