writing an argument essay€¦ · objectives: after today’s lesson you will… understand what...

ARGUMENTATIVE WRITING

RELEVANT EVERYDAY

MANY THANKS TO G I B S O N C O U N T Y S P E C I A L S C H O O L D I S T R I C T .

A D A P T E D F R O M H T T P S : / / W W W . G C S S D . O R G / P A G E / 4

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Writing an Argument Essay

Standards

Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.

Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach.

Objectives: After today’s lesson you will…

Understand what argument writing is and how it differs from persuasive writing.

Know and be able to identify the components of an effective argument essay.

Know the traits of and be able to identify and compose an effective claim.

Set a Goal for your learning!

You will have a quick learning check. What is your Goal for the Quick Check:

80/90/100%?

Decide on a goal/target for today’s note taking!

What can you do to make sure you

meet/exceed your goal?

An Overview for Argument Writing

While listening to the song, jot down on your guided note sheet any words/phrases that you think are important about argument writing.

http://www.teachertube.com/video/all-about-my-claim-the-argument-song-a-parody--431554

http://www.teachertube.com/video/all-about-my-claim-the-argument-song-a-parody--431554

Thanks tovani

McAleerTEACHERhttp://www.teachertube.com/user/channel/aimarig

THE ARGUMENT SONG (Parody of Meghan Trainor's All About That Bass) CHORUS Because you know I’m all about my claim, ‘bout my claim – and reasons I’m all about my claim, ‘bout my claim – and reasons I’m all about my claim, ‘bout my claim – and reasons I’m all about my claim, ‘bout my claim Yea, it’s pretty clear I know how to argue But what steps should I be taking, taking before I do? First, read the writing prompt, and make a T-Chart Then skim through the sources, read through the sources Then find some evidence for both “pros” and “cons” Go over my T-Chart, come on now make a claim.

http://www.teachertube.com/user/channel/aimarig

Then choose two reasons, reasons that tell them why It’s time to plan and write and tell them why I chose my side No, I won’t focus on my opinion and how “I” feel But I will use my sources to cite evidence that’s real Yea, I’ll use facts and statistics to try and prove my point And expert opinions and quotes to support my side CHORUS I’m writing paragraaaaaaaaphs Gotta make sure I have *four paragraphs Intro comes first and conclusion is laaaaaaaast Two in the middle, so one for each reason and your essay is top notch!

No, I won’t focus on my opinion and how I feel But, I will use my sources to cite evidence that’s real Yea, I’ll mention the counterclaim so they see the other side But then I’ll show how my claim is more logical and it’s right CHORUS *four paragraphs are an option, but five are even better

What key concepts did you note?

What words or phrases were repeated the most?

Claim and reasons

What other key words or phrases did you note?

Evidence

T-Chart

Not my opinion

Facts and statistics (Logos)

Expert opinions and quotations (Ethos)

Counterclaim

Overview: What is Argument?

A statement of the writer’s position regarding an issue



Supported by valid, significant reasoning



supported by valid, significant reasoning

AND relevant, sufficient, thorough, and unbiased evidence

Argument Essay by Shmoop

http://bit.ly/18rbBhN

Watch the videos at home if you do not have headphones.

http://bit.ly/18rbBhN

Persuasion vs. Argument

• relies on Ethos (author credibility) and/or Pathos (emotional appeals) to convince.

Persuasion

• Relies on Logos (logical appeals) to convince.

• ReasonArgument

Creating an Argument: Key Components

Cla

im A Miner would be a good mascot selection for our school.


Cla

im

A Miner would be a good mascot selection for our school.

Re

as

on

s/E

vid

en

ce 1. Mascots

should be strong or tough and represent the area.

2. They should be something people would be proud to be.


Cla

im

A Miner would be a good mascot selection for our school.

Rea

son

s/E

vid

ence 1. Mascots

should be strong or tough and represent the area.

2. They should be something people would be proud to be.

Ex

pla

na

tio

n/E

lab

ora

tio

n The area has mining as one of its primary industries, so the choice would represent the community. In addition, miners need to be tough because they do strenuous work and dangerous work. They work hard to fill a need for people everywhere. People are proud of the miners.

