Argument Essay Checklist
I.
Introduction: Thesis Statement/ Main claim
A.
Attention Grabber/Hook
For example: a quote can be used, a strong personal anecdote, a quote from
one of the articles, or just a strong opening statement about the author’s
purpose that you create.
B.
Set up the context of your argument by explaining the issue discussed
in the articles.
C.
What was the main issue or overlapping issue addressed by all the
articles?
D.
State your subclaims to present the issues you will discuss.
E.
Subclaims are what you list to prove under the main topic of your
thesis. Look below. In red is your main claim and in green are your
subclaims being used to support your assertion on the author’s purpose.
F.
Finish with your thesis statement
For example: In the article “McDonald Not Healthy” by David Grey he
states that eating at this fast food chain causes obesity because they
provide high high in fat calorie meal, high levels of sugar , and
chemically addicting enhanced food. (If you are comparing more than one
article or author then include them all in your thesis.)
II.
Support paragraph #1 subclaim (This sentence includes the first subclaim
in the thesis statement. For example: “high fat calorie count”
A.
Topic sentence (Should be a transitional sentence or use a leading
transitional word with your subclaim. This sentence includes the second subclaim
in the thesis statement from the introduction. For example: “high levels of fat
calories.
III.
B.
)
C.
State your weakest subclaim.
D.
Give context for the claim by explaining why the issue is relevant.
E.
Use at LEAST TWO in text citations to prove your subclaim.
F.
write a transition statement to introduce your next subclaim.
Support paragraph #2 subclaim “high levels of sugar”
A.
Topic sentence (Should be a transitional sentence or use a leading
transitional word with your subclaim. This sentence includes the second
subclaim in the thesis statement from the introduction. For example: “high
levels of sugar)
B.
State your second weakest subclaim.
C.
Give context for the claim by explaining why the issue is relevant.
D.
Use at LEAST TWO in text citations to prove your subclaim. Be sure
to quote it “…..” (Grey, p.1) Or (Grey, par. 1-paragraph # if no page is
given)
E.
Write a transition statement to introduce your next subclaim.
IV.
Support paragraph #3 “addicting food”
A.
Topic sentence (This sentence includes the third subclaim in the thesis
statement. For example: “addicting food” Topic sentence (Should be a
transitional sentence or use a leading transitional word with your subclaim. This
sentence includes the second subclaim in the thesis statement from the
introduction. For example: “addicting food”
B.
State your strongest subclaim.
C.
Give context for the claim by explaining why the issue is relevant.
D.
Use at LEAST TWO in text citations to prove your subclaim.
E.
Write a transition statement to introduce the counter argument and
concession.
V.
Counterargument/concession paragraph (This is where you counter the
arguments presented by the author. In other words state what your opposing views
against the author’s points of views.)
A.
Topic sentence restating the controversy: Make sure your topic
sentence includes a transitional word and topic. For example: Aside from a
high calorie count there is also the issue of a high sugar count in most of the
foods.
B.
Restate your position
C.
State the opposing argument: You state what the author stated that
opposed your view.
D.
Make a concession: A concession statement is the first part of a thesis
statement in an essay. This part normally begins with an 'although' statement
before listing opposing evidence about the topic or position an essay writer
will take to make an assertion in the essay.
E.
State your rebuttal: This is where you start to explain your rebuttal
and how even though the opposing view has a good point this is how you are
still right. For example: "It is true that in order to make these changes, we
will need to raise taxes. But this small increase is certainly worthwhile when
you consider that it will provide a tremendous boost to our local schools."
F.
Provide proof to support your rebuttal with an in-text citation. (Use
quotes to support your point.)
VI.
Conclusion
A.
Briefly remind your reader about the main points of your essay
(subclaims). Do not simply repeat yourself. You mention the subclaims
but with a matter of fact tone (with confidence) since in your body you have
just asserted and provided proof for all your claims.
B.
Restate thesis statement (You need to rephrase the thesis from your
introduction. For example: Introduction thesis is: “McDonald Not
Healthy” by David Grey he states that eating at this restaurant causes obesity
because they provide high calorie meals at a cheap cost, most of their food
has high levels of sugar , and the drugs in their food effects a person’s self
esteem. Conclusion thesis statement: “Obesity is caused by the McDonald
franchise as David Grey stated proof of high cholesterol foods, data that
proved the rise in obesity for children under ten, and people have been
linked to becoming addicted to the food after just a week’s consumption.”
C.
Conclude with a general statement about the issue. For example:
Grey raises the awareness that as consumers we need to be advocates for our
health. If we can’t stop the production of the food we can certainly boycott
their products until the McDonald industry creates a healthier menu to
recover us as customers.