Argument Essay PowerPoint

ArgumentativeWriting

Raise your hand if you AGREEORRemain still if you DISAGREE2

Agree or Disagree1. Mr. Chargualaf should not assign homework today.2. Beyonce should have a concert on Guam.3. Trump deserves to be president of the UnitedStates.4. Abortion should be illegal.5. Gay marriage should no longer be legal.6. Euthanasia should be illegal.7. Recreational marijuana should be legalized.8. The drinking age should be lowered.9. Death penalties should be enforced for rapists andsex offenders.10.This should be the last statement of this activity.3

ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAYThe argumentative essayis a genre of writing that requiresyou to:1. investigate a topic;2. collect, generate, and evaluateevidence; and3. establish a position on the topic in aconcise manner.

PERSUASION versus ARGUMENTATIONPersuasion: The action or fact ofpersuading someone or of beingpersuaded to do or believe something.Argumentation: The process ofestablishing a claim and then proving itwith the use of logical reasoning,examples, and research.5

Difference betweenPersuasive and Argumentative EssayA persuasive essayAn argumentative essayØ May make a claim based onopinionØ May not take opposing ideasinto accountØ Persuades by appealing to theaudience’s emotion or byrelying on the character orcredentials of the writerØ Makes claims based on factualevidence (research)Ø Makes counterclaims – theauthor takes opposing viewsinto account.Ø Neutralizes or “defeats”serious opposing ideasØ Convinces audience through themerit and rationality of theclaim and proofs offeredØ Emotion-basedØ Logic-based6

Elements of ArgumentationArgument/ClaimAn argument states a claim andsupports it with reasons and evidencefrom sources.Arguing your side makes you theproponent.7

The Rhetorical Triangle8

Why is Organization Important inArgument Writing?Ø Guides an audience through your reasoningprocessØ Offers a clear explanation of each arguedpointØ Demonstrates the credibility of the writer9

Organizing Your ArgumentØ TitleØ Introduction Thesis statementØ Body Paragraphs Constructing TopicSentences Building Main Points Countering the OppositionØ Conclusion10

Title: Why You Need OneØ Introduces the topic of discussion tothe audienceØ Generates reader interest in theargument11

Creating a TitleØ Try to grab attention by: offering a provocative image picking up on words or examples offered inthe body or conclusion of the paper asking a questionØ Avoid titles that are too general or lack character12

IntroductionØ Acquaints the reader with the topic and purposeof the paperØ Generates the audience’s interest in the topicØ Offers a plan for the ensuing argument:Introduction:Tell them what you’re goingto tell themBody:Tell themConclusion:Tell them what you told them13

Methods for Constructing an IntroductionØØØØØØpersonal anecdoteexample-real or hypotheticalquestionquotationshocking statisticsstriking image14

Thesis StatementØ The MOST IMPORTANT SENTENCE in yourpaperØ Lets the reader know the main idea of thepaperØ Answers the question: “What am I tryingto prove?”Ø Not a factual statement, but a claim thathas to be proven throughout the paper15

Thesis PracticeWhich thesis statement is the most effective for an argument aboutthe need for V-chips in television sets?q Parents, often too busy to watch television shows with theirfamilies, can monitor their children’s viewing habits with the aid ofthe V-chip.q To help parents monitor their children’s viewing habits, the V-chipshould be a required feature for television sets sold in the U.S.q This paper will describe a V-chip and examine the uses of the Vchip in American-made television sets.16

Body Paragraphs and Topic SentencesØ Body paragraphs build upon the claims made in theintroductory paragraph(s).Ø Organize with the use of topic sentences thatillustrate the main idea of each paragraph.Ø Offering a brief explanation of the history orrecent developments of topic within the early bodyparagraphs can help the audience to becomefamiliarized with your topic and the complexity ofthe issue.17

Body ParagraphsØ Paragraphs may be ordered in several ways,depending upon the topic and purpose of yourargument: General to specific information Most important point to least importantpoint Weakest claim to strongest claim18

Offering a CounterargumentØ Addressing the claims of the opposition is animportant component in building a convincingargument.Ø It demonstrates your credibility as a writer – youhave researched multiple sides of the argumentand have come to an informed decision.Ø It shows you have considered other points ofview – that other points of view are valid andreasonable.19

Effective CounterargumentsØ Consider your audience when you address thecounterargument.Ø Conceding to some of your opposition’sconcerns can demonstrate respect for theiropinions.Ø Remain tactful yet firm. Using rude or deprecating language cancause your audience to reject your positionwithout carefully considering your claims.20

Placement of a CounterargumentØ Counterarguments may be located at variouslocations within your body paragraphs.Ø You may choose to: build each of your main points as acontrast to oppositional claims. offer a counterargument after you havearticulated your main claims.21

Organizing Ideas into an Outline22

Research in Body ParagraphsØ Researched material can aid you in provingthe claims of your argument anddisproving oppositional claims.Ø Be sure to use your research to supportthe claims made in your topic sentences –make your research work to prove yourargument.23

ConclusionØ Your conclusion should reemphasize the main pointsmade in your paper.Ø You may choose to reiterate a call to action or speculateon the future of your topic, when appropriate.Ø Avoid raising new claims in your conclusion.Introduction: Tell them what you’re going to tellthemBody:Tell themConclusion: Tell them what you told them24

Recap: Organizing Your ArgumentØ TitleØ Introduction Thesis statementØ Body Paragraphs Constructing TopicSentences Building Main Points Countering theOppositionØ Conclusion25

Key Terms to Counter Argument (CON)3Pro Argument (PRO)1. a person who disagrees withsomething and speaks against it2. the act or process of formingreasons, drawing conclusions, andapplying them to a case in discussion3. point or statement that supportsone’s ideas and/or thesis4. point or statement in opposition tothe argument being made in a writtendocument or speech5. the process of discrediting thearguments that oppose your thesisstatement6. someone who argues in favor ofsomething; advocate26

ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY The argumentative essay is a genre of writing that requires youto: 1. investigate a topic; 2. collect, generate, and evaluate evidence; and 3. establish a position on the topic in a concise manner.