Open your Writing Plan to use the work you have done so far to respond to the following questions, which will help you through the process. Answer the questions below in another Word document to construct a working thesis statement. 

1. What is the problem you will be addressing that is connected to your potential field or major?
2. State your argument that addresses this problem. Remember, your argument may have changed now that you've conducted more research.
3. What is your first reason or keypoint why your audience should be persuaded by your argument? Can it be supported using the research you've conducted so far? Briefly identify the research you will use to support this point.
4. What is your second reason or keypoint why your audience should be persuaded by your argument? Can it be supported using the research you've conducted so far? Briefly identify the research you will use to support this point.
5. What is your third reason or keypoint why your audience should be persuaded by your argument? Can it be supported using the research you've conducted so far? Briefly identify the research you will use to support this point.
6. Now, combine your answers to questions 2-5 to construct a thesis statement. Your thesis statement should be 1-2 sentences long. Begin by stating the position you will argue, and then go on to list the reasons or major points you will write about in the paper to defend that position. 

DISCUSSION 2

Before we start the drafting process, let's think of a couple of areas of the Writing Plan you're confident in and a couple of areas where you'd like to spend additional time. Use the prompts below as guidance when reflecting on your personal drafting goals. In response to each question, copy and paste any examples from your Writing Plan. Then write 1-3 sentences explaining why you've selected those examples and, when applicable, what changes you might make.

Which sections of your Writing Plan do you feel most confident in?

Which sections of your Writing Plan do you feel least confident in?

Which of your main points do you find the strongest? Which of your main points do you find the weakest?

Do you think you have identified important counterarguments? Are you comfortable with your responses to those counterarguments?

 Do you think you've found evidence that supports your main points? Is there a point you think needs more supporting evidence?

DISCUSSION 3

Prompt: For this milestone, you will submit a draft of your persuasive paragraph. At this point in the course, you have completed activities that will help you transform your paragraph into a draft. This milestone will help you address critical elements I–III below, which will ultimately inform your final submission of the persuasive paragraph. You must submit your completed Milestone to the assignment page in Brightspace by the deadline.

Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed:

I. Introduction

This is where readers will have a chance to get an idea of what your paragraph will be about and what you will prove throughout. Do not give all of your information away here, but give readers a sample of what is to come. Do not forget to review your writing plan to make sure you are hitting all of the points that you planned out, while also stating your claim.

1. Provide an overview of the issue you have selected, briefly describing main points and your argument.
2. Compose an engaging thesis statement that explains the argument that you will prove and support throughout your paragraph. This statement will give direction to your paragraph and should be well thought out.

II. Body

The body is your opportunity to describe and support your argument in depth. Make sure your thoughts and evidence are clear and organized in a way that is easy for readers to follow and understand.

1. Be sure that you write multiple paragraphs that are focused, clearly state their intent, and move logically from one to the other, building the thesis argument as the paragraph progresses.
2. Your body paragraphs should support your argument by combining thoughts and ideas with evidence from sources. There is no such thing as a right or wrong argument; the key is how it is supported and the quality of the evidence used.
3. Address and refute any opposing viewpoints to your argument. This is your chance to discredit any opposing views, thus strengthening your own.

III. Conclusion

Think of the conclusion as a review of your argument. Use this section to restate your argument and remind readers of your supporting evidence. Think of this as your last chance to persuade readers to agree with you.

1. Review your argument. This section should consist of a review of your main points employed to support your argument. Think of this as your last chance to prove your point or your closing arguments.
2. Your conclusion should articulate insights about your argument established through your paragraph. This should follow logically from your paragraph, referring to key points or quotes used to support your argument.