AP LANGUAGE ARGUMENT ESSAY Essay 2

WHAT IS ARGUMENT? In an argument paper, you need to do three things:  Understand the nature of the position taken in the prompt  Take a specific stand—argue, qualify or disagree with the assertion in the prompt; and  Clearly and logically support your claim The essay:  The prompt will provide you with an excerpt or a statement  You will choose whether to agree, disagree or qualify

THE ESSAY  Support for your position is a MUST, but you will not be given resources for this prompt.  Types of evidence to use:  Facts/statistics* needed definitions* anecdotes  Details* concession* contrast/comparison  Quotations* examples* cause and effect  Dialogue* appeal to authority

THE ESSAY  Tone  You can take a wide variety of approaches  Personal and informal  Formal and objective  Humorous and irreverent  Make sure your choice is appropriate for your purpose!!

THE ESSAY  You must use appeals in your writing: ethos, logos and pathos  You need to recognize that in order for you to argue your position successfully, you need to balance the way you appeal to your audience.  Most arguments use some emotion, but the use of such content needs to be kept in check, and the way that is done is by using what Aristotle thought to be the most effective appeal--logos, an appeal to your audience’s sense of reason. Beyond this you need to consider your ethos – the sense of you as a fair-minded, credible writer.

SAMPLE PROMPTS FROM THE PAST  2004: Contemporary life is marked by controversy. Choose a controversial local, national, or global issue with which you are familiar. Then, using appropriate evidence, write an essay that carefully considers the opposing positions on this controversy and proposes a solution or compromise.  2005: Write an essay in which you evaluate the pros and cons of Singer’s argument. Use appropriate evidence as you examine each side, and indicate which position you find more persuasive.  2006: Write an essay in which you take a position on the value of …public statements of opinion (“talk radio,” “television shows,” “popular magazines,” “Web blogs,” “ordinary citizens,” “political figures,” “entertainers”) supporting your view with appropriate evidence.  2007: The practice of offering incentives for charitable acts is widespread, from school projects to fund drives by organizations such as public television stations, to federal income tax deductions for contributions to charities. In a well-written essay, develop a position on the ethics of offering incentives for charitable acts. Support your position with evidence from your reading, observation, and/or experience.  2009: Consider this quotation about adversity from the Roman poet Horace. Then write an essay that defends, challenges, or qualifies Horace’s assertion about the role that adversity (financial or political hardship, danger, misfortune, etc.) plays in developing a person’s character. Support your argument with appropriate evidence from your reading, observation, or experience.  2010: Think about the implications of de Botton’s view of the role of humorists (cartoonists, stand-up comics, satirical writers, hosts of television programs, etc.). Then write an essay that defends, challenges, or qualifies de Botton’s claim about the vital role of humorists. Use specific, appropriate evidence to develop your position.

USE YOUR TIME WISELY  1-3 minutes reading and working the prompt  3 minutes deciding on a position  minutes planning the support of your position  20 minutes writing the essay  3 minutes proofreading

FORMATS FOR ARGUMENTATIVE WRITING  Classical Argument  6 parts: Introduction, Statement of Background, Proposition, Proof, Refutation, Conclusion  Toulmin Model  3 parts: claim, data, warrant  Rogerian Model  6 parts: Introduction, Summary of Opposing Views, Statement of Understanding, Statement of Your Position, Statement of Contexts, Statement of Benefits