Ava Arledge
Advanced Topics: American Language and Literature
Argumentative Research Essay
Overview:
Inspiration and topic:
An argumentative research essay is a type of writing that requires you to investigate a topic and establish a position on the topic in a concise manner. Unlike other types of essays that might simply aim to inform or describe, an argumentative research essay seeks to persuade the reader about the validity of a claim or argument, with thorough evidence to support it.
The argumentative research essay was the only non-revisable essay we had this year, which made it stressful for my peers. However, I embraced this task with enthusiasm, excited that we could write about anything we wanted. The question then arose: What should I write about? The night before we were asked to brainstorm topics, I had only gotten about four hours of sleep. "I am so exhausted, I cannot think straight," I thought to myself. That's when it hit me. I wanted to explore the detrimental effects of early school start times on students and advocate for later start times.
The writing process:
Known among my friends for my love to debate and persuade - not to mention my hatred of early mornings - I was extremely passionate about this essay and had a super fun time writing it. Researching this topic became more of a temporary hobby than a required assignment, and my journey through this essay revealed far more than just the benefits of starting school later. I uncovered extensive research detailing how sleep deprivation directly affects students' physical health, mental health, academic achievements, and concentration levels. The information that I learned was terrifying, as early start times negatively impact me and countless others daily.
Before beginning to research, we were asked to compose a research proposal to introduce our topic and its significance, identify further questions for exploration, and present a working thesis. This was a good way to transfer all of my ideas to paper and begin the writing process.
After identifying my topic and working thesis, I curated a diverse array of sources that would support my argument and created an annotated bibliography. This process proved to be a highly effective strategy for organizing my ideas and documenting crucial information, serving as a handy resource throughout writing my essay. Although this was my first experience crafting an annotated bibliography, it was a very useful tool and I know that I will definitely create more for future assignments. It was a great way to maintain organization and easily locate sources.
The essay
While crafting my essay, I consistently referred back to my annotated bibliography to find sources that would support my argument. My essay primarily began as a brain dump, where I cataloged all relevant quotations that could be included in my essay and the key points I wanted to make. If you read this initial draft, it is just one quote after another, with no structure or flow. For all essays, I typically begin writing like this, where I just like to get all of my ideas written down. Afterward, I refine these rough outlines into clear, structured paragraphs, thereby transforming raw ideas into a compelling argument.
Strengths
This essay stands out as one of my favorite pieces of writing I have ever completed. My thesis statement was well-crafted, presenting a relevant, debatable, and unique argument. Furthermore, I addressed an extremely relevant topic, enhancing the urgency of my argument. Using techniques I learned during our rhetorical analysis unit, I employed strong persuasive strategies to argue the necessity of later school start times. By integrating statistical evidence with anecdotes and expert opinions, my essay effectively demonstrated the logical benefits of later start times while also evoking empathy for students burdened by early schedules. By doing so, I made my essay extremely persuasive and impactful.
To transform my draft into a polished and well-structured essay, I carefully reviewed and reorganized my content to ensure logical flow. I made sure to more specifically highlight the significance of each quotation while meaningfully supporting my argument throughout. Reflecting on the process, I believe this work stands out as my best essay of the year. My deep passion for the subject not only made the research and writing process more engaging but also enriched my analysis. Diving into the complex issues surrounding early school start times, I ventured beyond the obvious, offering a comprehensive exploration that was both persuasive and thought-provoking. This essay showcased my ability to craft a compelling and debatable argument.
Weaknesses
I am extremely proud of this piece of writing and am quite hesitant to admit that it has any weaknesses. Although, I do recognize that it could have been enhanced if I had addressed potential challenges with delaying school start times, like misalignments with after school activites or parents' schedules. Acknowledging and discussing these opposing perspectives could have strengthened my argument, making it more balanced and credible by demonstrating a complex understanding of the issue from both sides.