Transcript AP_Argument_essay

Argument Essay #1
Introduction
You must include the quote,
discuss the quote, and provide
some perspective
Thesis: State directly whether
you agree with it, disagree with
it, or if you wish to qualify it.
Evidence
Must be convincing! Your reader
should not be saying in his/her
head “but what about…”
If you use a literary reference, it’s
important to note how literature is
based on reality. Otherwise, fiction
alone is not a great source of
evidence.
You must have at least three
sources of evidence!
Evidence (continued)
Follow similar organization as
rhetorical analysis 1) topic
sentence 2) evidence 3)
analysis / discussion
Counter-arguments
To establish your ethos, it’s
important to address the
counter-arguments.
Your job is to provide a strong
rebuttal to these counterarguments.
Be careful with words like
“never” or “only”.
Use of Language
NEVER use YOU!
Use strong verbs! Use the verb sheet
I provided. It’s there to help you!
(Never write, “Fitzgerald talks
about”…etc
Use sophisticated diction
NEVER use slang. (Well, so-so, burst
his bubble, kind of, sort of, the grass
is always greener).
Be creative!
Mechanics
• Syntax: Use words economically!
What’s wrong with “memories of
the past.” Cut out the fat in your
sentences. Be succinct!
• Learn to distinguish “their” and
“there”, “where” and “were”,
“loose” and “lose”
• Commas! Commas separate
clauses and provided in listing.
• Semicolons. Learn how to use
them!
Closing
Don’t summarize everything
you just wrote. This is not an
FCAT essay.
Leave the reader with
something extra to think about.