Argumentative Writing

Argumentative Writing CCSS.9-10.W1 Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.

Terms to know… • Claim: the overall thesis the writer will argue for • Data: evidence gathered to support the claim • Warrant (bridge): explanation of why or how the data supports the claim (connect your data to your claim)

Terms to know… • Backing: additional logic or reasoning that may be necessary to support the warrant • Counterclaim: a claim that negates or disagrees with the thesis/claim • Rebuttal: evidence that negates or disagrees with the counterclaim

Sample text-- • Claim—Hybrid cars are an effective strategy to fight pollution. • Data—Driving a private car is a typical citizen’s most air polluting activity. • Warrant—Because cars are the largest source of private, as opposed to industry produced, air pollution switching to hybrid cars should have an impact on fighting pollution.

Sample text-- • Counterclaim—Instead of focusing on cars, which still encourages a culture of driving even if it cuts down on pollution, the nation should focus on building and encouraging use of mass transit systems. • Rebuttal—While mass transit is an environmentally sound idea that should be encouraged, it is not feasible in many rural and suburban areas, or for people who must commute to work; thus hybrid cars are a better solution for much of the nation’s population.

Close Reading Strategy • Before reading—number the paragraphs. • During reading—chunk the text. Look for paragraphs that go together. • During reading—underline words that you think are important. Circle words you do not know. • After reading—summarize each chunk in the left column. • After reading—dig deeper in the right column. Ask questions, make connections, etc.

Examining Text Features • With your first color, highlight/underline the claim. • With your second color, highlight/underline evidence that directly supports that claim. • With your third color, highlight/underline the warrants. • With your fourth color, highlight/underline the counterclaim.

Jigsaw Strategy Number 1-4 in your group. Find your fellow numbers. Share your findings about your article. Discuss author’s craft—what does the writer do well?

Homework Write an argumentative essay in response to the article you read. Rough drafts due Wednesday.

Would you rather? Choose a side and defend your answer to your partner.

Would you rather be able to pause the world around you or silence it?

Would you rather wear the same thing every day or never wear the same thing twice?

Would you rather be the first killed in a group or the last killed in a group?

Would you rather be a mall cop or a prison guard?

Would you rather eat only buffalo wings for the rest of your life or drink only buffalo sauce for the rest of your life?

Would you rather bring back someone you love who died or bring back someone famous who died?

Would you rather always have sticky fingers or always have bad breath?

Would you rather know everything and die tomorrow or live forever and be ignorant?

Revising and Editing Choose one of your three drafts to perfect into a final draft.

Thinking about arguments • Examine your rough draft and think about the argument. • Use this chart to flush out all sides of the argument:

Writing Styles Tips to get your started

Introductions • Begin with a hook—get your reader interested. • End with a thesis. • Examine the mentor text for the hook and the thesis. • What do you like? What do you think needs work? • Write your thoughts and process on the chart paper.

Time to Write!

Body Paragraph • The Hamburger Approach • Set Them Up; Knock Them Down • Examine the mentor texts. • What do you like? What do you dislike? What tips can this writer offer you? • Write your thoughts and process on the chart paper.

Time to Write!Choose one of your body paragraphs to examine closely. What changes will you make?

Writing the Conclusion What to do and what not to do…

Final Draft Papers How to Format

General Guidelines • Final drafts must be typed. • Double space & use a legible font. • Set the margins to one inch. • Indent (using the tab key) the first line of every paragraph. • Create a header that includes your last name and numbers all pages in the upper right-hand corner.

Formatting the First Page • Do not make a title page. • In the upper left-hand corner of the first page, list your name, my name, the course, and the date. • Center the title. Do not underline, italicize, or place your title in quotation marks.

Formatting the Works Cited Page • Begin your works cited page on a separate page at the end of your research paper. • Label the page Works Cited and center the title at the top. • Double space all citations. • Use a hanging indentation—the first line is not indented, but all others are.

Citing Electronic Sources • Author and/or editor names • Article name in quotation marks • Title of the website, project, or book in italics. • Any version numbers available, including revisions, posting dates, volumes, or issue numbers • Publisher information, including name and date • Page numbers • Medium of publication • Date you accessed the material

Sample Citations Felluga, Dino. Survey of the Literature of England. Purdue U, Aug. 2006. Web. 31 May 2007. "How to Make Vegetarian Chili." eHow. Demand Media, n.d. Web. 24 Feb. 2009. Bernstein, Mark. "10 Tips on Writing the Living Web." A List Apart: For People Who Make Websites. A List Apart Mag., 16 Aug. 2002. Web. 4 May 2009.

Final drafts due by the end of the school day Friday.

Argumentative Writing