Classical argument refers to a specific way of presenting an argument that has come down from the ancient Greek/Roman tradition. Each part of this essay will have a specific function, and the argument will be organized in a specific way. This means that there will be less room for structural creativity in this paper, but also that if you have trouble with organization, this may prove helpful. Because of their structure, classical argument papers are ideal for advancing a specific position on an issue, and because of their use of the refutatio, they are also ideal for being able to evaluate and dismiss other positions.

Topics:

1) As the articles we have read in class discuss, college life is strongly associated with underage drinking and drug (ab)use. Your assignment is to advocate a specific course of action with regard to some aspect of drug and alcohol regulation on campus, and to write a paper in classical argument format which advocates your position and considers and refutes your opposition. For example, you could write a paper claiming that people who get caught abusing drugs should not have their chance for federal funding taken away, or should have their chance for federal funding taken away, or you could write about the influence of corporate sponsorship on underage drinking, or about the regulation of drinking at fraternities and sororities (either within the fraternities themselves or by the University), about the drinking age itself, about the legalization of various drugs and how changes in national policy would impact campus policy, or other topics related to how drinking and drugs and their regulation work on college campuses in general, or Purdue in specific. Your claim and reason(s) must be cleared with the instructor via email, phone call, or office hours visit by Wednesday, February 17th.

2) Write a paper in classical argument format which makes a claim with reasons about. controversial issue and considers and refutes other positions. Your claim and reason(s) must be cleared with the instructor via email, phone call, or office hours visit by Wednesday, February 17th.

3) Write a dialogue or debate which includes all of the parts of classical argument in which your characters discuss a controversial claim about an issue and come to a specific conclusion about it. Your topic, claim, reasons, and other formatting considerations for this topic must be cleared with the instructor via email, phone call, or office hours visit by Wednesday, February 17th.

Grading Criteria:

Since this assignment is based on the principles of classical argument, the majority of your grade will depend on how well your essay conforms to the structure of classical argument and uses all of its parts. Essays which fulfill the assignment will be essays which make claims supported by reasons as well as considering and refuting an opposite claim, as well as being well-documented and well organized.

The rest of your grade will be depend on your use of details, your use of transitions to move between the parts of the essay, and your attention to stylistic matters, including spelling and grammar.