Argumentative Essay Writing

AICE General Paper AS 8004

Mrs. Cedeño, MS. Ed. South Broward High School

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STEP 1: PREWRITING

So, of course, the first step of any essay is to first think of everything you know about that subject. Believe it or not, you’ve already been doing that! We’ve read a novel, we’ve read informational text, we’ve watched TED Talks — plus everything you’ve read or studied or listened to in the past— has prepared you for this prompt: Should bottled water be banned in your society? As you (hopefully) recall from prior learning, there are 5 stages of the writing process: prewriting; drafting/writing; revising; editing; publishing. Use the graphic organizer below to brainstorm your ideas on our working prompt (prewriting). Highlight key words in the prompt to help you get started.

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PROMPT:"

""Essay"Style:""____________________________________________""

Thesis:""

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Brainstorm—Hand$Approach$Ideas:$

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SCIENCE$&$TECHNOLOGY:$

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POLITICS$&$GOV’T$

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SOCIAL/RELATIONSHIPS$

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MEDIA,$SPORTS,$ENTERTAINMENT$

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ENVIRONMENT$

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Should bottled water be banned in your society?

Remember to think GP Relevance:

• Local, National, and International impact

• Past history/current event

• Consider all academia: math, science, social studies, literature, arts

Argumentative

- Flint, MI

- recycling bins/centers

- Great Pacific garbage patch

STEP TWO: DRAFTING/WRITING - INTRODUCTIONS

Identifying Parts of an Argumentative Introduction

Take a look at the following paragraph and label, as well as highlight: general statement; shift in

perspective within the context; thesis statement. Finally, cirlce words that contribute to logos, pathos,

and ethos:

In the 1970s, Pink Floyd’s album, “Dark Side of the Moon,” sold over 50 thousand vinyl records in

its heyday. Michael Jackson’s 1980s hit album, “Thriller,” sold even more than that. Yet these artists

wouldn’t survive in today’s music market because people aren’t buying music anymore; they’re streaming

it for free. With this in mind, should people pay to enjoy music? Though modern technology is making it

easier to access this form of entertainment for free, people should still pay to hear music becuase it

rewards the hardworking artist in a way that is fair, and because it positively impacts the economy at

large.

Practice: Writing an Effective Thesis

Take a look at each prompt and, with a partner, brainstorm aloud. Highlight key words in each prompt. Then use the following tips to practice writing a thesis statement. Rembmer, these are just for practice!

The thesis should start with a major POINT from the opposition with one of these words: though; even though; although; despite; in spite of; notwithstanding; albeit (not necessarily at the beginning of the sentence). Then move to your COUNTERPOINT. Use key words from the prompt to help ensure that your essay will be on task.

1. How important is the father’s role in the modern family? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________2. As long as we communicate, does it matter that we are grammatically accurate? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Is it democratically acceptable not to vote in elections?

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Rough Draft: Argumentative Thesis

Now that you’ve practiced writing an effective thesis statement, let’s draft an introduction. Some things to keep in mind with an argumentative introduction:

Connect to the language of the prompt Clarify ambiguous terms- avoid equivocation! Context includes a shift in perspective to indicate arguable issue (point/counterpoint) Convey the essay’s style through the thesis statement

Using the Guide to Argumentative Essays presentation, let’s draft an introduction for the following prompt:

Should bottled water be banned in your society? Choose either Yes or No for the purpose of our essay. 1. Generally introduce the topic: ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________

Tip: Begin with a concrete image of the topic— vinyl records, for example. 2. Provide context— including why the argument is important: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Tip: Your goal is to write a compelling essay that the reader will act upon! 3. Thesis that clearly states your side & includes logos, pathos, &/or ethos:___ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Tip 1: use key words from the prompt Tip 2: Try to appeal to all three points in the rhetorical triangle!

NOW WRITE YOUR ARGUMENTATIVE INTRODUCTION: ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________

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STEP TWO: DRAFTING/WRITING - BODY PARAGRAPHS

Body paragraphs are the most important part of your essay because they are the essence of the essay. Think of it this way— if your essay was a sandwich, your body paragraphs would be the meat and “fixins", whereas the introduction and conclusion would be the bun. Although the bun is important for holding the sandwich together, it’s not why you eat the sandwich! Each body paragraph of an argumentative essay should include the following: point and counterpoint; student logic; rhetorical appeals.

Point/Counterpoint Argument

The first sentence of your body paragraph needs to introduce the topic— your argument. There are several ways that you can write this sentence, but you will ALWAYS incorporate a word that maintains focus on the prompt. Our prompt is: Should bottled water be banned in your society? So, some words/phrases you would try to include could be “recyclable”, “waste” , “ensure clean water”, “environmental risks”. It depends on your stance. One effective way to start is with a POINT/COUNTERPOINT statement. 1.) First, use a transitional word or phrase that will indicate that you’re introducing the OPPOSITION’S POINT. Below is a list of transitions that indicate opposition, contradiction, or limitations:

2.) Next, immediately DISMISS the opposition’s point with your COUNTERPOINT. 3.) Third, follow up with our counterpoint that dismisses the opposition’s contentions using phrases such as:

4.) Finally, give evidence to support your argument, avoiding logical fallacies! Congratulations! You have a clear and effective point/counterpoint statement!

