Argument Essay Notes CMMS 8 th Grade

The Purpose of an Argument Essay To persuade or convince someone or a group of people to agree with your position on an issue. Choose your battle and take a STRONG STAND!

Using the “Ideas” Trait Preparing to Write Determine a Point Of View: Your point of view is your opinion on the issue. State your opinion clearly, telling the reader EXACTLY what side of the issue you support. You can only be on one side. Identify Your Specific Audience: For which group do I want to write? –Pick an audience that would care about this issue and would be able to accomplish the goal. –Be specific. This decision determines the style and content of your paper.

Expanding the “Ideas” Trait Gathering Support Supporting Arguments – These are your reasons for your opinion and tell why you believe as you do. (Remember, you need to be able to back them up – more than just because “I think so”.) Evidence - anecdotes, facts or expert opinions to back up your reason. – In order to make your essay credible, you must VARY your evidence!!!

Example Point of View: –The lunchroom should offer vegetarian meals. Specific Audience: –The District 201u School Board Members Reason: –There are many students at CMMS who are vegetarians. Evidence: –A recent study published in Parents magazine confirms that 35 % of all American families, including their children, are currently vegetarians.

The Trait of “Organization” What is the format of a Persuasive Essay? Your opinion (point of view) is your thesis/main idea of essay CLEARLY state your thesis as a strong one- sided statement. Consider “I believe/agree/disagree”… Each body paragraph = 1 main supporting argument (reason) to support thesis/opinion Each reason should then be explained using the evidence you researched. Use transitional phrases to link all paragraphs, as well as within body paragraphs to glue ideas together

Overall Incorporate the “Word Choice” trait. –Avoid repetition of words. ~ Use a thesaurus! –Choose specific words that enlighten your reader (spelling/vocabulary words). Incorporate the “Sentence Fluency” trait. –Write detailed sentences. Use compound/complex-- not simple sentences. –Vary how each sentence starts. Remember your “Conventions”( Capitalization, Grammar Usage, Punctuation, Spelling). –Edit your paper. –Ask a peer to edit your paper. –Use Spell / Grammar Check.

Overall STAY FOCUSED - STICK TO ONE SIDE OF THE ARGUMENT You may address opposite opinions, but remember your point of view!

The Trait of “Organization” Argument Introduction Sentence #What you should be writing 1Attention getter 2-3Explain the issue 4Thesis statement: Your argument (opinion) on the issue you are presenting 5State your three main supporting arguments (reasons) that support your opinion/thesis.

Persuasive Introduction Example A class of about thirty students is working on an essay. Several students have their hands raised because they need help; however, the teacher only has time to assist a few of them. The rest leave frustrated and angry and as a result do not complete their homework because they do not understand it. This is a situation that happens way too often at Crete Monee Middle School. Many students are struggling because they are not able to get the attention they need in class. Therefore, I believe class sizes at CMMS need to be smaller. With such large class sizes, students cannot get individual help. In addition, classroom behavior is harder to monitor in a classroom with a large number of students. Finally, the teachers are stressed because they are responsible for assisting so many students at once.

The Trait of “Organization” Persuasive Body Paragraphs Body paragraphs should be written in the same order as they were listed in the introduction. Each paragraph should focus on ONE supporting argument (reason) for your point of view. Elaborate on each reason using facts, anecdotes, and expert opinions as evidence. Start each paragraph with a transition in order to link the paragraphs together. Your first sentence should be a topic sentence, stating your reason. Do not address the audience by using “you”.

The Trait of “Organization” Persuasive Body Paragraphs Use the following format to take each paragraph through elaborations: 1 st sentence– Begin with transition and state your supporting argument. 2 nd sentence—State first supporting evidence 3 rd sentence—Explain your evidence 4 th sentence—State your second evidence 5 th sentence—Explain your evidence 6 th sentence—State your third evidence 7 th sentence—Explain your evidence 8 th sentence—restate the supporting argument in a new way

Example (Reason 1 – larger class size = less individual help) Currently, due to large class size, student needs are not being addressed on a personal level. Each student has individual strengths and weaknesses. The teachers at CMMS yearn to support their students to the best of their ability. However, the average class size at CMMS is twenty-nine. After giving students instructions on a lesson, the teacher rarely has time to answer every child’s question. The instructor, in turn, hopes that by answering a few questions she/he has attended to the concerns of the majority. With smaller class sizes students would have the opportunities they are worthy of.

The Trait of “Organization” Persuasive Conclusion Sentence #What you should be writing 1Restate thesis in a different form 2-4SUMMARIZE information from body paragraphs in 3 SEPARATE sentences. DO NOT repeat intro. 5-6Call to action: What are you encouraging the reader to do now that you have convinced them of your argument? Get the reader involved.

Persuasive Conclusion Example A ll in all, it is quite obvious why class sizes at CMMS need to be smaller. With a lesser amount of students per class, overall grades would improve because students would be able to get the one on one help from their teachers they need. In addition, smaller class sizes would mean a decrease in discipline problems as the teacher would be able to better monitor a fewer number of students. Furthermore, teachers would be more satisfied with their instruction and not feel as if they are being pulled in a hundred different directions. Making class sizes smaller would benefit everyone involved in so many ways. Lessen class sizes and make school a more positive place for all. Contact your school board today!