Argumentative Essay

1. Argumentative Essay

2. Opening Paragraph • The first sentence has the lead • Second and maybe third sentences explain the book • The last sentence contains your opinion statement

3. Opening Paragraph: Outline Argumentative Essay Outline: Does chicken soup truly soothe your soul? Is this a book you would recommend to others? Introduction • “Finally, a book for you” (Canfield xi) -lead • book about teaching teens lessons • Written by teens…for teens Opinion/Thesis Statement: Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul is soothing for the soul because it has stories that teach teenagers important life lessons, are extremely interesting, and talk in language that is easy to understand.

4. Opening Paragraph Example – Lead (or hook) “Finally, a book for you” (Canfield xi).

5. Opening Paragraph Example – Summary “Finally, a book for you” (Canfield xi). Those words could not be truer. The stories in Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul are written for teenagers, in many cases, by teenagers.

6. Opening Paragraph Example – Opinion Statement “Finally, a book for you” (Canfield xi). Those words could not be truer. The stories in Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul are written for teenagers, in many cases, by teenagers. Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul is soothing for the soul because it has stories that teach teenagers important life lessons, are extremely interesting, and talk in language that is easy to understand.

7. Body Paragraphs • The topic sentence will be the first reason that supports your opinion. • To make the first paragraph, write a topic sentence and four details that support the reason you believe what you believe. • Repeat the process until you have three paragraphs with four different reasons and four details to support those reasons.

8. Remember Your Big Three Organizer? Important lessons Cited Evidence “Good friends do not throw themselves at your boyfriend when you’re not around. Obviously, she should pay” (36) Revenge ends badly (Egg Lessons) Kim gets grounded for two weeks (Egg Lessons) Kim takes revenge on a friend because her boyfriend cheats with her. (Egg Lessons) Top 3 Reasons Frame Reason # 1

9. Body Paragraph: Outline II. (REASON #1) - Body Paragraph One: Topic Sentence: First, the stories teach important life lessons. _________________________________________________________ Supporting Ideas or Examples:   A. Kim takes revenge on best friend, and it ends badly._________ B. “Good friends do not throw themselves at your boyfriend when you’re not around. Obviously, she should pay” (Kirberger 36) C. Kim gets in trouble for mistake_______________________________ D. Kim gets grounded for two weeks._____________________________

10. Body Paragraph Example - Reason 1 Supporting Detail 1 Reason #1 Supporting Detail 2 First, the stories teach important life lessons. Supporting Detail 3 Supporting Detail 4

11. Body Paragraph Example- Supporting Details First, the stories teach important life lessons. In “Egg Lessons,” a girl, Kim, takes revenge out on her best friend for stealing her boyfriend, and it turns out badly. Kim writes before she takes the revenge, “Good friends do not throw themselves at your boyfriend when you’re not around. Obviously, she should pay” (Kirberger 36). Many teenagers who read this story will agree with this statement, but the important part of this to remember is that the girl gets in trouble for her mistake. Kim gets grounded for two weeks and has to pay for damaging her best friend’s home. The idea of getting in trouble will probably persuade many teenagers to not take revenge on their friends.

12. Counter Argument-Rebuttals • Think of one argument people might have against your point of view (remember the debate) • Now, think of a way to argue against that point of view What doesn’t work?: • Saying the opposing viewpoint is “stupid.” • Good essays are clear, calm and factual. Prove it instead. • Saying negative things about groups or individuals that have different view points. • This does not support your position, but makes you seem petty instead.

13. Counter Argument-Rebuttal: Outline V. (Counterargument) - Body Paragraph Four: Topic Sentence: While most of the stories are easy to read, “After Twenty Years” is difficult to read because the vocabulary is really high. Supporting Ideas/Examples: A. Shocking ending B. “When you struck the match to light your cigar I saw the face of a man wanted in Chicago” (Henry 2). C. The fugitive realized that his good friend had him arrested. D. The cop had to have someone else arrest him

14. Counter Argument Example While most of the stories are easy to read, “After Twenty Years” is difficult to read because the vocabulary is really high.

15. Counter Argument with Rebuttal Example While most of the stories are easy to read, “After Twenty Years” is difficult to read because the vocabulary is really high. However, the story is one of the most interesting stories in the entire book. The ending of the book is shocking for the reader. Henry writes, “When you struck the match to light your cigar I saw the face of a man wanted in Chicago” (Henry 2). The fugitive realized that his good friend had him arrested. The police officer still felt a connection to his old friend, and he had someone else arrest the fugitive. The story line of “After Twenty Years” is worth the struggles with the vocabulary.

16. Conclusion • Restate the opinion statement. • Has powerful ending relating to introduction. • No new information (Do not introduce a completely new reason for to support your opinion) • Have a call to action.

17. Conclusion Paragraph: Outline VI. Conclusion with a Call-to-Action (What do you want the reader to do?) • Thesis – restate it • Briefly remind what book is about • Leave the reader with a call to action: Instead of reading a book that will not teach you clear life lessons, ladle a warm cup of Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soulbecause it will help with the things you are going through, soothing an aching soul.

18. Conclusion Paragraph Example - Restate Opinion Statement Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul is soothing for the soul because it has stories that teach teenagers important life lessons, are extremely interesting, and talk in language that is easy to understand.

19. Conclusion Paragraph Example - Reminder of topic Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul is soothing for the soul because it has stories that teach teenagers important life lessons, are extremely interesting, and talk in language that is easy to understand. The editors created a book that teaches interesting and valuable lessons for teenagers.

20. Conclusion Paragraph Example - Call to action Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul is soothing for the soul because it has stories that teach teenagers important life lessons, are extremely interesting, and talk in language that is easy to understand. The editors created a book that teaches interesting and valuable lessons for teenagers.Instead of reading a book that will not teach you clear life lessons, ladle a warm cup of Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul because it will help with the things you are going through, soothing an aching soul.