ARGUMENT ESSAY WRITING

1. ARGUMENT ESSAY WRITING

2. INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH INCLUDES: • LEAD/ATTENTION GRABBER • SET UP FOR THE THESIS • Bridge and background information • THESIS

3. leads/attention grabbers WRITERS CAN BEGIN WITH… • INTRIGUING STATEMENT • SHOCKING STATEMENT OR STATISTIC • RHETORICAL QUESTION • ANECDOTE • STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM • PROVERB, QUOTE, OR STRONG STATEMENT

4. THESIS STATEMENTS A thesis statement manages to encapsulate an essay’s main argument in a succinct, one-sentence comment. Beginning writers often times find it useful to create a “roadmap thesis”, where the thesis briefly lists the areas that will be discussed in the essay. This is called a pronged thesis. A THESIS STATEMENT: • Has a clearly stated opinion or position, but does not bluntly announce the opinion (“In this essay I will…”) • Is narrow enough to write a focused essay, but is broad enough to write MULTIPLE body paragraphs • Is clearly stated in specific terms • Is easily recognized as the main idea • Is forceful and direct • Is not softened with token phrases (“in my opinion” or “I think”) • Can list all the main points (PRONGS) that will be made

5. Constructing a strong thesis • How do you write a good thesis statement? • Topic + belief/claim(using an active verb) + prongs / main points = Strong thesis ________________+ ___________________ + ________________________ = Strong Thesis Teensshould not be able to purchase violent video gamesbecause they are not mature enough to handle the content, it can increase aggressive behavior later in life, and violent video games desensitize players to real-life violence.

6. Let’s Write a Thesis! Topic: Should teens be able to buy violent video games? Step One: Make a pro and cons chart. Step Two: Use the chart to decide which position you will take. Step Three: Star or circle the reasons you will use. Must be a minimum of 2. Step Four: Write your thesis statement.

7. Parallel Structure in a thesis • The points in your thesis must be written in parallel structure. • “Parallel structure means using the same pattern of words to show that the ideas have the same level of importance. • This can happen at the word, phrase, or clause level. The usual way to join parallel structures is with the use of coordinating conjunctions such as ‘and’ or ‘or.’”

8. Examples • “With the -ing form (gerund) of words: • Parallel: Mary likes hiking, swimming, and bicycling. • With infinitive phrases: • Parallel: Mary likes to hike, to swim, and to ridea bicycle. OR Mary likes to hike, swim, and ride a bicycle.”

9. SAMPLE INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH [LEAD/HOOK/ATTENTION GRABBER] After the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on New York’s World Trade Towers and the Pentagon, the debate surrounding racial profiling in airports intensified. Many people believed that profiling was the best way to identify possible terrorists, but many others worried about violations of civil liberties. While some airports began to target passengers based solely on their Middle Eastern origins, others instituted random searches instead. [LEAD INTO THESIS/FOCUS/BRIDGE] Neither of these techniques seems likely to eliminate terrorism. Now many experts in the government and in airport security are recommending the use of a national ID card or Safe Traveler Card. [THESIS] If every US citizen had such a card, (1) airlines could screen for terrorists more effectively than they do now and (2) avoid procedures that single out individuals solely on the basis of race.

10. BODY PARAGRAPHS Each body paragraph will have basic structure. BODY PARAGRAPHS TYPICALLY HAVE: • Topic sentence starting with transition/ transitional phrase introducing first reason • ICE • Point to Introduce Evidence • Cite Evidence/Data (with an internal citation) • Explanation/Warrant • Acknowledge Counterclaim and Refute/Rebut • Conclusion sentence beginning with transition or transitional phrase summarizing info in paragraph as well as transitioning to next body paragraph

11. BODY PARAGRAPHS: SUPPORTING INFORMATION & EVIDENCE Paragraphs should be constructed with some sense of internal order, so after the topic sentence, writers will need to deliver their first point. Supporting evidence should be facts, statistics, examples, quotes, transitions, and other sentences which support the topic sentence. TO SUPPORT THE TOPIC SENTENCE, WRITERS SHOULD: • Begin with the first point to introduce evidence • Cite evidence to support the warrant (quote, summarize, paraphrase – including an internal citation) • Explain why the evidence is important or how it relates to your point as well as supports the thesis. • Repeat ICE until all credible evidence has been presented • Writers should remember to transition between new supporting details/warrants within the paragraph. GOOD TRANSITIONS FOR GIVING EXAMPLES: For instance, Specifically, In particular, Namely, Another, Other, In addition, To illustrate

12. Body Paragraph pattern (10+ sentences) • Topic sentences • Introduce quote/make your point • Cite quote (direct quote, summarize, paraphrase), including in-text citation in MLA format • Explain the quote • Repeat ICE as many times as needed • Conclusion sentence(s)

13. BODY PARAGRAPHS Continued: Acknowledge the Counterclaim and Refute/Rebut: Somewhere within your body paragraph you must acknowledge the other side and then refute or rebut the information to strengthen your argument. • You, as the writer, will have to determine where this should be placed in your body paragraph based on the evidence you are presenting. Don’t forget to refute/rebut the information prior to concluding the paragraph. You don’t want their side to win the argument!

