1. MLA Guide to Writing: Argumentative Essays

2. MLA Format Times New Roman, 12 point font, double spaced (set as format), one inch margins (check default on your computer) Times New Roman, 12 point font, double spaced (set as format), one inch margins (check default on your computer) Leave only one space after periods or other punctuation marks Leave only one space after periods or other punctuation marks Indent the first line of paragraphs one half- inch from the left margin (use the tab button) Indent the first line of paragraphs one half- inch from the left margin (use the tab button) Create a header that numbers all pages consecutively in the upper right-hand corner, one-half inch from the top and flush with the right margin. Create a header that numbers all pages consecutively in the upper right-hand corner, one-half inch from the top and flush with the right margin.

3. MLA Format: First Page Do not make a title page for your paper unless specifically requested. Do not make a title page for your paper unless specifically requested. In the upper left-hand corner of the first page, list your name, your instructor's name, the course, and the date. Again, be sure to use double-spaced text. In the upper left-hand corner of the first page, list your name, your instructor's name, the course, and the date. Again, be sure to use double-spaced text. Double space again and center the title of your paper. DO NOT underline, italicize, change font size/design, or place your title in quotation marks Double space again and center the title of your paper. DO NOT underline, italicize, change font size/design, or place your title in quotation marks Write the title in Title Case (standard capitalization), not in all capital letters Write the title in Title Case (standard capitalization), not in all capital letters Double space between the title and the first line of the text Double space between the title and the first line of the text

4. MLA Format: First Page cont.

5. MLA Format: Works Cited Page EVERY essay must have a Works Cited Page if you are using other people’s ideas, thoughts, and/or works EVERY essay must have a Works Cited Page if you are using other people’s ideas, thoughts, and/or works Visit www.academictips.org/mla-format/ for specific help with formatting your Works Cited Page Visit www.academictips.org/mla-format/ for specific help with formatting your Works Cited Page Use format generators to help you Use format generators to help you –www.citationmachine.com www.citationmachine.com –www.easybib.com www.easybib.com –www.knightcite.com

6. MLA: Works Cited cont.

7. Outline: Why create one? It is helpful to create an outline when you want to show the importance or logical ordering of information. It is helpful to create an outline when you want to show the importance or logical ordering of information. For research papers, an outline may help you keep track of large amounts of information. For research papers, an outline may help you keep track of large amounts of information. For creative writing, an outline may help organize the various plot threads and help keep track of character traits. For creative writing, an outline may help organize the various plot threads and help keep track of character traits. Many people find that organizing an oral report or presentation in outline form helps them speak more effectively in front of a crowd. Many people find that organizing an oral report or presentation in outline form helps them speak more effectively in front of a crowd.

8. Outline: First steps of creating an outline Determine the purpose of your paper Determine the purpose of your paper Determine the audience you are writing for Determine the audience you are writing for Develop the thesis of your paper Develop the thesis of your paper

9. Outline: Final steps Brainstorm: List all the ideas that you want to include in your paper Brainstorm: List all the ideas that you want to include in your paper Organize: Group related ideas together by topic Organize: Group related ideas together by topic Order: Arrange material in order from general to specific for each topic Order: Arrange material in order from general to specific for each topic Label: Create main and sub headings for each topic Label: Create main and sub headings for each topic

10. Outline: Formatting This is the most common type of outline and usually instantly recognizable to most people. The formatting follows these characters, in this order: This is the most common type of outline and usually instantly recognizable to most people. The formatting follows these characters, in this order: –Roman Numerals (i.e., I, II, III, IV, V…) –Capitalized Letters –Regular Numerals (i.e., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5…) –Lowercase Letters

11. Outline Example Thesis: Esperanza’s Morp is an excellent way for students to get acquainted with their peers. A. Students learn current dance culture at Esperanza High School. 1. Dress 2. Dance moves

12. Argumentative Essay Structure (one sided)

13. Argumentative Essay Introduction Introductory Section for an Argument Essay Introductory Section for an Argument Essay Clearly introduces the issue Clearly introduces the issue States the writer’s point of view (thesis) States the writer’s point of view (thesis) Tells the reader what to expect Tells the reader what to expect

