How do competitive sports affect adolescent minds?

For this essay, you will use the skills and knowledge you’ve accumulated over the last few months to produce a paper on the topic of your choice. The specifications are as follows:

Length: 8-10 pages

Sources: 10+ (with in-text citations and an appropriately formatted MLA 8th Edition Works Cited Page)

Times New Roman, 12 pt. font, double spaced, 1-inch margins

Your argument must address the Four Pillars of Argument we’ve used throughout the semester (thesis, evidence, counterargument/refutation, conclusion), though you have a lot of free rein in how you structure and organize these elements.

Remember, your goal is to convince the reader that your argument is specific, conclusive, and valid, and that opposing arguments are flawed, misguided, or invalid. It is not enough to state facts or make broad generalizations. See below for a suggestion of how you might divide up your page limit among the various sections (though, again, not necessarily in order or all at once).

THE FOUR PILLARS OF ARGUMENT

1. INTRODUCTION/THESIS (~1 pg): Introduce the topic. Tell the reader what is being argued, which side/stance the paper is taking, and the main reasons why.

2. EVIDENCE (4-5 pgs): Present the claims in support of your thesis and supporting evidence for those claims.

3. COUNTERARGUMENT/REFUTATION (2-3 pgs, can be interspersed with your main argument): Bring up your opponents’ views on the issue and discredit them.

4. CONCLUSION (~1 pg): Restate your thesis and claims in DIFFERENT words; address the issue’s broader implications.