Write a 5-6 page (around 1500-word) essay arguing for an answer to this question:  What should the legal drinking age be in the United States?    You will base your argument on the packet of information that I provide, and make sure to cite the sources when you use them--only include works cited entries for the works you actually use; except for one or maybe two optional personal interviews, DO NOT USE SOURCES EXCEPT FOR THE ONES I PROVIDE.  Take care to be the primary voice in your essay and use the outside sources to supplement and reinforce your views.  Here are some general suggestions:

• Develop an introduction that presents the issue clearly, eases your reader into the topic, and provides the necessary background information (you may need more than one paragraph to do this). 

• Promote feelings of good will and avoid making your readers defensive as you progress through your argument. 

• Compose a thesis statement that is clear and appropriately qualified.

• Develop your essay with 2-4 reasons and support them with evidence and convincing support (facts, statistics, testimony from the sources; personal stories, examples, hypothetical anecdotes of your own). 

• Anticipate the opposing views that your opposition will have and accommodate or refute those opposing views. 

• Argue with a reasonable tone throughout the essay. 

Documentation/Works Cited: Pay special attention to the MLA guidelines for documentation as outlined in sections 56-57 of Bedford.  Do not include annotations for works cited entries.

Annotated Bibliography:  Please include an annotated bibliography of all the sources I provided.    This will be separate from your works cited (only the works you actually reference in your paper). 

Click here for formatting information.  (Don't forget to include all of your annotated sources in the portfolio.  The Invention, Unit/Self-evaluation materials should come from the "Position" handout)