Argumentative essay: CHOO CHOO! Thesis statement April 3, 2012 Argumentative essay: Thesis statement Argument vs. Counter-argument Linguistic Devices Thesis Peer Review Argumentative Essay Review CHOO CHOO! Kelsey Himes Jamie Kim Natalie Plumb Frank Randazzo

Outline: Argumentative essay Thesis statement Argument and counter-argument Linguistic devices Transition words Active/passive voice Peer review of thesis statements Review of the Argumentative Essay Handout: In-depth Study Guide and Reference for The Argumentative Essay

Outline: Argumentative essay “Argumentative essays are designed to be persuasive rather than descriptive. The essay’s purpose is to try and convince or persuade the reader of a viewpoint or truth claim.”

Introduction http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrNFp_Xm FAc

thesis statement A Cochlear Implant, despite its drawbacks, gives deaf children every opportunity to succeed in the majority hearing world. What is her main argument? How does this sentence make a strong thesis?

Thesis statement A Cochlear Implant, despite its drawbacks, gives deaf children every opportunity to succeed in the majority hearing world. Slight counter-argument Specific audience Direct advantage to support argument True fact we can all agree with In general, this thesis gives a solution to a well- known problem.

Thesis statement Write your thesis statement on a piece of paper 

Argument and counter-argument Is this statement an argument or a counter- argument? However, in the Deaf culture, deafness is an identity that should not be taken away. In other words, the Deaf community’s perception is that there’s nothing wrong. There’s nothing that needs to be fixed. (counter-argument)

Argument and counter-argument What is this? Retaining cultural identity is important for anyone who wants to belong in a group; however, in the Cochlear Implant debate, the opportunity presented is more important than cultural identity. (refutation of counter-argument)

Argument and counter-argument What is this? While I understand and empathize with the cultural point of view on Cochlear Implants, from an opportunity point of view, I emphatically support Cochlear Implants. A deaf child with Cochlear Implants has significantly more opportunities available in life than a non-hearing deaf child. (support for argument)

Argument and Counter-argument Writer’s opinion and assertion on a controversial issue Counter-argument: Opposing view on the controversial issue for which the writer makes a certain argument Refutation: Showing weakness of the counter-argument I think we’re having an awesome journey! Agree or disagree?

Organization Refutation Last I. Introduction A. Background information about the topic B. Thesis (writer’s opinion) II. Support for argument III. Support for argument IV. Refutation of counter-argument V. Conclusion A. Summary B. Restatement of thesis

Organization Refutation First I. Introduction A. Background information about the topic B. Thesis (the writer’s opinion) II. Refutation of counter-argument III. Support for argument IV. Support for argument V. Conclusion A. Summary B. Restatement of thesis

Group activity Read the strips of paragraphs and identify introduction, background information, argument, counter-argument, and refutation of counter-argument. Then put the strips in the order that you think is best.

Transition words Taken from paragraph 2: …In the hearing world, deafness is viewed as a disability, a problem to be repaired. However, in the Deaf culture, deafness is an identity that should not be taken away. In other words, “the (Deaf community’s) perception is that there’s nothing wrong. There’s nothing that needs to be fixed. [Hearing people’s] perception is [that] there is something that needs to be fixed. …While doctors might want to fix deafness as if it is blurred vision or a broken leg, the Deaf culture sees deafness as an alternative to hearing…

Don’t forget to connect my cars strong and tight! Transition words Transitions are phrases or words used to connect one idea to the next. Transitions are used by the author to help the reader progress from one significant idea to the next. Transitions also show the relationship within a paragraph (or even within a sentence) between the main idea and the support the author gives for those ideas Different transitions do different things... Don’t forget to connect my cars strong and tight!

Transition words

Transition words If deafness is defined as a disability, in the eyes of many, it is sometimes to be altered and repaired. ___________ the medical view, deafness is a disability. _______________, if deafness is a cultural identity, it should be allowed to thrive and, given the emphasis on diversity in today’s society, should be readily accepted and supported. ___________, although the controversy over cochlear implantation seems simple, it is based on the very complicated and often unstated implications of the true meaning of deafness. (Delost).

Transition words Bringing a deaf person back to the “normal” hearing world is the goal of “repairing” deafness. _____________, according to the opposition, “the deaf community is a culture. They’re much like the culture of the Hispanic community, ___________, where parents who are Hispanic, or shall we say deaf, would naturally want to retain their family ties by their common language, their primary language, which is either Spanish or in [this] case, it’s American Sign Language” (“The Cochlear Implant Controversy”).

Transition words As for the levels of opportunity and success in the working world, deaf people can succeed just as well as hearing people. __________, those opportunities for success are limited because of language barriers and language skills. ________ I agree with the cultural point of view on Cochlear Implants, from an opportunity point of view, I am all for Cochlear Implants.