Address the counterclaim

Don’t Forget: Just as the video clip pointed out, effective argument writing always recognizes the opposition or counterclaim and addresses it.

WHY IS A CLAIM/THESIS IMPORTANT?

The thesis statement or claim is one of the (if not the) most important parts of your essay—

think of it as the foundation of a house—if your foundation is weak and poorly constructed,

what do you think happens to the house?

Making a Claim

In order to write an argumentative essay, one has to have a clear, precise statement regarding his/her position on an issue.

This statement is the thesis/claim.

thesis/claim is the driving force behind the essay.

Everything in the essay should relate to thesis/claim.

thesis/claim is the foundation on which the whole

essay is built.

What is a claim or thesis statement? http://bit.ly/1wDJNRF (watch at home)

http://bit.ly/1wDJNRF(watch

Let’s Recap: Making a Claim

It is a statement.

It uses the language of the prompt or questions

It is clear and precise.

It takes a position or a side, “no sitting on the fence.”

It can be supported with logical reasons.

THESIS: THE ROADMAP/BLUEPRINT

*The thesis statement is the announcement of

your analytical argument that you intend to make

and prove throughout your essay.

It is a road map for the essay—it tells the reader

what to expect .

Other Examples

Effective: Wind power should continue to be developed and utilized as an alternative energy source in Georgia.

Too General: Wind power should continue to be developed and utilized as an alternative energy source in Georgia since it provides substantial benefits.

Definitive- “Road map”: Wind power should continue to be developed and utilized as an alternative energy source in Georgia since it provides substantial environmental, health, and economic benefits.

When writing to a prompt, use Key Words/Phrases from the prompt in your thesis/claim.

Prompt: It has been said that a positive

attitude is the key to success in life. Do you agree or disagree with this statement about

the importance of attitude? Take a position on this issue. Support your response with

reasons and specific examples.


Prompt: It has been said that a positive attitude is the key to

success in life. Do you agree or disagree with this statement about the importance of attitude? Take a position on this issue. Support your response with reasons and specific examples.

Possible Claim: Having a positive attitude is the key to success in life. Yes/No? Justify your response.

Possible Claim: Yes/No? Having a positive attitude in life is not the key to success. Justify your response.

Possible Claim: Determination and hard work are more important to success in life than a positive attitude. Yes/No? Justify your response.

Your turn to create a claim/thesis.

Let’s do a Quick Check to assess what we have learned

so far!


PROMPT:

Think about the benefits of working with a group or working alone. Which do you feel is more beneficial? Write to convince your teacher of your preference, either to work with a group or to work alone. Support your position with reasons and specific examples.


PROMPT:

It has been said that first impressions are almost impossible to change. Based on your experiences, do you agree or disagree with this statement? Take a position on this issue. Support your response with reasons and specific examples.

Making a Claim: Application

Be prepared to turn in your claims and justifications for a learning check grade.

To Consider:

Is it a statement using the language of the prompt?

Is it clear and precise?

Does it take a position?

Can it be supported with

logical reasons?

Objectives: After today’s lesson you will…

Know and be able to identify the components of an effective introduction.

Know at least 4 methods for creating a hook.

Write an effective introductory paragraph that includes a hook, explanatory material that maps the context of the issue, and a clear, precise thesis/claim.

Once one has a claim and a basic plan, how does he/she go about writing an essay?

Begin with an introductory paragraph.

It should

grab the reader’s attention,

explain why the topic is relevant and

important, and state my position on the

subject/topic.

The introductory paragraph has three basic components/parts:

Hook – interest reader’s curiosity

Context /Background – Why is this important to my reader?

Thesis/Claim – Position taken with reasons to prove it.

Take a look at this Introductory Paragraph!

What will future generations do when fossil fuels, such as gasoline, oil, and coal are depleted?

Hook


What will future generations do when fossil fuels, such as gasoline, oil, and coal, are depleted? Advocates of nuclear energy claim that without nuclear power plants the future will see people shivering in the dark. However, survivors of the Chernobyl disaster and other nuclear disasters can testify to the risks of nuclear power.

