Pick A Side Argumentative Writing Argumentative Writing Argumentative Writing

TIme to Think

On a piece of paper briefly answer these questions.

1.Is there too much pressure on girls to have ‘perfect’ bodies?

2.Should companies collect information about you?

3.Do Photo-shopped images make you feel bad about your own looks?

4.Can cell phones be educational tools?

5.Do TV shows like ‘16 and Pregnant’ promote or discourage teenage pregnancy?

6.Does technology make us more alone?

Stand Up/Sit Down

1. Is there too much pressure on girls to have ‘perfect’ bodies?

2. Should companies collect information about you?

3. Do Photo-shopped images make you feel bad about your own looks?

4. Can cell phones be educational tools?

5. Do TV shows like ‘16 and Pregnant’ promote or discourage teenage pregnancy?

6. Does technology make us more alone?

Notes on Argumentative Writing

● The topic must be arguable. You cannot argue a statement or a fact, you must base your paper on a strong position.

● You must choose ONE side-don’t ‘sit the fence’

● Address the opposing side/counterclaimo There is an old kung-fu saying which states, "The hand that strikes also blocks", meaning

that when you argue it is to your advantage to anticipate your opposition and strike down their arguments within the body of your own paper.

● RESEARCH! You need to be the expert on your topic.

● Make sure you keep all of the research that you find. You may change your mind on your stance and need

Research● By the end of class you need to have…

1.Chosen your topic.

2.Have found 2-3 credible sources that support your argument. This is

your ticket out. If you do not show me your sources and how they back up your argument, you will stay after.

Upside-Down Triangle Method: Opening Paragraph

● Key points necessaryo General Statement: An exciting fact, quote, question, etc. that is broadly

introducing what your paper is going to be about. This can be multiple sentences.

o Narrowing It Down-Introducing Your Topic: You are going to go from broad statement, to what you are specifically going to be talking about. What is your topic? This can be multiple sentences.

o Thesis: Your thesis statement, for the majority of papers that you will write at this point in your life, will have your stance on the topic, along 3 solid reasons that back up your stance. This is ONLY ONE SENTENCE.

Look at an example General Statement

exciting factquotequestionstatement

Introduce your topic

Explain stance

Narrow to Thesis statement

Topic: My PlateGeneral statement: Children in America are growing at an alarming rate.Introduce topic: Michelle Obama introduced a new food guide called “My Plate”, replacing the old and familiar “Food Pyramid.” Although on paper “My Plate” seemed like an amazing opportunity, it is failing miserably.Thesis: Due to “My Plate” ‘s financial dependency, lack of detail, and unfair portions, students and staff are not benefitting but rather suffering and the problem is not being solved.

By the end of the class period…

● You need to show me…

1.Your opening paragraph with all of the proper elements included.

A.General Statement

B.Narrowing it Down-Introducing Your Topic

C.Thesis Statement

*Look to your notes for examples and help!

Things to remember ??? ● Remember the power of words

● Think of connotative meanings to express your feelings

Body ● The body of your essay should develop and support your

thesis● The body paragraphs should have

o Unity-every sentence relates directly to the main idea of the paragraph.

o Coherence- sentences are smoothly and logically connected to one another

o Development-contains the examples, evidence and explanations that the reader needs to understand its main

idea

Topic SentenceWrite a topic sentence that informs the reader of the purpose of the paragraph. This basic format helps the reader follow the train of thought: A key reason (reference to your thesis) is (reason to be addressed in this paragraph).

● Example: A key reason capital punishment should not be used in Texas is there is always the possibility of executing an innocent person.

Body of the paragraphBegin the body of the paragraph by introducing evidence (example, authority, statistics, analogy, hypothetical situation) with a transitional phrase (such as “For example”). If the evidence comes from an outside source, be sure to document it. Notice that in the following example, the source is cited in MLA parenthetical style:

● Example: For example, in April 1999 Gerald Wilkins, who had served 12 years on death row in an Illinois prison, was found not guilty of the crime he had been convicted of because of new DNA evidence (Wallace 12).

Explaining the evidenceSince in an argument the reader needs to be persuaded to agree with the thesis, be sure to explain how the evidence supports the topic sentence.

● Example: If Mr. Wilkins’s sentence—death by lethal injection—had been carried out promptly, an innocent man would have died. Fortunately, he was still waiting for his execution date, and this made it possible to partially correct the error of his conviction.

Continuing SupportTo further develop the paragraph, make the transition to the next piece of evidence and continue to support it by following steps 2-3.

● Example: However, Gerald Wilkins’s situation is not an isolated case.

Concluding SentenceWrite a concluding sentence.

● Example: As long as Texas continues to sentence convicted people to death, there will always be the possibility of executing an innocent person.

Final paragraphA key reason capital punishment should not be used in Texas is there is always the possibility of executing an innocent person. For example, in April 1999, Gerald Wilkins, who served twelve years on death row in an Illinois prison, was found not guilty of the crime of which he was convicted because of new DNA evidence (Wallace 12). If Mr. Wilkins’s sentence—death by lethal injection—had been carried out promptly, an innocent man would have died. Fortunately, he was still waiting for his execution date, and this made it possible to partially correct the error of his conviction. Gerald Wilkins’ situation, however, is not an isolated case. (Provide a transition, the next piece of evidence, and explanation here—see #2-4 above.) As long as Texas continues to sentence convicted people to death, there will always be the possibility of executing an innocent person.

Counterclaim paragraphIn your paper you will need to include the following

● Counterclaim: A claim that negates or disagrees with

the thesis/claim.

● Rebuttal: Evidence that negates or disagrees with the

counterclaim.

Counterclaim● Find out what the opposing side is saying and

respond to it with your own argument

● A counterclaim will make you look more knowledgeable, credible and not just biased

CounterclaimThe setup of the paragraph will follow the same process

● Topic sentence● Evidence● Explanation (Explain why it is

“wrong”)● Continued support (Supporting your

side)● Concluding sentence

Sources Kriszner, Laurie G. and Stephen Mandell. Patterns for College Writing. 7th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 1998.

Rozakis, Laurie. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Shakespeare. New York: Alpha, 1999. "Welcome to the Purdue OWL." Purdue OWL: Establishing Arguments. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2014.

Notes On Conclusions