Logical Progression and Development of Support: Argumentative Writing Grade 10 You need paper and something to write with. Also, you need your intros from yesterday. We are going to turn in this assignment after we have all 3 completed pieces: the intro, example body paragraphs and conclusion. ©Copyright by Write Score LLC

Review: Elements of Argumentative Writing Claim (versus thesis) Logic (versus emotion in persuasive writing) – based on evidence Explanation of how evidence supports the claim Counterclaims

Claim Thesis A Thesis is a statement that explains, supports, or clarifies a main point. A Claim is a statement that is always debatable. Claims are used in argumentative writing.

Persuasive writing Argumentative Writing A persuasive paper often relies on emotion. An argumentative paper has to rely on LOGIC. Evidence must be factual.

Counterclaims An argumentative paper must present the opposing viewpoint (a counterclaim) Support claim(s) with logical reasoning and relevant evidence, using accurate, credible sources and demonstrating an understanding of the topic or text. Use words, phrases, and clauses to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among claim(s), counterclaims, reasons, and evidence.

Argumentative Writing Logical Progression- the flow of ideas in the essay, particularly in the body paragraphs

Possible Outline for an Argumentative Essay The BODY of an argumentative paper: Please note that the number of paragraphs is completely dependent on the content of your paper and the time/length requirements.  

Possible Outline for an Argumentative Essay Evidence / Elaboration paragraphs –as many as you need Topic Sentence: What point will you make to get people to understand / support your claim? Introduce and State Evidence: Use signal phrases and provide evidence from the text to support your claim. What supporting evidence (reasons, examples, facts, statistics, and/or quotations) can you include to prove/support/explain your topic sentence?

Possible Outline for an Argumentative Essay Elaborate on Evidence: You cannot just plug it in. You have to show how the evidence proves the point you are trying to make in this paragraph. Give more detail. Concluding Sentence: End your paragraph with a concluding sentence that reasserts the claim and moves into your next point.

Possible Outline for an Argumentative Essay The Paragraph Grade 9-10 standards require that you “distinguish” the claim from a counterclaim - and that you develop claim(s) and counterclaims fairly, supplying evidence for each while pointing out the strengths and limitations of both. We will have a focus lesson on counterclaims next week.

Let’s take a look at signal words/phrases before we move on.

Signal Phrases introduce the support and evidence Take note of these signal phrases to use in your body paragraphs. Signal Phrases introduce the support and evidence (summaries, direct quote, or paraphrases). Here are a few examples The first passage states that…. The article “____________” explains how…. The author of _________ agrees by explaining ____________ According to ____________________   Other signal words/phrases addresses adds agrees believes claims confirms declares estimates focuses on implies mentions notes observes points out questions recommends reports says sees states suggests writes

Sample #1 Assume the student sample on the following pages was written after the student read about whether or not year-round school should be mandatory.

Sample #1: The Introduction Summer is a time for many children to fill their days with camping, barbeques, trips to the beach, and movies. But for some, summer is a season like all other seasons. Students in year-round schools do not have a traditional summer break. Instead, year-round schools provide students with more frequent and consistent breaks from school. Critics cite higher costs and the loss of traditional extracurricular programs, such as band and sports, as reasons to eliminate year- round schools. Yet, there are many benefits to the practice of year- round schooling. Year-round schools help to reduce the amount of remediation needed by many students after the long summer break. Year-round schools more closely match the schedules used in many countries across the world, allowing for a more global educational experience. Additionally, the frequent, shortened breaks allow for both teachers and students to recharge and reenergize.

Sample #1: Evidence and Elaboration Paragraphs Topic Sentence Year-round school schedules allow students to better absorb and retain new information.

