Parts of an Argumentative Essay Sponge November 3

Parts of an Argumentative Essay

Sponge November 3, 2014 • What is an argumentative essay? • What are the features of an argumentative essay? • Compare and contrast argumentative essay with informative essay.

Essay Topic • 1. Argumentative: Author Carolyn Maull Mc. Kinstry noted in her book, While the World Watched, that attending college was a nonnegotiable in her life. She encouraged readers to study hard and attend college as part of their life’s work. However, many young people would argue that college is not a top priority considering the cost of attending and the amount of money one could make without a college education. Consider your own personal feelings toward higher education. Write an essay expressing your opinion on whether or not a college education is necessary. Cite evidence from the text that will either defend or rebuke your claims regarding the importance of a college education.

Parts of an Introduction 1. Hook the Reader with one of the following: • Question • Anecdote • Historical Background • Figurative Language • 5 W’s and H • Famous Quotes 2. Clear Position (Thesis) Statement

Example of an Introduction Right now in our society a college education is no longer an option or privilege, but rather a necessity. We are practically raised and conditioned to believe that one needs higher education in order to succeed in life, it is respected, and lastly, it may not guarantee a job. There is a saying that says "if you think education is expensive, try ignorance. " But as technology is constantly advancing and computers are running almost anything, is a college education really necessary?

Body Paragraph Requirements • Topic Sentence with reason 1 and transition • Evidence #1 • Explanation/Elaboration • Evidence #2 • Explanation/Elaboration • Evidence #3 • Explanation/Elaboration • Closing Sentence

Example of Body Paragraph Two with counterargument and rebuttal Let's face it, going to college is socially prestigious. Most people go to college only for the title of being called a college student. For some young people, it is a graceful way to get away from home and become independent without losing the financial support of their parents. They do not want to be looked down upon so they do what would look best in the eyes of society. It is practically beat into our heads that in order to be a productive citizen of society, you should have some sort of college education. Being a college student is perhaps a more respectable role than being, for example, a janitor or a garbage man because of the negative connotations such jobs receive, but we need them to make the world go around.

Example of Body Paragraph without counterargument (rebuttal) The main reason why people go to college is not because they want to but because they have to. Most high school seniors are pressured by their guidance counselors and parents to go to college because it is "the right thing to do. ” Students go to college because their mother wanted them to go, or some other reason entirely irrelevant to the course of studies for which college is supposedly organized. The student may have different ideas about what he or she wants to do in life, but because they think that these "mentors" know what is best for them, they probably end up doing something they do not want to do, resulting in being miserable and resentful for the rest of their lives.

Body Paragraph Three Most importantly, going to college and getting a degree does not necessarily guarantee that an individual is going to get a job right after graduation. It is hard out there for recent graduates to find a good job since there is so much competition due to the increasing accessibility of a college education. Even if they do get a job, it is not usually not in what they got their degree for. Over 50 percent of Americans work outside of the field that they studied in college, which seems to become the norm now a days. They have to find some sort of job to pay off all the debt that their college education has given to them.

Conclusion Paragraph • Restate thesis or position statement • Go out with a bang using one of the following: • Question • Quote • Plan of Action • Thought Provoking Statement

Conclusion Paragraph • College definitely has its pros and cons. It is one of the first major decisions you have to make as a young adult. So think about it…am I doing what I know will benefit me in the future? Am I going to college because everyone expects me to, or because it is the American way, or will you even be assured a career or a job? It is truly something to consider, you make the choice.