Writing an Argument

Rhetorical Triangle Writer Context Context Audience Purpose Context

Argument A logical representation of how a writer sees an issue, problem, or subject, supported by valid reasons and evidence.

Using your hw article….. Write the argument topic in the left hand box of your notes sheet. A topic is a word of phrase such as…… School Dress Code Driving Age Texting and Driving

Issue + Major Claim + Convincing Reasons A statement that asserts a point, belief or truth that requires supporting evidence. 3 parts: Issue + Major Claim + Convincing Reasons

Reasons a statement that supports the claim; it provides the answer to why the claim is valid.

Examples: Issue Major Claim Convincing Reasons   Two years of national service or volunteerism should be required of high school graduates to provide much needed service to communities; to provide job skills and training for young adults; and to build life-long, service-minded citizens.

Look At School Week Article…. Write to the left in the box labeled CLAIM….. The claim Dr. Hill makes; be sure to include the issue, major claim, and convincing reasons in one sentence. Sound like a thesis? Because it is!

Your three reasons for your stand on an issue become the topics for your body paragraphs. ¶1- Intro and claim (your position on the issue) ¶2- First reason for your stand ¶3- Second reason for your stand ¶4- Third reason for your stand ¶5- Conclusion (all commentary)

Evidence Facts, statistics, anecdotes and examples that support the claim of an argument.

Types of Evidence 1.Explanations 2.Examples 3.Illustrations 4.Anecdotes 5.Quotations 6.Analogies 7.Opposites 8.Compare/Contrast 9.Classification 10.Concessions to parts of a counterargument or opposing point of view

Explanations Examples Illustrations Develop your claims with: observations and personal experiences historical or current events literature Facts from research

Classification of terms: For example, an argument might require an explanation of “love.” You would need to distinguish platonic, from religious, from romantic, and from familial love to clarify your use of terms.

Narrate a short anecdote. Use a short anecdote (story) to support or illustrate a feature of an argument. (Remember! Without the elaboration or commentary on the anecdote, it means nothing! Relate it to the claim you are seeking to prove.)

Why would a concession help YOUR argument? Concessions Why would a concession help YOUR argument? To concede means to admit reluctantly that something is true. A concession is admitting that part of the opposing argument is true. EX: “It is true that animal testing can be cruel.”

Using your hw article……. Fill out the Reason/Evidence boxes with textual evidence provided by the author and Dr. Hill. Then, label which type of evidence is present. Find four different, separate types of evidence. (1 Quotation, 1 Analogy, 1 Example, etc.)

A claim that negates or disagrees with the thesis or original claim. Counterclaim A claim that negates or disagrees with the thesis or original claim.

Using your hw article Find an example of a counterclaim. Give the paragraph number and a quote.

Refutation or Rebuttal A refutation in an argument is proof in an argument that the counterclaim is untrue or more unsound than the claim. Ex: “It’s much more cruel to test medications on children or to let people die because there isn’t enough information about a drug.”

Using your hw article Find an example of a refutation. Give the paragraph number and a quote.