2013 Honors Argumentative Research Paper
IN THIS PACKET:
-Paper Prompt and Requirements
-Research note cards and source cards
-Writing a Thesis Statement
-Graphic Organizer
-Creating an Outline
-In-Text Citations
-Crafting an Introduction
-Crafting Body Paragraphs
-Crafting a Conclusion
-Peer and Self- Editing
Argumentative Essay Prompt
In an essay, construct a valid argument taking a position on an important social justice issue.
Final Paper Requirements
 Create a six paragraph essay with a word requirement between 1500-2000 words.
 Includes in-text citations from your research
 Uses at least five sources, one must be from a book. These sources must be included in a
bibliography that will be the last page of your paper.
Research note cards and source cards





Every time you find research you want to use in your paper you must create a source card and note card.
The source card is in MLA format (see below)
Write the fact you want to use on a note card. It is either paraphrased (in your own words) or a direct quote.
You must give the page number where you found the fact.
Make sure you number your source cards and note cards so they match. For example, everything note card found from source #1
should be marked #1. Every note card created from source card #2 should be marked #2.
Citation for a Book:
Format:
Author’s last name, author’s first name. Title of book. City of publication: Publisher, Publication year.
Example:
McNulty, Anna. A+: How Teaching Made Me Rich and Famous. St. Louis: McMiller Publishing, 2007.
Citation for a Magazine Article:
Format:
Author’s last name, author’s first name. “Title of Article.” Magazine name Date of publication: page numbers.
Example:
Miller, Rudolph. “Jazz isn’t Just for Dirty Hippies.” Newsweek May 3, 1975: 4-18.
Citation for a Website:
Format:
Author’s last name, author’s first name. “Title of webpage or topic.” Name of website. Online. Date accessed. Web address.
Example:
Claus, Santa. “List of Good Boys and Girls.” Santa’s Electronic Workshop. Online. November 22, 2003.
http://www.santa.org/lists/2003good.html.
THESIS STATEMENT
The essential recipe for thesis statements!
Thesis Statement = Opinion + 3 Reasons
EXAMPLE:
Opinion: Drunk-driving laws should be stricter in New Mexico.
Reasons Why:
Drunk-driving causes many accidents.
Strict laws might prevent people from drinking and driving.
Larger fines could earn money for programs to educate people about drunk driving.
Thesis Statement: Drunk-driving laws should be stricter in New Mexico because drunk-driving causes many
accidents, strict laws might prevent people from drinking and driving, and larger fines could earn money for
programs to educate people about drunk driving.
Your Opinion:
Your Reasons Why:
1.
2.
3.
Thesis Statement: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(Opinion)
because ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________,
(Reason 1)
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________, and
(Reason 2)
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.
(Reason 3)
REASON 2
3 Facts of Support
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
_
REASON 1
3 Facts of Support
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
_
THESIS STATEMENT
_
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
3 Facts of Support
REASON 3
Graphic Organizer
Writing an Outline
Directions: Create an outline for your paper. Use your research note cards.
I. Introduction
Thesis Statement:
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
II. Body
A.
Reason #1: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Fact 1: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Fact 2:________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Fact 3:_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
B.
Reason #2:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Fact 1:_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Fact 2:_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Fact 3:_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
C.
Reason #3: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Fact 1: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Fact 2: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Fact 3: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
D. Counterclaim- Argument Against Your Position: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Fact #1 that disproves the argument against yours: ________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Fact #2 that disproves the argument against yours: ________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Fact #3 that disproves the argument against yours: ______________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
III. Conclusion
MLA In-Text Citations
When you quote something or use information from somewhere, you need to include the citation for that resource both in the works cited page
at the end of your paper and in your paper itself. Use the following rules for in-text citations. Pay careful attention to the punctuation of in-text
citations. “ ( ).
If you write the author’s name in your paragraph, use only the page number as a citation.
One mother, Christine Haughney, says, “Adoption was the only option for me to raise a child” (16). Her son is now the…
If you don’t write the author’s name in your paragraph, use both the author’s last name and the page number as a citation.
One mother says, “Adoption was the only option for me to raise a child” (Haughney 16).
If there is no page number for your resource, simply write the author’s last name.
One mother says, “Adoption was the only option for me to raise a child” (Haughney).
If there is no author for your resource, write the title and the page number (or just the title if there is no page number).
One mother says, “Adoption was the only option for me to raise a child” (“Adoption” 6).
Crafting an Introduction
What is an introduction?
What is a hook?
STEP 1: THE HOOK – If you want people to read your essay, you have to grab the reader’s attention! Experiment with different ways of
“hooking” your audience by trying out at least 2 of the 4 techniques below.

