Transcript Argument Essays

Argument Essays
What is an Argument Essay?
• A type of writing that builds a convincing
argument
• To argue convincingly, a writer needs to
support a claim with clear reasons and
evidence.
Opinion vs. Persuade vs. Argue
What is the
difference?
Opinion
o·pin·ion
əˈpinyən/
noun
noun: opinion; plural noun: opinions
A view or judgment formed about
something, not necessarily based on fact
or knowledge.
synonyms: belief, judgment, thought(s), (way of) thinking,
mind, (point of) view, viewpoint, outlook, attitude, stance,
position, perspective, persuasion, standpoint;
Persuade
per·suade
pərˈswād/
verb
verb: persuade; 3rd person present: persuades; past tense:
persuaded; past participle: persuaded; gerund or present participle:
persuading
To cause (someone) to believe
something, especially after a
sustained effort; convince.
synonyms: prevail on, coax, convince, get, induce, coerce, influence,
sway, inveigle, entice, tempt, lure, cajole, wheedle
Argue
ar·gue
͞
ˈärɡyoo/
Verb
To give reasons or cite evidence in
support of an idea, action, or theory;
typically with the aim of convincing
others to believe an idea.
Synonyms: reason, justify, explain, rationalize
Persuasion vs. Argument
• Persuasion appeals to the audience’s feelings
and values
– Ex: Candidate for Mayor urges voters to support
her because she will clean up the town’s parks.
• Argument appeals to the audience’s sense of
reason
– Ex: Newspaper columnist defends a town’s trafficlight camera policy on the grounds of the annual
reduction in car accidents.
Appeals to Readers
• Ethical Appeal
• Emotional Appeal
• Rational Appeal
Ethical Appeal
• The sense you convey of your knowledge on
the topic
• Supported by:
– Reasonable argument
– Sufficient evidence
– Tone
Emotional Appeal
• Aims directly for readers’ beliefs, values, and
feelings
• Reasons:
– To urge readers to respond to the argument
– To inspire readers to new beliefs
– To encourage readers to act on particular issues
Be careful not to get off topic! For example, if you
are arguing students should have less homework, do
not get off track by discussing a particular teacher.
Rational Appeal
• Addresses the reader’s capacity to reason
logically about a problem.
• Examples of logic:
– Inductive reasoning – when you start with factual
evidence and explain how it supports a general
idea.
– Deductive reasoning – when you start with a
general idea and apply it to a specific situation to
draw a conclusion.
Rational Appeal
• Example of inductive reasoning:
– Offer facts on the average amount of time spent
on HW per night for an 8th grader at Antrim
(proof)
– Use those facts to conclude that teachers rely
exclusively on HW to teach students (general
statement– needs proof ^)
Rational Appeal
• Example of deductive reasoning
– A child who burns himself three times by different
stoves approaches another stove and concludes
the stove will also burn him.
All stoves burn me. (generalization)
This is a stove. (specific assertion about
something)
Therefore, this stove will burn me. (conclusion)
Persuasive Writing
Argumentative Writing
Claim based on opinion
Claim – could be opinion, position,
hypothesis, thesis statement, theory
Not always verified (propaganda,
advertisements)
Verified Claim – based on relevant and
sufficient evidence
Emphasis on appealing to audience through Emphasis on LOGICAL REASONING
emotions, desires, and needs
Appeals to writer’s character, credentials,
and trustworthiness
Appeals to writer’s credibility, which is
established through knowledge of subject
matter and merits of reason and factual
evidence
May make an “argument” but doesn’t
always include elements of a formal
argument
Includes the following elements of an
argument: Claim, opposing claim, reasons
and evidence, logical reasoning
May not take opposing views into account
Everyday Arguments
• What is the difference between arguing over a
soccer referee’s decision vs. arguing with
readers over a complex issue?