Hook Context: Why is my

audience interested in this?


What will future generations do when fossil fuels, such as gasoline, oil, and coal, are depleted? Advocates of nuclear energy claim that without nuclear power plants, the future will see us shivering in the dark. However, survivors of the Chernobyl disaster and other nuclear disasters can testify to the risks of nuclear power. The solution to the energy crisis lies in safe, alternative fuel sources: the sun, the wind, and the oceans.

Hook Context: Why is my Thesis/Claim

audience interested in this?

How many times have you heard that First Impressions are so important?

• It is true that the first impression—whether it’s a first meeting with a person, the first sentence of a book, the first line of a movie, or the first sentence of an essay—sets the stage for a lasting opinion.

• The introductory paragraph of any essay, long or short, should start with a sentence that piques the interest of your readers.

• It HOOKS your readers and pulls them right in! It is your big chance to be so clever that your reader can’t stop reading.

Just in Case you Missed Something

1. Inverted pyramid

2. Startling fact or relevant statistic

3. Anecdote or personal experience

4. Rhetorical question

5. Bold pronouncement

Read the following slides (45 – 53) for more information.

Can you identify the hook of this introduction? Is it effective? Why/Why not?

In 2010, in Newburyport, Massachusetts, a disturbing incident occurred: a group of students bullied classmates by creating a false Facebook account. This anecdote and many similar ones appear in Michelle R. Davis’s article “Students Create Fake Online Profiles to Bully Peers.” How should a school official react in such a case? According to Noor Brara in “Are Facebook ‘Likes’ Protected by the First Amendment?” the answer is a legal dilemma. Experts disagree over whether schools have constitutional authority to punish students in these cases. Regardless of the philosophical debate, the bottom line is that school has to be a safe place for students, and safety reaches farther than the physical school building. School officials need to have jurisdiction to punish students for off-campus social media use if it becomes a safety risk and significant distraction to schools.

Hook

In 2010, in Newburyport, Massachusetts, a disturbing incident occurred: a group of students bullied class mates by creating a false Facebook account. This anecdote and many similar ones appear in Michelle R. Davis’s article “Students Create Fake Online Profiles to Bully Peers.” How should a school official react in such a case? According to Noor Brara in “Are Facebook ‘Likes’ Protected by the First Amendment?” the answer is a legal dilemma. Experts disagree over whether schools have constitutional authority to punish students in these cases. Regardless of the philosophical debate, the bottom line is that school has to be a safe place for students, and safety reaches farther than the physical school building. School officials need to have jurisdiction to punish students for off-campus social media use if it becomes a safety risk and significant distraction to schools.

Consider these ideas/methods for creating a strong beginning –Rhetorical Question

Rhetorical Question: What will future generations do when fossil fuels, such as gasoline, oil, and coal, are depleted? Advocates of nuclear energy claim that without nuclear power plants, the future will see us shivering in the dark. Survivors of the Chernobyl disaster can testify, however, to the risks of nuclear power. The solution to the energy crisis lies in safe, alternative fuel sources: the sun, the wind, and the oceans.

Consider these ideas/methods for creating a strong beginning - Surprising Fact

Surprising Fact: . A little known or striking fact: Try to surprise and impress your reader with an interesting fact related to your topic. If it is a commonly known fact, people won’t be as interested in learning more.

“A cockroach can carry more than 40 different pathogens that could spread to humans.”

“Of about 3 million youth that are injured every year playing sports or participating in recreational activities, only 25% are treated in hospital emergency rooms.”

Consider these ideas/methods for creating a strong beginning - Quotation

Quotation: Hillary Rodham Clinton once said that “There cannot be true democracy unless women's voices are heard.” In 2006, when Nancy Pelosi became the nation’s first female Speaker of the House, one woman’s voice rang out clear. With this development, democracy grew to its truest level ever in terms of women’s equality. The historical event also paved the way for Senator Clinton as she warmed her own vocal chords in preparation for a presidential race.

