Writing the Argumentative Essay

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Writing the Argumentative Essay
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CHOOSING A TOPIC
To begin an argumentative essay, you must first
have an opinion you want others to share.
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RESEARCH
To be valid, an opinion or point of view must be
supported by facts and information.
Once you know what you will write about, you will
need to do research on the topic.
Research through interviewing people, orreading
newspaper, book, journal or Internet articles.
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THESIS STATEMENT
The thesis statement

• states your position on the topic three
  reasons for your positions

• sets up the structure for the paper.

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SUPPORT THE THESIS
Support your thesis with three reasons.

• Write down each of the three main reasons
  that support your belief on a separate piece of
  paper.

• These are your arguments.

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COUNTER-ARGUMENTS

• Every controversial issue has two sides.

• Once you can support your position with
  research, you need to explore what others
  think.

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PREPARING YOUR ARGUMENTS

• Look at the three main reasons for your
  opinion.

• What objections, or disagreements would others
  have to your opinion?

• Write these down under each of your
  reasons. Now you have three arguments and
  three counter-arguments.

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ANSWERING COUNTER- ARGUMENTS
Write your answers/responses to the your three
counter-arguments.
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INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH

• The first sentence is your scenario hook,
  designed to attract the readers attention.
• Imagine. Picture this.

• Second and perhaps third sentences restate
  the prompt and give background
  information.

• The last sentence in the introduction
  must be your thesis.

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INTRODUCTION
Think of the introduction as having a funnel
shape
  Attention grabber (Scenario hook)
Background information Thesis              
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BUILDING BODY PARAGRAPHS
The first topic sentence of the first paragraph
will be the first reason that supports your
position.
You may even wish to begin the sentence with the
words the first reason
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THE BODY PARAGRAPHS
Write a topic sentence stating your first
reason. Add at least 3 details supporting this
reason Introduce the counter-argument for this
reason Shoot down the counter-argument with
evidence/fact Do this for your other reasons, so
that you have a total of 3 body paragraphs.
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BUILDING PARAGRAPHS

• The final sentence in each paragraph
  should sum up and make a transition to the
  main idea of the next paragraph.
•  

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Concluding Paragraph

• Restate your thesis statement.
• Include a powerful ending often relating to the
  introduction.
• Do not include any new information in a
  conclusion. If you have not mentioned
  something yet in the paper, it is now too late.

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What is not effective

• Saying the opposing viewpoint is stupid.
• Good essays are clear, calm and factual. Prove
  it instead.
• Saying negative things about groups or
  individuals that have different view points.
• This does not support your position. You must
  use facts, details, and examples!

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How many is that?

• Intro Paragraph
• Body Paragraph 1 Counter Argument
• Body Paragraph 2 Counter Argument
• Body Paragraph 3 Counter Argument
• Conclusion Paragraph

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Reflecting on Your Paper

• Are you happy with what you have written?

• Have you made a convincing case for your
  position?

• Is it clear that research supports your
  position?

• Have you shown that you understand the
  objections to your position?