# 7 Drafting and Revising an Argumentative Essay

4-6-page argumentative essay on a topic of your choice.
An argumentative (or persuasive) essay is used to try and change people’s viewpoints or to convince them to accept a new behavior or action. People seldom agree on what is right, so a well-developed and supported argumentative essay can help uncover truth. This type of essay can help you think critically about your own ideas, evaluate different sides, and judge the evidence.
In professional environments, you may be asked to help gain employee buy-in for changes to a dress code, benefits or compensation, procedures, and so on. You will need to be able to present these changes in a way that will make it easier for everyone to accept them.
Developing a draft is your chance to see how well you have organized your thoughts. After you write your draft, take a moment to look critically at what you have written. Does your essay say what you wanted it to say? Will a reader understand what you are saying? Do you have a strong thesis statement? Is your argument solid? Have you provided supporting evidence? These are just some of the questions to consider as you work on this assessment. The assessment you submit should be the final version of your essay.
Note: The assessments in this course build on each other and must be taken in sequence. Assessment 6 is paired with Assessment 7. You must complete Assessment 6 and receive feedback from faculty before you complete Assessment 7.
Demonstration of Proficiency
By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the course competency through the following assessment scoring guide criteria:

Competency 2: Apply information and use literacy skills to produce evidence-based written work. 

Integrate relevant supporting references from scholarly sources.

Competency 3: Apply prewriting, planning, drafting, and revision skills. 

Apply accepted conventions of editing and revision.

Competency 4: Apply accepted style conventions and written expression skills. 

Use accepted methods for arguing an issue.
Write content clearly and logically with correct use of APA format, grammar, punctuation, and mechanics.

Overview
In Assessment 6, you developed an outline as part of the prewriting process to help you organize and prepare to write your argumentative essay. In this assessment, you will use that outline, along with the feedback you received from your faculty, to draft and revise the complete essay.
Instructions
Write a 4–6-page argumentative essay on a topic of your choice. Your essay should include the following:

Develop a draft of your argumentative essay. Be sure you: 

Clearly identify your topic. 

Think about who your reader is and what you hope to accomplish.

Provide academic research, statistics, and other evidence to support your argument.
Identify 3–4 main points you want to make that support your argument.
Write a clear introductory paragraph, thesis statement, and conclusion.
Use relevant evidence to support your statements.
Re-read your essay before you submit: 

Are there any grammatical or mechanical errors?
Are there any typos?
Is your writing style clear and concise?
Do you have a clear thesis statement and introduction?
Is your APA formatting correct?

Edit and revise your essay.
Explain the steps you followed in your editing and revision process. Do not submit your assessment without this explanation!
Additional Requirements

Style and Format: Use current APA style for references. Include a title page and references page.
Length: Compose 4–6 pages in addition to the title page and references page.
Resources: Cite a minimum of three resources.
Font: Use Times New Roman, 12 point.