Personal Argument Essay Everyday, there is a good chance you are hearing or reading arguments based on opinions and viewpoints of issues in many different areas. From TV talk shows to newspaper columns to water-cooler discussions at work, arguments are all around you and intended to persuade those with differing opinions to "see it your way." There is also a good chance that you are involved in these arguments because there is a personal connection in some way, shape, or form. Your personal stake in these matters often intrigues you and “lights a fire” to support your side, whether you make those thoughts public or not. Now is your chance to take an issue close to you, whether it is health related, sports related, crime related – anything – and formulate a solid, researched, and logical argument. The personal argument essay is an argumentative essay with a twist. Just like a traditional argumentative essay, the personal argument essay is designed to "persuade the reader of a particular idea" that is "normally one with which not everyone will agree." In your essay, you will need to present organized evidence in an understandable way that may persuade the reader to agree with you. The twist is that you should include yourself in the essay. The argument should be based on an issue close to you or an experience that you have had at some point in your life. For instance, the only way you can write about the death penalty is if you have been on death row. Ok, I’m half kidding, but the point is that you should pick something with impact that is close to you. If I were to write this essay, I might write about matters related to higher education and share my story. Objectives: · At some point in the essay, describe the experience or personal stake that you have in this argument. Tell your story. If you want to argue for or against gun control, talk about your experience with guns. Demonstrate your personal stake in the argument. This is an essay where you can use “I”. · Include a concise, one sentence thesis statement that clearly summarizes your main argument. For example, in an essay about cloning, a strong thesis statement might be: "Human cloning should be banned because it is against religious beliefs, an unproven science, and there are far more important medical issues that should be addressed." · Use facts and statistics, examples, and expert opinion to produce a support for your argument. From the example above, you could address cloning as against religious beliefs, cloning as an unproven science, and medical issues that are more important than cloning. · You should also include potential opposition to your argument. You will need to anticipate and respond to this at some point in the essay. For example, many will say that cloning could lead to advancements in medicine that will solve serious disease. · Include a solid concluding paragraph summarizing the topic and your arguments. It should also include a stron ...

1. Personal Argument Essay
Everyday, there is a good chance you are hearing or reading
arguments based on opinions and viewpoints of issues in many
different areas. From TV talk shows to newspaper columns to
water-cooler discussions at work, arguments are all around you
and intended to persuade those with differing opinions to "see it
your way."
There is also a good chance that you are involved in these
arguments because there is a personal connection in some way,
shape, or form. Your personal stake in these matters often
intrigues you and “lights a fire” to support your side, whether
you make those thoughts public or not. Now is your chance to
take an issue close to you, whether it is health related, sports
related, crime related – anything – and formulate a solid,
researched, and logical argument.
The personal argument essay is an argumentative essay with a
twist. Just like a traditional argumentative essay, the personal
argument essay is designed to "persuade the reader of a
particular idea" that is "normally one with which not everyone
will agree." In your essay, you will need to present organized
evidence in an understandable way that may persuade the reader
to agree with you.
The twist is that you should include yourself in the essay. The
argument should be based on an issue close to you or an
experience that you have had at some point in your life. For
instance, the only way you can write about the death penalty is
if you have been on death row. Ok, I’m half kidding, but the
point is that you should pick something with impact that is close
to you. If I were to write this essay, I might write about matters
related to higher education and share my story.

2. Objectives:
· At some point in the essay, describe the experience or
personal stake that you have in this argument. Tell your story.
If you want to argue for or against gun control, talk about your
experience with guns. Demonstrate your personal stake in the
argument. This is an essay where you can use “I”.
· Include a concise, one sentence thesis statement that clearly
summarizes your main argument. For example, in an essay
about cloning, a strong thesis statement might be: "Human
cloning should be banned because it is against religious beliefs,
an unproven science, and there are far more important medical
issues that should be addressed."
· Use facts and statistics, examples, and expert opinion to
produce a support for your argument. From the example above,
you could address cloning as against religious beliefs, cloning
as an unproven science, and medical issues that are more
important than cloning.
· You should also include potential opposition to your
argument. You will need to anticipate and respond to this at
some point in the essay. For example, many will say that
cloning could lead to advancements in medicine that will solve
serious disease.
· Include a solid concluding paragraph summarizing the topic
and your arguments. It should also include a strong closing
remark that "sticks" in the readers mind. From the example
above, a strong closing remark in an argumentative essay about
cloning could be: "Allowing cloning to move forward would
allow humans to play God."
Your Essay Should:
· Answer the question: "What am I trying to prove?"
· Demonstrate that the issue matters to you because of personal
experience
· Contain a strong thesis statement. This is the base of your
entire essay.

3. · Answer the opposition. As you are writing, anticipate
opposing arguments against your own.
· Avoid generalization. Be detailed and specific.
· Be creative.
· Reread to avoid errors. PLEASE DO THIS - it can be the
difference between an 'A' or 'B'.
· Contain thorough and accurate MLA formatting and citation.
Specifics:
· 12 pt., readable font
· Essay should at least spill onto the fourth page. Cross the
finish line!
· MLA formatting, including header, in-text citations, and
works cited page.
· Include at least three (3) reliable sources as part of the essay.
Wikipedia, About.com, and other general web sources will not
be accepted as part of the required three.
· Include a clear-cut thesis somewhere near the beginning of the
piece
· Include at least one statistic relevant to your topic
· You may use “I”, but avoid “I believe”, “I feel”, “I know”, “I
am going to argue”, etc. Make stronger statements by excluding
these phrases.