Elements of Argumentative Writing Mrs. Terry Advanced Language Arts

Elements of Argumentative Writing

Mrs. TerryAdvanced Language Arts

Day One: Research

• Research to find a current event or topic that you can take a position on. Examples:

• Immigration• The famine in North Africa (should we send troops?)• Gun control• Mandatory drug testing in schools• Bullying– whose responsibility?• Animal testing• New football safety regulations• NBA players’ strike• Later start times for schools• Whatever is of interest to YOU!

Argumentative Essay Rubric Analysis

• Working with your tablemates, carefully read and re-read your assigned standard.

• Create a circle map on your paper with a large center circle. In the center circle, paraphrase your assigned standard in your own words.

• When you are finished paraphrasing, jot down words and phrases that relate to your standard and qualities of writing that are associated with it (e.g. precise vocabulary).

T-C hart

• Create a T-chart to brainstorm ideas for your argument, consider:

• Pros vs. Cons• Advantages vs. Disadvantages

or• Your Side vs. The Other Side

Your Topic

Pros/Advantages/Your Side Cons/Disadvantages/Their Side

Position Statement Workshop

• My topic___________________________• My opinion/belief____________________• What I want people to think or do (consider

using words like “should” or “must”____________________________

• Why do I want them to think/believe/act in this way?__________________________

• Combine these ideas to form a thesis sentence.• Topic + Position + Reasons = Thesis

Creating a Thesis Statement

• Choose 3 main focus points to discuss in your essay. These points will become the focus of three paragraphs in the body.

Fast food…• rapidly increases weight

• causes high blood pressure • leads to lethargy

Thesis Analysis

• A well-written thesis must include:the topic, your position, your reasons

Health and fitness education programs in American schools must be improved to fight the costly and deadly epidemic of childhood obesity.

Because the US economy was built upon, and still relies heavily on an immigrant workforce, we must create a clear path to citizenship for undocumented workers.

Antithesis: The Other Side

Because the US economy was built upon, and still relies heavily on an immigrant workforce, we must create a clear path to citizenship for undocumented workers.

Because illegal immigrants drain our social services and steal jobs from legal US citizens, we must enforce our current immigration regulations and increase the number of agents policing our borders.

Flee Map

• Write your thesis in the big box at the top.• Each reason or subtopic in your thesis will

become a topic sentence for your essay. Write them in the three boxes below your thesis.

• Below each subtopic box, list some supporting details, logos, and some other persuasive strategies you might be able to use to build your argument (at least three per subtopic).

Example

Topic Position ReasonsMandatory and regular drug testing beginning at the middle-school level must be implemented for all US children because drug addiction is becoming more widespread and can lead to serious mental and physical illnesses.

Body Paragraph #1: addictionBody Paragraph #2: mental issuesBody Paragraph #3: physical issues

Persuasive writing format:

• INTRODUCTION with hook and thesis statement

• BODY where the argument is developed

• CONCLUSION where main points are summarized and reviewed

The Introduction

• This is your chance to introduce the topic and give brief background information about it.

• You should start the first paragraph with a “hook” or “grabber” to catch the reader’s attention.

• The following slides offer examples of different strategies you may choose to use for your hook.

Hook #1

• Opening with a startling or unusual detail:

• Did you know that a typical child needs 2,000 calories for an entire day and Burger King’s Whopper with cheese has 1,230 calories?

Hook #2

• Opening with a strong statement:

• Fast food consumption has risen 500 percent since 1970 and today pervades nearly every segment of society, including some public school cafeterias.

Hook #3

• Opening with a Quotation:

• According to University of Delaware professer Jayashree Pakhare, “Advertising, including television ads, billboards, and toys in boxed meals, has had an effect upon children as never before. Children these days are growing up with low concern for their health and more concern for what tastes good” (Pakhare 4).

Hook #4

• Opening with an Anecdote: An anecdote can provide an amusing and attention-getting opening if it is short and to the point.

• As I opened the doors to Big Bobby’s Burger Hut, the odor of deep-fried everything assaulted my nostrils. I ordered a Big Bobby Combo #2. There was enough food to serve a small third world country on my tray. As I nibbled at the ¾ pound burger, a sludge of ketchup, mayo and melted cheese dripped from the corners of my mouth. I asked the server if I could have a few fries with my salt. I left the place feeling like a war was being waged in my stomach.

Hook #5

• Open with a Statistic or Fact

• Thirty percent of children in the US eat fast food on any given day. Those children consume 187 unnecessary calories per day, resulting in a weight gain of six pounds per year.

Hook #6

• Open with a rhetorical question: • How many times have you eaten fast food this

month?

Hook #7

• Opening with an Exaggeration or Outrageous Statement:

• Fast food is killing America!

Review• Unusual or Startling Detail• Strong Statement• Quotation• Anecdote or Imagery• Statistic or Fact• Rhetorical Question• Exaggeration or Outrageous Statement

Intro Paragraph (3-5 sentences)

• Hook (1-2 sent.)• Background Information (1-2 sent.)• Lead in/tie in to thesis (1 sent.)• Thesis (1 sent.)

