Pick A Side
Argumentative Writing
Argumentative
Argumentative Writing
Writing
TIme to Think
On a piece of paper briefly answer these questions.
1.Is there too much pressure on girls to have ‘perfect’ bodies?
2.Should companies collect information about you?
3.Do Photo-shopped images make you feel bad about your own looks?
4.Can cell phones be educational tools?
5.Do TV shows like ‘16 and Pregnant’ promote or discourage teenage pregnancy?
6.Does technology make us more alone?
Stand Up/Sit Down
1. Is there too much pressure on girls to have ‘perfect’ bodies?
2. Should companies collect information about you?
3. Do Photo-shopped images make you feel bad about your own looks?
4. Can cell phones be educational tools?
5. Do TV shows like ‘16 and Pregnant’ promote or discourage teenage
pregnancy?
6. Does technology make us more alone?
Notes on Argumentative Writing
● The topic must be arguable. You cannot argue a statement or a fact, you must
base your paper on a strong position.
● You must choose ONE side-don’t ‘sit the fence’
● Address the opposing side/counterclaim
o
There is an old kung-fu saying which states, "The hand that strikes also blocks", meaning
that when you argue it is to your advantage to anticipate your opposition and strike down
their arguments within the body of your own paper.
● RESEARCH! You need to be the expert on your topic.
● Make sure you keep all of the research that you find. You may change your
mind on your stance and need
Research
● By the end of class you need to have…
1. Chosen your topic.
1. Have found 2-3 credible sources that support your argument. This is
your ticket out.
1. Homework: “Brainstorming” paper should be filled out for next time.
Upside-Down Triangle Method: Opening
Paragraph
● Key points necessary
o General Statement: An exciting fact, quote, question, etc. that is broadly
introducing what your paper is going to be about. This can be multiple
sentences.
o Narrowing It Down-Introducing Your Topic: You are going to go from
broad statement, to what you are specifically going to be talking about.
What is your topic? This can be multiple sentences.
o Thesis: Your thesis statement, for the majority of papers that you will
write at this point in your life, will have your stance on the topic, along 3
solid reasons that back up your stance. This is ONLY ONE SENTENCE.
Look at an example
General Statement
exciting fact
quote
question
statement
Introduce your topic
Explain stance
Narrow to
Thesis
statement
Topic: My Plate
General statement: Children in America are growing at an alarming
rate.
Introduce topic: Michelle Obama introduced a new food guide called
“My Plate”, replacing the old and familiar “Food Pyramid.” Although on
paper “My Plate” seemed like an amazing opportunity, it is failing
miserably.
Thesis: Due to “My Plate” ‘s financial dependency, lack of detail, and
unfair portions, students and staff are not benefitting but rather
suffering and the problem is not being solved.
By the end of the class period…
● You need to show me…
1.Your opening paragraph with all of the proper elements included.
A.General Statement
B.Narrowing it Down-Introducing Your Topic
C.Thesis Statement
*Look to your notes for examples and help!
Things to remember ???
● Remember the power of words
● Think of connotative meanings to express your feelings
Body
● The body of your essay should develop and support your thesis
● The body paragraphs should have
o Unity-every sentence relates directly to the main idea of the paragraph.
o Coherence- sentences are smoothly and logically connected to one another
o Development-contains the examples, evidence and explanations that the
reader needs to understand its main idea
Along with…
A. A Topic Sentence
B.Framing of a Quote
C.Example/Quote
D.Explanation
Topic Sentence
Write a topic sentence that informs the reader of the purpose of the paragraph. This
basic format helps the reader follow the train of thought: A key reason (reference to
your thesis) is (reason to be addressed in this paragraph).
●
Example: A key reason capital punishment should not be used in Texas is
there is always the possibility of executing an innocent person.
●
Example: Michelle Obama’s new MyPlate Program forces schools to be
financially dependent on the federal government.
As you can see, I restated a portion of my thesis statement. This will be what I talk
about in this paragraph of my essay. This and only this idea will be in my first paragraph.
Framing a Quote
Why are quotes, statistics, facts, etc. important in your paper?
It makes your credibility stronger!
How to incorporate a quote into your paper…
FRAME THE QUOTE!
● Framing the quote means that you are giving CREDIT to the person who did
the research or said the quote. So, you would basically introduce that person.
This also gives you credibility. How? If you are quoting someone from Harvard
University, because of their background, it will also look like you know what
you’re talking about.
Let’s Look At An Example
WRONG—ORPHANED QUOTE:
Though many people fear speaking before groups, it’s a routine part of doing business. “An
oral presentation is an important means of obtaining and exchanging information for
decision making and policy development” (Lehman 434). Consequently, we must
overcome our fears and learn how to make good oral presentations.
Instead, skillful writers set up the quote, as in this example:
RIGHT—INTEGRATED QUOTE:
Though many people fear speaking before groups, it’s a routine part of doing business.
