A mini-essay in MLA format arguing both sides of an issue.

1. Research your topic. Find at least three sources using the college Online Library. (See instructions in this week’s Module.) You may use Google to find the rest of your sources.

2. Write an introductory paragraph (6-10 sentences) giving an overview of the two topics. Open with a hook; provide background; finish with a thesis sentence stating the purpose of this mini-essay: to investigate two opposing sides of an issue.

3. Write two body paragraphs (6-10 sentences each) advocating one side of the dissoi logoi. Be sure to incorporate evidence and citations from your sources.

4. Write two more body paragraphs (6-10 sentences each) advocating the opposite side of the dissoi logoi. Again, incorporate evidence and citations from your sources in MLA style. Up to this point, a reader should not be able to recognize whether you prefer one side over the other.

o Each body paragraph must incorporate two sources (two brief quotations or paraphrases + citations in MLA style). Remember that you must set up or lead into a quotation with a signal phrase, and you must provide an MLA citation after the quotation: (author page#).

o Paragraphs should be organized in the usual fashion: topic sentence stating main idea, major and minor supporting details (include exactly two brief quotations + citations), concluding sentence.

5. Write a conclusion paragraph (6-10 sentences) stating what you personally think and why.

6. Provide a Works Cited list in MLA style showing your web / electronic sources.