ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY:Thesis statement

Argument vs. Counter-argument

Linguistic Devices

Thesis Peer Review

Argumentative Essay Review

Kelsey HimesJamie Kim

Natalie PlumbFrank Randazzo

April 3, 2012

CHOO CHOO!

OUTLINE: ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY Thesis statement Argument and counter-argument Linguistic devices

Transition wordsActive/passive voice

Peer review of thesis statements Review of the Argumentative Essay Handout: In-depth Study Guide and

Reference for The Argumentative Essay

OUTLINE: ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY

“Argumentative essays are designed to be persuasive rather than descriptive. The essay’s purpose is to try and convince or persuade the reader of a viewpoint or truth claim.”

INTRODUCTIONhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrNFp_XmFAc

THESIS STATEMENT

A Cochlear Implant, despite its drawbacks, gives deaf children

every opportunity to succeed in the majority hearing world.

What is her main argument? How does this sentence make a strong thesis?

THESIS STATEMENTA Cochlear Implant, despite its

drawbacks, gives deaf children every opportunity to succeed in the majority

hearing world.

Slight counter-argument Specific audience Direct advantage to support argument True fact we can all agree with

In general, this thesis gives a solution to a well-known problem.

THESIS STATEMENT

Write your thesis statement on a piece of paper

ARGUMENT AND COUNTER-ARGUMENT

Is this statement an argument or a counter-argument?

However, in the Deaf culture, deafness is an identity that should not be taken away. In other words, the Deaf community’s perception is that there’s nothing wrong. There’s nothing that needs to be fixed.

(counter-argument)

ARGUMENT AND COUNTER-ARGUMENT What is this?

Retaining cultural identity is important for anyone who wants to belong in a group; however, in the Cochlear Implant debate, the opportunity presented is more important than cultural identity.

(refutation of counter-argument)

ARGUMENT AND COUNTER-ARGUMENT

What is this?

While I understand and empathize with the cultural point of view on Cochlear Implants, from an opportunity point of view, I emphatically support Cochlear Implants. A deaf child with Cochlear Implants has significantly more opportunities available in life than a non-hearing deaf child.

(support for argument)

ARGUMENT AND COUNTER-ARGUMENT

Argument:Writer’s opinion and assertion on a

controversial issue Counter-argument:

Opposing view on the controversial issue for which the writer makes a certain argument

I think we’re having an awesome journey! Agree or

disagree?

Refutation:Showing weakness of the

counter-argument

ORGANIZATION Refutation Last

I. IntroductionA. Background information about the topicB. Thesis (writer’s opinion)

II. Support for argumentIII. Support for argumentIV. Refutation of counter-argumentV. Conclusion

A. SummaryB. Restatement of thesis

ORGANIZATION Refutation First

I. IntroductionA. Background information about the topicB. Thesis (the writer’s opinion)

II. Refutation of counter-argumentIII. Support for argumentIV. Support for argumentV. Conclusion

A. SummaryB. Restatement of thesis

GROUP ACTIVITY Read the strips of paragraphs and

identify introduction, background information, argument, counter-argument, and refutation of counter-argument. Then put the strips in the order that you think is best.

TRANSITION WORDSTaken from paragraph 2:

…In the hearing world, deafness is viewed as a disability, a problem to be repaired. However, in the Deaf culture, deafness is an identity that should not be taken away. In other words, “the (Deaf community’s) perception is that there’s nothing wrong. There’s nothing that needs to be fixed. [Hearing people’s] perception is [that] there is something that needs to be fixed. …While doctors might want to fix deafness as if it is blurred vision or a broken leg, the Deaf culture sees deafness as an alternative to hearing…

TRANSITION WORDS• Transitions are phrases or words used to

connect one idea to the next. • Transitions are used by the author to help the

reader progress from one significant idea to the next.

• Transitions also show the relationship within a

Don’t forget to connect my cars strong and

tight!

paragraph (or even within a sentence) between the main idea and the support the author gives for those ideas

• Different transitions do different things...

TRANSITION WORDSUseful connectives

Explaining Comparison Conditional Time Adding because but If firstly and

as however or secondly also since although then next

though unless then in addition therefore yet later furthermore

so who after additionally as a result nevertheless which subsequently as well as

consequently whereas on the other hand whether before besides which despite this whenever moreover in spite of when while meanwhile according to similarly during for example lastly finally

TRANSITION WORDSIf deafness is defined as a disability, in the eyes of many, it is sometimes to be altered and repaired. ___________ the medical view, deafness is a disability. _______________, if deafness is a cultural identity, it should be allowed to thrive and, given the emphasis on

diversity in today’s society, should be readily accepted and supported. ___________,

although the controversy overcochlear implantation seems simple, it is based on the very complicated and often

unstated implications of the true meaning of deafness. (Delost).

TRANSITION WORDSBringing a deaf person back to the “normal” hearing world is the goal of “repairing” deafness. _____________, according to the opposition, “the deaf community is a culture. They’re much like the culture of the Hispanic community, ___________, where parents who are Hispanic, or shall we say deaf, would naturally want to retain their family ties by their common language, their primary language, which is either Spanish or in [this] case, it’s American Sign Language” (“The Cochlear Implant Controversy”).

