The Argument Essay
Everyone likes to argue! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqfkti6gn9y https://www.ted.com/talks/daniel_h_cohen_for_argument_s_sake#t -7565
The Argument Essay The basic structure of an argument is that each side expresses a claim that is explained by a reason, a set of reasons, or a chain of reasoning. The reason is further illustrated with supporting examples. If you understand these first two points, you can write a quick argument in 40 minutes! Read them again!
The Prompt You will be given a statement, a quotations, or a brief passage that identifies a theme or a larger issue. Always annotate! Answer the following: What is the topic or problem? How is it important to society? How do I feel about it?
The Instructions You will be asked to support or agree or qualify or modify or dispute or challenge ; however, the task always remains the same --- agree, disagree, or a little of both! Your job is to take a stand on the issue!
The Claim The claim is your basic reaction to the problem. It is your OPINION! Do you agree, disagree, or agree in part with the prompt? That s it! Choose one of the three answers and then GO! Example: Social media is harmful to society. Remember, that your claim must be arguable. You are taking a stand, exerting your opinion!
The Reason Once you have decided your claim, your reason follows. It is often introduced with because. EXAMPLE: Social media has the ability to ruin society BECAUSE it encourages the wasting of time and promotes a dissatisfaction with ordinary reality that keeps people searching for a sensationalistic life at the expense of genuine happiness. *Note: No comma before because because because introduces an essential clause.
The Qualifier (agree in part) This can be the trickiest stand to take and the most difficult to write about, but is most impressive if done well. For example, gun control two sides: no private citizen should have guns there should be no restrictions on gun ownership at all Qualifying might sound like this: The second amendment guarantees the right of citizens to bear arms; however, certain kinds of guns, such as machine guns or other types of automatic weapons, should not be available for private ownership. Private ownership of guns should not be banned outright, but ownership should be limited to certain types of guns and regulated by such means as rigorous background checks and regular monitoring of gun owners.
Examples To prove your point, you need examples! You can draw on personal examples, What s happened in your own experience What you ve learned that s applicable from any of your school subjects What you ve observed in current or historical events You only need the best two or three examples!
Examples and Scoring Although you might expect that using examples from literature would be preferable, that s not true! A well-written argument drawing on purely personal experience can receive as high a score as one that cites several novels. Nothing in the scoring guide indicates that choosing a popular novel, for instance, will necessarily result in a low score; if you can make your case, your essay will be read and evaluated thoughtfully and fairly even if you use Harry Potter instead of Jane Eyre as an example. If you can invent a clever example and it makes the argument work, it s legitimate! Go for it!
Time Management You should take the first 5-10 minutes to Decide your claim Social media is harmful. Decide your reasons People are addicted People intentionally misrepresent themselves/not satisfied with themselves Decide your examples The new skinny filter Duck Face My brother who spends more time on his phone than on homework Example of a suicide from last night s news That didn t take long, now use the next 30 minutes to write!
What this is NOT... What this is This is NOT Rhetorical Analysis You are NOT being asked to analyze the use of appeals (ethos, logos, pathos) or rhetorical devices You are beings asked to explain the point that the author is making and then to develop your own position on that point.
IMPORTANT! After presenting your evidence, you must discuss your evidence! You must explain how it supports your claim! Your argument needs to advance. You can t make a point and assume you re developing it by adding six redundant examples. With no discussion of your evidence, your evidence is only loosely connected to your position and relies on your reader to get the connection. Your argument is then considered undeveloped.
Opposing View Always acknowledge the opposing view before closing your argument. Students who forget to do this tend to have a lower score.
Structure of a Classical Argument Introduction Thesis Statement Background Information Reasons and Evidence The Opposing View and the Refutation Conclusion