Abortion

Write an argument paper making a value claim; a value claim argues for (or against) something moral, aesthetic, or philosophical. Please construct emotional appeals (appeals to needs and values) to persuade your reader to agree with you. Appealing to needs and values includes appeals to our need for love, esteem, belonging, and so on. For this essay, think about what your personal values are, where those values came from, and why your audience will share these values. Then, apply those values to a question that affects everyone. You are not recommending a course of action (that’s a policy claim); you are arguing that something is right or wrong, just or unjust, moral or immoral, etc.

Remember, some values are simply expressions of taste. For example, suppose you prefer chocolate over vanilla. You cannot successfully argue why chocolate is better (though many people have tried).

You will Write ONE page for the OUTLINE, and the remaining 8 pages are for the completed paper.

Your OUTLINE must address the following:

1. Claim
2. Supports
3. Warrants
4. Opposing Arguments

Use headings. Your first heading is “Claim,” your second is “Supports,” and so on. That makes it very clear when you are discussing your supports, when you are addressing your warrants, and so on.

Claim

State your claim in one or two sentences. This is your thesis.

When arguing for or against a value, avoid terms like “good” and “bad.” Instead, choose terms like “just” or “unjust,” “humane” or “inhumane.” For example, instead of saying “The death penalty is bad,” try “The death penalty is unjust because it is applied unfairly.”

Supports

Describe the supports that back up your claim.

To support a value claim you appeal to the needs and values of your reader. According to Abraham Maslow, everyone has five basic needs. They begin with physical needs, such as food, and end with self-actualization needs.

Depending on your topic, choose a corresponding need and craft an argument that appeals to that need. For example, if you take the position that “It’s wrong to decriminalize marijuana” support it by appealing to our need for safety. Appeals to safety stress our desire to have order and stability in our lives and be free from harm. The topic you choose will dictate your emotional appeal. For example, if you argue that “Same sex marriage is a fundamental right” support it by appealing to our need for belongingness and love. Maslow explains those needs include our desire to feel love with our family and friends, and to have roots in a group or community.

In addition to using emotional appeals, you can also support a value claim by suggesting the value leads to a better life or a better result. For example, if you claim “Freedom of the press is desirable,” argue that a free press keeps citizens informed and thus, making better choices. That benefits everyone.

Remember, values are abstract concepts, so use concrete examples and illustrations. For example, if you claim “Prison overcrowding is inhumane,” be sure to include specific detailed examples of prisoners living in inhumane conditions.

You should also organize your arguments in order of importance. Your most important (most persuasive) arguments should come first.

Do quality research. If you use well-regarded neutral sources, such as the New York Times, you gain credibility. If you pick highly controversial and clearly biased sources, such as High Times, you lose credibility.

If you cite a source, you MUST follow proper MLA formatting. That means a correct in-text citation and a Works Cited section. Don’t forget this! I look for the Works Cited, and if it’s not there, or if you’ve omitted in-text citations, you lower your grade.

Warrant(s)

Include the warrant(s) that link your claim to your supports. For each, explain why you believe the warrant is shared with your audience and why it’s important to your argument. Remember, if your audience disagrees with your assumptions, you cannot get them to agree with you.

Opposing Arguments

Describe the opposing arguments to your position and how you plan to refute or accommodate them.

THE 8 pages Value Claim Final

Introduction

In the first paragraph, clearly state your claim. After the claim—which is your thesis—include a roadmap (or blueprint) of the main points to follow.

Body

Beginning in paragraph two, fully develop your supports. Each support must be in a separate paragraph or set of paragraphs. Do not put two points in the same paragraph!

Begin each paragraph with a transition word (first, second, next, etc.) in the topic sentence.

Order your supports by importance (that is, the most important or persuasive support comes first).

Make sure that you include a refutation of opposing arguments. This refutation should come after you have supported your claim.

Conclusion

Finally, summarize both your claim and your supports in your final paragraph.

In-Text Citations and Works Cited Section

You MUST include properly formatted in text citations and a Works Cited section at the end of your essay. If you are not sure how to follow the MLA style, please review both the text and the lectures for example.