Everyday Arguments
• Referee is right in front of us– we can shift our
tactics in response to his/her gestures,
expressions, and words
• The reader is “out there”; we have to
anticipate those gestures by carefully
– Addressing the subject
– Structuring the argument
– Choosing evidence to support it
Everyday Arguments
• Two witnesses to an accident sometimes do
not agree on what they saw (Example)
Components of an Argument Essay
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Claim
Opposing Claim
Reasons and Evidence
Logical Reasoning
Claim
• The position taken by the writer regarding an
idea or topic
• Should be clearly stated in the introduction.
Opposing Claim
• A good writer will always include opposing or
alternate claims, just to show readers they
have considered the subject from all sides.
• An argument is strengthened when
counterclaims are logically addressed.
Reasons and Evidence
• A good writer will support a claim with solid
reasons and factual evidence.
• Reasons explain why the writer holds the
opinion, while evidence– concrete facts and
solid examples– support those reasons.
Logical Reasoning
• The way a writer builds an argument is called
reasoning.
• Effective reasoning is well organized and
logical.
• Reasons and supporting evidence need to be
presented in a clear, easy to follow way.
Why write an Argument Essay?
• To Convince
• To Inform
• To State a Position
To convince
• We all have opinions we feel strongly about–
so strongly that we try to convince others to
hold the same positions.
• An argument essay is a powerful tool to use
when trying to change the opinions of
readers.
To Inform
• Readers can understand a topic in a new way
• An argument essay can help readers make
positive changes in their lives due to their new
understanding of certain topics.
To State a Position
• Making informed decisions is extremely
important.
• A good argument essay can help clarify an
issue and get readers to act.
• Understanding all sides of an issue is the best
way to form an opinion that is based on fact.
Argument Writing Traits
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Ideas
Organization
Voice
Word Choice
Sentence Fluency
Conventions
Ideas
• Clearly stated position or claim
• Relevant supporting evidence that comes
from reliable, credible sources
• Alternate or opposing claims that are
acknowledged and addressed with logical
evidence
Organization
• Must have the following elements:
*Introduction – presents your position
*Body – presents the argument
*Conclusion – sums up argument and/or
offers
a call to action
• Transitions that clarify the relationships
among ideas
Voice
• Voice and tone that are appropriate for the
purpose and audience
• Keep your opinion OUT. Support your reasons
with FACTS
Word Choice, Sentence Fluency,
Conventions
• Vary your word choice and use language that
keeps the reader interested.
• Vary your sentence length and structure
.
• PROOFREAD!!!! You will not convince anyone
with an essay full of spelling and grammar
mistakes.
Sample Essay
• “Give a Student a Laptop, Give a Student the
World”
-Why do you think the writer presents the cons
first?
Sample Essay
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Claim
Factual Evidence
Opposing Claims
Reasons
• Where could the writer have been more
convincing?
Using the Rubric
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Who is the audience?
How does Lori present a convincing argument?
What is her purpose for writing this essay?
Does she state her claim clearly?
Does she support her position and acknowledge opposing
viewpoints?
How does she organize the essay?
What is her call to action?
How does she use a convincing voice?
How well does she use precise words?
How well does she write interesting sentences?
How well does she use correct grammar, mechanics, and spelling?
Prewrite
• Decide on a position and find reliable
evidence to support it.
• Gather information from sources.
• Use search terms effectively
-Write a major question about your topic
-Underline main words in your question to
articulate what you’re looking for
-Search using these key words
Credible Website
• A credible website is an online source that
contains accurate, trustworthy, up-to-date
information.
• Example: britannica.com – information on this
site comes from the same people who wrote
the Encyclopedia Britannica
The Dangers of Plagiarizing
• To plagiarize is to present another person’s ideas
as your own. This is STEALING.
• INSTEAD, you can paraphrase—this means you
will restate the meaning of a particular passage
or bit of information in your own words.
• Even when paraphrasing, you must still cite your
sources.
Sentence Outline
• A Sentence Outline lists the writer’s reasons
and supporting evidence in logical order..
• Each main point has a Roman numeral.
• The supporting details under each main point
have uppercase letters (A,B,C). The
introduction and conclusion are not included.
• See pg. 293