Sample #1: Evidence and Elaboration Paragraphs Year-round school schedules allow students to better absorb and retain new information. According to the National Educators Association, “Children who are enrolled in year-round schools, retain information better, since there is no longer a period of time between one year ending and another school year starting.” Topic Sentence Signal Phrase Text Evidence

Sample #1: Evidence and Elaboration Paragraphs Year-round school schedules allow students to better absorb and retain new information. According to the National Educators Association, “Children who are enrolled in year-round schools, retain information better, since there is no longer a period of time between one year ending and another school year starting.” Students in year-round schools often participate in a 45-15 schedule. Students attend school for 45 days and then are given a 15 day break. This schedule eliminates the need for students to re-adjust themselves to the school schedule, new teachers and peers, course content, and school rules and expectations. Topic Sentence Signal Phrase Text Evidence Elaboration

Sample #1: Evidence and Elaboration Paragraphs Topic Sentence Signal Phrase Text Evidence Elaboration Concluding Sentence Year-round school schedules allow students to better absorb and retain new information. According to the National Educators Association, “Children who are enrolled in year-round schools, retain information better, since there is no longer a period of time between one year ending and another school year starting.” Students in year-round schools often participate in a 45-15 schedule. Students attend school for 45 days and then are given a 15 day break. This schedule eliminates the need for students to re-adjust themselves to the school schedule, new teachers and peers, course content, and school rules and expectations. Students are less likely to forget the information taught in courses, and therefore require less remediation.

Sample #2: Evidence and Elaboration Paragraphs The majority of schools in Western Europe as well as schools in Japan, Australia, and China follow year- round school schedules. Many of these schools offer enrichment programs during the break times. Students participate in activities that supplement and reinforce their learning during breaks. These experiences help improve student performance in academics. Adal Eichel, a German mathematics teacher, agrees with year-round schooling. Eichel, who has taught in both traditional schools in the United States and year-round schools in Germany stated, “The German schedule works better. After teaching continuously for eight or nine weeks, students begin to lose focus. In the US, after summer break, I found myself spending the first six weeks of the school year reviewing previously learned content before I could begin the new curriculum.” Year-round schools increase the likelihood that students in the United States will be prepared to participate in a global world. Topic Sentence Signal Phrase Text Evidence Elaboration Concluding Sentence

Sample #2: Evidence and Elaboration Paragraphs The majority of schools in Western Europe as well as schools in Japan, Australia, and China follow year- round school schedules. Many of these schools offer enrichment programs during the break times. Students participate in activities that supplement and reinforce their learning during breaks. These experiences help improve student performance in academics. Adal Eichel, a German mathematics teacher, agrees with year-round schooling. Eichel, who has taught in both traditional schools in the United States and year-round schools in Germany stated, “The German schedule works better. After teaching continuously for eight or nine weeks, students begin to lose focus. In the US, after summer break, I found myself spending the first six weeks of the school year reviewing previously learned content before I could begin the new curriculum.” Year-round schools increase the likelihood that students in the United States will be prepared to participate in a global world. Topic Sentence Signal Phrase Text Evidence Elaboration Concluding Sentence

Write two paragraphs that progress logically and support your claim about Required Student Government. The TOPICS of these paragraphs should be the reasons you provided in your INTRODUCTION! You will use several things as you write: Introduction (Written by YOU previously) Article: The Disadvantages of Required Student Participation in High School Student Government Article: The Benefits of Required Student Participation in High School Student Government

Write a body paragraph using these elements: Topic sentence: Include a sentence with one reason that supports your claim. Introduce and State Evidence: Use a signal phrase/word and provide evidence (reasons, examples, facts, statistics, and/or quotations) from the text to support your claim. Elaborate on Evidence: Show how the evidence proves the point you are trying to make in this paragraph. Give more detail. Concluding Sentence: End your paragraph with a concluding sentence that wraps up this paragraph and moves into your next point.

Checklist for Logical Progression and Elaboration of your paper.   Checklist for Logical Progression and Elaboration of your paper. Use the following questions to revise and elaborate your essay.

What’s the most important thing I want to say about my subject? Is my claim clearly defined (narrow) and arguable? Where is the most important point located? Is this the best place for it? How many reasons did I give for my claim? How much support (elaboration--DRAPES) did I give for each reason? Did I overlap or repeat any points? Did I leave any points out or add some that aren’t relevant to the claim?

How many paragraphs did I use to talk about each point? Why did I talk about them in this order? Should the order be changed? Can I substitute better examples, reasons, or details? Did I mention the opposition (a counterclaim) and offer a rebuttal? How does my paper end? Did I prove the claim I made at the beginning of the paper?