1. Freshman Project
Argumentative Paper

2. What is the Freshman project?
The Freshman Project is where you show what you have learned over the course of the semester.
Our Freshman Project will be a well written argumentative paper.
You will show what you have learned this semester concerning good and evil, and how it is represented in the short stories and novel that we have read.

3. SAY WHAT?!?!?!
The Freshman Project (our paper) will be worth 20% of your final semester grade.
This could make or break you!
We will write the paper in stages, and you will work at your own pace, while trying to complete the goal of the day.

4. Example
Today your goal is to finish your brainstorming 1 pager assignment.
If you don’t finish the 1 pager assignment, it turns to homework.
Today your goal is to complete your thesis statement.
If you don’t finish your thesis statement, it turns to homework due Friday!

5. What is a thesis statement?
The thesis statement is the most important sentence of an entire essay.
The thesis should basically state your stance or opinion on your topic, without using the first person. (Meaning it will not say “I believe”, “It’s my opinion that”. In fact you shouldn’t use I, me or my at all in the paper.)

6. A thesis statement should:
It should be contestable, proposing an arguable point with which people could reasonably disagree. A strong thesis is provocative; it takes a stand and justifies the discussion you will present.
It is specific and focused. A strong thesis proves a point without discussing everything about the topic. Instead of a broad topic like music, think more specific about your topic like “American Jazz in the 1930s” and your argument about it.

7. A thesis statement should:
It clearly asserts your own conclusion based on evidence.
It avoids vague language like “it seems” or takes both sides of a topic. (I think that humans are both good and evil…)
It should pass the- so what? Who cares? test- Would your friend ask why he should care or respond with “but everyone knows that”.

8. Good Examples
Though many people dismiss hip hop as offensive, hip hop music offers urban youth an important opportunity for artistic expression, and allows them to articulate the poetry of the street.
Humans are inherently evil because they are often cruel to others, selfish, and materialistic.

9. Bad Examples
The following are examples that are not quality thesis statements because they are too vague, use the first person, or do not present a stance to PROVE.
Humans are good.
Humans are evil.
I don’t think humans are good or evil.
People are kinda good I guess.

10. Thesis Formula
Your topic + your opinion + reasons why = thesis

12. Good Thesis Example

13. Evil Thesis Example

14. Outline

15. Outline Example

16. Gathering Evidence

18. Body Paragraphs
You will have 3 body paragraphs, 1 for each reason that is listed in your thesis statement.

19. Claim
When analyzing an article, short story, novel, or any other writing, your paragraph must include a claim.
A claim is a statement that you believe to be true. You have evidence and logic to use to back up your claim.
Humans are inherently evil because they are materialistic, and overlook people to focus on obtaining material goods.

20. Evidence
Once you have stated your claim, you need evidence to back it up.
In writing, think of evidence as quotes taken directly from a text that we are analyzing.
Do not merely throw a quote into your analysis. Lead into your quote with a small starter-statement such as, Madame Loisel demonstrates how evil a person can be as she focuses only on material items when she states,
Humans are inherently evil because they are materialistic, and overlook people to focus on obtaining material goods. Madame Loisel demonstrates how evil a person can be as she focuses only on material items when she states, “I hate not having a single jewel, not one stone, to wear. I shall look so dowdy. I’d almost rather not go to the party.” (Maupassant 296).

21. Support
“Support” are those sentences that follow evidence. Not only have you given evidence to your claim, but now you explain your evidence.
Support sentences should start with phrases like “This shows”, “This demonstrates”, or “This explains”
Humans are inherently evil because they are materialistic, and overlook people to focus on obtaining material goods. Madame Loisel demonstrates how evil a person can be as she focuses only on material items when she states, “I hate not having a single jewel, not one stone, to wear. I shall look so dowdy. I’d almost rather not go to the party.” (Maupassant 296). This shows that Madame Loisel is so focused on material items because they make her appear to be richer to other people. She shows that she is concerned with her wealth and looking poor to others, and therefore can only be bothered to care about items such as jewels and fancy gowns. Madame Loisel shows that being materialistic is evil because she does not care about having a fun time at a party, but only cares about how she sppears to others and what object she can obtain to make herself seem like a better person.

