1. Task 2: Argumentative Essay
How Can I Ace This?
Task 2: Argumentative Essay

2. Task 2
Students will perform a close reading of the texts and write a source-based argument, as directed by the task.

3. Guidelines Be sure to: Establish your claim
Distinguish your claim from alternate or opposing claims (BUT…)
Use specific, relevant, and sufficient evidence from at least three of the texts to develop your argument

4. So… Task 2 is worth the most credit.
Even if you do not feel confident about your work on Task 1 or Task 3, take time and care on Task 2.
IT COULD MAKE OR BREAK YOUR GRADE.

5. Task 2
2 – 5 texts

6. Task 2 Each test will contain at least two informational texts and, in
addition, may contain graphics
or one narrative text.

7. Examples: A test could contain: Informational: Narrative:
“Combat Trauma, Memory, and the WWII Veteran” (Ron Lager)
“What is PTSD?” (PBS.org)
“Diagnosing Billy Pilgrim: A Psychiatric Approach to Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five” (Susanne Vees-Gulani)
Narrative:
Excerpts from Slaughterhouse Five (Kurt Vonnegut)

8. So how long of an essay are we talking about?
If you’re reading 2 – 5 texts and making a strong argument, you’re probably looking at a 4 – 5 paragraph essay.

9. What is an argumentative essay?
You must: 
Investigate a topic;
Collect, generate, and evaluate evidence;
And establish a position on the topic in a concise manner.
The structure of the argumentative essay is held together by the following:
A clear, concise, and defined thesis statement that occurs in the 1st paragraph of the essay.
Clear and logical transitions between the introduction, body, and conclusion.
Body paragraphs that include evidential support.
A conclusion that does not simply restate the thesis, but readdresses it in light of the evidence provided.

11. How should I set this essay up?
A brief introduction that ends with your thesis statement.
Body paragraphs containing examples/pieces of evidence that support your thesis.
An explanation/analysis of HOW those examples PROVE YOUR THESIS.
A brief conclusion that readdresses your thesis.

12. Introduction Start general, get more specific.
THE MOST SPECIFIC PART OF YOUR INTRODUCTION IS YOUR THESIS STATEMENT. Therefore, it should naturally be the last sentence of your introduction.

13. How do I write the best possible thesis?
Remember, you HAVE to address opposing/alternate claims in this essay – it’s in the directions!
Qualifying Contrasts:
In spite of/despite/although
Even though
While
However
Practice Topic: Does Billy Pilgrim have PTSD?
Despite the fact that some believe that Billy Pilgrim does not suffer from PTSD, the mental illness ravages nearly every part of his life.
Practice Topic: Is there value in taking standardized tests?
Although some may argue that there standardized testing is a valuable resource, it is doing more harm to the education system than good.

14. Create your own thesis:
Do school uniforms make for a productive learning environment?

15. Evidence? Meet Analysis.
EVERY SENTENCE OF YOUR BODY PARAGRAPH IS OF EQUAL IMPORTANCE:
Formula:
Topic Sentence/Claim
Evidence
Analysis
Concluding Sentence

16. Evidence? Meet Analysis.
You must say why and how this evidence supports your argument
You have to explain the significance of the evidence and its function in your paper
What turns a fact or piece of information into evidence is the connection it has with a larger claim or argument: evidence is always evidence for or against something, and you have to make that link clear

17. I Still Don’t Get Analysis…
Questions that may help you explain how your evidence is related to your overall argument:
O.k., I’ve just stated this point, but so what? Why is it interesting? Why should anyone care?
What does this information imply?
Why does it matter?
How is this idea related to my thesis? What connections exist between them? Does it support my thesis? If so, how does it do that?

18. Conclusion The conclusion is the exact opposite of your introduction.
Your first sentence should be a rephrasing of your original thesis statement – then you should move from specific to general.
What are the consequences of thinking this way or looking at an issue this way?

19. Task 3: Text-Analysis Response
How Can I Ace This?
Task 3: Text-Analysis Response

20. Task 3
Students will perform a close reading of the text and write a two to three paragraph response that identifies a central idea in the text and analyzes how the author’s use of one writing strategy (literary element or literary technique or rhetorical device) develops this central idea.

21. Task 3 1 text Up to approximately 1,000 words
Could be narrative or informational text

22. Task 3: Recap Two to three paragraph response
Identify central idea (whatever you believe it to be)
How one writing strategy is necessary for the central idea to exist
Evidence of that writing strategy (direct quote from the text)

23. Task 3: Central Idea
YOU DON’Y HAVE TO UNDERSTAND EVERY WORD OF THE TEXT!
SIMPLY IDENTIFY WHAT YOU PERCEIVE AS THE CENTRAL IDEA.

24. Task 3: WRITING STRATEGY
You MUST discuss one writing strategy!
The directions provide examples if you draw a blank. Some we’ve discussed this year:
Ethos/Pathos/Logos
Parallelism/Juxtaposition
Eulogy
Collage
Frame story
Imagery (ALL FIVE SENSES)
Satire
Irony
Setting
Conflict (internal or external)
Suspense
Personification
Repetition
Allusion
Alliteration
Assonance
Syntax (short sentences, long sentences, stream of consciousness)
Etc.

25. What should my essay look like?
A brief introduction that ends with your thesis statement.
At least two examples/pieces of evidence that support your thesis.
An explanation/analysis of HOW those examples PROVE YOUR THESIS.
A brief conclusion that restates your thesis.

26. Writing a Thesis Statement
In “This Work,” [This Author] uses [that literary device] to show/demonstrate/prove [this central message].
In Slaughterhouse Five, Kurt Vonnegut uses parallelism to show that even though life is already determined, you can create meaning by looking at the positive.
In “EPICAC,” Kurt Vonnegut uses personification to demonstrate that there is a fine line between man and machine.
In “Long Walk to Forever,” Kurt Vonnegut uses satire to mock the institution of marriage.