The Argumentative Essay English 11 Research Project

What is an Argumentative Essay? An argumentative or position essay is one that states a clear opinion of one side of an issue and supports that opinion with logical reasoning, facts, explanation, and reliable opinions of others. An argumentative or position essay is one that states a clear opinion of one side of an issue and supports that opinion with logical reasoning, facts, explanation, and reliable opinions of others. The audience is more interested in how convincingly you support your opinion than in the side you take. The audience is more interested in how convincingly you support your opinion than in the side you take.

Choosing a topic… When choosing a topic you must be sure that When choosing a topic you must be sure that It has two strong opposing sides, one of which you agree with. It has two strong opposing sides, one of which you agree with. The defense of your position is interesting and varied, but not too complicated for a five paragraph essay. The defense of your position is interesting and varied, but not too complicated for a five paragraph essay.

Research To be valid, an opinion or point of view must be supported by facts and information. To be valid, an opinion or point of view must be supported by facts and information. Research will involve books, newspapers, journals or internet articles. Research will involve books, newspapers, journals or internet articles.

Types of Research Support 1. Statistics/Data 1. Statistics/Data (why are the numbers significant? ) 2. Examples 2. Examples 3. Expert opinions 3. Expert opinions(quotations) 4. Facts 4. Facts

EBSCO HOST: EBSCO HOST: search.ebscohost.com/ Google EBSCO: Google EBSCO:

Preparing Your Argument Thesis Statement Thesis Statement The thesis statement clearly illustrates which side you are for. The thesis statement clearly illustrates which side you are for. A thesis statement often mentions the opposing point of view: A thesis statement often mentions the opposing point of view: Although there are certainly reasons to be cautious with stem cell research or any new technology its potential benefits far outweigh its dangers. Although there are certainly reasons to be cautious with stem cell research or any new technology its potential benefits far outweigh its dangers. Support it with logical reasons. Write down each reason that back your belief- these are your arguments. Support it with logical reasons. Write down each reason that back your belief- these are your arguments. Counter- Argument Counter- Argument Every controversial issue has two sides. Once you can support what you think, you need to explore the other side. Find three opposing ideas from your arguments. Every controversial issue has two sides. Once you can support what you think, you need to explore the other side. Find three opposing ideas from your arguments. These ideas will help your form the body of your essay. These ideas will help your form the body of your essay.STOP

Pre-writing prep… Use formal language and avoid using over- generalizing words, such as always and never. And avoid negative connotations and words like “stupid”. Avoid emotional reasoning. Use formal language and avoid using over- generalizing words, such as always and never. And avoid negative connotations and words like “stupid”. Avoid emotional reasoning. Rebut means to point out problems with the other side’s reasons to prove they are not good reasons Rebut means to point out problems with the other side’s reasons to prove they are not good reasons

Organization of an Argumentative Essay There are two common ways to organize an argumentative essay. There are two common ways to organize an argumentative essay. The Block Pattern The Block Pattern The Point by Point Pattern The Point by Point Pattern

Block Pattern Present all the information about A and then present parallel information about B. Present all the information about A and then present parallel information about B. Each subtopic in Part 1 must be discussed in Part 2. Subtopics should be discussed in the same order. Subtopics in Part 2 should generally include reminders of the point made about the same subtopic in Part 1. Each subtopic in Part 1 must be discussed in Part 2. Subtopics should be discussed in the same order. Subtopics in Part 2 should generally include reminders of the point made about the same subtopic in Part 1. First: All of A:Second: All of B: Point 1 (plus support)Point 1(plus support) Point 2 (plus support)Point 2(plus support) Point 3(plus supportPoint 3(plus support) Example: Thesis: Although dogs are often called man’s best friend, cats make more convenient pets. Part APoint 1:Cats can clean themselves… Point 2:Cats can exercise by themselves… Point 3:Cats do not require training… Part BPoint 1:In contrast to cats, dogs need baths… Point 2:Unlike cats, dogs must be walked regularly… Point 3:Whereas cats need no training, dogs must be trained…