22. Final Body Paragraph
Humans are inherently evil because they are materialistic, and overlook people to focus on obtaining material goods. Madame Loisel demonstrates how evil a person can be as she focuses only on material items when she states, “I hate not having a single jewel, not one stone, to wear. I shall look so dowdy. I’d almost rather not go to the party.” (Maupassant 296). This shows that Madame Loisel is so focused on material items because they make her appear to be richer to other people. She shows that she is concerned with her wealth and looking poor to others, and therefore can only be bothered to care about items such as jewels and fancy gowns. Madame Loisel shows that being materialistic is evil because she does not care about having a fun time at a party, but only cares about how she sppears to others and what object she can obtain to make herself seem like a better person.

23. Writing in the 3rd person
Notice in my final paragraph I never used the words “I believe” or “I think”, or “if it was me…” Also, I didn’t use the words you, your, or yours. When writing academic papers, do not write in the first or second person, like above, unless it’s in a direct quote.
3rd person language looks like this: he, she, it, they, him, them, his, her, hers, its, their, and theirs

24. Body Paragraph Form
Use the form below to shape your body paragraph.

27. Why use a counter-argument?
Why would you include a counter-argument in your essay? Doesn’t that weaken your argument?
Actually, no. Done well, it makes the argument stronger. This is because it gives you the chance to respond to your reader’s objections before they have finished reading. It also shows that you are a reasonable person who has considered both sides of the debate.

28. Counter-argument
It’s important to use clear signals to alert the reader that the paper is about to express a view different from (typically, the opposite of) the thesis. Since the purpose of the whole paper, including the counter-argument, is to support the thesis, these signals are crucial. Without them the paper appears confusing and contradictory.

29. Counter-argument Information
Generally, the counter-argument will begin with a word, phrase or sentence to indicate that what follows is not the author’s view.
Many people [believe/argue/feel/think/suppose/etc. ] that
It is often [thought/imagined/supposed/etc.] that
It might [seem/appear/look/etc.] as if

30. Examples of a Counter-Argument
Many people believe that humans are inherently good due to their generous, and kind nature. It could be argued that humans go out of their way to help other people.
It might seem as if all humans are inherently evil because of their nature to hurt others.

31. Rebuttal
If the counter-argument requires careful signaling, so does the rebuttal. The essay has just done a 180° turn away from its thesis, and now it is about to do another 180° turn to complete the circle. The reader needs warnings and guidance or they will fall off or get whiplash—you’ll lose them, in other words, because the essay will seem confusing or contradictory.

32. Rebuttal Starters
What this argument [overlooks/fails to consider/does not take into account] is ...
This view [seems/looks/sounds/etc.] [convincing/plausible/persuasive/etc.] at first, but ...
While this position is popular, it is [not supported by the facts/not logical/impractical/etc.] because…

33. Rebuttal Examples
What this argument overlooks is that all humans make mistakes and commit bad acts at some point in their lives.
While this position is popular, it is not logical because humans are capable of doing good things even if they have committed one bad act in their lifetime.

34. Example Counter-argument Paragraph
Admittedly some people feel that humans are inherently good due to their generous and kind nature. They also feel that humans go out of their way to help others, even in difficult times. However, they fail to see that humans are actually evil because they only act kind and generous when other people are watching. They also might not realize that humans help others in difficult times only if it also benefits themselves due to their selfish nature.

37. Introduction Paragraph
Your introduction paragraph is the first thing that a reader will read.
You want to hook your reader into paying attention, and then let them know what they can expect you to argue throughout your paper.

38. Broad Statement Really?! Tell me more!!
Begin your introduction paragraph with a broad statement.
This is something that is about good/evil and should get your readers attention.
Examples:
For thousands of years humans have contemplated whether they are good or evil by nature.
Many humans throughout history have pondered the nature of man and whether they are good or evil.
Really?! Tell me more!!

39. Connection Oh, I see. Tell me more!!
Link the topic of good/evil to human nature.
What are people debating about human nature and good/evil?
For thousands of years humans have contemplated whether they are good or evil by nature. Some believe that it is due to their environment, while others believe it is their choice.
Oh, I see. Tell me more!!

