06 Dec For this discussion board, you will compose a detailed outline that plans your academic essay,

For this discussion board, you will compose a detailed outline that plans your academic essay, which you will write in the next week of the course. Your upcoming essay will need to be 1,000-1,200 words in MLA format with 5 sources. In this essay, you will make a sound argument about the academic topic you’ve been working with in class. Remember: You must position take a clear side on the debate for this assignment. 

You are required to have the following elements in your essay:

1. An introduction that provides background information on the topic and ends with a strong thesis. Your thesis should state your argument and its major reasons in a clear, concise manner;

2. Three paragraphs that identify your major points. each begionning with a strong, clear topic sentence that supports to the thesis.

3. At least two separate points of evidenvce for each topic sentece.

4. A conclusion that answers the question “so what?” and shows why your topic is important. 

Assignment Guidelines

For the outline, you will NOT draft the essay; instead, you will begin to map out its frame. Please use the template below to construct your outline in a document. 

Outline Sample    111ArgumentOutlineSample.docx  111ArgumentOutlineSample.docx – Alternative Formats  (opens in new window)

For this assignment, you will prepare a traditional outline of your final paper. Because it will serve as the plan of the entire argument, you will need to include full sentences for your argument (the thesis and three topic sentences). For the evidence, please include only phrases, followed by the source citations, with page numbers where available.

Spending the requisite amount of time on the outline will have two important benefits:

· It will give me the best opportunity to evaluate the plan for your argument and to help point you in the right direction; and

· Once you have revised your outline according to my suggestions, you will be able to write your rough draft quickly and easily because you have done all the hard work when preparing the outline.

 Follow exactly thtline format posted below.

Thesis: In a misguided effort to make the United States safer after the attacks on 9/11, the USA PATRIOT Act has significantly eroded Americans’ civil liberties, including the protection against unreasonable search and seizure, the right to free speech, and the right to privacy.

1. The Patriot Act has trampled Americans’ protection against unreasonable search and seizure as guaranteed in the Fourth Amendment.

          A.  Cases of Curtis Mayfield and Abdullah al-Kidd (Eddlem 27)

          B.  Use of National Security Letters (Garlinger 90-92)

            II.   The act has similarly stifled the right of free expression under the First Amendment.

          A.   etc.

          B.

            III. Finally, the Patriot Act has encroached on Americans’ right to privacy as guaranteed by the Supreme Court in Griswold v. Connecticut.

          A.

          B.

 

Response Requirement

Once you’ve completed your outline, please submit it to the appropriate Discussion Board space. You will have twenty-four hours to respond to two peers. Answer ALL the following questions on your responses, including thorough support for your evaluation:

1. Does the writer demonstrate focus through a detailed thesis statement that organizes the frame of the essay? 

2. Does the writer include clear topic sentences that align to the thesis statement?

3. Does the writer showcase specific evidence to support the topic sentences?

4. Does the writer use credible, sufficient evidence to support each body section?

Please engage constructively with your peers as you point out the strengths of their posts as well as areas they could improve or continue thinking. 

 

 

The colors in the incomplete sample below illustrate the tight organization of the plan for

this paper:

· Yellow represents the topic of the paper. Note that every argument sentence (thesis and topic sentences) contain a reference to the USA PATRIOT Act.

· Words in red provide the viewpoint/claim of the entire paper and the supporting paragraphs. All clearly argue against the Patriot Act because it is taking away Americans’ civil liberties.

· The three other colors are the three main points of the essay. Note that all three are included in the thesis statement; each paragraph focuses on one of them.

 

Thesis: In a misguided effort to make the United States safer after the attacks on 9/11, the USA PATRIOT Act has significantly eroded Americans’ civil liberties, including the protection against unreasonable search and seizure, the right to free speech, and the right to privacy.

 

 

I. The Patriot Act has trampled Americans’ protection against unreasonable search and seizure as guaranteed in the Fourth Amendment.

          A.  Cases of Curtis Mayfield and Abdullah al-Kidd (Eddlem 27)

          B.  Use of National Security Letters (Garlinger 90-92)

 

II. The act has similarly stifled the right of free expression under the First Amendment.

          A.   etc.

          B.

C.

           

III. Finally, the Patriot Act has encroached on Americans’ right to privacy as guaranteed by the Supreme Court in Griswold v. Connecticut.

          A.