ARGUMENTATIVE writing

1
ARGUMENTATIVE writing

• Directions You will complete 3 tasks total for
  your argumentative writing lesson.
• Task 1 read carefully over the following
  slides, taking notes on your Argumentative Essay
  Notes

2
ARGUMENTATION

• The aim of writing argumentative writing is to
  convince or persuade the reader.
• One attempts to change the readers mind and
  convince the reader to agree with the point of
  view or claim of the writer.
• So an argumentative essay needs to be highly
  persuasive and logical.

3
Key Terms to Learn
1. a person who disagrees with something and
speaks against it 2. the act or process of
forming reasons, drawing conclusions, and
applying them to a case in discussion 3. point or
statement that supports ones ideas and/or
thesis 4. point or statement in opposition to the
argument being made in a written document or
speech 5. the process of discrediting the
arguments that oppose your thesis statement 6.
someone who argues in favor of something advocate
2

• Argumentation _____
• Refutation _____
• Proponent _____
• Opponent _____
• Counter Argument (CON) ____
• (aka Counter claim)
• Pro Argument (PRO) _____

5
6
1
4
3
4
WHAT ARE THE GOALS OF ARGUMENTATION?

• present an opinion on a controversial topic to
  the reader
• explain, clarify and illustrate that opinion
• persuade the reader that the opinion supported in
  the essay is valid by
• a. moving the reader to action,
• b. convincing the reader that the opinion is
  correct, or
• c. persuading the reader that the opinion is at
  least worth considering
• support the opinion by means of giving evidence
  facts, examples, physical description, support of
  authority, and statistics
• present counterarguments to the thesis (belief
  statement) and refute them respectfully and
  critically.

5
Arguable or Not Arguable?

• Marijuana should be legalized.
• Arguable
• Smoking is harmful to peoples health.
• Not Arguable
• Salem is the best school in the district.
• Arguable
• Emissions testing hurts the ozone.
• Not arguable

6
Gather Data to Support Your Claim

• Complete research as necessary
• Use appropriate web sites
• Make sure your experts are valid
• Prepare your Works Cited page and your
  parenthetical citations (Source Notes) in advance

7
Logos, Pathos, and Ethos

• Logos-logical appeal
• Evidence and the reasoning based on that evidence
• Ethos-ethical appeal
• According to Aristotle--the credibility or
  trustworthiness that the author establishes in
  his writing
• Pathos-Emotional appeal
• Persuades the audience by using emotions

8

• Now go to the next handout in your packet and
  complete it using the following slides

9
Introduction (1 paragraph)

• 1-Get the attention of the audience
• Attention Getter or Hook
• 2-Provide background information to orient the
  reader to the issue
• What does the reader need to know about this
  issue?
• Define terms
• THESIS Create a thesis statement or assertion to
  guide the reader (this is what you believe- the
  main focus of the essay that will guide your
  points. This is called the PRO of the argument).

10
The Antithesis anti thesis (against the
thesis (pro side) the other side of the
argument this is the CON side)

• Address the case of the opposition
• Several paragraphs at the beginning or weaved
  throughout the paper (argument-concession)
• Concede points which cannot be refuted
• Use signal words and phrases such as Admittedly,
  While it is true that etc.
• Offer refutation for claims which can be
  countered
• Use signal words and phrases such as It has been
  argued, However etc.

11
Body Paragraphs (3 total)

• Provide a clear topic sentence for each paragraph
• 3 ways to organize the body
• -use Topic Sentence, Concrete Detail, Commentary
  (TS, CD, COMM) or
• -Statement, Evidence, Explanation (S-E-E) or
• -Claim, Data, Warrant (CDW)
• Build to the strongest argument
• Use a variety of appeals
• Demonstrate logic and reasoning
• Address the opposition

12
Conclusion

• Restate your main premise
• Provide a brief summary of your argument
• Show how a group will benefit from following your
  assertion
• Explain what might happen if your idea is not
  accepted
• End with a rhetorical question
• Ask for a call to action

13
Practice a Sample Argument Essay

• 1-Go to the class website and click on Sample
  Essays for notes packet.
• 2-Read the annotated essays and highlight your
  handout to match it.
• 3-Next, review the following items, marking these
  in your handout (use your notes if you need
  help)
• attention getter
• organization
• antithesiscon
• how author refutes the con
• connective wordstransitions
• development of arguments
• slippery slope metaphor
• conclusion