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• although this may be true • in contrast • different from • of course ..., but • on the other hand • on the contrary • at the same time • in spite of • even so / though • be that as it may • then again • above all

• in reality • after all • but • (and) still • unlike • or • (and) yet • while • albeit • besides • as much as • even though

• although • instead • whereas • despite • conversely • otherwise • however • rather • nevertheless • nonetheless • regardless • notwithstanding

• …it does not take into account… • …it does not consider… • …it overlooks… • …it encourages/discourages… • …it is also possible that… • …it could actually… • …it does not change the fact that… • …the benefits/drawbacks outweigh the benefits/drawbacks… • …it is more practical/impractical to… • …it may be the only/best/most effectice/last option…

Examples of Point/Counterpoint

1. Denying birthright citizenship may seem like the best way to manage illegal immigration, but changing the law will actually increase the illegal population currently residing the United States, a staggering 12 million people.

2. Electric cars might be practical for local commutes, but they prove highly inefficient for anyone travelling farther distances for work or leisure.

3. While there is no doubt the Internet has the poiwer to distract modern teens, the majority of experts polled by the Pew Research Center support the idea that the opportunities this technology affords far outweigh the problems.

You Try It!

1. Illegal immigration: _________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ 2. Electric Cars: _____________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ 3. Technology: ______________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________

Student Evidence and Support

Give support for your counterpoint— or argument— that will further clarify and/or validate your position. You do not necessarily need to cite your sources here, which is ONLY true of the General Paper exam. Towards the end, include a warrant— or brief wrap-up— that explains how this information supports your thesis. Finally, include a seamless transition into the next paragraph; this sentence should be a preview for the reader as to what is to come. Use one of these transition words to help you: moreover; likewise; similarly; furthermore; another distinctive quality; in spite of.

Practice

Take a look at the following paragraph and label the following: opposition’s point; author’s counterpoint; support of argument; warrant. Prompt: Should water bottles be banned in your society?

While critics of bottled water might argue that not enough people recycle, this contention is losing its value because now, more than ever, the number of people recycling water bottles in doubling. Currently, nearly half of bottled water consumers are recycing their used bottles, which in turn cuts down the amount of plastic being used in future production. Since these numbers demonstrate a positive trend in the right direction, it’s likely that the number of people who will recycle in the future will continue to grow since America is becoming more environmentally conscious— not less.

Apply It: First Body Paragraph

Use the previous tips to write your first paragraph. Remember, you are transitioning from your thesis statement.

First Argument:__________________________________________________________________ 1.Point/Counterpoint: _________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________

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2.Proof to Support: ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 3. Warrant: _________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 4.Seamless Transition:_________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Apply It: Body Paragraphs

Write your body paragraphs, employing point/counterpoint effectively, being sure to use seamless transitions. Use the transitions on page from page 5 to help you.

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STEP TWO: DRAFTING/WRITING - CONCLUSIONS

As with all conclusions, you want to reiterate the main points in your essay. This information is from the Purdue OWL regarding Argumentative conclusions:

After moving from general to specific information in the introduction and body paragraphs, your conclusion should begin pulling back into more general information that restates the main points of your argument. Conclusions may also call for action or overview future possible research. The following outline may help you conclude your paper: In a general way, • Restate your topic and why it is important, • Restate your thesis/claim, • Address opposing viewpoints and explain why readers should align with your position,

• Call for action or overview future research possibilities. 1. Provide some sort of TRANSITION to trigger the essay’s closing when restating your topic’s

importance (think locally, nationally, and globally).

• Clearly; Evidently; It is fairly clear/certain/obvious; Ultimately, etc.

2. Briefly restate your thesis without going overboard on detail reiteration.

3. Refute opposing viewpoints and explain why readers should side with your position.

4. State why readers should act in favor of your position OR give a brief overview of future possibilities for research.

Include PROMPT LANGUAGE as you wrap up your address of the topic.

Practice

Label and highlight each part of the following conclusion: transition; restate thesis; refute opposing view; call to action. Also, circle all uses of prompt language.

Prompt: ‘Is it always best to tell the truth? Discuss.

It’s fairly clear that the truth will always “set us free.” Based on sheer moral principle, it is important that, as

a society, we speak truth to one another. Witholding it does not necessarily make us liars, but it does leave room for

consequence when things are left unsaid. While the occasional circumstance might arise where masking the truth

may be necessary, these situations are far and few between mere exceptions to the higher road of always being honest.

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Apply It

Use the previous guidelines to draft your own conclusion on our prompt. Don’t forget to use

prompt language throughout your conclusion!

1.Transition with restate importance of topic: ________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ 2.Restate thesis: __________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________3. Refute opposition:________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 4. Call to action:___________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

NOW WRITE YOUR ARGUMENTATIVE CONCLUSION: ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________

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STEP 3/4: REVISING THE CONTENT & EDITING FOR CONVENTIONS

Rewrite your essay below. Then ask another student to peer edit.

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STEP 5: PUBLISH ESSAY- Publishing This is the version that will be graded. THIS MUST BE WRITTEN IN INK- ESSAYS WRITTEN IN PENCIL WILL NOT BE SCORED. See attached rubric for details.

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TOTAL SCORE: ___________/50 Comments:

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Grading key

90-100: Level 1 70-75: Level 3 LOWER

80-89: Level 2 60-69: Level 4

76-79: Level 3 UPPER 50 and below: Level 5