Writing the Argumentative/Persuasive Essay

CHOOSING A TOPIC To begin an argumentative/persuasive essay, you must first have an opinion you want others to share.

RESEARCH To be valid, an opinion or point of view must be supported by facts and information. Once you know what you will write about, you will need to do research on the topic. Your research will come from the articles your teacher provides.

Brainstorm Once you have been given your topic, you should brainstorm. Using a t-chart, list all reasons FOR and AGAINST your topic.

Examples of T- Charts…

T-Chart Once your t-chart is complete, you will decide which side (For/Against; Yes/No, Pro/Con etc.) has the strongest reasons. This will be your position. The other side will be your counterargument.

Rank your reasons on both sides (strongest #1 to weakest) Decide which reason will come first in your body paragraphs. Some people start with the weakest and end with the strongest. The opposing side will become your counterargument.

THESIS STATEMENT The thesis statement  states your position on the topic  sets up the structure for the paper.

SUPPORT THE THESIS Support your thesis with three reasons.  Write down each of the three main reasons that support your belief. These come from your t-chart.  These are your arguments/reasons.

INTRODUCTION PARGRAPH  The first sentence is a general statement, designed to attract the reader’s attention.  Second and perhaps third sentences narrow the idea down to your specific idea.  The last sentence in the introduction must be your thesis.

INTRODUCTION Think of the introduction as having a funnel shape: General statement (hook) Specific information Thesis

Example of Intro Paragraph More people die on driving on Greek roads in a single year than all the U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq since the fighting began. The road conditions and the mentality that leads to this unnecessary and avoidable loss of life should be changed. Fact to support position and a good hook. The authors position or Thesis Statement.

BUILDING BODY PARAGRAPHS The first topic sentence of the first paragraph will be the first reason that supports your position. You may even wish to begin the sentence with the word first to focus the reader’s attention on its importance.

FIRST BODY PARAGRAPH Write a topic sentence and three details that support the reason you believe what you believe. Repeat the process until you have three paragraphs with three different reasons and three details to support that reason.

Counter Arguments - Rebuttals Now, address that argument in a paragraph explaining why your position is a better one. Looking at your t-chart, select the strongest reason that someone would argue or oppose your opinion.

BUILDING PARAGRAPHS  The final sentence in each paragraph should sum up and make a transition to the main idea of the next paragraph.

Concluding Paragraph Indicate in the conclusion that you have shown the thesis statement to be true. Has a powerful ending often relating to the introduction. Do not include any new information in a conclusion. If you have not mentioned something yet in the paper, it is now too late.

What is not effective -Saying the opposing viewpoint is “stupid.” Good essays are clear, calm and factual. Prove it instead. -Saying negative things about groups or individuals that have different view points. This does not support your position but makes you seem petty instead.

How many is that? 1.Intro Paragraph 2.Body Paragraph 1 3.Body Paragraph 2 4.Body Paragraph 3 5.Rebuttal Paragraph – other viewpoints 6.Conclusion Paragraph

Reflecting on Your Paper Are you happy with what you have written? Have you made a convincing case for your position? Is it clear that research supports your position? Have you shown that you understand the objections to your position?