Argumentative WritingCCSS.9-10.W1Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.

Terms to know…Claim: the overall thesis the writer will

argue for

Data: evidence gathered to support the claim

Warrant (bridge): explanation of why or how the data supports the claim (connect your data to your claim)

Terms to know…Backing: additional logic or reasoning

that may be necessary to support the warrant

Counterclaim: a claim that negates or disagrees with the thesis/claim

Rebuttal: evidence that negates or disagrees with the counterclaim

Sample text--

Claim—Hybrid cars are an effective strategy to fight pollution.

Data—Driving a private car is a typical citizen’s most air polluting activity.

Warrant—Because cars are the largest source of private, as opposed to industry produced, air pollution switching to hybrid cars should have an impact on fighting pollution.

Sample text--Counterclaim—Instead of focusing on

cars, which still encourages a culture of driving even if it cuts down on pollution, the nation should focus on building and encouraging use of mass transit systems.

Rebuttal—While mass transit is an environmentally sound idea that should be encouraged, it is not feasible in many rural and suburban areas, or for people who must commute to work; thus hybrid cars are a better solution for much of the nation’s population.

Close Reading Strategy1. Before reading—number the

paragraphs.2. During reading—chunk the text. Look

for paragraphs that go together.3. During reading—underline words that

you think are important. Circle words you do not know.

4. After reading—summarize each chunk in the left column.

5. After reading—dig deeper in the right column. Ask questions, make connections, etc.

Examining Text FeaturesWith your first color,

highlight/underline the claim.With your second color,

highlight/underline evidence that directly supports that claim.

With your third color, highlight/underline the warrants.

With your fourth color, highlight/underline the counterclaim.

Jigsaw Strategy1. Number 1-4 in

your group.2. Find your fellow

numbers.3. Share your

findings about your article.

4. Discuss author’s craft—what does the writer do well?

HomeworkWrite an argumentative essay in response to the article you read. Rough drafts due Wednesday.

Would you rather?Choose a side and defend your answer to your partner.

Would you rather be able to pause the world around you or silence it?

Would you rather wear the same thing every day or never wear the same thing twice?

Would you rather be the first killed in a group or the last killed in a group?

Would you rather be a mall cop or a prison guard?

Would you rather eat only buffalo wings for the rest of your life or drink only buffalo sauce for the rest of your life?

Would you rather bring back someone you love who died or bring back someone famous who died?

Would you rather always have sticky fingers or always have bad breath?

Would you rather know everything and die tomorrow or live forever and be ignorant?

Revising and EditingChoose one of your three drafts to perfect into a final draft.

Thinking about argumentsExamine your rough draft and

think about the argument.Use this chart to flush out all sides

of the argument:

What are the main points of your argument?

What are the main points of evidence to support

your argument?

What are the counterarguments you will

hear from others?

What are the counterarguments you

would present to others?

Writing StylesTips to get your started

IntroductionsBegin with a hook—get your reader

interested.End with a thesis.

Examine the mentor text for the hook and the thesis.

What do you like? What do you think needs work?

Write your thoughts and process on the chart paper.

Time to Write!

Body ParagraphThe Hamburger ApproachSet Them Up; Knock Them Down

Examine the mentor texts.What do you like? What do you

dislike? What tips can this writer offer you?

Write your thoughts and process on the chart paper.

Time to Write!

Choose one of your body

paragraphs to examine closely.

What changes will you make?

Writing the ConclusionWhat to do and what not to do…

Do Don’t

Ask a provocative question Simply restate your thesis statement

Leave with an interesting quotation Introduce a brand new idea

Call for action Focus on a minor point of the essay

Loop back to the anecdote in the introduction

Use the following phrases: “In conclusion,” “In summary,” or “In closing”

End with a warning Add extra information that should have been in the body of the essay

Paint a strong image

Express your hopes

Answer the “so what?” question

Point to broader implication

Final Draft PapersHow to Format

General GuidelinesFinal drafts must be typed.Double space & use a legible font.Set the margins to one inch.Indent (using the tab key) the first

line of every paragraph.Create a header that includes your

last name and numbers all pages in the upper right-hand corner.

Formatting the First PageDo not make a title

page. In the upper left-

hand corner of the first page, list your name, my name, the course, and the date.

Center the title. Do not underline, italicize, or place your title in quotation marks.

Formatting the Works Cited Page

Begin your works cited page on a separate page at the end of your research paper.

Label the page Works Cited and center the title at the top.

Double space all citations.Use a hanging indentation—the first

line is not indented, but all others are.

Citing Electronic SourcesAuthor and/or editor namesArticle name in quotation marksTitle of the website, project, or book in

italics.Any version numbers available, including

revisions, posting dates, volumes, or issue numbers

Publisher information, including name and date

Page numbersMedium of publicationDate you accessed the material

Sample CitationsFelluga, Dino. Survey of the Literature of

England. Purdue U, Aug. 2006. Web. 31 May 2007.

"How to Make Vegetarian Chili." eHow. Demand Media, n.d. Web. 24 Feb. 2009.

Bernstein, Mark. "10 Tips on Writing the Living Web." A List Apart: For People Who Make Websites. A List Apart Mag., 16 Aug. 2002. Web. 4 May 2009.

Final drafts due by the end of

the school day Friday.