Unit 4
Your Argument’s Body Paragraphs:
ELABORATION
What makes up the BODY of an
argumentative essay?
 Reasons
 Cited Text Evidence
 ELABORATION
 Counterargument
Next week!
What we already know …
 Each body paragraph must include
 A clearly stated reason
 At least TWO pieces of evidence from the text
ELABORATION
What information can we use for
good, supportive evidence?
 Facts – evidence that is proven to be true
 Research Studies – any research
done that
your
If underlined,
yousupports
should
be writing in your notes!
reasoning
 Anecdotes – a brief story that captures the issue or situation
 Statistics – a numerical value that emphasizes an amount of
something
 Quotations – exact words from a reliable individual
What is Elaboration?
 Elaboration: to go further than the basic
answer; explain how evidence supports
your claim and reason.
 Elaboration involves you using your own
ideas and words to further support your
argument.
Elaboration can be simple
 Sometimes elaboration can be what we have referred
to as the “Tie Back”
 To elaborate – simply tie back the evidence you are
using and explain how it supports your reason and your
claim.
Tie Back Sentence Starters
This statistic shows….
It is clear to see that….
Obviously….
This quotation demonstrates….
This illustrates the importance of…
These words reveal…
Schools should continue to teach coed classes
because it does not prepare students for the future.
According to the article “Single-sex Education: the Pros
and Cons,” single-gender classrooms limit students
exposure to the opposite sex and does not prepare
them for working cooperatively in the future
(Stanberry 4). These words show why it is
important for boys and girls to work with
one another and therefore there should be
coed classes.
Is this appropriate elaboration?
NO!
It does not explain how the evidence supports the reason
And claim!
More Successful….
Schools should continue to teach coed classes because it
does not prepare students for the future. According to the article
“Single-sex Education: the Pros and Cons,” single-gender
classrooms limit students exposure to the opposite sex and does
not prepare them for working cooperatively in the future
(Stanberry 4). These words explain why it is
important for students to learn with the opposite
sex early in life. School is meant to prepare
students for the real world. Therefore, if students
are going to go into the real world, which involves
working with and living amongst the opposite sex,
then they should have that exposure in their
earlier years in a coed school.
Example Elaboration
ANECDOTE
REASON
First, music is an important elective that should not
be taken out of schools because it can help students
beyond the classroom. For example, Michael Gellman, an
eighth grader, has played piano since he was four. When
he wrote a personal essay last year, he realized how
important his playing had been. His memoir revealed how
it had helped him cope with his parents’ divorce and the
death of a piano teacher (“Music is Always Power”).
Music can be therapy for students like Michael and help
during difficult times. Taking this class away from
students also takes away an outlet that many students
need during tough times in life. ELABORATION
Types of Evidence!
F.R.A.S.Q.T.O.C.
 FACTS




RESEARCH STUDIES
ANECDOTE
STATISTICS
Quotation
Further Elaboration
 Thought provoking question
 If…then statements
 Compare and contrast
FURTHER ELABORATION
 Thought Provoking Question – asking a question in your
paper and directing towards the audience with no
answer expected
 It’s purpose is to get the reader to wonder and ask
themselves that question
 If….then statement – Predicting what will happen
based on your argument
 Comparison – to compare your reason to another
subject, instance, or fact so that the reader may get a
better understanding of your argument.
Bulldogs are
suffering. Because of the way they have been
Comparison
bred, those cute dogs have difficulty breathing, skin problems and
joint pains from their stumpy legs. In addition, bulldogs are bred to
Questions
have an undershot jawThought
which leads Provoking
to teeth problems.
But
bulldogs have not always had these problems. It is because of the
breeding that has developed as a result of the breeding.
Therefore, is it preventable? Can these issues be reversed and
actually be bred out of the dogs? These types of struggles seem to
only occur with household pets. What if it was a horse? If there
was a horse who struggled with breathing, eating, or exercising,
there would be a major concern in the equine world. So why is it
not being taken care of with the bulldog?
If the breeding standards for bulldogs do not change, it
could lead to future deformities in other breeds of dogs.
According to the article “Is the Bulldog Doomed?” in history
dogs were working animals, bred to herd sheep or hunt. Now,
dogs are bred just for their appealing looks rather than what
they do. If this has occurred with the bulldog, then it will occur
Reread
Selena’s
body paragraph.
Underline
all oftothe
with other
breeds
if something
is not done.
According
Kirsten
components
of her
body paragraph
(reason,
of
Theisen
of the Humane
Society
of the Unites
states,type
“People
transitions
wanted to ownevidence,
the cutestelaboration,
dog on the block;
the breeders began
selecting for traits without regard for the health consequences
for the animals.” Breeders breed dog so that they can appeal to
the buyer and the trend. However, breeders are not always
responsible. If the standards for the bulldog change so that they
promote a healthier dog, then breeders will want to meet those
healthy standards not just for the bulldog but for other dogs as
well.