An Argument about Justice

Essay 4: An Argument about Justice

Formatting Requirements

An original title that reflects your subject matter — i.e., not just the title of the book
A minimum of four full pages and no more than six pages, excluding the works cited page
MLA formatting, including a heading, page numbers, and a title
Careful editing and proofreading to eliminate errors in grammar and mechanics
A Works Cited page that includes all of your sources A conclusion that wraps up your discussion, reinforces your thesis, and leaves readers with a strong final statement to consider about the position that you are arguing
Assignment Instructions

Your fourth major assignment is an argumentative essay about an issue raised in Just Mercy. To get a sense of possible topics, think not only about the issues raised in the chapters about Walter McMillian’s case but those about other cases. Consider whether the issue that you choose is still current. (For instance, in writing about his clients’ cases, Bryan Stevenson writes about problems that he explains were later addressed by court rulings. Clearly, it wouldn’t make sense to argue for a change that has already occurred.)

After selecting a preliminary subject to explore, your first goal will be to identify all of the passages in Just Mercy that relate to it. Your journal entries and other notes will help you locate the sections that address the issues that interest you. You will also begin locating and reading articles about your topic to gain a deeper understanding of it.

As you learn more about your subject, your next step will be to narrow the focus of your topic. In other words, “the death penalty” is far too broad a subject to write a successful argument of this length. That’s because there are too many different facets of that topic to cover them all any meaningful way in a four-page essay. Instead, narrow your search to a smaller, more specific topic.

After selecting a topic, you will need to develop a thesis statement that establishes the overall claim that you will make – in other words, what you will argue. This will likely include an idea about what you think should be done about the issue that you are writing about or how you think that issue can be best understood . As section W-7 of The Little Seagull Handbook states, your thesis statement must stake out “a clear and arguable position” on your topic and it must include “a claim with which people may reasonably disagree” (43).

Your claim must be one that can be developed using reasons supported with evidence, including facts and examples, as well as sound reasoning. You will also need to consider your own ethos as a writer – in other words, how you can demonstrate to readers that you are credible and trustworthy. To a lesser extent than you employ logos, you should appeal to pathos, or emotions, particularly as they resonate with readers’ values.

The charts on pages 47 and 48 of The Little Seagull Handbook provide two good organizational plans for writing an argument. Keep in mind, though, that the thesis statement will usually be a part of your introduction.

Beyond Just Mercy, you will need to identify at least one and no more than two additional sources. These can be from academic journals accessed from the library’s electronic databases, from major city newspapers, and from nationally recognized magazines that address contemporary issues. You may also draw upon online sources that have “.gov” or “.edu” addresses. It is important to avoid most commercial websites and blogs, as well as those from advocacy groups.

Your argumentative essay will also include the following parts:

An introduction that captures readers’ interest, shows them the importance of the topic, and, in a thesis statement, establishes the claim that you will make.
A body paragraph that provides any necessary background information about the topic, including where the issue stands today.
Body paragraphs that give your reasons for thinking as you do. Each of these paragraphs should include a topic sentence that clearly states the main point of the paragraph that it introduces. Following the topic sentence, the paragraph should provide examples and evidence to support your point.
Body paragraphs that include counterarguments—in other words, arguments that someone who disagrees with you might make—as well as your response to each of these counterarguments, explaining why you disagree. These should also include topic sentences.
Concessions – in other words, places where you acknowledge that a small portion of the opposing argument has value.
In thinking about your audience, approach the essay as though you are writing not just for your instructor or your classmates but for a wider adult audience whose thinking you hope to influence.

As always, I will ask that you submit a draft of your essay for peer review before uploading a copy for my feedback.