To Agree or Not to Agree... That Is the Question Intro to Argumentative Writing

What We’re Going to Avoid… Contradiction vs. Argument Babbling on and on…

The Basics The 2 nd essay on the AP Language Exam. Many people see it as the “giveaway” essay –Unfortunately too many people don’t plan well for this essay. –Their essays end up illogical or off-topic. There is a great deal of latitude given for the prompt’s response; HOWEVER, it demands careful reading and planning.

What does the Argument Essay Require of Me? Basically, you need to do THREE things: 1.Understand the nature of the position taken in the prompt. 2.Take a specific stand (agree, qualify, or disagree) with the prompt; and 3.Clearly and logically support your claim**

Deconstruct the Prompt You have about 1-3 minutes deconstructing the prompt. During this time, you must underline: –T.A.G. / S.O.A.P.S. –Essential Elements (important details) –Key terms that need to be defined –Exigence (why is it important now??) –LITTLE Question »Like the LITTLE question in a rhetorical analysis prompt, this task should begin with a command verb.

Quick Practice Complete on Given Prompt: Highlight your task in yellow. *Should begin with a command verb. Bracket the exigence in each prompt. Why has this issue arisen at this time? In pink, highlight questions from the prompt that you might consider in formulating a response (if present). Circle key terms which must be understood or defined in order to respond appropriately.

What does it mean to Agree, Disagree, or Qualify? On the exam, you are presented with an excerpt or statement. Once you understand what the passage is saying, you have to ask yourself: –Do I think about this subject in the same way as the writer/speaker? (AGREE) –Do I think the writer/speaker is totally wrong? (DISAGREE) –Do I think some of what is said is correct and some incorrect? (QUALIFY) »This is the most challenging stand to take

Time and Planning

Before you begin… You MUST do some quick planning –Brainstorm lists –Construct a chart –Create an outline The choice is yours, but you MUST find a way to allow yourself to think through the issue and your position.

Once I’ve Chosen a Side, How Do I Support It? Remember you’ve been taught how to write an argument essay throughout your school years. Much of your evidence is determined by what you know about the topic, but you can also reach out to other elements: –Things you’ve read about (Literature, News, Research) –Current Events –History –Ideas/Personal Experience –Observations Chose a strategy that you are comfortable with. Don’t try to “con” your reader with useless information.

Does It Matter What Position I Take? Nope Readers are open to a wide range of arguments/approaches. You can be funny, informal, personal, irreverent, or anything in between. Just be sure your choice is appropriate for your purpose. As long as you address the prompt and support with appropriate details, you cannot lose points for taking an unpopular approach to the argument.

It’s All About Time The following timeline will yield the best scores: 1-3 minutes reading and working the prompt 3 minutes taking a position minutes planning/supporting your position 20 minutes writing the essay 2-3 minutes to proof read

Commercial Break VU6Rw

Developing the Essay

Brainstorming 1.Make columns for defend and challenge 2.List specific examples that defend/ disagree –Evidence: Be specific and accurate—named and factually correct Avoid using movies and other more informal aspects of society as evidence. Reflect a well-educated, widely-read, mature individual's thoughtful reaction Avoid evidence that everybody will cite. (To avoid this, reject first thoughts and keep digging until you find things that are not so easy to grasp at first.) 3.Be aware of prejudices, stereotypes, and bias that you might “bring to the table” concerning the issue 4.Think critically…avoid the common and generic examples that all students will use 5.Choose your stance by examining which column has the strongest examples/evidence

Opening Paragraph MUST refer specifically to the prompt –Cite the speaker –Occasion Clearly states your opinion on the given issue. –Note: rather than saying “I think the death penalty is wrong,” say something like “Smith is wrong in his assertion that the death penalty is good public policy because….”

Body Paragraphs Return to your brainstorming plan: What will you use as evidence to support your position? What are the best arguments against my position; how will I address those? What will my final remarks be? Leave the reader with a sense of completion, and reinforce your thesis.

Quick Clip Recap