Argumentative Essay Pointers The leadhook captures the readers

Argumentative Essay Pointers

• The lead/hook captures the reader’s attention • The thesis states the writer’s opinion (major claim) about the issue • The secondary claims/reasons convince the reader that thesis is correct • The evidence supports the secondary claims/reasons • The counterclaim responds to reader concerns and objections; it presents a claim for the other side • The rebuttal proves the counterclaim wrong and shows that your position is correct • The conclusion restates thesis (comes back to the point)

Lead / Hook - Grab the Reader’s Attention Anecdote (personal story) I walked proudly through the hallways of AMS, my new blue mohawk glistening magnificently in the florescent lighting of the hallway, but then I saw Mr. Caruthers. I felt the wax in my hair start to melt. Rhetorical Question Do schools have the right to tell kids how to dress? Hyperbole For the past 300 years in this country, schools have been crushing the artistic freedom of students with oppressive dress codes! Interesting Statistic 23% of all public and private schools have their students wear uniforms. Quotation “Give me liberty or give me death. ” Scenario Imagine swimming in a beautiful blue ocean filled with colorful coral and exotic fish. Now imagine the impact of 3 million barrels of oil pumping into that environment…

There are two types of claims 1 There is one main claim for your whole essay, in the introductory paragraph (also called a thesis) EX: Students should be allowed to chew gum 2 Secondary claims (your reasons for the main claim) are woven into your body paragraphs. For example: Gum can help you focus If students could chew gum they’d be less stressed Gum can improve your mood and lead to students being nicer to each other.

• Topic Sentence – Clearly state your supporting reason. • Explain how and/or why this is a good supporting reason for your main claim. Give your reasoning before giving a quote. • Support your reasoning with evidence #1 – a quote or paraphrased details from one of the texts. • Explain how your evidence supports your reason. • TRANSITION • Support your reasoning with evidence #2 – a quote or paraphrased details from one of the texts. • Explain how your evidence supports your reason. • TRANSITION • Support your reasoning with evidence #3 – a quote or paraphrased details from one of the texts. • Explain how your evidence supports your reason. • CLOSING SENTENCE • *Compare and Contrast Discussion

What is a counterclaim? This is what your audience may say to disagree with you. You need to address your audiences concerns so you can refute them! To do this well you MUST know your audience!!! For Example: My teacher may say: Gum may cause a distraction if you chew it loudly My principal may say: Gum causes messes that take too much of our custodian’s time and makes our school look bad.

How do I respond to the counterclaim? With a rebuttal! The rebuttal is the “comeback” How will you shoot down their disagreement and bring them back to “your side” to see your vision and why you are correct. For example: If students weren’t afraid of being caught, they wouldn’t feel the need to stick gum to desks to hide it from their teachers.

Counterclaim and Rebuttal Sentence Starters and Transitions Counterclaim Rebuttal There are some people who believe… and they argue… While this argument may be valid… Alternatively, others may think… and claim that… Those who care about _____, however, will… However, supporters of… believe… Nevertheless, this opinion fails to take into account… Conversely, (Name of Person) supports… and rejects the idea that… However, that belief is not valid because… Admittedly, others may believe… While that may be true… that does not change the fact that… On the other hand, critics argue that…

Rebuttal Ideas 1. Accept the criticism of the counterclaim. Tell why all or part of the opposing point of view may be reasonable, believable, or valid, but minimize the opposing position. For example, “This evidence may be true; however, the objection does not change the fact that…” 2. Reject the counterclaim. For example, “This view ignores the conclusive evidence that…” “This position is mistaken because…” 3. Criticize the evidence and analysis of the counterclaim as being unimportant, irrelevant, or a misinterpretation. For example, “This argument misses the key point that…”

How to Structure the Final Paragraph 1. Topic Sentence/Restated Thesis Statement: repeat the ideas in your thesis statement, but don’t use the same exact wording. 2. “So what? ” Technique 3. Supporting sentences: summarize the main points in the body of your essay 4. Call to Action and/or Possible Outcome 5. Closing sentence: connect back to the introduction to "clinch" the ideas in the essay, showing their importance