The Argumentative Essay

The Argumentative Essay

Objective To provide clarity and simplicity to writing an Argumentation Essay. To provide a template for writing an Argumentation Essay. At the conclusion, you will be able to effectively write an Argumentation essay.

Important points Is the main point to writing a synthesis essay Is usually the easiest essay to write Can sometimes be confusing if your ideas are organized.

Key issues Making connections to readers Understanding lines of arguments Making a claim Shaping an Argument Giving an argument style Managing conventions of an argument

Making Connections to Readers Writers do not write in a cultural vacuum Writers’ works are influenced by who they are Race Religion Gender Ethnicity Class Intelligence

Making Connections to Readers Perception IS reality! Establish some connection with the reader Familiarity Presenting yourself as authority

4 Types of Arguments Based on Emotion Based on Values Based on Character Based on Fact and Reason

Emotion Cause readers to think more carefully about a subject Persuading readers not to drink and drive by tell9ing about a teen who was killed in DUI accident. We have to be wary because emotions can lead to unwise or impulsive judgments. Driving a certain car or wearing certain clothing will make you feel superior to others

Value-Based Closely related to emotion Writer asks readers to live up to higher principles, respected traditions, or new values Closely ties with ceremonial arguments Be aware of values/ideals of the community

Character-Based Writer must come across honest and sincere Where to look for evidence of character in arguments Who is the author Is the writer an authority on or knowledgeable about the topic Is evidence presented in full/complete, not slanted to writer’s agenda Does the writer acknowledge the counterargument Are sources documented As author you must consider: Language Organization & Structure Sense of Authority

Fact-Based Writer must provide enough evidence to support argument Writer must testall assumptions and claims Writer must question every source and authority cited

Making A Claim Claim: Statement of belief or truth Where to look for evidence of character in arguments Can simply be stated Can be inferred Claims must be attached to reasons that support it and premises that uphold it to be an argument Can have several claims in one essay

Giving an Argument Style Have to think the way the evidence is presented Have to tailor your argument to the topic (pg. 40)

Establishing Credibility Ways to establish credibility Demonstrate that you are knowledgeable (facts/statistics) Highlight shared values Refer to common experiences Use language to build common ground Respect the reader

Before You Write Always ANNOTATE Circlewords you don’t know [Main claim] Supporting details to main claim Acknowledgement of counterargument Make notes in the margins

Now You’re Ready to Write INTRODUCTION Needs to be detailed, but brief Will ALWAYS begin with one of the following Question, Statement, or Anecdote Will state if you AGREE OR DISAGREE Will state your thesis: 3 details

Now You’re Ready to Write INTRODUCTION Format [Hook, question, or statement] [A filler statement hinting at your position…Agree or disagree] [Writer’s credentials], [writer’s first and last name], in his/her [type of text], “[title of text],” proposes that [relate that authors main claim to your hook, questions, or statement].

Now You’re Ready to Write INTRODUCTION Format This idea/proposition/theory is [statement of agreeing or disagreeing] mainly because [state your three reasons or details].

Now You’re Ready to Write BODY 3 paragraphs; each will highlight one of your reasons You will need to be specific in your evidence to back up your reason for agreeing or disagreeing

Now You’re Ready to Write BODY Format [Author’s last name] most specifically believes that [paraphrase one of the author’s support details to his/her main claim]. He/she points out, “[direct quote from text to prove your previous sentence]”. I [disagree/agree] with this [idea/way of thinking/ theory] because [state the 1st detail –reason].

Now You’re Ready to Write BODY Format More distinctively, [give support for your detail or reason….an example]. Although [author’s last name] might have objections to the [idea/theory], I maintain that [statement of disagreeing]. OR Although [classification of people] might have objections to the [idea/theory], I maintain that[statement of agreeing].

Now You’re Ready to Write BODY 2 Format Not only is it suggested that [restate support to author’s main claim from body paragraph #1], but [Author’s last name] also contends that [paraphrase another of the author’s support details to his/her main claim]. He/she points out, “[direct quote from text to prove your previous sentence]”.

Now You’re Ready to Write BODY 2 Format This premise [has/does not have] great merit because [state the 2nd detail –reason]. In particular consider, [give support for your detail or reason….an example]. Understanding that [author’s last name] might have objections to the [idea/theory], I will continue to remain adamant that [statement of disagreeing].

Now You’re Ready to Write BODY 2 Format OR Understanding that [classification of people] might have objections to the [idea/theory], I will continue to remain adamant that [statement of agreeing].

Now You’re Ready to Write BODY 3 Format Along with his/her assertions that [restate support to author’s main claim from body paragraph #1 and #2], [Author’s last name] goes even further to support his/her claim that [restate the author’s overall claim]; [paraphrase another of the author’s support details to his/her main claim].

Now You’re Ready to Write BODY 3 Format He/she calls attention to the fact that, “[direct quote from text to prove your previous sentence]”. I [agree/disagree] with [author’s last name]’s statement because [state the 3rd detail –reason]. Studies show that [give support for your detail or reason….an example].

Now You’re Ready to Write BODY 3 Format Taking into consideration that [author’s last name] will categorically oppose this [idea/theory], from my perspective [author’s main claim paraphrased] isnot a worthwhile presumption.

Now You’re Ready to Write BODY 3 Format OR Taking into consideration that [classification of people] will categorically oppose this [idea/theory], from my perspective [author’s main claim paraphrased] isa worthwhile presumption.

Now You’re Ready to Write Conclusion Simply restate your 3 main details State if you AGREE OR DISAGREE

Now You’re Ready to Write CONCLUSION Format Even though [author’s first and last name] proposes that [authors overall claim], this presumption is hardly acceptable. Due to [restate your 3 main details – paraphrase] [state your agreed or disagreed position].

The Argumentative Essay