The document outlines a persuasive writing assignment focused on the controversial topic of raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour. Students are instructed to take a firm stance, present three supporting arguments, and discuss a counter-argument in a 4-5 page academic essay. The assignment emphasizes the importance of credible sources, critical evaluation of information, and guidelines for constructing a persuasive essay.

1. Persuasive Writing Intro
The final writing assignment is a
persuasive essay
about the Minimum Wage. Should it be raised to $15?
What's the connection between Lies, Truth, Fake News and the
Minimum Wage? The question of raising the minimum wage is
a hot economic and political topic. Democrats wanted it to be
part of the last COVID-19 Relief Bill, but they couldn't get
enough support. Some economists believe it will have positive
social and economic effects. Other economists believe it will
decrease the number of jobs. Small business owners worry
about the cost of covering higher wages. Conservative
politicians are usually against a dramatic raise of the minimum
wage. There are vocal
supporters
and
opponents
of the issue. Discussion relies on statistics and complex
economic arguments.
Your task will be to take a stand and find information that
supports your arguments.
You will be finding information that may be truthful or
biased. In sum, you'll be using the information and skills we
have been discussing.
Topic:
You will take a firm position on whether the minimum wage
should be raised to $15 an hour and identify at least two
arguments to convince others of your position on the minimum
wage in a four-five-page academic essay

2. that would be appropriate for a course on economics, political
science, sociology, or business.
To be persuasive, you should also discuss a counter-argument
and explain why your arguments are superior or more important
.
As part of this assignment, you will submit
Outline + Essay
Example:
Introduction
Hook: Grab the reader’s attention with a quote, scenario,
question, vivid description, etc. Must be related to your topic.
Thesis statement: Simply and clearly state your position on the
issue
Three arguments. Choose three arguments you can use to
convince your reader of your position. Briefly state these
arguments here.
Paragraph 2 (5-8 sentences)
Go back to paragraph one and find your first argument. Then
write a paragraph about it.
Use specific examples to support your argument
Write a transition sentence.

3. Paragraph 3 (5-8 sentences)
Go back to paragraph one and find your second argument. Write
a paragraph about it .
Use specific examples to support your argument. You should
authoritative websites to give facts, statistics, supporting
quotations, studies, research, etc.
Write a transition sentence.
Paragraph 4 (5-8 sentences)
Go back to paragraph one and find your third argument. Write a
paragraph about it.
Use specific examples to support your argument
Write a transition sentence.
Conclusion (3-5 sentences)
Summarize—restate your thesis statement and three arguments
in different words
Make a closing statement. Tie your closing statement back to

4. your opening hook.
I have provided some articles to start our thinking. We will
analyze whether we believe the sources are credible. You will
need to find additional sources. Tools that you will need
include those we have recently discussed:
Tools for Making Informed and Thoughtful Decisions about
“Truth”
An understanding of key terms like
truth
,
lie
,
opinion
, and
fact
An awareness of how fact checkers can be useful
An awareness of how numbers can be used to deceive
Ways to identify and evaluate “experts”
An awareness of “slippery words” and how they can slant a
report
A method for detecting fake news
An understanding of bias and objectivity in news reporting

5. An awareness of “tribal” thinking
Recognition of the importance of peer-reviewed journals
We will read these sources together as a starting point. We will
also evaluate whether they are good sources.
1.
“Increase in Minimum Wage Kills Jobs,”
Employment Policies Institute, OpEd
2.
“Minimum Wage and Job Loss: One Alarming Seattle Study Is
Not the Last Word,”
Arindrajit Dube,
New York Times
(this article is a good source for support to arguments)
3.
“New Minimum Wage Hikes Set to Kill Jobs in 2018,”
Brendan Pringle,
Washington Examiner (
This article links to research against)
4.
"
CBO (Links to an external site.)
Report Finds $15 Minimum Wage Would Cost Jobs But Lower
Poverty Levels" (Links to an external site.)
Eli Rosenberg,
Washington Post
DOC VERSION of the article
Actions

6. 1.
“The Controversial Study Showing High Minimum Wages Kills
Jobs, Explained,”
Jeff Guo,
Vox
2.
“Study: Seattle’s $15 Minimum Wage WORKED,”
David Pakman,
HuffPost
Here are some Frequently-Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many page
? 4-5
How many sources?
4-5 sources. You can use the sources I provided as a start. But
you must find at least
TWO other sources. (The sources that are going to be used must
be good sources, be careful with that)
Can I use quotes in my essay?
Yes! But you must be sure to punctuate correctly and to use
the appropriate MLA formatting. You can practice the strategy
from
They say, I say---
quote someone and then explain what the quote says.
Do I need to have a counterargument?
NO.