Argumentative Writing

Argumentative writing includes an opinion
of a topic that is well-supported by three
claims and includes the counterargument
(concession) of the topic

Purpose - to convince readers of the
validity of a particular opinion on a
controversial issue.
Argumentative Essay Guidelines
Prewriting: Prepare yourself for an argument.
Topic and Position:
---Topics will be issues that have two debatable sides. In order to take a
position you must formulate an opinion on the topic. Choose a topic
that interests you. An argument does not have to be a burning issue, but
it must be a debatable topic. It can be anything you feel strongly about.

Claims/Evidence:
--You must be able to support your opinion with relevant and accurate
claims
These supports may include personal experience, statistics, examples,
facts, or experts’ opinions. They may be taken from magazines,
newspapers, textbooks, studies, articles or interviews.

Counterargument/Concession:
--Because the issue will have another side, you must be prepared to
counter your argument and concede to the evidence that supports the
differing opinion.You must acknowledge conflicting viewpoints.

Organization of Ideas
 Introduction
Includes:
◦ an attention-getting beginning
◦ clarify the issue/topic being addressed
◦ a clear thesis as the last sentence that states
your position on the issue and your claims
You must take a stand on the issue!
Body Paragraphs – Claims and
Counterargument
provide
specific claims that are wellsupported
- include personal experience, statistics,
examples, facts, or experts’ opinions.
- They may be taken from magazines, newspapers,
textbooks, studies, articles or interviews.
Include
enough details to support your
position; however, select only the facts that
are relevant.
Counterargument
 By
addressing the opposition you achieve
the following goals:
 illustrate
a well-rounded understanding of the
topic
demonstrate a lack of bias
 enhance the level of trust that the reader has for
both you and your opinion
 give yourself the opportunity to refute any
arguments the opposition may have
 strengthen your argument by diminishing your
opposition's argument
Conclusion –wrap it up
 Provide
a forceful conclusion
 Restate your position in different words
from the introduction
 Do not introduce new material in the
conclusion
 You may want to conclude by encouraging
some specific call to action
What to do…
Do…
…use passionate language/ word
choice
Don’t…
…use weak qualifiers like “I believe,”
“I feel,” or “I think”—just tell us!
…cite experts who agree with you
…claim to be an expert if you’re not
one
…provide facts, evidence, and
statistics to support your position
…use strictly moral or religious
claims as support for your argument
…provide reasons to support your …assume the audience will agree
claim
with you about any aspect of your
argument
…address the opposing side’s
argument and refute their claims
…attempt to make others look bad
(i.e. Mr. Simms is ignorant—don’t
listen to him!)
Six Trait Reminder
 Ideas/Content
– use relevant support for
claims – be detailed and specific
 Organization – follow the 6 paragraph
format
 Voice – strong and confident in tone
 Word Choice – appeal to the reader
 Sentence Fluency – use transitions
between ideas and to emphasize a point
 Conventions – proper and correct
grammar usage, paragraphing, spelling,
punctuation
Select a Topic 

Day One: Choose a topic – you have a list of possibilities to read
about and choose from - these topics will be explored with
laptops today.

Research starts tomorrow! A minimum of 2 full pages of notes
need to taken on your topic.

Keep track of credible resources for your Works Cited.
Remember – If you choose to work with a partner on this project,
be aware that each of you will be writing your own essay and
merge them together for the podcast.

Partners – Choose the same topic but you must have your own
notes.
Time To Research – Computer Lab
 Day Two: Take
at least 2 pages of notes on
your topic.You are required to have three
sources for a Works Cited. If you use any information
from the New York Times article that prompted you to pick your
topic, then you may use The New York Times Learning Network as
a source. Make sure your sources are credible, and jot down the
necessary information needed for a citation.
 Notes
are due on Day Three – use your class
time wisely; anything not completed is
homework!
**Partners – You need your own notes in your writer’s notebook.
**Topics : Must be recorded and turned in on the Topic Selection sheet.
Time to Organize Ideas 
 Day Three: Notes
move on.
Due – you are now ready to
 Pre-writing – organize your notes into a graphic
organizer individually. Total of 6 paragraphs.
- Create Introduction: including hook and
thesis and identify three main claims
-Break down your argument point by point
with evidence and explanation
(discussion)
-Identify counterargument and explain
-Create Conclusion that will end your
argument
Taking your outline write your speech – Graphic
Organizer due tomorrow by the end of class.
Time to Write 
 Day
Four: Graphic Organizer Due by the end of
class
-Essay: Use your graphic organizer and put
together your 6 paragraph essay.
Partners:You will combine your graphic organizers. Both of you will do the
Introduction and Conclusion. Then determine which body paragraphs you
will be responsible for. Check the rubric; are you partner 1 or 2??
**Be sure to follow the format of an argument
and only include relevant and important information. In
the end, your podcast should be between 2-3 minutes
long.
**Type your essay and save to either google drive or
student locker in order to access tomorrow for
editing/revising.
Time to Revise/Edit Essay and
Create a Speech 
Day Five:
Essay – Revise for ideas/content and Edit for conventions and
format. When finalized, submit to turnitin.com.
Due Date: Monday 4/28/14 before midnight on turnitin.com
Due Tuesday 4/29/14: double-spaced printed copy needed
for class
Speech- Now turn your written essay into a speech that is easy to
read and follow.
-print copies that are double spaced to read easier and to
write on
-mark your pauses with a /
-underline words you wish to emphasize (transitions, strong
word choice)
-you are recording this speech as a podcast: be sure to give
yourself a break after a few lines in order to edit your
recording more easily

Time to Practice Speaking
 Day
Six: Practice reading your essay!!
The following elements will be scored on your
podcast:
Voice/tone
Pace
Average
Time
Time to Record
 Day
Seven: Recording Podcasts!!
-computer lab: using Audacity you will record
your podcast
-read clearly and slowly
-pause and emphasize key words and phrases
-edit your speech where necessary using the
selection tool
-if not all the way done: save it to your Hdrive (file, Save Project As)
-when podcast is complete: file, Export,
Name it with your last name, Save as type –
MP3 Files – save it both to your H-drive (your #)
and the folder in the x-drive for your class