Sample Intro from 2nd Hour

Imagine a cold, dark room with dim fluorescent lights and unclean, metal cages. Within these jail cells, terrified animals shake and whimper with sickness and fear, wondering when the next nightmare will begin. This is a day in the life of a laboratory animal. A new defenseless lab animal becomes a victim to testing every second (PETA). Animal testing for medical and cosmetic purposes needs to stop because it is inhumane, inaccurate, and there are more effective alternatives.

Sample Intro from 4th HourHow would you feel if you found out that your

favorite athlete and role model used steroids? Would you feel cheated, deceived or worried? The use of performance enhancing drugs in professional sports is on the rise. Well-known athletes, such as Alex Rodriguez, have been reported to have used these drugs, despite the negative consequences to their health and to the game. Performance enhancing drugs should not be allowed in sports because they give players an unfair advantage, they are dangerous and even deadly, and they are illegal.

Sample Intro from 6th Hour

Leonard is dying from ALS. Despite round-the clock drug therapy, he is burdened with persistent pain and suffering. The only relief that he has found from this physical prison is marijuana. According to the Association of Natural Pain Management, 93% of people living with chronic illnesses received relief from herbal treatments (Hoff 6). Medical marijuana should be legalized because it is natural and it provides pain relief for people who are suffering from debilitating injuries and illnesses who have not had success with traditional medications.

The Body

• The body of the essay is where you develop your three main focus points of your thesis.

• The following slides are examples of ways you can develop your commentary.

Basic Body Paragraph Structure(Note: The arrangement of CDs and CMs may vary)

• TS: Topic Sentence, your claim or subpoint• CD: Concrete Detail, logos, fact, quote, example, statistic,

etc.• CM: Commentary, Your comment, analysis explanation,

elaboration of the quote• CM• CD• CM• CM• CS: Concluding Sentence

Generating Hypothetical Instances

• Start by using “Suppose that…” or “What if…” along with your first focus point.

• I will use the first point from my thesis

• Fast food is harmful because it rapidly increases weight, causes high blood pressure, and leads to lethargy.

Hypothetical

• Suppose that you ate just one meal from a fast food restaurant a week. Typically, you would consume around 1,500 calories at that meal. Your daily intake may be 2,500 calories if you include all three meals. That’s 500 more calories than you need. You may gain ½ a pound a week, which would be 2 pounds a month. Your weight would rapidly increase.

Clarifying a Position

• This is where you need to think about what needs to be explained. Do students need to know the facts about your issue to make a judgment?

• I will use the next focus point to clarify• Fast food is harmful because it rapidly increases weight,

causes high blood pressure, and leads to lethargy.

Clarifying

• Do you know what high blood pressure is and what it does to your body? Blood pressure is the force in the arteries when the heart beats (systolic pressure) and when the heart is at rest (diastolic pressure). If you consume foods high in cholesterol, the cholesterol clings to your arteries and builds up over time. This raises your blood pressure and forces your heart to work harder to pump the blood through your veins.

Thinking Through a Process

• This is where you take someone through each step of the problem.

• I will use my third focus point for this.

• Fast food is harmful because it rapidly increases weight, causes high blood pressure, and leads to lethargy.

Think Through the Process

• Eating fast food can also lead to lethargy, or extreme tiredness. When you eat foods that are high in fat and low in protein, you tend to have less energy. People eat fast food, feel tired, and end up sitting on the couch doing nothing. Then they decide that they don’t want to make dinner the next night because it takes energy. The easiest solution is to get fast food again. They end up feeling even more lethargic and the dangerous cycle continues.

Drawing Comparisons

• This is where you choose something similar or an alternative to your topic.

• I will use the lethargy example again.

Drawing Comparisons

• Increased fat content in fast food leads to lethargy. There are alternatives to the typical fast food. Let’s compare typical fast food meals (burger and fries) to a meal higher in proteins and vitamins.

Analogy• The food you eat is a lot like the fuel or oil you put in your

car. A car that has clean fuel and an oil change runs smoothly and efficiently. Race cars use only the best fuel and oil to perform at top speeds. Cars that aren’t tuned-up, haven’t had an oil change, and use poor fuel, struggle to make it down the road. Your body is the same way. Feed it the energy it needs and stay away from excess fat and cholesterol and you will perform at your greatest. Feed it fast food high in fat content and it slows to a stop. Do you want to be a race car or a clunker that will end up in the mechanics hands?

The Other Side of the Story

• This is where you should explain why your opposition believes what they believe.

• For example, a fast food company would be furious with me presenting you this information. They would have lots of reasons why fast food is good. They may say…

Fast food is…

• FAST!• Convenient • Tastes great!• Offers lots of choices• Eaten on the go!• For the whole family!

Counter-Arguing

• Recognize and acknowledge the reader’s concerns and objections

• Show the reader that their objections are invalid or irrelevant.

• Your voice should be assertive, yet restrained; do not attack the reader or they will be offended and will not take your side.

