Writer’s Workshop Argument Essay

To Research Before Establishing Your Position in an Argument Set up a note-taking system Find sources on both sides of the issue Read the title and lead of the source Then decide which side the author seems to support File your evidence either in the FOR or AGAINST or OTHER (if it supports BOTH sides) Read closely, be alert to evidence or ideas that inform the argument, pausing often to record especially important evidence

Thesis or claim A thesis is… A claim is… A sentence in the introduction that tells your audience what you are going to be writing about. A claim is… what you are going to be writing about and INCLUDES your opinion about the topic

Introduction Begin with a good lead that introduces the topic (youth competitive sports in schools or out-of-schools) Provide a compelling or surprising fact or statistic Rhetorical question Include an “imagine this” scenario Story-tell an anecdote or scene Include an epigraph—a brief quotation that connects to a key theme or issue within your topic

Introduction Then introduce the “debate” in more depth Use sentences such as: Some people think_________while others believe_________. ____________is hotly contested because… ____________is a complicated issue because… There is long been disagreement about…. Many people believe ______________ about ____________; while others believe ______________ about ________________. Then after one of these, introduce you POSITION on the debate I believe…. The truth of the matter is… I strongly disagree…

Introduction Then, give a preview of what’s to come (your claim) What will each of your body paragraphs (3) contain? Pros: Mental, Physical, Social, or Educational Benefits Cons: Cost $, Mental, Physical, Social, or Educational consequences Example claims: There are many positives seen with youth competitive sports in schools like mental, physical, and educational benefits There are many negative things associated with youth competitive sports in schools like the educational, mental, and social consequences.

Body Paragraphs These look identical to your body paragraphs from your Pearl Essay Begin with a topic sentence Then introduce your first piece of evidence Then explain your evidence and HOW it supports your argument and thesis

Body Paragraphs Do this two more times AT LEAST You will have a total of 3 pieces of evidence Make sure you CITE YOUR SOURCES (use the author’s name to introduce the quote) For example, Dr. James Jones says…” Also, Adam Cohen states…” In addition, Ralph Johnson explains…” End with a concluding statement that refers back to your topic sentence Therefore,… In conclusion,…

Rebuttal Paragraph A rebuttal anticipates the critic’s counterarguments You must acknowledge these in your writing then “rebut” them This means you destroy their argument by pointing out WHY they are wrong or WHY their argument doesn’t hold up Acknowledging the opposing view makes your argument STRONGER

Rebuttal Paragraph When writing your rebuttal paragraph, refer to the sentence starts on the handout Also, refer to the different strategies Incorporate these in your paragraph; you may use one of each (strategy AND sentence starter), OR incorporate a combination of several of them The stronger your rebuttal paragraph is, the stronger your argument will be!

Conclusion This is going to be very similar to your conclusion for your Pearl essay Restate your claim Summarize your argument End with one of the following: Significance Alternatives Connections