Writing the ArgumentativeEssay

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Writing the ArgumentativeEssay
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1)CHOOSING A TOPIC
To begin an argumentative/persuasive essay, you
must first have an opinion you want others to
share.
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Possible Topic Ideas
Should legal immigration be stopped? Should
dying people be kept on life support? Should
tobacco products be banned? Should the Internet
be censored? Should school prayer be
allowed? Should music lyrics be
censored? Should parents of teen vandals be held
responsible for their child's damage? Should
research on cloning be discontinued? Should a
rookie salary cap be enforced in pro sports?

• Should boxing be banned?
• Should the driving age be raised to 18?
• Should semi-automatic weapons be banned?
• Should teens who murder be executed?
• Should hunting be outlawed?
• Should recycling be mandatory?
• Should schools require student uniforms?
• Should college athletes be paid?
• Should the death penalty be abolished?

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2)RESEARCH
To be valid, an opinion or point of view must be
supported by facts and information.
Once you know what you will write about, you will
need to do research on the topic.
Research through interviewing people, orreading
newspaper, book, journal or Internet articles.
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3)THESIS STATEMENT
The thesis statement

• states your position on the topic

• is the last sentence in the first paragraph

• sets up the structure for the paper.

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4) SUPPORT THE THESIS
Support your thesis with three reasons.

• These are your arguments.

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5)COUNTER-ARGUMENTS

• Every controversial issue has two sides.

• Once you can support your position with
  research, you need to explore what others
  think.

• Address a strong argument against your point
  before the opposition has a chance to.

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PREPARING YOUR ARGUMENTS

• Look at the main reasons for your opinion.

• What objections would others have to each
  of your reasons? These are your
  counter-arguments.

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Counter Argument Transition Words
Counter Argument Sentence Starters

• this is not true for
• this is not true because
• this may be true, but
• this may be true, however
• Nevertheless
• Still
• on the contrary
• on the other hand
• yet
• however
• even so
• but

• Some will say that is not true because.
• Some people might say that.
• Some will argue.
• Those on the other side of the issue may say
  that.
• While it is true that.
• On the other hand,however..
• An alternate viewpoint includes.

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REVERSE APPROACH

1. Write down the objections people would have to
   your opinion. (these are the counter arguments)
2. Write down your answers to those objections.
   (these are the arguments)

Now you have the raw material for each paragraph
of the argumentative essay.
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THE AUDIENCE
When introducing the topic, think about the
audience first.

• How much does the audience know about the
  topic?

• Is the audience likely to be friendly or
  hostile to your position?

• How can you hook the audiences
  attention?

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A. INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH

• The first sentence is a general statement,
  designed to attract the readers attention.

• Second and perhaps third sentences narrow
  the idea down to your specific idea.

• The last sentence in the introduction
  must be your thesis.

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INTRODUCTION
Think of the introduction as having a funnel
shape
  General statement (hook) Specific
information Thesis              
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Example of Intro Paragraph

• More people die driving on Greek roads in a
  single year than all the U.S. soldiers killed in
  Iraq since the fighting began. The road
  conditions and the mentality that leads to this
  unnecessary and avoidable loss of life should be
  changed.

Fact to support position and a good hook.
The authors position or Thesis Statement.
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B. BUILDING BODY PARAGRAPHS
The first topic sentence of the first paragraph
will be the first reason that supports your
position.
You may even wish to begin the sentence with the
word first to focus the readers attention on its
importance.
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BUILDING PARAGRAPHS

• The final sentence in each paragraph
  should sum up and make a transition to the
  main idea of the next paragraph.
•  

• Repeat the process until you have
• three paragraphs with
• three different reasons and
• three details to support that reason.

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C. Counter Arguments- Rebuttals
Now, address those arguments in a paragraph
explaining why your position is a better one.
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D. Concluding Paragraph

• Indicate in the conclusion that you have
  shown the thesis statement to be true.
• Has a powerful ending often relating to the
  introduction.
• Do not include any new information in a
  conclusion. If you have not mentioned
  something yet in the paper, it is now too late.

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What is not effective

• 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.

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How many is that?

• Intro Paragraph
• Body Paragraph 1
• Body Paragraph 2
• Body Paragraph 3
• Rebuttal Paragraph other viewpoints
• Conclusion Paragraph

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Reflecting on Your Paper

• Are you happy with what you have written?

• Have you made a convincing case for your
  position?

• Is it clear that research supports your
  position?

• Have you shown that you understand the
  objections to your position?

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Reflecting on Your Paper

• Have you shown that you understand the
  objections to your position?

• Is it clear that your position still
  outweighs the possible objections?