1. Argument Essay Tips
I’ll upload these notes to Weebly today! It would be worth putting into your binder for future reference.

2. Purpose/Student Perspective:
Students who are career and college ready will be highly skilled in argumentative writing. The university is “largely an argument culture…and only 20 percent of those who enter college are prepared in this respect” (CCSS, Appendix A, 24)

3. Enduring Understanding:
As a literate, educated person, it is important not only to be able to argue your own view point effectively, but also to listen to that of others.

4. Do THIS…
Stay away from conversational pronouns—“As you can see,” “I believe the character…” “In my opinion.”

5. Do This…
Use present tense verbs; write in active voice. Avoid -ing verbs, any form of has, & “to be” verbs: Am, are, is, was, were, be been, being, to name a few.

6. Omit “because” from your Claim.
Do this…
Omit “because” from your Claim.

7. Do this…
Use Evidence in each of your body paragraphs by inserting a quote from the text. Lead into the quote & set it up. (It shouldn’t be the 1st sentence of a paragraph.

8. Do this…
Explain in several sentences why/how your quotes support your claim. ***Do not summarize the story, though.***

9. Do this… Be blunt and eliminate filler words Examples: so, just, now,
in conclusion, I believe,
in this paper you will see…

10. Do this…
Ask no questions

11. Do this…
Write a strong introduction and a compelling conclusion.

12. Do this… Use an “academic voice” rather than your voice.
Allow the attorney in you to dominate the paper.

13. Essential Questions:
Are you beginning to build your stamina and endurance when it comes to reading and responding to text?
Can you make meaning out of text even when you don’t like a text? How do you do that?
Can you discuss/recognize how characters change, grow, and adapt in text?

14. Essential Questions
Can you identify and evaluate a “truth” an author is trying to project?
Can you create a claim and effectively convince a reader of your position?
Can you organize evidence in a way that makes sense to the audience?

15. Essential Questions
Can you use claims and counter claims with attention to the audience’s background, knowledge, concerns, values, and biases?
Can you use a formal writing/speaking style?
Can you provide a concluding statement that supports an argument?

16. Essential Questions
Can you use a respectful tone which is appropriate for your teacher and classmates even when you are voicing concerns which frustrate you?
Can you discuss how effective an author communicates with an audience? (style)