Consider these ideas/methods for creating a strong beginning – Anecdote (Humor)

Anecdote: When my older brother substituted fresh eggs for our hard-boiled Easter eggs, he didn’t realize our father would take the first crack at hiding them. My brother’s holiday ended early that particular day in 1991, but the rest of the family enjoyed the warm April weather, outside on the lawn, until late into the evening. Perhaps it was the warmth of the day and the joy of eating Easter roast while Tommy contemplated his actions that make my memories of Easter so sweet. Whatever the true reason, the fact is that my favorite holiday of the year is Easter Sunday.

Mapping Context

• In a typical essay, that first sentence (the hook) leads into a few sentences that provide details about your subject or your process.

• All of these sentences build up to your thesis/claim statement. They link your hook to your thesis/claim, explaining why your reader should be interested in your topic.

Both mention that there is disagreement on or controversy around the issue/claim.

“Advocates of nuclear energy claim that without nuclear power plants, the future will see us shivering in the dark.”

“the answer is a legal dilemma. Experts disagree over whether schools have constitutional authority to punish students in these cases. Regardless of the philosophical debate, the bottom line is that school has to be a safe place for students, and safety reaches farther than the physical school building.”

If you are writing in regards to a text/texts, this is the logical place to provide title(s) and author’s

name(s) of the piece(s) to which you will be referring.


Effectively mapping context means providing a link/transition from the hook to the thesis/claim.

Hillary Rodham Clinton once said that “There cannot be true democracy unless women's voices are heard.” In 2006, when Nancy Pelosi became the nation’s first female Speaker of the House, one woman’s voice rang out clear. With this development, democracygrew to its truest level ever in terms of women’s equality. The historical event also paved the way for Senator Clinton as she warmed her own vocal chordsin preparation for a presidential race.

Remember the Thesis/Claim wraps up the Introductory Paragraph


What is claim, data, warrant?

It is what you already know how to do with

writing:

Ω Claim – a thesis about a topic

Ω Data – the support (evidence) about a

topic

Ω Warrant – a general, unspoken rule that

most people would agree upon

Claim

This is the main point of the argument. What you are trying to prove.

Example:

The school lunch program contributes to childhood obesity.

Data

Ω Includes facts, statistics, authorities, SOLID opinion, and examples all usually from source material depending on the claim.

Example:

On October 5, Mesa Public Schools served two options for lunch: pizza and burritos. The pizza contained 21 grams of fat, and the burrito contained 15 grams of fat. A healthy meal should contain no more than 7 grams of fat (Donovan 3).

Warrant

Ω An assumption/rule which shows the connection between the claim and the evidence.

Example:

Feeding students lunches with high fat content will cause students to acquire extra pounds.

NOTE: The warrant must be widely accepted or believed to be true by the majority of the public.

Connecting the Claim and the Data

Ω Sometimes it helps to create a diagram of the claim, data, and warrant that looks like the example below.

Claim----------------------------------------------Data

Lunch program is bad Pizza/burritos have high fat content

Warrant: Fatty lunches cause obesity.

Types of Data

Fact or Statistic: a point of evidence that claims some objective

Expert Testimony: a stated opinion be a person experienced in the field

Case Study: a study based on facts and statistics that explains a point

Data

Ω Examples to support your claim

Ω Cited quotes from the text to support your claim

Ω Cited references to the text to support your claim

Ω Cited statistics to support your claim

Ω Content specific vocabulary that supports your claim

Let’s do a Quick Check to assess today’s lesson and then we will apply what we have learned by creating our own introductory

paragraphs!

Revising

Variety is the spice of life; it makes your writing interesting for your reader!

Go back and see if you can invert one of your sentences, start one of your sentences with an introductory phrases/clause, use an interrupting phrase/clause, or use some form of “unusual” punctuation (semicolon/colon/dash/parentheses), etc. in one of your sentences to add syntactic variety.

Make sure that you have used the most “sophisticated” diction (word choice) you can.

Highlight each of the words that you consider sophisticated. Are these the best/most precise/most sophisticated words you know to fit in these particular spots? If not, revise by replacing them with better ones.

writing an argument essay€¦ · objectives: after today’s lesson you will… understand what...

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