English 10D
Argument Essay
This semester, we have looked at questions regarding the purpose of writing and
reading in our society. In thinking about these questions, we have looked at how
different writers have described writing, ideas of empathy, pity and fear, as well as
whether or not certain types of writing matters (indeed, what does it mean for
something to matter?).
Thinking about all we have read and worked with, as well as your own personal
experiences, you will now be writing an argumentative essay on the following
prompt:
What is the purpose of arts in society?
This should be a formal essay, with an
 introduction (with effective attention getter),
 clear thesis statement,
 body with at least three paragraphs, containing sufficient evidence and
reasoning
 a conclusion. which elegantly wraps up your arguments, including an appeal
to your reader as to this idea’s importance in their own life
To do this assignment, you will need to:
1. Choose which prompt you would like to address in your paper
2. Determine your claim/thesis statement.
3. Formulate reasons that will support your thesis statement
4. Select the texts that will best serve as evidence to support your reasons, and in
turn, your thesis statement
5. Provide warrants in which you analyze and explain your evidence and how it
supports your reasons, which in turn support your overall claim.
This essay will also need to include 3 direct quotations (with in-text citations), and
a Works Cited page.
Due at the end of class Monday, March 23
English 10D
Argument Essay
Possible texts:
Books and Plays
Macbeth by William Shakespeare
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
The Pearl by John Steinbeck (if you had 10D with Ms. Ball 1st semester)
Lord of the Flies by William Golding (if you had 10D with Ms. Moore 1st semester)
A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry (if you were in 10 1st semester)
Any novels/plays read in school or for personal reading may be used as evidence
Poetry
“Incident” by Natasha Trethewey
“This is Just to Say” by William Carlos Williams
“I am Offering This Poem” by Jimmy Santiago Baca
“Touchscreen” by Marshall Davis Jones
“If I should have a daughter” by Sarah Kay
“Do Not Go Gentle into that Good Night” by Dylan Thomas
“Mother to Son” by Langston Hughes
“Four “Addresses” by Peter Davis
Other Texts
John Green Crash Course (YouTube video)
“What Writing Is” by Steven King
Shakespeare Uncovered Macbeth episode
Notes over Aristotelian tragedy
Reminders:
 This is a formal, argumentative paper. Therefore, this paper should be
written in third person, and should not use “I” or “you”.
 You are writing an argument about an idea, you are not writing about a
book or poem. Do not spend your time telling me the plot of Macbeth. Rather,
use texts to support your overall argument.
 Use specific evidence
 Explain your specific evidence