14. Introduction Example #1 Education is formally defined as the result produced by methods of teaching related to an ”enlightened experience.” America’s education system was created in order to properly develop essential knowledge in students for future generations to carry on America as a powerful, influential, and major world power. However, the most common problem among our students in stress. Also, known as the deadliest killer, stress is mental or emotional tension that results from any extremely demanding circumstances. Daily high degrees of stress in teenagers’ lives has become a normal ideal, not nearly as uncommon in earlier decades. The American education system is causing undue stress on teenagers that is detrimental to their health. Education is formally defined as the result produced by methods of teaching related to an ”enlightened experience.” America’s education system was created in order to properly develop essential knowledge in students for future generations to carry on America as a powerful, influential, and major world power. However, the most common problem among our students in stress. Also, known as the deadliest killer, stress is mental or emotional tension that results from any extremely demanding circumstances. Daily high degrees of stress in teenagers’ lives has become a normal ideal, not nearly as uncommon in earlier decades. The American education system is causing undue stress on teenagers that is detrimental to their health.

15. +/- of Introduction Example #1 Although this writer attempts to be specific in his introduction through the use of definition (defining “education” and “stress”), overall this introduction is vague and bloated with words that don't convey an image. The writer says that stress is known as the “deadliest killer“ but doesn’t give a citation or even offer an explanation for what makes stress so deadly. This detail could be further explained in the body of the essay, but it’s too broad of an idea with out support in the introductory paragraph. This writer does establish a claim. However, it’s hard to find with this added connecting sentence: “ Daily high degrees of stress in teenagers’ lives has become a normal ideal, not nearly as uncommon in earlier decades.” Adding the idea that the stress level of students has changed over time is unnecessary and takes away from the point. Although this writer attempts to be specific in his introduction through the use of definition (defining “education” and “stress”), overall this introduction is vague and bloated with words that don't convey an image. The writer says that stress is known as the “deadliest killer“ but doesn’t give a citation or even offer an explanation for what makes stress so deadly. This detail could be further explained in the body of the essay, but it’s too broad of an idea with out support in the introductory paragraph. This writer does establish a claim. However, it’s hard to find with this added connecting sentence: “ Daily high degrees of stress in teenagers’ lives has become a normal ideal, not nearly as uncommon in earlier decades.” Adding the idea that the stress level of students has changed over time is unnecessary and takes away from the point.

16. Introduction Example #2 For many years, children growing up in a single parent family have been viewed as different. Being raised by only one parent seems impossible to many yet over the decades it has become more prevalent. In today’s society many children have grown up to become emotionally stable and successful whether they had one or two parents to show them the rocky path that life bestows upon all human beings. The problem lies in the difference of children raised by single parents versus children raised by both a mother and a father. Does a child need both parents? Does a young boy need a father figure around? Does the government provide help for single parents? With much speculation, this topic has become a very intriguing argument. What people must understand is that properly raising a child does not rely on the structure of a family but should be more focused on the process or values that are taught to these children as they learn to mature. Children of single parents can be just as progressive with emotional, social and behavioral skills as those with two parents.

17. +/- of Introduction Example #2 This writer certainly has passion for the subject matter as we can see by the lengthy introduction to the topic. However, the point is muddled by several ideas that would have been better left body paragraphs. (IE – “government provide help for single parents”) The rhetorical questions are confusing and pull focus from the argument. The thesis is strong even though it does use emotional language that would better suit a persuasive essay. (IE – “What people must understand…”) The reader can clearly see the outline for the arguments in the final sentence. (IE – “emotional, social and behavioral skills”) This writer certainly has passion for the subject matter as we can see by the lengthy introduction to the topic. However, the point is muddled by several ideas that would have been better left body paragraphs. (IE – “government provide help for single parents”) The rhetorical questions are confusing and pull focus from the argument. The thesis is strong even though it does use emotional language that would better suit a persuasive essay. (IE – “What people must understand…”) The reader can clearly see the outline for the arguments in the final sentence. (IE – “emotional, social and behavioral skills”)

18. Body Paragraphs Body paragraphs are the meat of your essay, and as such are the most important component of your essay. Body paragraphs are the meat of your essay, and as such are the most important component of your essay. In the body paragraphs, you will expand upon and provide support for the theme you introduced in the first paragraph and will provide the details that move that theme forward. In the body paragraphs, you will expand upon and provide support for the theme you introduced in the first paragraph and will provide the details that move that theme forward. A two page essay will typically contain 2-4 body paragraphs. A two page essay will typically contain 2-4 body paragraphs.

