The Art of Argumentative Writing

1. The Art of Argumentative Writing

2. First…Know Your Audience… • Before you start writing, you should know your audience: • Who will read your writing? Who do you need to convince? • The audience may be your friends, your teacher, your parents, your principal, the readers of a newspaper or the President of the United States! • Will you be graded? On What? • Should you be casual or professional?

3. Second… Pick a side! • The writer must clearly state his/her position and stay with that position. Pick a side! • The position is stated in the opening paragraph or introduction.

4. An argumentative essay convinces readers to agree with the writer’s opinion • The lead/hook captures the reader’s attention • The thesis states the writer’s assertion (belief) about the topic • The supporting arguments (logos, pathos, ethos) convince the reader that the thesis is correct • Optional counterarguments/counterclaims respond to reader concerns and objections • The conclusion restates the thesis (comes back to the point)

5. Lead / Hook - Grab the Reader’s Attention

6. Create a Bridge – Mention a Pro and Con Bridge sentences help link your hook to your thesis statement. These sentences can state the writing situation and/or give some background information. In an argumentative essay, you can briefly mention a pro (supporting argument) and a con (counterargument/counterclaim) before stating your thesis.

7. Next: Creating a Thesis Statement • A thesis statement is one sentence at the end of your introduction that states your opinion. It needs to be strong. • First, choose 3 main focus points to discuss in your essay. These points will become the focus of three paragraphs in the body of your paper. Let’s use fast food as an example. Fast food…(3 Discussion Points) • rapidly increases weight • causes high blood pressure • leads to sluggishness

8. Do: Divide into 5 paragraphs Have a thesis statement in your introduction Come up with 3 main points to support your argument—these will be your 3 body paragraphs Show the “counterargument/counterclaim” Have a conclusion that has a “clincher statement” Don’t : Don’t begin with “Hello my name is___ and I’m going to write about____” Don’t use the word “I “ (Instead of “I think we shouldn’t wear uniforms” say “Uniforms shouldn’t be required.” Don’t be wishy-washy. Pick a side! Don’t forget to support your opinions with facts and evidence. DOs and DON’Ts of Argumentative Writing:

9. Types of Evidence to use in Argumentative Speeches: • Facts, figures, statistics • Use examples from “real life” • Use Expert Testimony/Witnesses • When you quote others, you are associating yourself with them, so be careful whom you choose!

10. Ethos, Pathos, and Logos • Aristotle believed there were three forms of proof: • Ethos: audiences respond to the speaker’s competence, character, goodwill, and the credibility of the evidence • Pathos: appeals to personal feelings such as fear, pity, and anger • Logos: appeals to reason (logical arguments)