The Bianco Method of Writing
The Argumentative Essay
Persuade me….Convince me
To begin: Read the task, sometimes called the question or the prompt. What do
you have to do? Usually in an argumentative essay, you must pick a side of the
prompt.
Research the topic. If you are given material or documents that you must use, read
all of the material. Find support for both sides. Pick the side you wish to defend.
Write the thesis as a statement. ( This is what you have to do.)
Use your research (material, documents) to find a reason.
Write the topic sentence for the reason:
One reason this ( the thesis is true is…….
Find support for the reason. How do you know this? Where is the
proof? You should have three (3) details to support your reason.
BIANCO HINT: If you cannot support your reason,
perhaps you have a detail instead. Go back and look
for a REASON that supports your thesis.
Next, use your research to find a second reason that supports your
thesis.
Write the topic sentence for the second reason:
Another reason this (the thesis) is true is…..
Find support for the reason. How do you know this? Where is the
proof? You should have three (3) details to support your reason.
The Bianco Method strongly encourages you to write the body support
paragraphs first, since they are the ones that need to have information to prove
what you want the reader to believe.
The Bianco Method also strongly
encourages you to write each support paragraph on its own sheet of paper to make
drafting easier later, especially if you are writing your essay longhand. If you are
composing on a computer, leave some space between the two paragraphs.
You might want to use the handy-dandy worksheets to help you develop each
sentence. Just remember that you will need at least two (2) body support
paragraphs, so you will need to use the body paragraph worksheet twice.
Write your topic sentence.
Use and develop your proof sentences so that you have
shown why this is true.
(Sentence #2)-Say: your support;
(Sentence #3)-Mean: what does it mean?
(Sentence #4)- Matter: why does it matter?
(Sentence # 5)-Reinforce: strengthen your position.
The counter-argument
After you have finished the body support paragraphs, it is time to write the
counter-argument. Of course, use another piece of paper or leave more space.
The counter-argument presents the opposing side. It gives you the
opportunity to acknowledge the other side of the argument, and explain why your
side is better.
Write the counter-argument statement using one of the sentence starters
on the worksheet for counter-argument.
Using your research, explain why someone might believe this.
Using support from your research, show how this is either not true or
not as appropriate as your side. You might want to introduce an aspect of
reason #1 that you did not develop thoroughly.
Use a second piece of evidence to show why your side is the better side or
the “right” side.
End the paragraph by reinforcing your original position. DO NOT
RESTATE IT. Make it strong, don’t weaken it.
Now, read these three paragraphs. Where will you put the counter-argument? It
can really go anywhere, but you should have a strong body support paragraph to
follow it. Move them around, trying different positions for each. (This is the reason
we have each paragraph separate.) Your strongest proof usually is the last body
support paragraph. The placement of these paragraphs determines the order of the
sentences in both the Introduction and the clincher/conclusion.
Once you are happy with the flow of the paragraphs, let’s write the Introduction.
The Introduction:
The first sentence in the Introduction is the hook. This is the sentence that
grabs the audience and reels them into your essay. Use a clever idea, a statement of
fact, a notation of history, or an appropriate quote.
If you decide to have the Counter-argument as the second paragraph, it will
be the second sentence. If it is the third paragraph, then it is in the third sentence.
Write your sentences for each paragraph in the order you will discuss them.
BIANCO HINT: Be careful to use different wording
for each of your support paragraphs and your
counter-argument. You do not want to be BORING!!!
The last sentence of the introduction is the thesis. In moving to the next
paragraph, be sure you start it with a transition.
The Clincher/conclusion
Here in the last paragraph, we have one final attempt to convince our
audience to believe as we do. The first sentence of the Clincher/conclusion is a
reinforcement of the thesis. The next sentence will summarize your first body
support paragraph. The next sentence will summarize your second body paragraph.
You might want to use some of the sentence starters from the worksheet. The final
sentence should encourage the reader to take action or at least think about the
ramifications of the problem presented.
Drafting
Now that we have everything organized, we are ready to draft. Drafting is
more than just writing over. It is editing and revising. It is reading and adding or
deleting anything to make your essay stronger. Be sure you have explained
everything you need to explain. Read your Bianco Method constructed paragraphs
in the order you find the most effective.
Make sure your essay flows smoothly and is not choppy.
Add transitions where needed, especially to the topic sentences of paragraphs
2, 3, 4, and 5.
Be sure you have discussed each paragraph in the order you mentioned in the
introduction.
Be sure you have NOT used your thesis as your hook! (Major no-no!)
Be sure you have ended with a powerful statement leaving your reader
thinking.
Check your grammar and usage.
Draft your essay according to the directions given by the instructor.
Finalizing
I bet you thought that was it- you were finished! Nope! You are almost
finished. The Bianco Method requires that you reread your “final” draft.
Make any adjustments needed, unless, of course, you do not want anyone to
listen to what you have to say, or you don’t want the highest score possible.
Only when your paper is the very best it could be, is it acceptable to turn in.
If it is not perfect in your eyes, why should anyone else want to read what you have to
say?