Post on 16-Dec-2015
transcript
How to Organize an Argumentative Paper
TPEQEA- It’s easy once you have the formula!!
Introduction
HookSummary Thesis
Hook or Lead
Introduce the Topic with an interesting lead or hook.
This could be a compelling quote from the text or that you heard somewhere
This could be a questionWhy do we hurt the ones we love?
Summary
Summarize the topic- if it is a text (like a story, poem, or novel), spend about 3 to 4 sentences explaining what the text is about.
Make sure the first sentence includes the title of the work (novel, story, whatever) and the author.
“The Scarlet Ibis” by James Hurst
Thesis
Last sentence of first paragraph should be the thesis.
The thesis has three partsCounter claim (opposite of claim)HoweverClaim
Example Thesis
Some may claim Brother is innocent because he taught Doodle to walk; however, he only taught him to walk for his own selfish reasons making it clear that Brother is responsible for Doodle’s death.
Body Paragraphs
- Write 3 body paragraphs- Each BP has a reason that support your
thesis- Organize the paragraphs by using
TPEQEA(pronounced tuh-pee-kee-uh)
Body Paragraphs: TPEQUE Style
T: Topic Sentence
P: Point
E: Example
Q: Quotation
E: Elaboration
A: Analysis
T: Topic Sentence: Introduces the topic of the paragraph
P: Point: Makes a clear argument about the topic
E: Example: Provides an example to back up the point
Q: Quotation: Research to prove the point
E: Elaboration: Explains how the example proves the point
A: Analysis: Analyzes the importance of the argument and takes the elaboration one step further.
Layering
Example, Quotation, Elaboration (AKA- EVIDENCE!!) can be layered to make your argument stronger!!
Example Paragraph
Thesis: People may feel that Brother is innocent because he thought Doodle how to walk; however, he only taught him to walk because he was embarrassed about having a brother who was disabled and his selfishness lead him to pushing Doodle too hard and causing his death.
Reason 1: Brother ignored doctors orders for his own benefit
T: Topic Sentence: Introduces the topic of the paragraph
Throughout his short life, Brother constantly pushed Doodle to do things he was incapable of for his own selfish reasons.
HINT **use adjectives that promote an emotional response**
P: Makes a clear argument about the topic
The warnings of the doctor not to physically exert Doodle fell on deaf ears.
E: Provides an example to back up the point
For example, the family was told not to turn Doodle on his stomach. However, the order was ignored.
Q: Quotation: Research to prove the point
“The doctor said that with his weak heart the strain would probably kill him, but it didn’t” (430).
E: Elaboration: Explains how the example proves the point
Had brother not been so anxious to have a “normal” sibling, he would not have risked his brother’s life by turning him over.
E: Provides an example to back up the point
Also, Brother was given specific instructions on how to care for Doodle when he took him out.
Q: Quotation: Research to prove the point
“The doctor had said that he mustn't get to excited, to hot, too cold, or too tired, and that he must always be treated gently” (431).
E: Elaboration: Explains how the example proves the point
Because he did not want his burden of a brother accompanying him, Brother constantly did the opposite of what he was told.
E: Provides an example to back up the point
When Doodle was in his care, not only did Brother not follow doctor’s orders, he also further jeopardized his brother’s life.
Q: Quotation: Research to prove the point
“To discourage his coming with me I’d run with him across the end of the cotton rows and careen him around corners on two wheels. Sometimes I accidentally turned him over” (431).
E: Elaboration: Explains how the example proves the point
This shows how reckless and selfish Brother was.
A: Analysis: Analyzes the importance of the argument and takes the elaboration one step further.
Time and time again, Brother was told by a medical professional how to care for his fragile brother. Each time the orders were ignored, bringing Doodle closer to his death.
Sample Body Paragraph
Throughout his short life, Brother constantly pushed Doodle to do things he was incapable of for his own selfish reasons. The warnings of the doctor not to physically exert Doodle fell on deaf ears. For example, the family was told not to turn Doodle on his stomach. However, the order was ignored. “The doctor said that with his weak heart the strain would probably kill him, but it didn’t” (430). Also, Brother was given specific instructions on how to care for Doodle when he took him out. “The doctor had said that he mustn't get to excited, to hot, too cold, or too tired, and that he must always be treated gently” (431). Because he did not want his burden of a brother accompanying him, Brother constantly did the opposite of what he was told. When Doodle was in his care, not only did Brother not follow doctor’s orders, he also further jeopardized his brother’s life. “To discourage his coming with me I’d run with him across the end of the cotton rows and careen him around corners on two wheels. Sometimes I accidentally turned him over” (431). This shows how reckless and selfish Brother was. Time and time again, Brother was told by a medical professional how to care for his fragile brother. Each time the orders were ignored, bringing Doodle closer to his death.
The Conclusion Paragraph
The last paragraph in an essay that neatly wraps up the paper
Contains 3 main partsRestate the thesisLead-outClincher
A Visual
Think of the Conclusion as a triangle.
General
SpecificRestatement of Thesis
Lead-out
Clincher
Transition
Should include a transition to indicate that this is your concluding paragraph. It is clear from the evidence provided that
Brother is innocent.
Restate the thesis
Summarize the thesis without repeating yourself
The most specific part of the conclusionThough some may argue that Brother is
guilty because he wanted Doodle to die, the evidence shows that he was an innocent naive child who grew to love his Brother immensely.
The Lead-out
Just like the lead-in only backwardsMakes the topic larger to become more
general and less specificSmoothes out the conclusion paragraph
The facts that brother took Doodle with him everywhere, plan their future, and his reaction when Doodle died prove that he did not want his brother to die.
The Clincher
Last sentence of the last paragraphGive the paper finalitySimilar to an attention getter because it should
make the reader think and leave an impression
Most general part of the conclusion paragraphAll brothers have a love/hate relationship, these
two were no exception.
Sample Conclusion
Though some may argue that Brother is guilty because he wanted Doodle to die, the evidence shows that he was an innocent naive child who grew to love his Brother immensely. The facts that brother took Doodle with him everywhere, plan their future, and his reaction when Doodle died prove that he did not want his brother to die. All brothers have a love/hate relationship, these two were no exception.