Argument Essay Practice

1
Argument Essay Practice

• Topic Mythology in Life and Literature
• Mr. Eugene
• AP English Language and Composition

2
The Prompt

• Prompt begins with a quote or passage asserting a
  specific point of view.
• Directions for composition take one of two forms
• Write an essay that defends, challenges, or
  qualifies ___________s statement about
  ___________.
• Write an essay that evaluates the validity of the
  speakers ideas about __________ in light of
  __________.

3
Planning your response

• Always begin by quickly identifying your position
  and the evidence you will use to
  illustrate/support it.
• Choose a structure appropriate to your argument
• The 4-5 paragraph essay
• Focus confirmation of thesis
• Structure Intro expressing position followed by
  2-3 body paragraphs offering specific evidence in
  support of thesis
• The classical argument
• Focus discredit opposing views before
  confirming thesis
• Structure Intro expressing position followed by
  
• 1-2 paragraphs identifying and disproving
  opposing points of view
• 1-2 paragraphs offering specific evidence in
  support of thesis

4
Todays exercise

• Five quotes, five minutes each
• Read the quote and immediately identify the point
  of view and your reaction to it.
• Quickly write a short-hand expression of your
  position.
• Identify evidence that you will use and outline a
  structure for your argument.

5
Quote 1

• Over the centuries we have transformed the
  ancient myths and folk tales and made them into
  the fabric of our lives. Consciously and
  unconsciously we weave the narratives of myth and
  folk tale into our daily existence.
• Jack Zipes

6
Quote 2

• Man seeks to escape himself in myth, and does so
  by any means at his disposal. Drugs, alcohol, or
  lies. Unable to withdraw into himself, he
  disguises himself. Lies and inaccuracy give him a
  few moments of comfort.
• -- Jean Cocteau

7
Quote 3

• The great enemy of the truth is very often not
  the lie -- deliberate, contrived and dishonest --
  but the myth -- persistent, persuasive and
  unrealistic.
• -- John F. Kennedy

8
Quote 4

• I believe that imagination is stronger than
  knowledge -- myth is more potent than history --
  dreams are more powerful than facts.
• -- Robert Fulghum

9
Quote 5

• I am not a myth.
• Marlene Deitrich