• Respectfully disagree with the objections using clear, logical evidence and reasoning.

Counter-Arguing

• State opposing claims and dispute them• Sentence Stems:Some may say_______, but the truth is

howeverin realityactually

While________,Even though__________,According to__________,

More Counter-Arguing Frameworks

• “It might be said that_______, however…”• “It could be argued that______, but…”• “Some people say/believe/think/feel that____

This is untrue/incorrect/not the case/ because__________ or according to_______”

• “While critics argue that________”• “While some may say that_______,

Example

• Many people adhere to an “eye for an eye” philosophy, however, until our society is able to eradicate all possibility of human error in its judicial system, capital punishment must be banned.

Types of Persuasive Appeals• Logical Appeals

a. evidence, facts, statisticsb. expert opinionc. examples

• Emotional Appealsa. word choice / connotationb. visual details / imagery

• Ethical Appealsa. reputationb. sincere, honest tone

• Try to incorporate all of these strategies into your writing • They will be putty in your hands!

Which word has the most negative connotation?

• stuck up / proud• wimpy / weak• unmotivated / lazy• unusual / weird• determined / stubborn• perspire / sweat• junk food / fast food• slow / cautious• old / mature

• stare / look• old / mature

Harness the Power of Language

• Illegal alien / undocumented immigrant• bully / aggressor, tormentor, villain, violator• bullying / persecuting, victimizing, tormenting• testing / experimentation, mutilation, torture, cruelty• animal subjects / innocent victims• climate change / global warming • catastrophic effects / detrimental effects• skeptics / deniers• concussion / brain trauma• safety precautions, guidelines / rules, limitations• issue / problem, crisis

Concluding Paragraph (3-4 sentences)

• Revisit your thesis and main arguments. • End with… (fast food example)

– A comment (Don’t make your body suffer!)– A question (Are you willing to risk your health?)– A call to action (I highly recommend you consider

your options the next time you’re faced with a decision about what to eat.)

– Come full circle: refer back to your hook– The following slides include sample conclusions

Original Thesis: Animal testing for medical and cosmetic purposes needs to stop because it is inhumane, inaccurate, and there are more effective alternatives.

To conclude, testing on animals is a barbaric, outdated, and unnecessary practice. Technology and advances in science have led to the development of alternative testing methods that do not involve abusing innocent animals. Please boycott products tested on animals and help promote awareness. Together, we can break open these cages of injustice to free our furry friends.

Original Thesis: Performance enhancing drugs should not be allowed in sports because they give players an unfair advantage, they are dangerous and even deadly, and they are illegal.

• To conclude, using performance enhancing drugs is a hazardous and unjust practice. Allowing athletes to use these drugs sets a bad example for children involved in sports for generations to come. We must insist that professional and college athletic organizations mandate regular drug testing and enforce severe consequences for steroid use.

What is Plagiarism?

• “Failing to cite quotations and borrowed ideas.

• Failing to enclose borrowed language in quotation marks.

• Failing to put summaries and paraphrases in your own words.”

(Bedford Handbook, 570)

Paraphrasing: Is this Plagiarism?

Original Source

If the existence of a signing ape was unsettling for linguists, it was also startling news for animal behaviorists.

(An excerpt from an article by B. Davis)

Version A

The existence of a signing ape unsettled linguists and startled animal behaviorists (Davis 26).

This exercise is from The Bedford Handbook

Answer A

Original Source


Version AThe existence of a signing

ape unsettled linguists and startled animal behaviorists (Davis 26).

Answer: Plagiarism. Even though the writer has cited the source, the writer has not used quotation marks around the direct quotation, "the existence of a signing ape." In addition, the phrase, "unsettled linguists and startled animal behaviorists," closely resembles the wording of the source.


Original Source


Version B

If the presence of a sign-language-using chimp was disturbing for scientists studying language, it was also surprising to scientists studying animal behavior (Davis 26).

Answer B

Original Source


Version B If the presence of a sign-

language-using chimp was disturbing for scientists studying language, it was also surprising to scientists studying animal behavior (Davis 26).

Answer: Still plagiarism. Even though the writer has substituted synonyms and cited the source, the writer is plagiarizing because the source's sentence structure is unchanged.


Original Source


Version C

According to Flora Davis, linguists and animal behaviorists were unprepared for the news that a chimp could communicate with its trainers through sign language (Davis 26).

Answer C

Original Source


Version CAccording to Flora Davis,

linguists and animal behaviorists were unprepared for the news that a chimp could communicate with its trainers through sign language (Davis 26).

Answer: Not plagiarism. This is an appropriate paraphrase of the original sentence.

A Summary of Proper Citation

• Exact phrases– Quotation marks around the phrase– Cite the author in the text (author’s last name page number); include the

source on your Works Cited page.

• Paraphrasing– Change the wording AND sentence structure– Cite the author in the text; include the source on your Works Cited page.

• Ideas– Cite the author in the text; include the source on your Works Cited page.

• Common knowledge – No need to cite

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Elements of Argumentative Writing Mrs. Terry Advanced Language Arts