Essay 2: Rebuttal Assignment

“Honest disagreement is often a good sign of progress.”

—Mahatma Gandhi

Expressing our disagreement with other points of view is a basic and essential skill. This assignment asks you to present a forceful, coherent, and thoughtful rebuttal.

1. Read the three assigned arguments (to be posted soon) and choose the one with which you have the strongest disagreement.

2. Write a letter to the author rebutting his or her argument. You will need to determine whether you want to use refutation, counterargument, or both. If you choose to use refutation, you will need to determine whether you want to question the assumptions of the argument, question the evidence, or both. Whatever strategy you choose, you should explicitly refer to and contextualize the argument you’re rebutting. Before class on Wednesday, March 2, post your first draft on your blog. In the title box, include an appropriate title and also label your paper Essay 2.1. In your post, you should also include a link to the argument you’re rebutting. Note that, while it’s okay for your first draft to be rough, it should be complete.

3. After receiving feedback from me (and, for some of you, the entire class), write a second draft of your rebuttal and post it on your blog by Monday, March 21. Again, include a link to the original argument.

Your “electronic portfolio” will include the following:

• Prewriting

• Draft 1 (with my comments and possibly comments from the class)

• Reflection 1

• Draft 2

• Reflection 2

• Any other notes that document your process along the way (be sure to identify them clearly)

The grade you receive on the portfolio will be based on the final product as well as the process it reflects. All parts must be present in order for the portfolio to be considered complete.

Final length: 1000 words, minimum

Percentage of final grade: 15

Research: Strong rebuttals, especially those that question the evidence of the argument they are refuting, will be based on strong evidence. At least two secondary sources are required for this paper.

Format: Your sources must be cited in MLA format. When you post your paper on your blog, do not double space or indent your paragraphs. Instead, include a single space between paragraphs. In the title box, include a title such as “Essay 1.2: Why Rush Limbaugh Is Still a Big Fat Idiot.”

Additional help: I encourage you to see me during my office hours to discuss arguments, claims, structure, or any other concerns at any point during your writing process. Remember that the writing centers are also excellent resources for extra feedback (if you utilize a writing center, consider reflecting on this experience as part of your portfolio).

Grading Criteria

An “A” paper (90–100):

• advances a clear and insightful claim

• rebuts the chosen argument with a clear, appropriate, and effective strategy

• supports the rebuttal with sufficient, compelling, and well-selected evidence

• uses research critically and ethically and incorporates it appropriately

• acknowledges other views and responds to them thoroughly

• is constructed of unified, well-developed paragraphs in logical order with clear transitions

• demonstrates control of documentation, grammar, mechanics, and usage

• shows sophistication, originality, and creativity with style, diction, and voice

A “B” paper (80–89):

• advances a clear argumentative purpose, but may lack the insight of an “A” paper

• rebuts the chosen argument with an effective strategy, but strategy may lack decisiveness or self-awareness

• supports the analysis with evidence, but support may be limited

• makes an attempt to use research, but support may be insufficient

• makes an effort to acknowledge other views, but may overlook obvious counterarguments or may not adequately respond to them

• progresses logically, for the most part, and shows some attempt at transition

• exhibits few documentation and grammar errors

• provides evidence of an evolving, but perhaps underdeveloped, individual voice

A “C” paper (70–79):

• demonstrates an attempt, though perhaps inconsistent, at an argumentative purpose

• rebuts the chosen argument, but perhaps indirectly or indecisively

• provides some support, but support may be generalized or insufficient

• does not use research, but perhaps in an inappropriate or obvious way

• provides no consideration of other views, or consideration is undeveloped

• orders paragraphs logically and coherently, with perhaps a few lapses

• exhibits lapses in documentation and patterns of grammatical error, but they do not significantly impede meaning

• may be simplistic in style or reliant on clichés; may lack sentence variety

A “D” paper (60–69) may lack any of the following:

• an argumentative purpose

• strong rebuttal strategy

• support

• analysis of evidence

• acknowledgement of other views

• logical paragraph order or clearly defined paragraphs

• understanding of grammar or documentation

An “F” paper fails to meet most requirements and/or the writing exhibits serious deficiency.