 Argument  Big Claim/Thesis  Mini Claim/Reason  Evidence  Explanation  Counterclaim

An attempt to persuade someone to a way of thinking by using logic and evidence to support you.

Something stated to be true ◦ Usually something that can be disputed Example  Students should wear school uniforms.

Why your big claim/thesis is true Example  Big Claim: Students should wear school uniforms.  Mini Claims: 1.Students would get ready faster in the morning. 2.No one would get teased for their clothes. 3.Parents save money on school clothes.

Includes the big claim and the mini claims or reasons you are using to support it ◦ Outlines the topics you will cover in your essay Example  Students should wear school uniforms because students would get ready faster in the morning, no one would get teased for their clothes, and parents will save money on school clothes.

 Your thesis statement is the most important part of the first paragraph of your essay. This paragraph is called the INTRODUCTION.

The data/information that proves your claims to be true. This includes: ◦ Quotes ◦ Statistics ◦ Facts ◦ Stories ◦ Examples Students would be able to get ready for school faster if they wore school uniforms. According to a education study by IMTU Inc., students spend an average of 8 minutes deciding what to wear to school. Already knowing what to wear, the same students could use those eight minutes for extra sleep or a balanced breakfast.

Sentences used to show why the evidence is important This part is written in your own words WITHOUT the words: ◦ I ◦ me ◦ we ◦ us Students would be able to get ready for school faster if they wore school uniforms. According to a education study by IMTU Inc., students spend an average of 8 minutes deciding what to wear to school. Already knowing what to wear, the same students could use those eight minutes for extra sleep or a balanced breakfast.

 Opinions and evidence that others may bring up against your argument  Your claim: Students would be able to get ready for school faster if they wore school uniforms.  Counterclaim: Students should not have to wear school uniforms because it takes away their creativity.

A summary of your main points, or a restatement of your thesis in different words Ask a question that doesn’t have an easy answer Offer a solution Call for some sort of action End with a warning Suggest results or consequences

1. INTRODUCTION ◦ Includes Big Claim  Thesis Statement (Magic 3) 2. Body Paragraph 1 ◦ Includes your 1 st mini claim, evidence to support it, and an explanation of why your evidence is important to that reason 3. Body Paragraph 2 ◦ Includes your 2 nd mini claim, evidence to support it, and an explanation of why your evidence is important to that reason 4. Body Paragraph 3 ◦ Includes your 3 rd mini claim, evidence to support it, and an explanation of why your evidence is important to that reason 5. Counterclaim ◦ Information that opposes your claims 6. CONCLUSION