1. Make your claim And know how to defend it

2. Introduce your claim CLEARLY state your claim (the point your argument makes) Give context or background information for the reader Acknowledge counterclaims (opposing views) Make it clear why your claim is strong Consider using an overview or quotation to support your view in your introduction

3. Essential Question How do I state my claim and defend it in a piece of writin?g

4. Examples Vague: We need more recreational facilitiesNO Precise: The city should build a new skate park downtownYES! Not distinguished from opposing view: There are plenty of people who consider skate parks unsafe Distinguish from opposing view: While some people think skate parks are unsafe, the facts say differently

5. More examples Confusing ideas: Teens need more to do. Skate parks are enjoyed by all ages Clear relationship of ideas: Providing a safe activity for teens as well as for people of all ages, the skate park would benefit the entire community

6. Develop your claim The body of the argument must give strong, logical reasons for your claim It must support those reasons with relevant evidence Reasons state why your claim is valid Evidence provides specific examples that illustrate the reason

7. Refute Counterclaims! Use equally strong reasons and evidence why they are not valid Give a well-rounded look at the limits of your claim and the counterclaim Answer readers’ potential objections to your claim without weakening it Be sure to consider how much your audience already knows

8. Examples Claim lacks reason: A skate park would be a good thing Developed reasons: Among the benefits of a skate park are a potential reduction in petty crimes committed by bored teens and improved physical fitness in the community Omitting limitation of claim: The people opposed to this idea wouldn’t use a skate park Fair discussion of limits: We should not dismiss safety concerns. Planning of the park should include safe ramp design, first aid facilities, and ongoing maintenance.

9. More examples Inattention to audience knowledge: A kick-flip ollie can be executed just about anywhere, but with a half-pipe, more advanced tricks are possible Aware of audience knowledge: Readers unfamiliar with skateboarding may be surprised to learn that most injuries happen to beginners in their own driveways, not in well-planned skate parks.

10. Link your ideas together Reasons need to be connected for the reader to get your point Use transitional words and phrases Use sentences as connectors Be sure to introduce new ideas clearly

11. Examples! Use transitional words: The entire community would benefit from a skate park downtown. First, health care and law enforcement costs may be reduced as bored teens are given more constructive ways to use their free time. Transitional phrases: Skating in a planned park would reduce injuries. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics states that “communities should be encouraged to develop safe skateboarding areas…”

12. And more examples: Transitional clause or sentence: The health benefits of the park are clear. Those opposed to the park plan, though, would say otherwise; they feel that there is too much potential for injuries from falls.

13. Use appropriate style and tone Use a direct and formal style Do not use personal pronouns or “I think” Maintain an objective tone- avoid using loaded language or insulting the opposition

14. Examples Informal: The park will help the whole city, so they should fork over the money to pay for it. Formal: Because the benefits of the park will include all residents, the city should provide funding for the project

15. Examples Biased tone: It doesn’t make any sense to go against this plan Objective tone: Arguments opposing this plan have been refuted by statistics from many sources

16. One more! Inattention to conventions: We need to make this dream a reality! Attention to conventions: This proposal, which will greatly benefit all the community at little cost, deserves City Council attention.

17. Conclude your argument This can be a sentence or a paragraph Wrap up the argument Should flow smoothly from your argument, reasons, and evidence Can include a challenge, question, or call to action

18. Examples Inference: Support for a safe and enjoyable city begins with our youth Question: Who does not want to live in an active city with engaged young people? Quote: The First Lady’s Let’s Move campaign points out “community leaders can promote fitness by revitalizing parks, playgrounds and community centers.” Challenge: Facilities of this type make the difference between and average city and a truly great one.

19. Summary Write a three sentence summary on your notes. Do it.