Day 3: Argumentative Writing

1.Have your parental counterpoints out on your desk. I’m going to come around and check for a grade. 2.While I’m checking, turn your orange parent letter in to the class tray. 3.You will also get your thesis drafts back from yesterday. Keep these out. You will need them later on in class. First, you need to…

Argumentative Introduction “Must Haves” What to say!How you say it! Sentence #1: Hook – Sentence #2: Significance Sentence #3: Thesis Copy this chart onto a clean sheet of paper. It should cover most of the sheet. Important Notes: ________________________________________________________________

Getting Started: Argumentative Essay Introductions Notes: Your introduction should be at least three sentences long. It should include general comments on your topic that lead up to your thesis. Directions: Copy this onto the notes pages you just created. Argumentative Introduction “Must Haves” What to say!How you say it! Sentence #1: Hook – Introduce topic (Grab your reader’s attention with this sentence.) In a busy world of after school activities and family commitments, a cell phone would be a useful tool in managing my time. Sentence #2: Significance (State the importance of this request.) Although owning a cell phone comes with many responsibilities, it can also be a vital communication device for all teenagers. Sentence #3: Thesis (State the claim with the three reasons.) I would be a responsible cell phone user by not allowing my phone to ring all day, by not exceeding my data limitations, and by contributing to the cost of the phone plan. Important Notes: Think about your tone! Focus on what you need more than what you think you deserve. Remember, making an attempt to show how you can help your mother/father will likely result in your getting what you want.

On the back of your notes… Parental Counterpoints - Reasons Why Tessa Cannot Have a Cell Phone 1. She is too young. 2. She would talk too much over her limit. 3. She needs to spend her time in school focused on her work and her teachers. 4. They are too expensive. 5. She would drop it and break it. 6. She would leave it someplace; example – the movies 7. She is not responsible enough in the first place. 8. She would never remember to recharge it, so why have a dead phone. 9. It would ring 24-7, friends would be calling/texting. 10. She would leave it in the bathroom, and it would get wet. 11. She is too young-we said, “NO!” Directions: Make a T-Chart. One side of your chart will be labeled “Parental Counterpoints”. The other side will be labeled “Response”. Choose 3 of the counter points listed below. Create sample responses you could reasonable argue to Tessa’s parents about why she SHOULD have a cell phone. The 3 counterpoints you choose go in the “Parental Counterpoints” column, and your response for each counterpoint goes in the “Responses” column.

Continue your T-chart… Parental Counterpoints – Reasons Why John Cannot Have a TV in His Room 1. It is too expensive for an additional TV and cable connection. 2. It would take away from your reading and studying time. 3. It would keep you from spending time with your family. 4. It would interfere with your rest. 5. There are too many things on cable that are inappropriate for your age. 6. At 14, you should not be deciding when and what to watch 24 hours a day. 7. Jess and Jonah would want one too. 8. There is a greater chance Jess and Jonah would see things they shouldn’t. Directions: Create sample responses you could reasonable argue to John’s parents about why he SHOULD have a TV in his room. The 3 counterpoints you choose go in the “Parental Counterpoints” column, and your response for each counterpoint goes in the “Responses” column.

1.Begin writing your introduction to your argumentative essay. 2.Don’t forget to include…  Your hook  The significance  Your thesis statement 3.Once your finish writing your introduction, use your list of parental counterpoints to choose three reasons your parents should allow you to have the privilege or item you want.  Watch out!! You may need to go back and revamp your thesis statement. The specifics of your thesis MUST match your reasons! Put your notes and responses in your binder…