TECHNIQUE #1: THE QUESTION – Ask a question about your topic. Make sure you choose a question that will make your reader want
to keep reading to find out the answer. Here is an example of a quotation from an introduction to a paper about increased passing
time:
Can you imagine having just three minutes between classes to visit your locker, use the restroom, see a friend, and walk to a class located
on the other side of the school?
Write a question for your introduction in the space below:

TECHNIQUE #2: THE STORY – Tell a short story relating to your topic. Your story should be brief and connected to your topic, and it
should create an emotional response in your reader – it could make your reader feel angry, happy, sad, or excited, for example. For a
paper on increased passing time, you might write:
Just the other day, a student at Thoreau Middle School had a problem. P.E. was ending, and the student knew she had to use the restroom,
go to her locker, and make it to her class on the other side of the school – all in three minutes of passing time between classes! The student
ran to arrive on time, but she still came in the door thirty seconds late. That afternoon, she found herself in lunch detention.
Write a story for your introduction in the space below:

TECHNIQUE #3: THE BOLD STATEMENT OR STATISTIC – Write a dramatic statement or an attention-grabbing statistic relevant to
your topic. Here is an example of a bold statement for an introduction for a paper on increased passing time:
Every day, students at Thoreau Middle School face the unfairness of a three-minute passing period that does not allow them to meet their
basic needs.
Write a bold statement or statistic for your introduction in the space below.

TECHNIQUE #4: THE QUOTATION – Find a quotation that fits your topic. It could be from a famous person, an expert, or someone
involved in the situation (a student, a teacher, the principal, a family member). For example, a paper on increased passing time might
use this quotation:
“Three minutes of passing time seems way too short for students who are at school for more than seven and a half hours every day,” says
Thoreau Middle School language arts teacher Christy Martenson.
Write a quotation for your introduction in the space below.
STEP 2: EXPLAIN – After you “hook” your reader, you need to explain your topic using both facts and your own opinions.
In the space below, write at least 5 ideas that will help you explain your topic.
STEP 3: THESIS STATEMENT – The final part of your introduction needs to lay out your argument with strength and confidence. This is
where your thesis statement comes in! The last sentence of your introduction should be your thesis statement.
Write your thesis statement here:
Crafting Body Paragraphs
All three-part essays have at least one BODY paragraph that elaborates on your essay topic by focusing on one idea, reason, or example that
supports your thesis.
The components of a body are:
A TOPIC SENTENCE that tells the main idea of the paragraph
3 SUPPORTING DETAILS that directly relate to your topic sentence.
A CONCLUDING SENTENCE that always sums up what you said in the paragraph and sometimes begins to introduce what you will say in the
next paragraph.
Why write bodies?
These are the “meat” of your essays. They give your ideas and evidence to convince your reader that your thesis is correct.
How do we write body paragraphs?
Take it from the top! Each body paragraph starts with a clear topic sentence that DIRECTLY RELATES TO THE THESIS. Topic sentences
should focus on one part of the thesis and introduce the single main idea for the paragraph.
Prove it! Once you’ve written your topic sentence, you must support it with specific details. Fill in at least three details that directly relate to
and explain your topic sentence. It’s important that your details are clear and specific so that the reader sees exactly how and why they support
your topic sentence.
Wrap it up! After you’ve supported your topic sentence with details, it’s time to wrap up the paragraph and move on to the next one. Each body
paragraph needs a concluding sentence that restates the topic sentence using different words.
Very sophisticated writers create concluding sentences that both sum up the paragraph and transition into the next paragraph by connecting the
ideas in each paragraph.
Crafting a Conclusion
A conclusion…

should summarize your ideas

should leave the reader with something to think about

should not introduce new arguments
Conclusion Formula – only three simple ingredients!
Opinion + Reasons Why + Something to Think About
Ingredient 1: Opinion


