ARGUMENTATIVE WRITING
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL→ MIDDLE SCHOOL
Persuasive → Argumentative Writing
ARGUMENTATIVE WRITING
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lzGy5gizKg
Claim
Specific
Evidence
Analysis
Counterargument
Rebuttal
Conclusion
CLAIM
What point will your paper try to
make about your topic?
The production, sale, and
possession of assault weapons for
private citizens should be banned
in the U.S.
SPECIFIC EVIDENCE (SUPPORT)
Illustrates in detail “how” and “why” the
claim is valid.
In the argument on gun control, readers might
expect to see:
statistics that demonstrate the severity of
public access to assault weapons, gun control
laws, and the expenses accumulated from
these attacks.
All of these might be effective kinds of support.
CRIME SCENE
COUNTERARGUMENT/COUNTERCLAIM
Acknowledge opposing arguments. The
counterarguments are the most
compelling arguments against the claim.
Strict gun control laws won't affect crime
rate. Criminals would still own guns.
REBUTTAL (THE FLAWS)
Point out the flaws to the
counterarguments while reinforcing the
claim.
Low murder rate in Britain, Australia (etc.,
where strict controls are in force). Any
effort to move trend in opposite direction
would benefit future generations.
CONCLUSION (FINAL PITCH)
The conclusion reiterates the
claim. This must be the final
“pitch,” so it is essential that this
paragraph be strong.
adapted from http://www2.winthrop.edu/wcenter/handoutsandlinks/toulmin.htm
GRAPHIC ORGANIZER
Argumentative Writing Graphic Organizer 7.0
Name ___________________________________________ Date _____________________ Period _________
Introduction - Introduce your claim. What point will your paper try to make?
Hook:
Background:
Claim:
Support your claim with more than one reason, introducing them in logical order. Then, give more than one
piece of evidence to support each reason. Remember, relevant, accurate data and evidence should
demonstrate an understanding of the topic and come from credible sources.
Body Paragraph #1
Body Paragraph #2
Body Paragraph #3
Reason #1:
Reason #2:
Counterclaim/Counterargument:
“You’re wrong!” (USE YOUR
COUNTERCLAIM/COUNTERARGUMENT WORKSHEET)
Evidence (at least 2 examples)
Evidence (at least 2 examples)
Rebuttal:* “Here’s why!”
*Acknowledge potential counterarguments. Point out the flaws to the counterargument while reinforcing your claim.)
Analysis?Explanation/connection:
Analysis/Explanation/connection:
Emphasis of strongest argument:
Conclusion - The conclusion reiterates the claim. This is the final “pitch,” so this paragraph must be strong.
Re-worded claim:
Brief summary of points:
So what? Leave your audience with a final thought to support your argument:
INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH
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Like a funnel, start with a broad connection to
the topic and then hone in on your point
(claim).
CONTINUED…
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Hook -- a creative beginning, meant to catch your
reader’s interest
Background/Set-up/Brief summary -- provides
essential background about the literary work and
prepares the reader for your major claim/thesis
Claim-- a sentence in your first paragraph that
presents your argument to the reader, usually at the
end of the paragraph
HOOK
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A creative beginning, meant to catch your reader’s
interest. Ways of beginning creatively include the
following:
A startling fact or bit of information
A bit of dialogue between two characters
A meaningful quotation (from the work or another
source)
A universal idea
A rich, vivid description of the setting
An analogy or metaphor
DO NOT ASK A QUESTION!!!
HOOK EXAMPLES
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“No pain, no gain.” This is a very popular saying today,
especially in sports. While this principle can be
applied to many different areas of our life, it is very
difficult to see the benefits of emotional pain, such as
sadness and loss.
“When you look out at this world, what you see will
make you very, very sad. This is good. You are seeing
clearly. Genuine sadness gives rise, spontaneously,
naturally, completely, to the wish – no, the longing – to
be of benefit to others.”
BACKGROUND (BRIDGE TO CLAIM)
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“No pain, no gain.” This is a very popular saying today,
especially in sports. While this principle can be
applied to many different areas of our life, it is very
difficult to see the benefits of emotional pain, such as
sadness and loss. In Lois Lowry’s The Giver, the
society attempts to eliminate all pain and negative
emotions in order to create a utopia. Jonas, the
protagonist, is the only person who experiences
painful memories, and he learns just how important
they really are.
