Thursday, March 20, 2014
Before class begins:
- Make sure you have your TKAM books and packets!
- Log into your netbook and open a new Google
document
- Find your assigned seat!
Agenda
 Introduce argumentative essay
 Read Example Essay
 Job sheet
 Look at rubric for grading
 Begin outline (on a Google document)
 Homework: Due Monday – complete outline
Learning Targets
- I can use prewriting strategies to formulate ideas.
- I can identify a topic that causes or has caused debate.
- I can choose a side of the argument and identify reasons that support my choice.
- I can acknowledge counterclaims in my argument.
- I can present my argument in a formal style that includes an intro, supporting detail with
transitions, and provide a concluding statement that supports my argument.
- I can select a topic and identify and gather relevant information (quotations, examples) to share
with my audience.
Argumentative Essay
 You will be answering one of the following questions in a 5 paragraph
essay:
 Which character shows the most courage in TKAM?
 Which character experienced the most prejudice?
 Why is To Kill a Mockingbird a fitting title for the novel?
 Consider your reasoning for your chosen “side”
 Examples 
 Calpurnia is the most courageous because…
 Tom Robinson experienced the most prejudice because….
 To Kill a Mockingbird is a fitting title because…
 You must have 3 reasons; one for each body paragraph
 Turn-and-Talk: which topic will you choose, and what will be
your argument?
Argumentative Essay
 Choose support from the novel to support your position (3 quotes
from the novel MINIMUM. One quote per body paragraph)
 Explain how each quote supports your argument (your side)
 Remember what we did for The Outsiders when explaining
quotes. Avoid “this quote shows”, “the reason why this quote
fits”, “now I am going to tell you why”, “Do you agree?”, etc…
 Lead into your quote by giving a little snippet of the story
 During Atticus’ final speech to the jury, he explained “Our courts have their
faults, as does any human institution, but in this country our courts are the
great levelers, and in our courts all men are created equal” (Lee 286).
Argumentative Essay
 Counterclaim acknowledgment (opposite side to your argument),
explain how and/or why it is wrong
 Note: THIS IS NOT A RESEARCH PAPER! While you are required to use
the novel to support your opinions and ideas, using anything else will
constitute plagiarism. This includes the comments on the back of the
novel, anything online or in other resources, including your family’s and
friends’ ideas and/or opinions. You can do this on your own!
Examples-
Thesis statements
 Thesis statements:
 Your thesis should include which question you’re answering, your
position/opinion, and your 3 reasons why.
 We are looking at these 3 so you can choose the best:
 Example:
 Calpurnia displays the most courage in To Kill a Mockingbird because she
takes the kids to her church, enters the courtroom during a trial against a
black man, and she leads a double life.
 Of all the well-crafted characters in Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a
Mockingbird, it is Calpurnia who displays the most courage; she takes two
white children to her colored church during a time of segregation, she
storms into a crowded courtroom during a trial against a black man, and
she modestly leads a double life, caught in the middle of her two worlds.
 The most courageous character in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird is
Calpurnia because she takes Scout and Jem Finch to her negro church, she
enters the courtroom during the Tom Robinson trial, and she leads a double
life without complaint.
 Which one is the most interesting and why?
 Pretend your audience has NOT read TKAM. They do not know about
the time period. If you say “Atticus is courageous because he killed a
dog” it makes him sound like an animal hunter! You must explain why
your reasons are valid!
You’ve got it! (5pts.)
Argumentative Essay Rubric
On your way. (3pts.)
STRONG LEAD
You have a strong lead that grips the reader, perhaps with You have a lead, but it could more effectively grip
description, tension, etc.
the reader.
COUNTERCLAIM
You have acknowledged opposing viewpoints in your
essay.
THESIS
You have a thesis statement that clearly articulates your You have a thesis, but it doesn’t clearly state your
position on the issue.
position.
ARGUMENTS/REASONS
You have used at least 3 supporting arguments or reasons
from the story. They do actually support your topic.
Not yet. (0- 1 pt.)
You do not have a strong lead.
You haven’t acknowledged the opposing viewpoints in
your essay.
You do not have a thesis statement for your response.
You have only used only 2 supporting arguments You have not used supporting arguments or reasons from
or reasons from the story or the examples you
the reading selection.
chose do not support your topic.
EVIDENCE/QUOTES
You have 3 quotes from the text and they actually support You have only one or two quotes from the text or
your argument.
your quotes do not support your arguments.
QUOTE CITATION
You have properly cited all quotes – Example, (Lee 219)
You need to include quotes from the text that support
your argument.
You did not properly cite your quotes.
EXPLANATION of QUOTES
You have clearly explained how your quotes connect to
You have connected some of your quotes but You have not explained or connected your quotes to your
your argument. You develop your body paragraphs. most include more development to show how they
arguments.
fit to the argument.
ORGANIZATION
You have thoughtfully organized your piece into
paragraphs and included transition words. It is easy for
the reader to pick out your main points and you have
focused details organized into each paragraph.
The reader is able to pick out your main points
and most of your details are focused. You could
add in transition words or divide your ideas into
paragraphs.
You still must organize your ideas into paragraphs with
focused details for each point.
CONCLUSION
You have a concluding paragraph that clearly references
your thesis and leaves the reader with a thought or
impression.
You have a concluding paragraph but it could
more effectively re-state your thesis and leave
your reader with an impression.
You do not have an effective conclusion paragraph.
CONVENTIONS
Your paper is free from spelling and punctuation errors.
You have included quotation marks around your quotes.
Most of your paper has proper spelling,
capitalization, and punctuation.
There are many spelling and punctuation errors.
Additionally, be sure to include quotation marks around
the titles and quotes.
To Do –
There is a lot to do, STAY FOCUSED
 1. Choose which question you will be answering
 2. Choose your position (which character shows the
most courage, which character showed most prejudice,
TKAM is a fitting title)
 3. Find 3 reasons to support your side/argument
 Generate your thesis; state your position, and three
reasons to support.
 4. Begin looking for quotes that support your argument
– do not just flip through the book, think of an event to
support, and then locate that in the book (your chapter
questions might help)
 HW: Complete Outline by MONDAY