WRITING AN ARGUMENT SPRINGBOARD 1 15 PAGE 53

WRITING AN ARGUMENT SPRINGBOARD 1. 15, PAGE 53

WRITING AN ARGUMENT • Learning Target: • Identify an important issue or topic and compose an argumentative essay (300 -500 words) with a clear position. • Obtain & use feedback from a peer to revise for a final draft.

THE HOOK • Grabs the reader’s attention and catches their interest • May establish a connection between the reader & writer • May provide background information • Might be an anecdote, image, definition, or quotation

THE CLAIM • Usually comes in the opening section of a text • States the author’s main point • Can be straightforward and direct (ie: I believe that……)

CONCESSIONS & REFUTATIONS • Recognize arguments made by the other side • Build credibility by showing ability to discuss each side with objectivity • Grant that the other side has validity • Argue against the opposing viewpoint by showing that your side has MORE validity

SUPPORT • Sets out the reasoning behind an argument • Provides evidence of the claim (data, quotations, etc) – LOGOS & ETHOS • May include emotional appeal - PATHOS

CALL TO ACTION • Draws the argument to a close and restates the claim • May make a final, new appeal to values • May voice a final plea • Sums up the argument and asks the reader to do something or take action

1 ST STEP: BRAINSTORM THESIS DUE TOMORROW • Finding the right topic is essential. With ONE partner, brainstorm controversial topics that are important to you. • Check out: https: //www. nytimes. com/2017/03/01/learning/lesson-plans/401 -prompts-for-argumentative-writing. html • Pick something that: a) you genuinely care about; b) other people would want to read about; c) you can make an argument about; and d) you can find evidence about to support their claim. • What would you like to change if you could? What problems or policies do you think should be addressed — whether something global, like climate change, or something closer to home, like a later start time for your high school classes or CCA Uniform Policy? Make as long a list as you can. • What issues, topics and fields are you passionate about? Make a list. Your list might included fields as broad as “music” or as specific as “the early days of hip-hop. ” What questions or controversies in these fields do experts or fans often argue? Where do you stand? • What do you do outside of school? What are some things you’re an expert on? What aspects of those hobbies or interests do you find yourself having to explain to others? Why? • What issues or ideas do you often find yourself discussing or arguing about with friends, your family or online? • What issues or controversies have you followed recently in current events? What are your opinions about them? What might you need more information about?

STEP 2: REVIEW PUBLISHED ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAYS IN THE FORM OF EDITORIALS • Editorials – especially pieces written in national newspapers – provide fantastic models for argumentative writing. • Check out NY Times Opinion Editorials (Op-Eds) • We will explore several articles that will demonstrate the art of argumentative writing. You will mostly likely NOT agree with all of them, but it’s the writing and the writer’s moves that are important.

STEP 3: RESEARCH • Once you have selected a topic, begin your research by gathering background information. That might mean reading newspaper articles, consulting an encyclopedia, and finding reliable websites. You need to ensure you have enough context about why your topic is important to enable you to write a strong persuasive essay. • As you research, take notes & complete the Persuasive/Argument Writing Map organizer

STEPS 4 -6: WRITE, REVISE, & EDIT • According to Times Editor, Allen Rosenthal: • . Know your bottom line. “You have to know what you want to say. You have to have a clear opinion — what we call a bottom line. ” 2. Be concise. “You need to get to the point of your editorial quickly. You have to state it clearly and you have to be concise. ” 3. Give an opinion or solution. “There are basically two kinds of editorials. One expresses an opinion about a situation, like if you want to write about human rights abuses in some part of the world or the country that you’re concerned about. The other kind of editorial proposes a solution to a specific problem. For example, if you want to write about traffic congestion in northern New Jersey, where I live and there’s a lot of traffic, you should have an answer to how to fix the traffic problem. ” 4. Do your research. “Everyone is entitled to their opinion, you’re not entitled to your own facts. Go online, make calls if you can, check your information, double-check it. There’s nothing that will undermine your argument faster than a fact you got wrong, that you did not have to get wrong. ” 5. Write clearly. “Good writing is important. Make your writing clear and easy to understand. Write as if you’re sending a letter to a well-informed friend who cares about what you think. But don’t use any slang. OMG — no. Use examples whenever you can. It’s better to use an example than just to use a word or an adjective that describes something. If you want to say that the mayor’s pre-K policy is wrong, explain how — don’t say it’s just stupid. In fact, never use the word stupid. ” 6. Every writer needs an editor. “After you’ve written your editorial, give it to someone you trust to read and listen to what they say. If they don’t understand it, that means it’s probably not clear. ”

PEER REVIEW • Once rough draft is complete, draft must be peer reviewed • Peer Editing forms must be completed and submitted with final draft • ** If something is unclear when you read someone’s paper – TELL THEM!!!!**

STEP 7: SUBMIT FINAL DRAFT • Final Drafts MUST be typed or written VERY neatly in blue or black pen. • Rough drafts, brainstorming, & persuasive/argument writing maps must be submitted with the final draft.