TRANSITION WORDSAs for the levels of opportunity and success in the working world, deaf people can succeed just as well as hearing people. __________, those opportunities for success are limited because of language barriers and language skills. ________ I agree with the cultural point of view on Cochlear Implants, from an opportunity point of view, I am all for Cochlear Implants.

TO GO MORE IN DEPTH… visit this site, which is much more

comprehensive of the many uses of transitional phrases.

http://www.studygs.net/wrtstr6.htm

ACTIVE/PASSIVE VOICE

The most persuasive language is active voice. Active voice should be used and is preferred when writing an argumentative essay.

However, it is extremely difficult to eliminate passive voice completely as it would sound unnatural. Nonetheless, it is best to try and limit the use of passive voice in argumentative essays.

ACTIVE/PASSIVE VOICE

An idea can be expressed in two different ways. We can do it by using a verb to indicate whether the subject performs an action (active voice) or receives the action (passive voice).

ACTIVE/PASSIVE VOICE Active voice: The verb is in the

active voice when the subject performs the action.

EXAMPLE: A cat ate the fish. (Subject: cat / Verb: ate / Object: fish)

Here, the doer of the action is a cat and the verb "ate" is in the active voice. The object comes after the verb.

ACTIVE/PASSIVE VOICE

Passive voice: When action is done to the subject, the verb is in the passive voice. The previous object (fish) is now used as the subject.

EXAMPLE: The fish was eaten by a cat. (Subject: fish / Verb: was eaten / Object: cat)

Here, action is done to the subject and the verb "was eaten" is in the passive voice. The subject comes before the verb.

ACTIVE/PASSIVE VOICE

Class Activity and Participation: Active Voice

Who can tell the class one sentence that argues for your thesis in the active voice?

ACTIVE/PASSIVE VOICE

A Cochlear Implant, despite its drawbacks, gives deaf children every opportunity to succeed in the majority

hearing world.

Note: This thesis statement is in the active voice.

PEER REVIEW

Let’s talk about our thesis statements. Is your thesis statement in the ACTIVE

VOICE?What is your counter-argument?What is your argument?

REVIEW OF ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY

“Argumentative essays are designed to be persuasive rather than descriptive. The essay’s purpose is to try and convince or persuade the reader of a viewpoint or truth claim.”

I. The Five Paragraph Form:

One of the most common forms of argumentative essay is the so-called “five paragraph” form.

This consists of an introduction, three basic contentions to support the thesis, and a concluding paragraph.

It’s a classic technique that makes for a forceful argument.

REVIEW OF ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY

II. Planning Stage: They require the writer to extensively research

background information, evaluate the evidence, and formulate a perspective.

III. Find a Good Topic: To find a good topic for an argument essay you should

consider several issues that will have two conflicting points of view or very different conclusions.

IV. Consider Both Sides of Your Topic and Take a Position: Make a list of points for both sides of the argument

and pick a side.

REVIEW OF ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY

V. Gather Evidence: The act of arguing involves providing proof to support

your claim, with or without emotions.

VI. Writing Stage: An argument essay should contain three parts: the

introduction, the body, and the conclusion.

1.) Use Active Voice: The most persuasive language is active voice. Active voice should be used and is preferred when writing an argumentative essay.

The verb is in the active voice when the subject does the action.

EXAMPLE: A cat ate the fish. (Subject: cat / Verb: ate / Object: fish)

REVIEW OF ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY

2.) Introduce your topic and assert your side: As in any essay, the first paragraph of your argument essay should contain a brief explanation of your topic, some background information, and a thesis statement.

3.) Thesis Statement: The key to an argumentative essay is in its thesis statement. Without a solid thesis statement, the rest of the essay will most likely fail to hold together. The thesis statement should be in active voice.

4.) Present both sides of the controversy: The body of your essay will contain the main points and evidence to support your argument.

5.) Body Paragraphs: A paragraph is supposed to concisely express a discrete idea. Paragraphs can discuss background, present evidence, explain methodology, provide definitions, or synthesize and expand upon previous paragraphs.

REVIEW OF ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY

6.) Transitions: Transitions are the mortar that holds the foundation of the essay together. Without logical progression of thought, the reader is unable to follow the essay’s argument, and the structure will collapse.

7.) Evidential Support (types of evidence: factual, logical, statistical, expert opinion, or circumstantial): The argumentative essay requires well-researched, accurate, detailed, and current information to support the thesis statement and consider other points of view.

8.) Conclusion: The conclusion is the portion of the essay that will leave the most immediate impression on the mind of the reader. Therefore, it must be effective and logical.

REVIEW OF ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY

9.) Completeness: The argumentative essay is not designed to be open-ended. Rather, it’s supposed to present a complete argument.

10.) Complexity in Arguments: There are several rhetorical “moves” or patterns writers can utilize to enhance their argument.

Here are just a few of these rhetorical moves: Cause and Effect Qualification Examination of the Opposing Argument Concede a little… as necessary Propose a Solution Examine the Implications

REVIEW OF ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY

VII. Tips for Your Essay:

Use Active Voice; Use Transitional Word and Phrases to tie

paragraphs together; Avoid emotional language; Know the difference between a logical

conclusion and an emotional point of view; Do not make up evidence; Cite your sources; Make an outline.