RHET 1320 Academic Writing and Research

Major Assignment
Ms. Richard
Logical Argument Essay
Overview
A logical argument uses specific evidence from reliable sources to persuade its readersand
employs the rhetorical appeals in a fitting response to reach the audience. For this assignment,
you will write a logical argument using your knowledge of genre, audience, purpose and the
three rhetorical appeals: logos, ethos, and pathos.
This assignment meets our learning outcomes in the following ways. Rhetorical Knowledge:
Write with purpose to produce a document that is rhetorically effective by targeting a specific
audience, purpose, genre, content and rhetorical appeals. Critical Reading, Thinking and
Writing: engage in critical writing to effectively communicate an argument for your topic.
Writing Process Strategies: generate multiple drafts of this assignment and integrate feedback
from your peers. Knowledge of conventions: adhere to the required format specified by the
instructor, control surface features, and document appropriately.

Directions
Your logical argument essay should answer the basic questions listed on page 6 of your
Textbook.
Refer to Chapter 1 in your text for additional help in starting your argument. Chapters 2 and 3
provide help for the development of your argument. You may refer to additional chapters in the
book for strategies of argument development for the particular argument genre that you intend to
use.
This essay should incorporate at least 4 supportive sources, documented in MLA format. The
required length is at least 1000 words (not including your works cited page.)

Submission Guidelines
All assignment components should be submitted into blackboard under the appropriate heading
by the due date for credit. The components contain evidence of your writing process and add up
to 200 points. Components and corresponding points are listed below.

Brainstorm activity (5 pts)

Rough draft (10 pts)
Peer review (10 pts)
Reflection (25 pts)
Final draft (150 pts)

Extra CreditWriting is a process and we improve with practice. Often times Getting
feedback and incorporating it into our writing will produce better papers. You have the
opportunity to revise and re-submit your final draft one time. The final revision must be
substantial and it is worth up to 10 points of extra Credit.
Formatting of the final copy should include:

Times New Roman font, 12 point, double-spaced, 1 inch margins

MLA Format

Rubric for Evaluating Your Logical Argument Essay

30 points

25 points

21 points

10 points

Component

Exceptional

Effective

Acceptable

Unsatisfactory

Introduces the
Topic so that it
Appeals to
Audience and
Addresses
Purpose

The topic and

your treatment of
it are very
interesting to
some identified
group of readers
and the essay
presents a
successful logical
argument.

The topic and your The topic may be

treatment of it are
interesting to you,
moderately
but your treatment
interesting to a
of it has limited
group of readers;
interest to any
the essay presents
readers. The essay
a successful logical attempts to
argument.
present a logical
argument..

Argument/Rhet Your logical

orical Appeals
argument is
detailed and
focused. Your
piece is rooted in
rhetorical appeals
and uses
research to
explain your
points.

You offer both a

logical argument
but it needs to be
more detailed
and/or more
focused. Use of
appeals is minimal,
and your piece
does not clearly
connect research to
the artifact.

You dont seem that

interested in the topic,
and you dont make it
very interesting to
readers. Document does
not meet assignment
criteria.

You offer an
Your paper lacks an
argument but you
argument based on
havent adequately rhetorical appeals.
used the rhetorical
appeals.

Organization

The organization
is very clear to
readers, and it is
easy to follow.

The organization
may be clear, but it
is only moderately
easy to follow.

The organization is The organization is so

somewhat unclear, unclear that it is difficult
and it is not easy to to follow.
follow.

Development
and Support

Analysis uses a
rich array of
details from
reliable sources
to support your
general
statements.

Analysis uses some

details from reliable
sources to support
general
statements.

Analysis uses a few Analysis uses few details

details from reliable to support general
sources to support statements.
some but not most
general statements.

Sentences are
grammatical but
lack variety; your
diction lacks
precision in places;
youve attended to
most conventions
of citation,
punctuation and
mechanics.
Attempts MLA
formatting.

Sentences are
ungrammatical and
lack variety; your
diction is vague or
imprecise in places;
youve not
consistently
attended to
conventions of
citation,
punctuation, and
mechanics. Minimal
MLA formatting.

Expression and Sentences are

Conventions
grammatical and
varied; your
diction is precise;
youve carefully
attended to
conventions of
citation,
punctuation, and
mechanics. Uses
proper MLA
formatting.

Sentences are
ungrammatical and lack
variety; your diction is
imprecise in many places;
youve not paid much
attention to conventions
of citation, punctuation,
and mechanics. No
attempt at MLA
formatting.