What is Argumentative

Writing?

The StandardsCollege and Career Readiness Anchor Standard for Writing #1. Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.

Writing Standard #1 6th gradeWrite arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.a. Introduce claim(s) and organize the reasons and evidence clearly.b. Support claim(s) with clear reasons and relevant evidence, using credible sources and demonstrating an understanding of the topicor text.c. Use words, phrases, and clauses to clarify the relationships among claim(s) and reasons.d. Establish and maintain a formal style.e. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from the argument presented.

What Is the Difference between Persuasive Writing

and Writing Argument?Persuasive - In a persuasive essay, you can select the most favorable evidence, appeal to emotions, and use style to persuade your readers. Your single purpose is to be convincing . The same might be said of propaganda and advertising.

Argument, on the other hand, is mainly about logical appeals and involves claims, evidence, warrants, backing, and rebuttals, Argument is at the heart of critical thinking; it is the kind of writing students need to know for success in college and in life.

Kinneavy and Warriner

ELA ArgumentClaim-An assertion or conclusion that answers the original question.

Evidence- Data from the text that support the claim. The data need to be appropriate & sufficient to support the claim.

Reasoning – A justification that links the claim & evidence. The reasoning shows why the data count as evidence to support the claim by applying an appropriate ELA framework or established criteria and clearly explaining how the evidence fits the framework or meets the criteria.

Elements of ArgumentClaimCite Evidence: relevant and verifiableExplanation of how the evidence

supports the claim; often common sense rules, laws, scientific principles or research, and well-considered definitions.

Qualifications and Counter-arguments: acknowledgement of differing claims

The Claim or Thesis Statement

…is the most important sentence in your paper

…is an assertion

…answers the question: “What am I trying to prove?”

...brings focus to the entire essay

…lets the reader know the main idea of the paper

…is not a factual statement or an announcement of purpose, but a claim that has to be proven throughout the paper.

#1

Example: Which is a thesis statement?• Parents, often too busy to watch television

shows with their families, can monitor their children’s viewing habits with the aid of the V-chip.

• To help parents monitor their children’s viewing habits, the V-chip should be a required feature for television sets sold in the U.S.

• This paper will describe a V-chip and examine the uses of the V-chip in American-made television sets.

Is this a Claim?

• What some people refer to as global warming is actually nothing more than normal, long-term cycles of climate change.

A STUDENT READ “DREAMS” AND “DREAM DEFERRED” BY LANGSTON HUGHES, AND HE GENERATED THIS THESIS.

Langston Hughes uses metaphors to illustrate how having to postpone one’s

wishes or desires can lead to destruction.

Is this a Claim?

The Claim or Thesis Statement

…is the most important sentence in your paper

…is an assertion

…answers the question: “What am I trying to prove?”

...brings focus to the entire essay

…lets the reader know the main idea of the paper

…is not a factual statement or an announcement of purpose, but a claim that has to be proven throughout the paper.

#1REVIEW

#2 Concrete evidence from Reading…

Strong Evidence should be:UnifiedSpecificAccurateAdequateRelevantRepresentative

From a source…..

Appropriate Evidence• Current events (local, municipal, state,

national, global)• Historical events• Literature (and other academic texts)• Analogies and hypotheticals• Personal anecdotes (if appropriate to

the prompt)

#3 Explanation/CommentaryThe why (justification) of the

data you used in your claims…making relevant in-depth understanding of text

#4 Counterargument

By acknowledging that there is another side, you can strengthen

your argument.

Be careful not to argue for the opposing side.

-Have I ended the discussion of the logical argument?

-Have I restated my claim?

-Have I summarized the main points of the argument?

#5 Conclusion

Let’s try one….

• Your principal has decided to choose a new mascot for your school. What should the mascot be? Write a short argument for that mascot.

Creating an ArgumentCl

aimA Miner would be a

good mascot selection for our school.

Evid

ence

Mascots should be strong or tough and represent the area. They should be something people would be proud to be.

Expl

anati

on

Our area has mining as one of its primary industries, so the choice would represent our area. In addition, miners need to be tough because they do strenuous work—and dangerous work. They work hard to fill a need for people everywhere. That’s something to be proud of.

Let’s practice with content specific reading focusing on Claims, Evidence and Argument

Let’s Practice Writing an Argument

• Should the government implement a tax on junk food?– Resources:• Adult Obesity Facts• Would junk food taxes really make people eat

better?• Poll: Most Oppose Tax on Junk Food

Junk Food Tax

• Use the resources to write a claim and support it with evidence and reasoning.

• Closely read and annotate the following texts to make your argument.