Persuasive Essay
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As we have been learning, nuclear and radiological technologies have evident beneficial applications in our
society including: providing clean energy, medical treatments, national security, and industrial applications.
However, there remain realities associated with potential dangers, including examples of past environmental
and human health impacts, not to mention the potential proliferation of nuclear weapons.
Your writing assignment (20% of your grade) will be to write a 3-4 page convincing and persuasive essay on
a nuclear related topic. It is not required that it is specifically a topic covered in class and you are welcome to
formulate an argument that is supportive or against the use of the nuclear technology. Some example
persuasive topical statements would be:
We need to build more reactors in the United States
Diagnostic imaging in children should be more heavily regulated.
Radiation dose limits for workers should be reduced (or increased).
It is necessary to eliminate all nuclear weapons in the United States.
The best solution for the disposal of nuclear waste is a deep geological repository
[It is NOT required that it is a topic only relevant to the United States, but these are topics I am more familiar
with.]
Comments:
Make sure the statement you are supporting is not a simple fact (like ‘nuclear power plants contributes to
20% of the US electricity’), but instead a personal analysis of a nuclear issue supported by facts
(research/reading). It is imperative that you cite your source(s) of information you use to support your
argument. I will emphasize the necessity that this is your own written work. If you have any questions
regarding what constitutes plagiarism, I am happy to answer. Sometimes plagiarism is not intentional. Make
sure you reference your source of information and use quotations when using the words of others.
Also, we (me and the TA’s) are unable to ‘pre-grade’ written assignments, but are happy to provide feedback
on a topic to make sure you are headed in the right direction.
Notes:
We will devote some time in week 6 to discuss what makes a solid argumentative essay, topic ideas, and
format.
| Total Points: 200.0 | |||
| Some Rubric | |||
| Criteria | Ratings | Pts | |
| 20.0 pts | Thesis * Formulates a focused, arguable, and defensible thesis * Includes an effective introduction and conclusion that advances thesis | 20.0 pts Full Marks | 0.0 pts No Marks |
| 20.0 pts | Organization Organizes major ideas logically and consistently, emphasizing writer’s argument not merely text’s chronology; Organizes supporting ideas | 20.0 pts Full Marks | 0.0 pts No Marks |
| 50.0 pts | Content Presents original ideas that are well thought out; Content is accurate, fair and plausible information/analysis from texts | 50.0 pts Full Marks | 0.0 pts No Marks |
| 50.0 pts | Development and Support of Ideas Fully develops ideas with an awareness of audience; presents and ‘disarms’ arguments counter to thesis and provides substantial support for assertions | 50.0 pts Full Marks | 0.0 pts No Marks |
| 20.0 pts | Style Uses language at an appropriate and sophisticated level for a college audience; provides an appropriate level of precision in ideas and transitions smoothly sections and ideas within paragraphs. | 20.0 pts Full Marks | 0.0 pts No Marks |
| 20.0 pts | Usage/Grammar Uses language that is clear, concise and appropriate; Varies sentence structure and uses conventions of standard English | 20.0 pts Full Marks | 0.0 pts No Marks |
| 20.0 pts | Reference and Documentation Incorporates and documents information correctly; Determines credibility of sources; Properly cites sources of data, information, and/or ideas. | 20.0 pts Full Marks | 0.0 pts No Marks |
There is a decent tutorial that a high school teacher put together available here: Writing the Persuasive
Essay.pdf
This provides the basic (minimum) components of a persuasive essay and is a good starting point to
consider how to construct your paper.
The point total for the paper is 200pts, it will be weighted for you final grade to 20% of total.