40. Details I get it now. So what do you think?
What more information would the reader need to know about good/evil and human nature?
For thousands of years humans have contemplated whether they are good or evil by nature. Some believe that it is due to their environment, while others believe it is their choice. Regardless of what makes them that way, humans can only be either good or evil.
I get it now. So what do you think?

41. Thesis I can understand exactly what you will argue…
Your argument (that has already been approved!)
For thousands of years humans have contemplated whether they are good or evil by nature. Some believe that it is due to their environment, while others believe it is their choice. Regardless of what makes them that way, humans can only be either good or evil. Humans are inherently evil because they do things intentionally to hurt others, abuse their power over others, and focus on materialistic things.
I can understand exactly what you will argue…

42. Full Example of Introduction
For thousands of years humans have contemplated whether they are good or evil by nature. Some believe that it is due to their environment, while others believe it is their choice. Regardless of what makes them that way, humans can only be either good or evil. Humans are inherently evil because they do things intentionally to hurt others, abuse their power over others, and focus on materialistic things.

45. Conclusion
The conclusion is the last thing that your reader will get to read, so you need to make sure that it leaves a lasting impression.
The conclusion is your time to restate your main points, and make sure they stay with the reader as they leave.
The conclusion is also the time to bring your final thoughts forward for the reader.

46. Restate Thesis
Restate your main idea– Show a more complex understanding of your argument.
DO NOT DIRECTLY COPY YOUR THESIS!!
Instead, try rearranging, flipping the end to the front, or introducing synonyms to mix it up on your thesis.
Humans naturally do things intentionally to hurt others, abuse their power over others, and focus on materialistic things which make them inherently evil.

47. Restate your Thesis Original Thesis
Humans are inherently evil because they do things intentionally to hurt others, abuse their power over others, and focus on materialistic things.
Restated Thesis
Humans naturally do things intentionally to hurt others, abuse their power over others, and focus on materialistic things which make them inherently evil.

48. Reason 1, 2, & 3
Rephrase why your character shows good/evil and your reason.
You will have 1 sentence per Body Paragraph
(3 Total)
Jack intentionally let the fire go out on the island which showed how evil people act in a manner that focuses on their sole benefit and also hurts others. Montresor choose not to let Fortunato out of the walled enclosure which showed how evil people abuse their power over others when given the opportunity for revenge. Also, Madame Loisel focuses only on obtaining jewels and other materialistic things which showed how evil people lose sight of others’ feelings when they only care about how rich they appear to others.

49. Final Thoughts Overall, why is your thesis statement correct?
Leave a lasting impression with the reader
(2-3 SENTENCES)
DO NOT SAY “MY THESIS IS CORRECT BECAUSE…”
DO NOT END YOUR PARAGRAPH WITH SOMETHING RANDOM!
Clearly, people have a tendency to act in an evil manner throughout their lives because they are so obsessed with putting themselves first. Even if a person decided to change their nature, they would still be inherently evil to their core. Through history and into the future, humans will always remain evil regardless of the circumstances of life.

50. Full Example of Conclusion
Humans naturally do things intentionally to hurt others, abuse their power over others, and focus on materialistic things which make them inherently evil. Jack intentionally let the fire go out on the island which showed how evil people act in a manner that focuses on their sole benefit and also hurts others. Montresor choose not to let Fortunato out of the walled enclosure which showed how evil people abuse their power over others when given the opportunity for revenge. Also, Madame Loisel focuses only on obtaining jewels and other materialistic things which showed how evil people lose sight of others’ feelings when they only care about how rich they appear to others. Clearly, people have a tendency to act in an evil manner throughout their lives because they are so obsessed with putting themselves first. Even if a person decided to change their nature, they would still be inherently evil to their core. Through history and into the future, humans will always remain evil regardless of the circumstances of life.

53. Typing

54. Revision

55. Peer Review

56. Format of essay

57. Rough Draft Revision

58. Rough Draft Peer Edit

59. Final Draft Due