1. How to Write an “Out of this World” Argumentative Essay
BRAINSTORMING, AND INTRODUCTION/THESIS

2. VIDEO TIME
Argumentative Writing: An Overview

3. BRAINSTORMING

4. BRAINSTORMING
Why do we do it?
Different Methods

5. MAKE YOUR OWN BUBBLE MAP BRAINSTORM
Reason/
Point 3
Topic____________
Reason/ Point 1
Reason/ Point 2

6. HOW TO CONSTRUCT A THESIS STATEMENT
… ONLY THE MOST IMPORTANT SENTENCE OF YOUR ESSAY.

7. WHAT IS A THESIS STATEMENT?
It’s that sentence in your essay that contains the focus of your essay and tells your reader what the essay will be about.
Goes at the end of intro paragraph
YOUR THESIS STATEMENT MUST BE ARGUABLE!!

8. QUICK AND EASY THESIS A thesis statement does three things
Answers the question/prompt
Picks a side
Gives 3 subtopics
Easy-Peasy Thesis Statement Formula/Format:
[Your opinion] because [subtopic 1], [subtopic 2], [subtopic 3].
Example: In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible John Proctor is a dynamic character because his change is caused by his internal conflict, his quilt for the past actions he has committed, and his love for his family.

9. YOUR TURN
Using the same prompt you chose earlier and completed your Brainstorm in, construct a thesis statement that outlines your argument.
Remember the basic format:
[Your opinion] because [subtopic 1], [subtopic 2], [subtopic 3].

10. INTRODUCTION

11. INVERTED PYRAMID STRUCTURE

12. HOOK/GRABBER
The introduction should have a “hook or grabber” to catch the audience’s attention.
You don’t want your reader to be bored with your paper from the first sentence.
The following slides will give you a few tools to use to start your paper off. ☺
Write Grabby Intro Sentences!
Writing Effective Hooks

13. INTRO--BACKGROUND
After you grab your reader’s attention with your 1-3 sentence HOOK, you must transition to your thesis statement.
You can do this by providing relevant background information on your subject.

14. THESIS STATEMENT
You’ve already done this. ☺

15. OUTLINING

16. WHY SHOULD I MAKE AN OUTLINE?
Video ☺
Class discussion
Outlining-by Schmoop

17. BODY PARAGRAPHS

18. T. E. A. L. Method
You should follow this format for ALL of your body paragraphs.
Topic Sentence: This sentence tells your audience what your paragraph is going to be about.
Should refer back to your thesis.
Formula:
[Transition word] + [topic] + [opinion]

19. T. E. A. L. Method cont’d
Evidence: This section is where you put specific details/textual evidence from the text to support your argument laid out in your Topic Sentence.
Your evidence must:
Be specific!
Include a transition to open your evidence
MLA in-text citation
Example: According to John Proctor, he could not sign the petition because “it was [his] name” that would be tarnished (Miller 38).

20. Analysis: T. E. A. L. Method cont’d
So what? How does your evidence prove your topic sentence?
Link Sentence: Use this sentence to transition to your next paragraph.
Example: While Proctor’s change occures through his internal conflict between his guilt of his affair and his dependence upon his reputation, Proctor’s change is also the result of the guilt he feels for his affair with Abigail Williams.

21. CONCLUSION PARAGRAPH

22. Use signal words Rephrase the thesis Come full circle
Strong conclusions...
Use signal words
Rephrase the thesis
Come full circle

23. Signal Words Let the reader know you are about to wrap things up
Use words/phrases like:
In conclusion
Finally
Last(ly)
In closing
To conclude

24. Rephrase the Thesis
The key word is rephrase. Write the thesis in a different way.
Example:
Original thesis: In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible John Proctor is a dynamic character because his change is caused by his internal conflict, his quilt for the past actions he has committed, and his love for his family.
Rephrased thesis: John Proctor’s metamorphosis, in The Crucible by Arthur Miller, is caused by his internal conflict, guilt for his past actions, and his love for his family which illustrate that he is a dynamic character.

25. Come Full Circle
End where you began: look back at the hook you used to introduce your essay and give some thought to how you might tie the end of your essay to the beginning.
For example: if you began with an anecdote, you might refer to that anecdote again in the conclusion.

26. Introduction
You are in control. You are the leader, and the success or failure of your realm depends on your ability to think, adapt, plan ahead, and execute. Are you an international diplomat, the CEP of a major corporation, or a field general leading troops into battle? You may be some day, but right now you are a child playing a game of chess. Chess has proven benefits for young people. It exercises their brains, improves their academic performance, and teaches them positive social skills.

27. Breaking Down the Introduction
Hook: You are in control. You are the leader, and the success or failure of your realm depends on your ability to think, adapt, plan ahead, and execute. Are you an international diplomat, the CEP of a major corporation, or a field general leading troops into battle?
Transition: You may be some day, but right now you are a child playing a game of chess.
Thesis: Chess has proven benefits for young people. It exercises their brains, improves their academic performance, and teaches them positive social skills.

28. Conclusion
Lastly, though some parents think it is the computer that is the key to preparing their children for the rigors of the 21st century, others turn to chess and its promise of increased brain power, increased success in school, and increased social skills. These parents know that the ancient game of kings and queens might just help their child someday become a success—perhaps even as a future diplomat, a CEO, or field general.

29. Breaking Down the Conclusion
Transition/Signal Word: Lastly,
Restated thesis statement: …though some parents think it is the computer that is the key to preparing their children for the rigors of the 21st century, others turn to chess and its promise of increased brain power, increased success in school, and increased social skills.
Full Circle/Relate to Hook: These parents know that the ancient game of kings and queens might just help their child someday become a success—perhaps even as a future diplomat, a CEO, or field general.