Point-by-Point Pattern Present one point about A and then go to the parallel point about B. Move to the next point, and do the same thing. Present one point about A and then go to the parallel point about B. Move to the next point, and do the same thing. First A: Point 1 (plus support) First A: Point 1 (plus support) Then B: Point 1 (plus support) Then B: Point 1 (plus support) Then A:Point 2 (plus support) Then A:Point 2 (plus support) Then B:Point 2 (plus support) Then B:Point 2 (plus support) Then A:Point 3 (plus support) Then A:Point 3 (plus support) Then B:Point 3 (plus support) Then B:Point 3 (plus support) Point 1: Cats can clean themselves… In contrast to cats, dogs need baths… Point 2:Cats can exercise by themselves… Unlike cats, dogs must be walked regularly… Point 3:Cats do not require training… Whereas cats need no training dogs must be trained…

The Introductory Paragraph Present the issue or controversy clearly. Be specific about what you are intending to argue for or against. Present the issue or controversy clearly. Be specific about what you are intending to argue for or against. Hook the reader with an interesting beginning Hook the reader with an interesting beginning Describe or give background on your topic Describe or give background on your topic Thesis statement Thesis statement

Building Body Paragraphs You may use either model for your essay, Remember whatever idea you present must have a counter-argument. You may use either model for your essay, Remember whatever idea you present must have a counter-argument. ID- what is the argument? ID- what is the argument? SUPPORT- back it up with textual reference, (MLA cited) SUPPORT- back it up with textual reference, (MLA cited) EXPLAIN- give reasons/examples to why the support back up the argument EXPLAIN- give reasons/examples to why the support back up the argument Remember use of transitions to help shift your argument. Remember use of transitions to help shift your argument.

MLA Citations MLA (Modern Language Association) style is most commonly used to write papers and cite sources within liberal arts and humanities. MLA (Modern Language Association) style is most commonly used to write papers and cite sources within liberal arts and humanities. Use in-text citations when you use: Use in-text citations when you use: 1. Another person’s ideas, opinion or theory 1. Another person’s ideas, opinion or theory 2. Any facts, statistics, graphs, drawings- any info that is not common knowledge 2. Any facts, statistics, graphs, drawings- any info that is not common knowledge 3. Quotations of another person’s actual words 3. Quotations of another person’s actual words 4. Paraphrase of another person’s spoken or written word. 4. Paraphrase of another person’s spoken or written word.

MLA Citation In Text Citation: In Text Citation: Direct quotation: Romantic poetry is characterized by the "spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings" (Wordsworth 263). Direct quotation: Romantic poetry is characterized by the "spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings" (Wordsworth 263). Wordsworth stated that Romantic poetry was marked by a "spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings" (Wordsworth 263). Wordsworth stated that Romantic poetry was marked by a "spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings" (Wordsworth 263). Paraphrased citations: Wordsworth extensively explored the role of emotion in the creative process (Wordsworth 263). Paraphrased citations: Wordsworth extensively explored the role of emotion in the creative process (Wordsworth 263). STOP STOP

MLA Style Double-space Double-space 12-point Times New Roman 12-point Times New Roman Name, course and teacher’s name appears on first page in top left corner followed by date. Name, course and teacher’s name appears on first page in top left corner followed by date. Center title, but its still 12-point font Center title, but its still 12-point font Indent first line of paragraph, with Tab Key Indent first line of paragraph, with Tab Key Create header that numbers all pages consecutively with your last name included Create header that numbers all pages consecutively with your last name included YOUR PAPER SHOULD LOOK LIKE THE SAMPLE ESSAY!!!!! YOUR PAPER SHOULD LOOK LIKE THE SAMPLE ESSAY!!!!!

MLA FORMAT SAMPLE

Conclusion A strong conclusion is vital. If the reasoning in the body of the essay is presented in a clear, convincing order, the summary of the main points and your resulting opinion will also be strong. A strong conclusion is vital. If the reasoning in the body of the essay is presented in a clear, convincing order, the summary of the main points and your resulting opinion will also be strong. Re-state your position about the topic Re-state your position about the topic Review all reasons (short form) why your opinion is best Review all reasons (short form) why your opinion is best End with a statement that ties it up for the reader End with a statement that ties it up for the reader

Using Easy Bib to Create A Works Cited: A bibliography using MLA is referred to as a Works Cited. A bibliography using MLA is referred to as a Works Cited. to create your works cited. to create your works cited. Keep you MLA Note-taking form handy for easy reference to help create your works cited through easy bib. You will be marked on these! Keep you MLA Note-taking form handy for easy reference to help create your works cited through easy bib. You will be marked on these!