should begin with a transition (or connecting word) that signals that you are wrapping up your argument – for example…
o
in conclusion
o
as you can see
o
therefore
o
clearly
o
finally
o
in summary
should restate your argument or main point using different words than the words you used in the introduction
Ingredient 2: Reasons Why


each of your reasons should begin with a transition that signals the order of your reasons:
o
first, first of all, firstly, to begin with
o
second, second of all, secondly, next
o
third, third of all, thirdly, finally, lastly
should restate your reasons using different words than you used in the introduction and the body
Ingredient 3: Something to Think About

should leave your reader with something to wonder about – for example
o
a connection to your real life
o
a brief statement of why your argument is important
o
a prediction of what the future might be like if your advice is taken
o
a prediction of what the future might be like if you advice is not taken
o
a suggestion for the first step the reader should take to take action on your topic
For Example…
Step 1: Write your opinion, beginning with a transition:
In conclusion, the passing period between classes at Thoreau Middle School should be
(transition)
(declaration)
increased from three minutes to five minutes
Step 2: Write your three reasons, beginning each with a transition that signals the order of your ideas (see above):
First, students need time to use the restroom.
(transition)
(reason #1)
Second, students need to be able to visit their lockers.
(transition)
(reason #2)
Finally, students should be given time to see their friends.
(transition)
(reason #3)
Step 3: Write something to think about for the reader
If nothing is done about increasing passing time at Thoreau Middle School, students will
continue to be punished for arriving late to class for perfectly understandable reasons.
Your Turn!
Step 1: Write your opinion here:
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(transition)
(opinion)
Step 2: Write your three reasons here:
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(transition)
(reason #1)
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(transition)
(reason #2)
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(transition)
(reason #3)
Step 3: Write something to think about here:
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CREATING TRANSITIONS IN YOUR PARAGRAPHS
Transition: a movement, passage, or change from one position to another
Transition words help your writing flow smoothly from one thing to another.
If you want to….
Good transition words are…
Show the order things happened
Explain time
First, second, third, next, then
Before, after, currently, in the meantime, once, now, later
Give an example
For example, for instance, to demonstrate, to illustrate
Show cause and effect
As, because of, since, due to, therefore
Compare or contrast
But, although, however, meanwhile
Conclusion
Finally, thus, as a result, to conclude, overall
Now, self-edit your paper adding appropriate transitions between paragraphs and sentences.
Author of paper: _____________________
Paper being edited by: _____________________
Peer/Self- Editing
1. You will take turns reading your own paper to your partner and write down any corrections that you must
make as you read.
2. Trade papers. Read your partner’s paper again to yourself silently.
Answer the following questions:
1. Does the paper use the first person point of view?
This means using “I Statements”
If yes, underline these statements: they are NOT allowed.
2. Does the paper have in-text citations?
Does the paper give put the authors name and page number after each fact?
Circle: ALL
SOME NONE
In the Introduction:
1. Does the author hook you in and make you want to read more?
Circle: Yes No Kind of/Unclear
2. Does the author give enough background information?
Circle: Yes No Kind of/Unclear
3. Do you understand what the author is trying to prove?
4.
Underline the Thesis Statement
In the Body Paragraphs:
1. Does the first sentence of each body paragraph tell exactly what argument that paragraph is making?
1st: Yes No Kind of/Unclear
2nd: Yes No Kind of/Unclear
3rd: Yes No Kind of/Unclear
4th: Yes No Kind of/Unclear
In the Conclusion:
1. Does the author restate the thesis in new words? Yes No Kind of/Unclear
2. Does the author leave the reader with something to think about? What is it?
Now, Read the paper again for grammatical errors. Check for the following:
Does the author capitalize the beginning of each sentence?
Mark a “C” at the end of each sentence that is NOT capitalized.
Does the author have punctuation (a period, question mark, etc.) at the end of each sentence?
Mark a “P” at the end of each sentence that is NOT punctuated
Highlight any sentence that does not “make sense,” or is unclear.
In your opinion, does this author need to do more research to support their argument? Why or why not?
What do you like about this paper?
What does the author need to improve?