Argumentative Essay Writing & Research Presented by: Megan Lowe ULM Reference Librarian

What is an argumentative essay? Is like a persuasive essay Should present pros and cons of the issue Should contain an argument Should contain evidence or support for the issue (facts, statistics, anecdotal evidence) Should concern a manageable topic Derived from the Bogazici University Writing LabBogazici University Writing Lab

Examples of Argumentative Topics Selling marijuana in public places should be illegal * Polygamy is a natural state, and should be legal * Assisted suicide should be legal ¤ Animal testing should be illegal ¤ Graphic video games make kids aggressive and/or violent Vistas is a better operating system than XP * From Bogazici University Writing LabBogazici University Writing Lab ¤ From Glendale Community College English DepartmentGlendale Community College English Department

Arguable or Not Arguable Marijuana should be legalized. Arguable Smoking is harmful to people’s health. Not Arguable UMHS is the best school in the district. Arguable Emissions hurt the ozone. Not arguable

Getting Started Picking a topic  Something of interest to you  Something interesting  Something controversial  Something argumentative Getting organized  Outlining your paper Outlining your paper  Creating a keyword list  Getting research

General Outline of a Paper Introduction | Thesis statement  Argument-evidence paragraph #1  Argument-evidence paragraph #2  Argument-evidence paragraph #3 Summary of Argument | Conclusion

Introduction Get the attention of the audience  Attention Getter or Hook Provide background information to orient the reader to the issue  What does the reader need to know about this issue?  Define terms Create a thesis statement or assertion to guide the reader

The Antithesis Address the case of the opposition  Several paragraphs at the beginning or weaved throughout the paper (argument-concession) Concede points which can not be refuted  Use signal words and phrases such as Admittedly, While it is true that etc. Offer refutation for claims which can be countered  Use signal words and phrases such as It has been argued, However etc.

Body Paragraphs  Provide a clear topic sentence for each paragraph  Use Topic Sentence, Concrete Detail, Commentary (TS, CD, COMM) or Statement, Evidence, Explanation (S- E-E) or, Claim, Data, Warrant (CDW)  Build to the strongest argument  Use a variety of appeals  Demonstrate logic and reasoning  Address the opposition

Conclusion Restate your main premise Provide a brief summary of your argument Show how a group will benefit from following your assertion Explain what might happen if your idea is not accepted End with a rhetorical question Ask for a call to action

Sample Argument Essay Read the annotated essay on the next slide and review the following:  attention getter  organization  antithesis—con  how author refutes the con  connective words—transitions  development of arguments  slippery slope metaphor  conclusion

Research Evidence for argumentative essays can be objective – like facts, statistics, and case studies – or anecdotal – your personal experiences Objective evidence will require research – you can use sources like books, articles, websites, and even people!

Research Books can be found using the Library’s online catalog. Articles in magazines, newspapers, and journals can be found using the Library’s databases. Good websites can be found using engines like Google and Ask

Keywords Regardless of where you seek resources – books, articles, or websites – the best way to search for resources is keyword searching Keywords represent the most important parts of your thesis statement or argument Before you start searching, develop a list of keywords from your argument

Keywords: Example Thesis: Beans are a more healthy source of protein than beef.  Beans  legumes  Source  Healthy – health  Protein  Beef = red meat  Cholesterol You will combine them together using AND! Remember: you aren’t limited to the actual words from the thesis – use related words or alternate ideas! Also, look to your arguments for keywords, too – those are key ideas!

Databases: Ebscohost

Full-text articles in Ebsco will either be HTML, PDF, or both. If you don’t see HTML or PDF (or both), then the article is not available in full.

Databases: Ebscohost Possible keywords! Abstracts are a summary of the article. This will cite the article for you!

Databases: Ebscohost

Quotations & Citations Quotations: when you use text from a resource in your own writing Citations: how you acknowledge resources you’ve used in your paper

Quotations Indirect Quotation: Some researchers note that "children are totally insensitive to their parent's shyness" (Zimbardo 62). Direct Quotation: Zimbardo notes that "children are totally insensitive to their parent's shyness" (62). Paraphrase: While not all children are, research has shown that some children are insensible to the introversion or timidity of their parent or parents (Zimbardo 62).

Citations Book Langland, William. Piers the Ploughman. Baltimore: Penguin Books, Ltd., Journal article Thibodeau, P.L., and S.J. Melamut. "Ergonomics in the Electronic Library." Bulletin of the Medical Library Association 83.3 (July 1995):

Citations Journal article from a database Becker, Karen. "The Characteristics of Bibliographic Instruction in Relation to the Causes and Symptoms of Burnout." RQ 32.3 (Spring 1993): EBSCO ERIC. ULM University Library, Monroe, LA. 19 May

Citations Website Lowe, Megan. “Citations Guide: MLA Style.” Megan ULM. 8 June University of Louisiana at Monroe. 12 June Remember: citations are important for two reasons  They allow you to give credit where credit is due, which keeps you from plagiarism and cheating charges  Allows readers to retrace your research steps and look at the actual resources you used

Argumentative Essay FYI Sites Consulted for Presentation Bogacizi University Writing Center Glendale Community College English Dept. Don’t forget: the OWL at Purdue!OWL at Purdue