The Argument Essay

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The Argument Essay

• By Mrs. Biziewski
• AP Lang Comp
• VHS

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1 Work the prompt!

• 3-5 minutes
• Underline/box key words
• Deconstruct the prompt
• Write your thesis on your planning page
• (I believe that) ________________ because
  ______________________

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2 Plan your support

• 10 minutes
• Write down evidence that supports your claim
  (thesis)
• Use specific evidence from your own experience,
  your readings, the news, historical events (show
  your reader that youre well read!)

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3 Write the essay

• 20 minutes
• Intro paragraph
• First body paragraph concession or
  counterargument
• 2-3 support paragraphs reasons, examples, facts
  from news world
• Conclusion so what?

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Intro Paragraph strategies

• a short anecdote that deals with the big idea
• of your argument
• a concession
• an interesting or controversial fact or statistic
• a question or several questions that will be
  answered in your argument
• relevant background material
• an analogy or image that you can sustain
  (revisit) throughout the argument
• a definition of a term or idea that is central to
  your argument

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Concession/counterargument paragraph

• Optional, if appropriate
• What possible argument might your reader pose
  against your argument and/or some aspect of your
  reasoning? State it.
• Then refute it.
• End this paragraph with a concluding sentence
  that reasserts your papers claim.

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Each body paragraph

• Topic sentence (which may include a
  concession/counterargument)
• Evidence 1 to support claim
• Explanation of how evidence 1 supports claim
• How does this evidence prove the point you are
  trying to make?
• How should we read or interpret the evidence?
• Can be opinion based, usually 1-3 sentences
• Transition to the next idea
• Evidence 2 to support claim
• Explanation of how evidence 2 supports claim

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Conclusion

• Do NOT merely restate what youve already said!
• Your conclusion should tell us why we should care
  about your claim.
• Take your reader to a higher place, an
• So what?

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Conclusion strategies

• Ask a pertinent question
• Present a final vivid and memorable image
• Provide an accurate and useful analogy
• Dismiss an opposing idea
• Predict future consequences
• Call for further action
• Return to a scene or anecdote from the
  introduction

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4 Proofread!

• 3-5 minutes
• Make neat cross outs
• Scan from the bottom, right to left (spelling)
• Use strong verbs
• Combine sentences

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