Act 1: Lit. Analysis Argumentative Essay OCSA LC1

Genres of Writing: Three Domains Narrative Purpose: Relays a series of events in a story-telling manner Elements : setting, protagonist, conflict, resolution, theme, figurative language and descriptive details, dialogue and other narrative techniques. Point of view : all Examples : - Short story - Allegory/fable - Novella/novel - Plays - Autobiographies, memoirs, personal anecdotes Explanatory Purpose: to inform/explain Elements : claim, evidence, commentary to elaborate to explain the, chronological or linear in the organization of main points, Point of view: all Examples: - Brochures/manuals/public service announcement - News articles - Essays explaining or proving a given theme or claim. Argumentative Purpose: to prove a particular claim as valid Elements: claim, evidence, counterargument, ethos/pathos/logos **persuasive: call to action, emotional appeals Point of view: third person objective/omniscient; first person only used in a powerful anecdote Examples: - Editorials - Essays

Key Things To Keep in Mind When Writing an Argumentative Paper…  ** Your inclusion and discussion of KEY EVIDENCE is most important.  Like a good judge, jury, and/or crime scene investigator, let your analysis of the EVIDENCE drive your claim. Do not begin with a verdict or a stance in mind.  Then, after weighing all the evidence and possibilities (ooooh, this is where your brain is stretching in critical and abstract thinking…there are literally fireworks happening right now!), write your CLAIM.  Keep a neutral tone versus charged diction: Clearly, Rosaline is vital to the best characterization of Romeo.... is persuasive Evidence indicates that the truest characterization of Romeo includes the character of Rosaline...is more argumentative.

Prompt:  OCSA is planning to perform Shakepeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.” Director Jeff Paul is wondering if he should edit any mention of the character, Rosaline, out of the script.  Task: Write an argumentative essay in which you weigh evidence and argue whether the presence of Rosaline is necessary and effective in shaping Romeo’s character.

Break down the prompt: Do 1. Write 2. Weigh 3. Argue What 1. An argumentative essay 2. The evidence 3. Whether the presence of Rosaline is necessary and effective in shaping Romeo’s character

1) Brainstorm:  Look at evidence in Act 1.1 and Act 1.2 concerning Rosaline and Romeo’s thoughts on love.  See if or how the evidence helps characterize Romeo; is this effective and necessary to our understanding of him? Why or why not?  As you explore the possibilities, see if the evidence points to one argument over another.

2) Organize Paragraph #1: One possible view  Possible Sentence Starters  Some evidence effectively reflects/demonstrates…  When one considers the fact that… Paragraph #2: Your main claim  Possible Sentence Starters  The majority of the evidence seems to point to…  When we look carefully at…it is evident that…  On the other hand…

3) Write! I. Intro paragraph II. Body paragraphs: I. Paragraph #1 with 1 CD II. Paragraph #2 with two CD III. Conclusion

Step 4: Last Five Minutes…  Proof-read  Staple all pages together (from most recent stage of writing on top)  Highlight in yellow main claim and claims in each paragraph  Put a box around transition words  Underline signal phrases  Highlight in yellow all descriptive words and words reflecting connotation: angry, hollered, criminal, melancholy, etc…