To go more in depth… visit this site, which is much more comprehensive of the many uses of transitional phrases. http://www.studygs.net/wrtstr6.htm

Active/passive voice The most persuasive language is active voice. Active voice should be used and is preferred when writing an argumentative essay. However, it is extremely difficult to eliminate passive voice completely as it would sound unnatural. Nonetheless, it is best to try and limit the use of passive voice in argumentative essays.

Active/passive voice An idea can be expressed in two different ways. We can do it by using a verb to indicate whether the subject performs an action (active voice) or receives the action (passive voice).

Active/passive voice Active voice: The verb is in the active voice when the subject performs the action. EXAMPLE: A cat ate the fish. (Subject: cat / Verb: ate / Object: fish) Here, the doer of the action is a cat and the verb "ate" is in the active voice. The object comes after the verb.

Active/passive voice Passive voice: When action is done to the subject, the verb is in the passive voice. The previous object (fish) is now used as the subject. EXAMPLE: The fish was eaten by a cat. (Subject: fish / Verb: was eaten / Object: cat) Here, action is done to the subject and the verb "was eaten" is in the passive voice. The subject comes before the verb.

Active/passive voice Class Activity and Participation: Active Voice Who can tell the class one sentence that argues for your thesis in the active voice?

Active/passive voice A Cochlear Implant, despite its drawbacks, gives deaf children every opportunity to succeed in the majority hearing world. Note: This thesis statement is in the active voice.

Peer review Let’s talk about our thesis statements. Is your thesis statement in the ACTIVE VOICE? What is your counter-argument? What is your argument?

Review of Argumentative Essay “Argumentative essays are designed to be persuasive rather than descriptive. The essay’s purpose is to try and convince or persuade the reader of a viewpoint or truth claim.” I. The Five Paragraph Form: One of the most common forms of argumentative essay is the so-called “five paragraph” form. This consists of an introduction, three basic contentions to support the thesis, and a concluding paragraph. It’s a classic technique that makes for a forceful argument.

Review of Argumentative Essay II. Planning Stage: They require the writer to extensively research background information, evaluate the evidence, and formulate a perspective. III. Find a Good Topic: To find a good topic for an argument essay you should consider several issues that will have two conflicting points of view or very different conclusions. IV. Consider Both Sides of Your Topic and Take a Position: Make a list of points for both sides of the argument and pick a side.

Review of Argumentative Essay V. Gather Evidence: The act of arguing involves providing proof to support your claim, with or without emotions. VI. Writing Stage: An argument essay should contain three parts: the introduction, the body, and the conclusion. 1.) Use Active Voice: The most persuasive language is active voice. Active voice should be used and is preferred when writing an argumentative essay. The verb is in the active voice when the subject does the action. EXAMPLE: A cat ate the fish. (Subject: cat / Verb: ate / Object: fish)

Review of Argumentative Essay 2.) Introduce your topic and assert your side: As in any essay, the first paragraph of your argument essay should contain a brief explanation of your topic, some background information, and a thesis statement. 3.) Thesis Statement: The key to an argumentative essay is in its thesis statement. Without a solid thesis statement, the rest of the essay will most likely fail to hold together. The thesis statement should be in active voice. 4.) Present both sides of the controversy: The body of your essay will contain the main points and evidence to support your argument. 5.) Body Paragraphs: A paragraph is supposed to concisely express a discrete idea. Paragraphs can discuss background, present evidence, explain methodology, provide definitions, or synthesize and expand upon previous paragraphs.

Review of Argumentative Essay 6.) Transitions: Transitions are the mortar that holds the foundation of the essay together. Without logical progression of thought, the reader is unable to follow the essay’s argument, and the structure will collapse. 7.) Evidential Support (types of evidence: factual, logical, statistical, expert opinion, or circumstantial): The argumentative essay requires well-researched, accurate, detailed, and current information to support the thesis statement and consider other points of view. 8.) Conclusion: The conclusion is the portion of the essay that will leave the most immediate impression on the mind of the reader. Therefore, it must be effective and logical.

Review of Argumentative Essay 9.) Completeness: The argumentative essay is not designed to be open-ended. Rather, it’s supposed to present a complete argument. 10.) Complexity in Arguments: There are several rhetorical “moves” or patterns writers can utilize to enhance their argument. Here are just a few of these rhetorical moves: Cause and Effect Qualification Examination of the Opposing Argument Concede a little… as necessary Propose a Solution Examine the Implications

Review of Argumentative Essay VII. Tips for Your Essay: Use Active Voice; Use Transitional Word and Phrases to tie paragraphs together; Avoid emotional language; Know the difference between a logical conclusion and an emotional point of view; Do not make up evidence; Cite your sources; Make an outline.