The Academic Argument Essay: A Brief Review

1. The Academic Argument Essay: A Brief Review By Dr. Rosemary Briseño

2. Composition and Rhetoric: Just what do these terms mean? Composition: the skill or art of creating written works Rhetoric: using language effectively to please or persuade

3. The Art of Communication An essay is like a conversation between you (writer) and the reader (your audience) • communicate ideas, topics, and purposes • conversation between reader/listener • concise

4. Academic Discourse: Academic Argument • Clear, compelling points • Somewhat formal style • Authoritative • Includes logical appeals based on careful research • Cites reliable sources

5. Rhetorical Stance • Invitational • Rogerian argumentation • Toulmin method • Epideictic argumentation • “Classic” mode of argumentation

6. Invitational(to win or persuade)

7. Rogerian argument:Psychologist Carl Rogers. Believed you should not engage in any dispute until you understand your opponent. Rogerian model of argument Common ground Nonthreatening Establishing trust

8. Toulmin Simple example of claim+reason=warrant Don’t eat Fly Agaricmushrooms (claim) because they are poisonous (reason). Acknowledges complications of life Uses qualifiers such as: sometimes often unless almost

9. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968) Epideictic argumentation (ceremonial arguments

10. Classic structure of argument • Developed by Greek and Roman rhetoricians two thousands years ago • Developed for use in presenting court cases • Senate speeches • Three logical appeals: ethos, pathos, logos Marcus Tullius Cicero (January 3, 106 BC – December 7, 43 BC)

12. What is a thesis? A thesis statement declares what you intend to prove and how you intend on proving it. A good thesis statement makes the difference between a thoughtful research project and a simple retelling of facts. The thesis: your essay’s lifeline What is a thesis? The central claim you are trying to convey.   A good thesis statement makes the difference between a thoughtful research project and a simple retelling of facts.

13. The thesis: A crucial component What is a thesis? A thesis statement declares what you intend to prove, and how you intend on proving it. A good thesis statement makes the difference between a thoughtful research project and a simple retelling of facts.

14. Thesis AB=thesis A=topic/issue/problem B=purpose/focus/direction

15. Thesis: Two Types • *Explicit: states exactly on what you will focus, and how you will do this • Implicit: states only the subject/topic/issue/problem. How you will discuss the topic/issue/problem will be discovered as the essay unfolds. *Of the two, it is recommended your essays include an explicit thesis.

16. Thesis Statements: The Good Contestable Provocative Anticipates refutation Avoids vague language Avoids first person POV Specific Can assert conclusions based on evidence Passes the “So what? Who cares?” test

17. Thesis statements: The Bad Never a question Never a list Not vague Not opinion based

18. Thesis statements:The Ugly Never confrontational Never combative Not plagiarized

19. The evolution of a thesis statement… • Pit bull dogs are dangerous, lethal weapons; however, training and obedience classes can curb a Pit Bull’s natural instinct to attack. • It is only a matter of time, but Pit Bulls are dangerous, and they will eventually attack, even their owners. Therefore, Pit Bulls should be outlawed in the United States.

20. Pit Bulls: Deadly Animal? Selectively bred for combat with other dogs, the Pit Bull is genetically predisposed to dog-aggression. The breed was created to be the ultimate fighting machine. Although early socialization and training can make a big difference, it is impossible to erase genetics, and owners aware that owning a Pit Bull carries a lot of responsibility.

21. Can you distinguish the good from the bad (and the ugly?) Are these good or bad? Are these Good or bad? People should avoid drinking and driving. Getting a tattoo should take some serious thought because body ink is permanent. Exotic animals—lions and tigers, for example, should not be kept as pets because they are wild. Technology, like Facebook and Twitter, is changing the way we communicate in ways that we are just beginning to understand. Children are susceptible to getting a number of serious, life-threatening diseases, but Autism is not one of them.

22. Test your thesis statement! Does your thesis statement……………? • Make a specific claim that a reader can agree or disagree with? • Pick out an idea that can be defended in the space allowed? • Limit the kinds of evidence you can use to defend it?

23. STOP! Before you turn in your final draft… Make sure you: • Follow academic format (MLA, APA, Chicago, etc.) • Support your ideas • Follow your professor’s instructions per assignement • Use present tense (texts); historical tense, as needed • Your thesis come early in your paper

24. Introductions • Have a hook (a quote, an interesting fact, a rhetorical question) • Author • Title • The thesis

25. The body • Each paragraph has a topic sentence (relates to the thesis; like a mini-thesis statement of the paragraph) • Show, don’t tell (use vivid language, define, compare and contrast, negation, etc) • Use quotes (paraphrased and direct quotations) as needed to support your thesis • Have transitions between pgh.’s for continuity

26. The body, con’t • Any visuals (charts, graphs, illustrations) should enhance your reader’s understanding of the main points • A long paragraph, like a short one=lack of focus • Did you use quotes and code words (KW and phrase) like salt?

27. The conclusion • Should mirror the Introduction in content and in length, but not “parrot” the pgh word for word. • Cinch your thoughts. Conclude! Don’t go in a new direction or leaving the reader hanging.

28. The Road to a (Possible) Failing Grade Keep up with readings Have minimal absences Don’t procrastinate Student/instructor conferences

29. The road to success… …is always under construction • Patience • Persistence • Perseverance

30. Pride In a Job Well Done Have pride in your work. Appreciate the pleasures of doing your own work.

31. And in closing… Good luck with the end of the semester! Thank you for your attention.