Below is a sample outline and a well-developed Aristotelian argument essay in APA 7th ed. titled “The Legalization of Marijuana for Medicinal Purposes.” This sample is intended to help college students write better essays.
Aristotelian Argument Essay on Marijuana
Sample Aristotelian Argument Essay Outline on Marijuana
- Introduction:
- Hook: Start with a relevant and thought-provoking statistic or anecdote related to the use of marijuana for medical purposes.
- Background: Provide an overview of the current status of marijuana’s legal and medical use, including its historical context and evolving public perceptions.
- Thesis Statement: The legalization of marijuana for medicinal purposes is a contentious issue, involving considerations of its potential medical benefits, regulatory challenges, and the ethical dimensions of using a once-stigmatized substance for healing.
- Body Paragraphs:
- Ethos: Medical Benefits of Marijuana Legalization
- Subclaim: Marijuana has demonstrated therapeutic potential.
- Evidence: Discuss medical studies and research findings supporting the efficacy of marijuana in treating various conditions, such as chronic pain, epilepsy, and nausea in cancer patients.
- Warrant: Emphasize the importance of making effective treatments available to those suffering from debilitating illnesses.
- Subclaim: Legalizing marijuana can improve patient access to alternative treatments.
- Evidence: Present examples of individuals who have experienced relief from medical conditions through marijuana use.
- Warrant: Highlight the significance of providing patients with a broader range of treatment options and the potential for reduced reliance on conventional pharmaceuticals.
- Logos: Regulatory Challenges and Considerations
- Subclaim: Legalizing medical marijuana necessitates a robust regulatory framework.
- Evidence: Discuss the experiences of states and countries that have legalized medical marijuana, outlining the regulatory measures they have implemented.
- Warrant: Stress the importance of a well-structured regulatory system to ensure safe access, quality control, and patient protection.
- Subclaim: The potential for misuse and diversion must be addressed.
- Evidence: Highlight cases where legalized medical marijuana has been misused for non-medical purposes or has entered the black market.
- Warrant: Recognize the need to mitigate the risk of diversion and ensure that medical marijuana is used exclusively for its intended therapeutic purposes.
- Pathos: Ethical Dimensions of Medical Marijuana Use
- Subclaim: Access to medical marijuana aligns with principles of compassion and patient autonomy.
- Evidence: Share stories of individuals who have found relief from their suffering through medical marijuana, emphasizing their autonomy in making medical decisions.
- Warrant: Appeal to the ethical value of providing individuals with choices that can alleviate their pain and improve their quality of life.
- Subclaim: Legalization challenges longstanding stigmas associated with marijuana use.
- Evidence: Discuss the historical context of marijuana’s prohibition and its association with criminality.
- Warrant: Argue that the legalization of medical marijuana contributes to a more compassionate and informed societal view of this plant’s potential benefits.
- Counterargument: Potential Risks and Concerns
- Subclaim: Marijuana’s safety and effectiveness for various conditions are still subject to debate.
- Evidence: Present counterarguments, including studies or experts who question marijuana’s therapeutic benefits or raise concerns about its potential side effects.
- Warrant: Acknowledge that uncertainty exists regarding marijuana’s precise medical properties and its potential risks.
- Subclaim: Legalizing medical marijuana may lead to unintended consequences, such as increased recreational use.
- Evidence: Discuss cases where the legalization of medical marijuana has coincided with an increase in recreational use.
- Warrant: Recognize the need for careful monitoring and adjustments in regulations to address potential unintended consequences.
- Conclusion
- Recap the key points made in the essay, including the medical benefits, regulatory challenges, ethical considerations, potential risks, and counterarguments.
- Reiterate the complex nature of the debate surrounding the legalization of medical marijuana and emphasize the importance of continued research, responsible regulation, and ethical compassion in addressing this critical issue.
Remember, in a classical (Aristotelian) argument essay, the writer aims to persuade the audience by presenting a clear claim or position on a particular topic and providing supporting evidence, reasoning, and appeals to logic and ethics.