Christopher Lehman, an Oral Communicating professor at the University of Michigan
says, “An oral presentation is an important means of obtaining and exchanging
information for decision making and policy development” (Lehman 434).
Consequently, we must overcome our fears and learn how to make good oral presentations.
Why is the second example better?
Explaining the quote
Now that you have framed your quote and added your quote, it is now time to
EXPLAIN your quote. Why is it important to EXPLAIN a quote in your paper?
•Since in an argument the reader needs to be persuaded to agree with the
thesis, be sure to explain how the evidence supports the topic sentence.
Example: If Mr. Wilkins’s sentence—death by lethal injection—had been
carried out promptly, an innocent man would have died. Fortunately, he was
still waiting for his execution date, and this made it possible to partially correct
the error of his conviction.
Body of the paragraph
Begin the body of the paragraph by introducing evidence (example,
authority, statistics, analogy, hypothetical situation) with a
transitional phrase (such as “For example”). If the evidence comes
from an outside source, be sure to document it. Notice that in the
following example, the source is cited in MLA parenthetical style:
● Example: For example, in April 1999 Gerald Wilkins, who
had served 12 years on death row in an Illinois prison, was
found not guilty of the crime he had been convicted of
because of new DNA evidence (Wallace 12).
Explaining the evidence
Since in an argument the reader needs to be persuaded to
agree with the thesis, be sure to explain how the evidence
supports the topic sentence.
● Example: If Mr. Wilkins’s sentence—death by lethal
injection—had been carried out promptly, an
innocent man would have died. Fortunately, he was
still waiting for his execution date, and this made it
possible to partially correct the error of his
conviction.
Continuing Support
To further develop the paragraph, make the transition to
the next piece of evidence and continue to support it by
following steps 2-3.
● Example: However, Gerald Wilkins’s situation is not
an isolated case.
Concluding Sentence
Write a concluding sentence.
● Example: As long as Texas continues to sentence
convicted people to death, there will always be the
possibility of executing an innocent person.
Final paragraph
A key reason capital punishment should not be used in Texas is there is always
the possibility of executing an innocent person. For example, in April 1999,
Gerald Wilkins, who served twelve years on death row in an Illinois prison, was
found not guilty of the crime of which he was convicted because of new DNA
evidence (Wallace 12). If Mr. Wilkins’s sentence—death by lethal injection—had
been carried out promptly, an innocent man would have died. Fortunately, he
was still waiting for his execution date, and this made it possible to partially
correct the error of his conviction. Gerald Wilkins’ situation, however, is not an
isolated case. (Provide a transition, the next piece of evidence, and explanation
here—see #2-4 above.) As long as Texas continues to sentence convicted people
to death, there will always be the possibility of executing an innocent person.
Counterclaim/Rebuttal
In your paper you will need to include the following
● Counterclaim: A claim that negates or disagrees with the thesis/claim.
● Rebuttal: Evidence that negates or disagrees with the counterclaim.
Find out what the opposing side is saying and respond to it with
your own argument
A counterclaim will make you look more knowledgeable, credible
and not just biased
The counterclaim paragraph should
include...
The setup of this paragraph will follow the same process as
your other paragraphs…
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Topic sentence
Evidence
Explanation (Explain why it is “wrong”)
Continued support (Supporting your side)
Concluding sentence
By the end of the day
You need to have the following to show me
1.Topic sentences for each of your paragraphs-including your counterclaim.
2.Picked the quotes that you are going to use-including your counterclaim.
3.Have each of the three quotes “framed”.
If you are done with these things, you need to be working on your explanations. I will be
conferencing individually with students about their papers.
Notes On Conclusions
The conclusion is the last paragraph of your essay. It is basically wrapping up the major points, and
telling your audience all of the benefits of your side, and how they will benefit the common good of the
majority of people.
Take the “Upside Down Triangle” Method (the one you did for your opening paragraph) and FLIP it.
The order should go as follows…
1.Your THESIS
2.BROADEN the topic
3.GENERALIZE the topic to something most relatable to your audience and say how it would
help the common good of humanity.
*Note- You will need to CHANGE THE WORDING. DO NOT write exactly what you wrote for your
opening paragraph for your closing.
By the end of the day
You should have the following completed…
1.On your “Outline for a 5-paragraph essay” you should have the outline for the
conclusion completed.
2.If you are done with this, you need to be working on your explanation, word
choice,
Peer Review Day
We are going to peer review, fix your mistakes, and your papers are going to be
due at the end of the hour!
In your packet, you need have the following completed..
1.Brainstorming
2.Outline
* You also need to have your full, final paper emailed to me by the end of the hour
@ nancyjo.cornelius@sjsd.k12.mo.us Note: You need to type in the FULL address
or I will not receive your email.