Writing an Exemplary Essay Argument By Mrs. Raprich

Where do we begin? INTRODUCTION- Please What should be here? First, you MUST have a hook!

What is a hook? Anecdote- Example: The other morning, my brother Danny—who just got his license last month—was driving me to school. Danny’s cell phone started beeping and he checked the incoming text message, dropping the toast he was eating and nearly driving off the road in the process. http://teacher.scholastic.com/scholasticnews/magazines/scope/pdfs/SCOPE-110810-REPRO-18.pdf

What is a hook? Quote- Example: “We were always together, but not as much after she got her license,” Gayle Bell says. “If I could bring her back I’d lasso the moon.” Bell’s 16-year-old daughter, Jessie, rolled her car into a ditch and died in 2003. http://teacher.scholastic.com/scholasticnews/magazines/scope/pdfs/SCOPE-110810-REPRO-18.pdf

What is a hook? DROP YOUR READER INTO A SCENE- Example: A video about driving safety drones from the Smart Board at the front of the darkened classroom. It’s warm, and several of the teenagers have drifted off to sleep. Others quietly text their friends, their cell phones glowing between their cupped hands. http://teacher.scholastic.com/scholasticnews/magazines/scope/pdfs/SCOPE-110810-REPRO-18.pdf

What is a hook? SURPRISING FACT- Example: The rate of crashes for 16-year-old drivers is almost 10 times the rate for older drivers. http://teacher.scholastic.com/scholasticnews/magazines/scope/pdfs/SCOPE-110810-REPRO-18.pdf

What is a hook? RHETORICAL QUESTION- Example: What’s more important: Driving as soon as possible or saving lives? http://teacher.scholastic.com/scholasticnews/magazines/scope/pdfs/SCOPE-110810-REPRO-18.pdf

Now WHAT? Your introduction should begin with the very general moving to the more specific! EXAMPLE: “A dog is man's best friend.” (OOH! A QUOTE LEAD!) That common saying may contain some truth, but dogs are not the only animal friend whose companionship people enjoy. (very general) For many people, a cat is their best friend. (I can tell you’re going somewhere with this!) Despite what dog lovers may believe, cats make excellent house pets as they are good companions, they are civilized members of the household, and they are easy to care for.(OMG, a THESIS! You can’t get more specific than a correct thesis!)

AND THEN WHAT? THESIS!!!- topic + opinion + 3 or more reasons OR topic+ factual evidence+ 3 or more analyses (commentary) Despite what dog lovers may believe, cats make excellent house pets as they are good companions, they are civilized members of the household, and they are easy to care for. Notice the counter-argument is embedded into the thesis. GENIUS!

IS that ALL? Now you move to your first body paragraph. Where does that come from? Well, since you already planned so well, it comes from your plan. Address WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, WHY, when applicable. This will help you summarize articles. Use textual evidence Cite the source! Use the article name, the name of the author of the article, or the publishing company’s name!

DON’T FORGET TRANSITIONS Time While, immediately, never, after, later, earlier, always, when, soon, whenever, meanwhile, sometimes, in the meantime, during, afterwards, now, until now, next, following, once, then, at length, simultaneously, so far, this time, subsequently

DON’T FORGET TRANSITIONS Exemplification or Illustration to illustrate to demonstrate specifically for instance as an illustration e.g., (for example

YOUR TASK NOW use the chart provided and prove that you have all of the items above in your introduction and your first body paragraph. How do you prove it? You must WRITE it on the form! If you don’t have it, CREATE it!

You better CHECK yourself! Hook:   2. General Comment: 3.Thesis- topic + opinion + 3 reasons: 4. Body Paragraph 1- topic sentence: 5. Body Paragraph 1- textual evidence: 6. Body Paragraph 1- commentary: 7. Body Paragraph 1- Transition sentence to the next paragraph:

You better CHECK yourself some more! Body Paragraph 2- topic sentence:   2. Body Paragraph 2- textual evidence: 3. Body Paragraph 2- commentary: 4. Body Paragraph 2- transition sentence to the next paragraph: 5. Body Paragraph 3- topic sentence: 6. Body Paragraph 3- textual evidence: 7. Body Paragraph 3- commentary:

You better CHECK yourself even more! Concluding Paragraph- Acknowledge the counter argument:   2. Concluding Paragraph- fresh re-wording of thesis: 3. Concluding Paragraph your final plea- this is like a closing arguemnet in a trial so make it good!: 4. Concluding Paragraph- Acknowledge the counter argument: