Argumentation Research Drafting Process

Day One: Introduction & Parenthetical Documentation/Works Cited  We’ll draft your introduction first, and then will spend the remainder of time working on your citation!  You should have:  Quote or statistic that hints at your stance. What source did you get this information from? (1-2 sentences)  Introduces the goal of the essay: what should I realize by the conclusion of your essay? (2-3 sentences)  What is your approved thesis statement? (1 sentence)

Works Cited: On a SEPARATE sheet of paper…  On a separate sheet of paper:  Title  Format  Whatever is on this page, I need to see the source used within your essay!

Parenthetical Citations  They are actually very easy. Whatever the first word is of your citation on the Works Cited page, that’s ½ of your citation right there!  Last name or “Title”  Page number  Reminders  No commas  Punctuation goes after

(Baugh 42). (Chippinger 23). (Harcourt 194) (“Webster’s” 1). Web.

Day Two: Body Paragraph  Topic sentence  1 st CER  2 nd CER  3 rd CER  Conclusion sentence

Consider organization first and foremost  What are your three reasons? Using scrap paper, write them down and then order them from most to least important!  Once they are ranked, consider how you will use that information to your advantage:  Ethos  Logos  Pathos

Persuasive Appeals: Shared values and beliefs: Identifies with audience Commo n goals Emotions: Guilt Security Greed Humor Pity Love OR Vanity: Appealing to being the “best” Benefits to the Audience: Finances Health Safety Social Status Time Scientific/Numeri cal Facts or Self- Evident Truths Concrete examples Authoritative Quotes Statistics Definitions Facts Witness statements Expert testimony ETHOS LOGOS PATHOS

Claim: What idea supports your stance? Texting while driving lowers focus, and as a result increases the potential to be in an accident or to hurt someone (including yourself).

Evidence: Using a lead-in that is not formulaic or predictable, what evidence to you have that supports your claim? What source did you get this information from? It is suggested that when you take your eyes off the road, the risk of crashing increases “23 fold while sending and reading text messages” (“Key Events in the History”). To further this point, scientists believe that “texting while driving creates a crash risk equal to that of drunk driving” (“Texting While Driving”).

Rationale: How does this evidence support your stance? What does it prove?  Our society condemns those who drink or are under the influence of a substance while driving a vehicle because they could potentially hurt or kill themselves, or worse, hurt or kill someone else. If it’s suggested that driving is 23 times more dangerous when a cell phone is involved and you are comparable to someone driving under the influence, this seems to offer any driver a fairly easy choice: wait to check your phone until you are no longer driving. Realistically, it is not just an “easy” choice – it is the “right” choice.

Before I put it all together…  Yes, it is more than 3 sentences. CER does not dictate that you only have 3 sentences.  It’s a format to follow.  The goal is to persuade someone. The only way to do this is to make your point loud and clear.  Sometimes, this takes more than the “set minimum.”

So, how effective is it? Texting while driving lowers focus, and as a result increases the potential to be in an accident or to hurt someone (including yourself). It is suggested that when you take your eyes off the road, the risk of crashing increases “23 fold while sending and reading text messages” (“Key Events in the History”). To further this point, scientists believe that “texting while driving creates a crash risk equal to that of drunk driving” (“Texting While Driving”). Our society condemns those who drink or are under the influence of a substance while driving a vehicle because they could potentially hurt or kill themselves, or worse, hurt or kill someone else. If it’s suggested that driving is 23 times more dangerous when a cell phone is involved and you are comparable to someone driving under the influence, this seems to offer any driver a fairly easy choice: wait to check your phone until you are no longer driving. Realistically, it is not just an “easy” choice – it is the “right” choice.

Now, your turn. Write that one body paragraph using the format required.  Use your outline as the guide.  Implement logos, ethos, and pathos.  Don’t stick to the three sentences if you need more room to be effective.

Day Three: Conclusion  Our world is made of patterns and behaviors. Make a comparison to drive your point home. (2-3 sentences)  What can you discuss to show how this is an issue that needs to be remedied?  End reminding your audience your stance. Provide an alternative that would encourage people to change! (1-2 sentences)  Can this be fixed? How? You had a stance, now push it to the farther reaches to ensure that your point is accepted.

Day Three: Editing/Revision  Work with a peer of your choice. Edit and revise for:  Ideas: Review those CER’s. Do they support the thesis? Should the writer add more information?  Organization: Do the topics go from MOST critical to LEAST critical?  Conventions: Check the citations and Works Cited page also!  Overhaul the paper completely for all aspects. This is the LAST BIG GRADE prior to finals. There are no rewrites!! Use the worksheet I’ve provided. Whatever is not done does affect your grade. Use that time wisely.