14. Occasion/Position Statements Can be used as Topic Sentences or used to Acknowledge a Counterclaim and refute/rebutAn Occasion/Position Statement is a complex (two-part) sentence that begins with one of these words or phrases: Although As As ifAs long asAs soon asBecauseBeforeEvenEven ifEven though If In order After ThatIn order toSinceSo thatThoughUnlessUntilWhenWheneverWhereWhereverWhetherWhile

15. THE OCCASION 1. Is the first part of the sentence2. Introduce your reason for writing3. Can be any event, problem, ideas, solution, or circumstance that gives you a reason to write4. Is the dependent clause (dependent meaning a fragment) in the complex sentence

16. THE POSITION 1. Is the second part of the topic sentence2. States what you plan to prove or explain in your paragraph3. Is the independent (complete sentence) clause in the complex sentence

17. EXAMPLES: OCCASION/POSITION • Even though bike helmets are sometimes unfashionable and uncomfortable, all cyclists should wear them. • Before you make the decision to light up a cigarette, consider the problems caused by smoking. • If students use chemicals to do science experiments, it is important that they learn the proper way to dispose of them.

18. BODY PARAGRAPH CONTINUED: CONCLUSION SENTENCE When writing a concluding statement in a paragraph, writers want to flag that they are concluding the paragraph by offering a concluding transition. TRANSITIONS FOR CONCLUDING STATEMENTS: • Therefore • Thus • Consequently • As a result • AS WELL AS MANY MORE IN THE ELA SURVIVAL GUIDE TRANSITIONS TO SET-UP THE NEXT PARAGRAPH: • Another… • ____________ is not the only…

19. SAMPLE BODY PARAGRAPH [TOPIC SENTENCE] Perhaps the cheapest and most efficient security method for the nation is a Safe Traveler Card or national ID card. [ I ] A Safe Traveler Card or national ID card would be about the size of a credit card and contain a computer chip at little cost to produce. [C] In some ways, these cards are like the EZ Pass devices that enable people to drive on highways, bridges, and tunnels without having to stop and pay tolls (Dershowitz 590). [E] The convenience for personnel or passengers would be simple and could ease the mind of every traveler within our continental borders. [ I ] Also, the burden of cost for the consumer versus security measures taken at airports or other means of travel would be universal, ensuring that all measures of safety are taken into account when screening travelers. [C]By scanning the card, airport security officials would be able to obtain back ground information from government databases for every passenger: flying history, residence, credit-card spending, travel habits, phone records, criminal background, and fingerprint and iris patterns (Safire 587). [E]This simple security measure may reduce the number of random searches leaving regular travelers to go on their way without the burden of indiscriminate examinations. [COUNTERCLAIM/REBUTTAL] Some might believe that this is an invasion of privacy that undermines our rights as citizens in addition to the extra expense; however, it is no more information than the Federal Government is not privy to already if they deem necessary to investigate via the Drivers License that citizens already pay to receive. [CONCLUDING STATEMENT] Clearly, it is easy to see how such a card could expedite security checks at airports, and one could tell at a glance whether a person should be searched or let through.

20. CONCLUSION PARAGRAPHS THE CONCLUSION PARAGRAPHS TYPICALLY: • Restate the thesis (in a new, fresh manner) • Review the main points (without making a list) • Leave the reader thinking • Writers should remind the reader of the magnitude and timeliness of the issue.

21. CONCLUSION PARAGRAPHS: 1. RESTATE THE THESIS The thesis and the restatement of the thesis are cousins, not identical twins: They share key similarities, but they still look and sound like separate individuals. Make sure the restatement looks and sounds different from the thesis. 2. REVIEW THE MAIN POINTS Beginner writers may have the tendency to sound like they are making a list when they review the main points of the essay. Read and re-read this section. Make sure it flows and smoothly fits into the conclusion paragraph without sounding like a list.

22. CONCLUSION PARAGRAPHS: 3. leave the reader thinking! Now is not the time to introduce new key arguments; the argument should have properly been addressed in the body paragraphs. Instead, writer might want to extend the reader’s understanding on the argument showing new aspects of the “big picture.” Writers can do this by discussing what the future would look like if the situation remains the same. Referring back to an anecdote or an attention-getter that was used in the introduction paragraph adds a nice stylistic ending. STRATEGIES TO WRAP UP THE CONCLUSION: • Clincher: a final sentence that leaves the reader with an intriguing thought, question, or quotation • Full Circle Ending: Connect your final thoughts with the grabber in the beginning of your intro paragraph • Call to Action: Ask the reader to do something or get involved by doing something

23. CONCLUSION PARAGRAPHS: in the conclusion paragraph never ever ever… • Use clichés • Apologize for the material you are writing • Blatantly refer to the actual essay (“this essay shows you…”) • Introduce new arguments, evidence, or details you might have forgotten • Soften your argument by being wishy/washy • Identical repetition of words in the thesis

24. SAMPLE CONCLUSION PARAGRAPH: (RESTATE THESIS USING DIFFERENT WORDS)Clearly, the only acceptable way of ensuring the safety of airline passengers is to begin a program to issue Safe Traveler Cards or National ID cards to United States citizens. [SUMMARIZE MAIN POINTS] These cards would screen out those who are unlikely to be terrorists and would also eliminate the delays that currently characterize air travel as well as equalizing the cost to all residents. Most important, they would help prevent terrorists from high jacking American planes. At the same time, by making racial profiling unnecessary, these cards would help protect personal and civil liberties of American citizens. [LEAVE READER THINKING!] Only by instituting a national ID card system can the U.S. make certain that the terrorists who attacked the United States on 9/11 did not hijack the liberties that are so precious to us.