1. Argumentative writing
Ms. Bartucci
8th grade Language Arts

2. PERSUASION versus ARGUMENTATION
Persuasion: The action or fact of persuading someone or of being persuaded to do or believe something.
Argumentation: The process of establishing a claim and then proving it with the use of logical reasoning, examples, and research.

3. I can define argumentative terms:
From today’s lesson:
I can define argumentative terms:
lead/hook
clear claim
Evidence
counter-claim

4. Everyday Life Example When we argue: Bob: That was a lame movie!
Suzy: Why?
Bob: The special effects were bad. The monsters were obviously fake.
Suzy: I thought the movie was good because the acting was believable.
Bob’s bad response: You are an idiot.
Bob’s good response: Yes the acting was good but the horrible special effects were too distracting and caused some awkward moments.
Claim
Evidence
Counterclaim
Refutation

5. W’s of Argumentative Writing
WHY?
+ Improves research skills
+ Emphasizes a point of view
+ Prepares for the future
WHO?
+ Anyone expressing a specific point of view
+8th graders to people in the workplace

6. W’s of Argumentative Writing
WHEN?
+ Explaining a point of view
+ To change the reader’s point of view
+ When you want the reader to do something
WHAT?
+Usually a main idea, often called a “claim” or “thesis statement,” backed up with evidence that supports an idea with reasoning

7. Elements of Argumentative Writing
Introduction
Good lead or hook
Clear claim or thesis
Body paragraph 1
Evidence
Body paragraph 2
Body paragraph 3
Counter-claim
Conclusion
Restate claim

8. Lead or Hook Occurs in the opening paragraph (introduction)
Grabs the reader’s attention

9. A hook can be a few sentences written with any of these ways:
Methods for Constructing an Introduction’s Lead/Hook
A hook can be a few sentences written with any of these ways:
personal anecdote
example-real or hypothetical
question
quotation
shocking statistics
striking image

10. Thesis statement is in the introduction Defines the paper’s goal
Is the main argument of an essay
Will be supported by evidence located in the body paragraphs

11. Claims/Reasons Are in the introduction paragraph There are 3 reasons
Support your argument
Written after your thesis statement
One reason for each body paragraph
EX:
reason 1 discussed in body paragraph 1
Reason 2 discussed in body paragraph 2
reason 3 discussed in body paragraph 3

12. Body Paragraphs: Reason & Supporting Evidence
Evidence can be written in any of these methods:
DRAPES
Dialogue
Rhetorical question
Analogy
Personal experience
Example
Statistics (Facts)
Relevant and verifiable
Supports the claim
Found in the body paragraphs

13. Current events (local, municipal, state, national, global)
Appropriate Evidence
Current events (local, municipal, state, national, global)
Historical events
Literature (and other academic texts)
Analogies and hypotheticals
Personal anecdotes (if appropriate to the prompt)
Jillian
Examples of sources of evidence

14. Creating an Argument Claim Evidence Explanation
A scorpion would be a good mascot selection for our school.
Evidence
Mascots should be strong or tough and represent the area. They should be something people would be proud to be.
Explanation
Scorpions are strong and defensive so the choice would represent our school. In addition, scorpions need to be tough because they are small yet dangerous. They defend themselves in any situation and never give up. That’s something to be proud of.

15. How can argument writing support the use of T3C’s
1. TOPIC Sentence (debatable claim) 2. Concrete evidence (x3) statistics data experimental results textual evidence 3. Commentary Unit of Justification Reasoning 4. Conclusion

16. Counter-claim Opposite or opposing view of the claim
Is the 4th body paragraph
Although _____________, some people believe______________. They may believe this because _________________. However, _________because ____________________. Also because _______________. Therefore, (restate your argument again).

17. Conclusion #4 -Have I ended the discussion of the logical argument?
-Have I restated my claim?
-Have a summarized the main points of the argument?
Jillian

18. Leslie
Let’s practice with content specific reading focusing on Claims, Evidence and Argument

19. Let’s Practice Arguments
Should the government implement a tax on junk food?
Resources: Adult Obesity Facts
Would high junk food taxes really make people eat better?
Poll: Most Oppose High Tax on Junk Food

20. Junk Food Tax
Use the resources to write a claim and support it with evidence and reasoning using the 3C model for argument.
Closely read and annotate the following texts to make your argument.