Argument Essays There are a few different kinds of essays, one of those being the ARGUMENT ESSAY.

The Essay Comes from the French word essayer, which means to try.

A Well Written Essay: Has a purpose ( to entertain, to inform, to analyze, to problem-solve… to CONVINCE!) Considers a defined audience (age, education level, etc.) Has a specific structure and organization Requires unity and coherence of ideas Has a definite style (personal and informal or objective and more formal).

A Well Written Essay Continued… Employs words appropriate to the audience and purpose Provides a strong introduction to catch the reader’s attention Develops ideas in an orderly sequence with well-supported evidence Leads the reader to a logical conclusion that summarizes the main ideas

Formal Essay Structure Remember Me?

Introductory Paragraph Catches the reader’s interest with a “hook” Introduces the topic Provides background information on your topic States the Thesis- your opinion or position on your topic Tends to move from general to more specific

Other Viewpoint May be new to you… Show the argument(s) that are against your opinion in a separate paragraph following the introduction This should be quite short TRANSITION: At the end of this paragraph, agree that these arguments are true, but you will show that your arguments are better!

Body Paragraph A series of complete paragraphs that develop and support he thesis statement Each paragraph introduces and supports a main point related to the thesis statement (developing unity) Each paragraph is complete with a topic sentence, body and concluding sentence

Body Paragraph Cont’d Paragraphs are linked by transitional words or phrases (eg. furthermore, in summary)that help to ensure coherence Paragraphs are developed through details, examples, reasons, definition, anecdotes, similarities and differences Follows the “point/proof method”

Body Paragraph Cont’d The strongest argument, comparison or example is usually presented in the last paragraph of the body The body usually consists of at least three paragraphs Each topic sentence should be unique and effectively link to your thesis

Concluding Paragraph Ties the important points in the essay together, often using key words from the thesis Draws a final conclusion Broadens the topic, emphasizing the importance or relevance Offers an insight-leaves the reader with something to think about Does not introduce new ideas or evidence into the paper

Pretend You are a Lawyer… Thesis: My client is INNOCENT! TS #1: He/she has an alibi. Point #1: He/she could not have been at the scene of the crime when it happened. Proof #1: That is because I have a phone records stating that he/she was making phone calls from Miami on the date in question. NOTE: Would I convince you that my client was innocent if I just told you the proof without explaining the point? Would you be convinced if I just told you that they had an alibi? Probably NOT!

Transitions What Are They?

Transitions Contribute to style, organization and clarity When you use transitions effectively, your writing flows smoothly and naturally, the underlying structure is emphasized and the relationship between ideas is clear

Categories of Transitions Order in Time oIn the beginning oAfterward oFinally oUltimately oMeanwhile oSince oWhen oWhenever oAt the same time oSubsequently oLater Similarities/ Differences oSimilarly oIn a similar way oLikewise oIn contrast oLike/unlike oOn one hand oOn the other hand oNevertheless oIn the same way oHowever oAlthough

Categories of Transitions Example/Explanations oFor example oFor instance oSuch as oThat is oIn other words oAlong with oTo illustrate oSpecifically oIn particular oGenerally oNamely Summary oIn summary oIn conclusion oTherefore oAccordingly oFinally oThus oConsequently oHence oIn closing

Categories of Transitions Cause-Effect oBecause oConsequently oSince oAs a result oTherefore oSo oThus oFor that reason oAs an effect Adding Ideas oIn addition oFurthermore oAlso oNot only… but also oAnother oMoreover oAdditionally oEqually oAs well

Categories of Transitions Now create your own list of transitions for the following… Order of Importance Order in Space Emphasis What did you get?