1. The Argumentative Essay

2. What exactly is an Argument?
An argument involves the process of establishing a claim and then proving it with the use of logical reasoning, examples, and research.

3. Douglass on Women’s Suffrage
I Have a Dream
Christmas Article from Biblical Allusion…
Middle School “Remarks at the Dedication of the Aerospace Medical Health Center” b JFK
Argument, claim, support, reasons, evidence, counterarguments, evaluate…

4. Freestyle, informal debate
Women have the same opportunities in life as men
Is technology restricting human imagination?
Legalizing abortion- NY overturning up to birth for abortion
Split in two sides- research articles for your position. Find your evidence!

5. What is an Argumentative or Argument Essay?
The purpose of an argumentative essay is to present well-reasoned conclusions in order to persuade the audience to accept or at least seriously consider a point of view.

6. The aim of writing argumentative essays
To convince or persuade the reader.
One attempts to change the reader’s mind and convince the reader to agree with the point of view or claim of the writer.

7. Key terms to learn before writing an argumentative essay
Claim- Your basic belief about a particular topic, issue, event, or idea
Counterclaim- A solid and reasonable argument that opposes or disagrees with your claim
Rebuttal- A written or verbal response to a counterclaim. The object of the rebuttal is to take into account the ideas presented in the counterclaim and explain why they aren’t persuasive enough, valid enough, or important enough to outweigh your own claim.
Support- Your specific facts or specific evidence used to support why your claim is true
Refute- Argue against a position or prove it to be wrong
Qualify- A “partly-agree” stance in which you agree (in part) with another persons’ argument or position but also disagree with part of it

8. Differences? An argumentative essay A persuasive essay
Makes claims based on factual evidence
Makes counter-claims. The author takes opposing views into account.
Neutralizes or “defeats” serious opposing ideas
Convinces audience through the merit and reasonableness of the claims and proofs offered
May make claims based on opinion
May not take opposing ideas into account
Persuades by appealing to the audience’s emotion or by relying on the character or credentials of the writer- less on the merits of

9. Elements of Argumentation
Counterargument/Counterclaim
The counterargument/counterclaim is an argument that stands in opposition to your argument/claim.
The counterargument/counterclaim is your opponent’s (the other side’s) argument that tries to explain why you are wrong.

10. How to write argumentative essays
Choosing a topic and writing the thesis statement
Decide on a controversial topic (debatable and interesting).
Write an argumentative thesis statement.
Generate ideas (free writing or brainstorming).

11. When Supporting your Argument
One important concern in writing an argumentative essay is to strengthen your argument. To do this, you need to base your argument on sound evidence. In supporting your argument, the evidence that you include can be:
Facts: data that have been objectively proven and are generally accepted (such as historical facts, scientific data, statistics etc.)
Examples: should be sufficient number of examples to prove the case.
Support from authority
Opinions of experts

12. The Role of Your Audience
Understanding your audience is key to effective writing of all kinds, especially argumentative writing.
An argument is an implicit dialogue or exchange with your audience, so in writing arguments, assume there is a reader that will not agree with you.
Audience awareness is absolutely essential to successful argument; therefore…
Know your audience
What is their position on the issue?
How strongly do they feel about it?
Are they open-minded enough to consider other views?
What will their objections be to your argument?
You can overcome fair representations of your opponents’ views by giving a well-developed “yes, but . . .” response.

13. Do not be rude!
You should make sure that you reach your audience without offending them!
Use tactful and courteous language
Avoid sweeping statements like ‘’everybody knows’’ or ‘’people with any intelligence agree that’’.

14. Organize ideas into an outline

15. Useful sentences Yes ____, however ____
Although I agree up to a point, I still insist (59).
“I agree” that ____, but I cannot agree that ____.”
X is right that ______, but she claims that ____ (60).
I agree that ______ because my experience [of] ________ confirms it (57).

16. Practice Invent an argument statement for an audience
Topic: pet ownership
Audiences:
Middle-class elementary school-age kids
25-y.o. Indian women in Seattle
Dog show enthusiasts
What might each group care about? Already know? Need to know? What points could you make about owning a pet?

17. Practice
Women’s Suffrage article by Douglass (as a class)

18. Hwmk:
Choose from this list. Read online AND complete the online interactive map. Print out your completed map.
All online

19. In Conclusion
Have a point to your argument—make your own decisions about your topic
Identify your audience
Explain what “They” say about your topic
Respond to what “They” say with your argument
Address potential objections with respect
Show why your audience should care

20. Strong thesis: expresses a clear position
Can be supported w/ reasons + evidence
Describes supporting reasons
w/out listing them
Refers to the prompt

21. APA vs. MLA format! Owl.purdue

26. LofF argumentative essay
Will help you organize online

27. Argumentation Essay Prompt Lord of the Flies
Is human nature good or essentially evil? In the novel the Lord of the Flies author William Golding constantly has the reader questioning the true nature of humans-whether it is good or bad.
Write an essay that discusses the idea that humans are essentially good or that humans are essentially bad. Choose one side and convince your audience (me) with two detailed examples from the text and two detailed examples from the last 50 years in history that humans are essentially good or that humans are essentially bad. Integrate one example from Kendra Cherry’s article, “The Old Age Debate of Nature vs. Nurture”
Entire assignment on
handout