CLAIM
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“No pain, no gain.” This is a very popular saying today,
especially in sports. While this principle can be
applied to many different areas of our life, it is very
difficult to see the benefits of emotional pain, such as
sadness and loss. In Lois Lowry’s The Giver, the
society attempts to eliminate all pain and negative
emotions in order to create a utopia. Jonas, the
protagonist, is the only person who experiences
painful memories, and he learns just how important
they really are. Sadness and pain are necessary
because they give us wisdom, allow us to feel even
good emotions deeply, and help us connect with
others.
BODY PARAGRAPH
Each paragraph in the body includes
 a topic sentence that supports the claim
 integrated concrete details/examples
 analysis/explanation for
evidence/details/examples
 a concluding sentence
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoBMvxgjW
vE
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SENTENCE STARTERS THAT WILL HELP YOU
ANALYZE YOUR POINTS
These sentence starters put the writer into
commentary-mode:
 This shows . . .
 This is because . . .
 This means . . .
 This reveals . . .
 This illustrates . . .
 This highlights the difference between . . .
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OUTLINE FOR A BODY PARAGRPAH
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Topic Sentence -- a major reason of support for claim
statement.
Transitional/Lead-in to EVIDENCE #1
Evidence #1
Analysis of evidence #1
Transitional/Lead-in to EVIDENCE #2
Evidence #2
Analysis of evidence #2
Concluding sentence -- summarizes paragraph
EXAMPLE BODY PARAGRAPH
Emotional pain is often very difficult, but it is because of this negativity that
the positive emotions can be felt so strongly. After Jonas had experienced the war
memory, he began to realize the difference between his feelings and those of his
Mother. “But now Jonas had experienced real sadness. He had felt grief. He knew
that there was no quick comfort for emotions like those“ (132). Jonas knows that
his Mother cannot feel the depth of sadness he has felt because her emotions are
only on the surface. She has never experienced the real heartache that Jonas has,
so she cannot possibly feel joy, either Jonas’s friends also cannot understand his
deep sense of caring for them because they have never had the disturbing
memories. “He felt such love for Asher and for Fiona. But they could not feel it
back, without the memories” (135). Because Asher and Fiona do not understand
pain, they cannot have a sense of compassion for Jonas. They cannot truly love him
in the way he needs them to because they cannot even imagine what he is going
through. In the absence of pain, the people of Jonas’s community do not have the
range of feelings that are necessary to experience good or bad things deeply.
COUNTERCLAIM
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Acknowledge opposing arguments. The counterclaim is the most
compelling argument against the claim. This should be presented
fairly and objectively, rather than trying to make it look foolish.
SENTENCE STARTERS:
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Many people believe that [state the counterclaim here].
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It is often thought that [state the counterclaim here].
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It would be easy to imagine that [state the counterclaim here].
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It might seem as if [state the counterclaim here] .
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CONTINUED…
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These components equate to four main steps which
must be accomplished to have a valid and wellconstructed counterclaim:
1) The opposing viewpoint is recognized
(counterclaim).
2) Points of support from the opposing argument are
briefly presented (1 or 2 counterpoints).
3) A weakness or limitation is recognized, if any exists
(analysis).
4) Then, action is taken to restore credibility in your
claim/argument (rebuttal).
REBUTTAL
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The rebuttal points out the flaws of the
counterarguments while reinforcing the claim.
Sentence starters:
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What this argument fails to consider is ...
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This view seems reasonable at first, but…
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While this position is popular, it is not logical.
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Although the core of this claim is valid, it suffers from
a flaw in its reasoning.
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EXAMPLE
Many people believe that life would be much easier if no
one had to experience the almost unbearable pain associated
with such things as the death of a loved one or the betrayal of a
trusted friend, and they are almost certainly right. These types of
events leave lasting scars on our hearts and can lead to
bitterness, depression, and despair. What is also true, however, is
that easier is not always better; it is just easier. Easier does not
mean that life will be richer and more fully lived because of a lack
of struggles. Not having problems does not guarantee feeling
happiness.
CONCLUSION