19. Argument Body Paragraphs (one sided) Each body paragraph needs: Each body paragraph needs: – an argument for or against the topic (depending on the stance that you chose) –evidence to support your argument –explanation to show how the evidence supports the argument

20. Argument Body Paragraphs (on sided) For each piece of evidence with in a paragraph, there will be at least one sentence of explanation For each piece of evidence with in a paragraph, there will be at least one sentence of explanation –There will be multiple pieces of evidence and explanation in each body paragraph Evidence should build in a logical order from the beginning of the paragraph to the end Evidence should build in a logical order from the beginning of the paragraph to the end

21. Body Paragraphs Transitions Avoid simplistic transitions between paragraphs. If your topic sentences (generally the first sentence in each paragraph) all begin with some sort of numerical transition (first, second, third, finally) Avoid simplistic transitions between paragraphs. If your topic sentences (generally the first sentence in each paragraph) all begin with some sort of numerical transition (first, second, third, finally) If you find yourself relying to heavily on "also" to move your paragraphs forward, look for more interesting and sophisticated transition words and phrases to move the essay along. If you find yourself relying to heavily on "also" to move your paragraphs forward, look for more interesting and sophisticated transition words and phrases to move the essay along.

22. Body Paragraphs Examples See Example Essay See Example Essay –Star by thesis – Writer’s point of view – Cloud around the argument in each paragraph (topic sentence) –Underline evidence/facts –Box around explanation/commentary –Squiggle line under the transition sentences

23. Conclusion Your conclusion is your chance to extend your essay's parameters and to demonstrate the significance of your experience in a larger context Your conclusion is your chance to extend your essay's parameters and to demonstrate the significance of your experience in a larger context A conclusion is not a repeat or summary of ideas presented elsewhere in the essay or application. A conclusion is not a repeat or summary of ideas presented elsewhere in the essay or application. Instead, it should re-affirm the validity of your essay's theme. This means that your conclusion should widen the lens rather than narrow the focus. Instead, it should re-affirm the validity of your essay's theme. This means that your conclusion should widen the lens rather than narrow the focus. Remember: Reverse Fennel Remember: Reverse Fennel –You are going from specific to general

24. Argumentative Conclusion How to write an argumentative conclusion How to write an argumentative conclusion How to write an argumentative conclusion How to write an argumentative conclusion –Restate the main argument in a different way –Summarize the key reasons –Provide additional commentary (“widening the lens” of the essay’s theme)

25. Sample Argumentative Conclusion The evidence is overwhelming: the cost of driving a vehicle, both monetarily and environmentally, is outweighing the benefits. We can no longer in good faith support something that is so destructive of the environment. At five dollars per gallon in some areas, we need to ask ourselves if our dependence on cars is merely a result of our own laziness. The bicycle is truly the most efficient means of commuting if we would just take the energy to do so. Saving money while saving the planet is surely enough reason to sway a person without even mentioning the health benefits. Some will never be convinced, but every little bit helps.

26. Comments on Conclusion Example This conclusion restates the thesis. It reviews some of the key evidence and it has a call to action. It offers a solution to driving vehicles, but it doesn’t broaden the scope of the argument by asking the reader to ponder anything new. It comes off as dry and rushed. This conclusion restates the thesis. It reviews some of the key evidence and it has a call to action. It offers a solution to driving vehicles, but it doesn’t broaden the scope of the argument by asking the reader to ponder anything new. It comes off as dry and rushed.

27. Sample Argumentative Conclusion Though Columbus Day’s original intent was to celebrate Christopher Columbus’s historic landing in the New World, many groups feel that it should instead be a day of remembrance for the millions of natives who died as a result of colonization. Despite the contentious nature of the holiday, Columbus played an integral role in the creation of what we know now as the United States of America, and his voyages facilitated a massive exchange of goods between the New World and the Old that continues to this day. Regardless of how one feels about the holiday, Columbus had a huge impact on history, and the world wouldn’t look the same today without him.

28. Comments on Conclusion Example This conclusion does a good job of restating the view point with out saying “Columbus day should remain a celebration of Christopher Columbus,” which was the thesis statement. The weakness of this conclusion is in the last sentence. Speaking about the “huge” impact of Columbus sounds juvenile and repetitive. This conclusion does a good job of restating the view point with out saying “Columbus day should remain a celebration of Christopher Columbus,” which was the thesis statement. The weakness of this conclusion is in the last sentence. Speaking about the “huge” impact of Columbus sounds juvenile and repetitive.