Argumentative essays

 Usually range from as little as five paragraphs to as many as necessary  Focus is mainly on your side  But there is also a discussion regarding the opposing side that goes far beyond a single sentence or a paragraph  Focuses on facts to persuade the reader as opposed to calling to their emotions on a topic or issue

Before You Write  Important to plan your paper before you write  Pick a topic first, and topic should have 2 conflicting points or different conclusions.  Topics should be those that:  Interest you – it will make your writing easier  You can support with evidence and reasoning  Don’t just research your side, research on both sides of the argument, and list the points for both sides, then you will know that the side you pick is based on facts instead of just your emotions.

Sample topics for argumentative discourse  Ex: traditional vs alternative medicine

As You Write  3 important parts :  Introduction  Body  Conclusion

The Introduction  The first paragraph should introduce the topic & give your thesis statement  Your thesis will be the position you are going to be taking on whatever topic you chose  Your introductory paragraph should be clear and concise just like the example

The Body  The bulk of your paper  As little as 3 paragraphs to as many as necessary  Detail both sides of the argument  1 paragraph for each point, including the strongest points of the opposing side  Argue for your position, so spend more time on your side than on the opposing side  Introduce opposing side first, and present the strongest points with any evidence to support them  Then introduce your position  Again, use one paragraph per point, and include all evidence to support your position  Include examples of how your evidence refutes the evidence of the opposing side

The Conclusion  Restate your position  Emphasize that your position is the best by summarizing the main points of your argument  Include the best evidence  Only a paragraph in length as the conclusion is expected to be a summary of the entire paper

1. Avoid Emotional Language  This is an argumentative essay, not a persuasive essay  You are not attempting to draw people to your side with emotions  Draw people to your position by detailing the important points of both sides and giving the evidence to support your claim  Let the evidence you provide speak for itself.

NEVER Make Up Evidence  Don’t make up evidence  Your facts should be truthful  Technology makes it easy to find facts on anything, and use that to your advantage when collecting your evidence

Always Cite Sources  Quote  Paraphrase  Cite it  Include a reference page or works cited page  MLA or APA format

Write an Outline  Write an outline  Include the thesis statement  short summary of your topic  main points for both the opposing side and the side you support

Know Your Stuff  Know as much as you can about your side  Know just as much if not more about the opposing side too.  Important if your argument ends up challenged by another

Why are transition words necessary?  Therefore: would imply a logical conclusion  However would indicate contrast  Furthermore would signal additional information.  To create flow in a piece of writing by connecting or transitioning between ideas  To indicate specific relationships between ideas  Not just linking different ideas, but they do more than that  Act as signals to the reader, suggesting particular relationships between different thoughts or points in a text  Without transition words, writing would be choppy and disconnected

activities  Students collaborate by chain writing an editorial or persuasive piece. This can be in writing or out loud; each student contributes a new sentence which has to begin with an appropriate transition word  a) therefore b) however c) furthermore