Writing to Argue

Why Writing to Argue? Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects College and Career Readiness Anchor Standards for Writing Text Type and Purpose * Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.

CLAIM-EVIDENCE-WARRANT Step 1. Make a claim about a topic or a text. Step 2. Support the claim with relevant and sufficient evidence. Step 3. Tie it all together with valid reasoning. Warrant evidence with commentary that explains how the evidence proves the claim.

Toulmin Method: Example Claim: Don’t eat that mushroom. Don’t eat that mushroom. Because it is poisonous. Since eating poisonous things is dangerous. Evidence: It’s poisonous. Warrant: Eating poisonous things is dangerous.

A Well-Supported Argument May Contain Textual Support Other Kinds of Support Counterargument Description Quotes Paraphrase Summary Facts Statistics Expert Testimony Reliable Sources Personal Anecdotes Others’ Experiences Comparison & Contrast Response to anticipated argument(s) from readers of their own judgments Response to the objections that a reader might have for the writer’s argument

Minimum Guidelines by Topic (generally for body paragraphs) Claim Explanation Evidence 1 Warrant 1 Evidence 2 Warrant 2 Address Counterargument Red Bow Conclusion

Minimum Guidelines by Topic (generally for body paragraphs) Claim (Topic Sentence) – approximately 1 sentence Explanation – approximately 1 sentence Evidence (elaboration techniques) – approx. 1 sentence Textual Evidence Authoritative Quotations Facts/Statistics Definitions Witness Statements Expert Testimony Counterargument Repetition Warrant 1 – minimum 2-3 sentences Evidence 2 – approximately 1 sentence Warrant 2 – approximately 1 sentence Address Counterarguments – if you haven’t already done so within your warrants Red Bow Conclusion – wrap it all up in a concluding statement

Types of Evidence Textual Evidence Authoritative Quotations Facts/Statistics Definitions Witness Statements Expert Testimony Counterargument Repetition

Textual Evidence Use direct examples and/or quotes from a text Correctly cite source: MLA Format for English, Social Studies, Humanities APA Format for Sciences, Math EX: Fitzgerald tells readers that many people arrived at Gatsby's parties without an invitation, bringing with them only "a simplicity of heart that was its own ticket of admission" (41).

Authoritative Quotations Use a source with credibility. Ex: According to a Consumer Report article on May 29th…

Facts and Statistics Use specific facts and VERIFIABLE statistics. Ex: The earth is polluted. Ex: Approximately one-fourth of the town’s citizens…

Definitions Explain unfamiliar words or content area terms. Ex: A derivative, a word created by using a word part, is frequently used to teach those learning new words.

Witness Statements Used when someone has seen an action occur. Ex: The observer stated that he actually saw the lady…

Expert Testimony Find an expert in the field and explain their support. Ex: Dr. Robert Marzano researched the factors that impact vocabulary retention.

Counterargument Recognize the “other side” of your argument. Ex: – I realize most… – However… – On the other hand…

Repetition Use for a convincing effect – not to fill space. Usually in famous speeches. Ex: I have a dream… NwzA NwzA

Writing the Essay: Step 1 Midterm Prompt 1 : Write an essay in which you argue the morality of one of the characters in Jane Eyre. Be sure to include moral or immoral actions he or she commits that support your argument. Make a claim about Jane Eyre’s morality. To brainstorm for your claim, create a CIRCLE MAP exploring support for your ideas (if she is moral or not). In your FRAME OF REFERENCE, consider your PAC. Complete the SO WHAT/SO WHY piece of your FRAME OF REFERENCE. The SO WHAT becomes your thesis, and the SO WHY becomes part of your conclusion.

PAC Refresher Purpose: Why am I writing? To… (explain, give the reason why, persuade, inform, describe, compare, etc.) Audience: To whom am I writing? (this will influence the word choice, sentence structure, and content) Context/Occasion (Task): Where am I? In what social, historical, or cultural situation? What are the circumstances? In what format should I write (essay, letter, speech, editorial, article, etc.)?

Writing the Essay: Step 1 Midterm Prompt: Write an essay in which you argue the morality of one of the characters in Jane Eyre. Be sure to include moral or immoral actions he or she commits that support your argument. SO WHAT PURPOSE Audience Context SO WHY _________ is moral or immoral Reason

Writing the Essay: Step 2 Practice Prompt: Write an essay in which you argue the morality of one of the characters in Jane Eyre. Be sure to include moral or immoral actions he or she commits that support your argument. Support the claim with relevant and sufficient evidence. Create a TREE MAP in which you organize the ideas from your CIRCLE MAP. Include TEXTUAL SUPPORT in your map. Include COUNTERARGUMENTS that may arise in your map.

Writing the Essay: Step 2 Practice Prompt: Write an essay in which you argue the morality of one of the characters in Jane Eyre. Be sure to include moral or immoral actions he or she commits that support your argument. Reason 1 Reason 2 Reason 3 Evidence Counterargument Textual support Character

Writing the Essay: Step 3 Practice Prompt: Write an essay in which you argue whether or not high school graduates should take a year off before entering college. Tie it all together with valid reasoning. Warrant evidence with commentary that explains how the evidence proves the claim. Create a FLEE MAP in which you organize your ideas and your evidence in order of least importance to most importance. This map is where you will also give your WARRANT (commentary).

Writing the Essay: Step 3 Practice Prompt: Write an essay in which you argue the morality of one of the characters in Jane Eyre. Be sure to include moral or immoral actions he or she commits that support your argument. Idea 1: Idea 2:Idea 3: E W E E W C W E W C E W E W C

Writing the Essay: Step 3A The One Paragraph Essay Practice Prompt: Write an essay in which you argue whether or not high school graduates should take a year off before entering college. Warrant Counterargument Warrant Counterargument Optional Evidence 3 Warrant Counterargument Evidence 1 Evidence 2

Writing the Essay: Step 4 Practice Prompt: Write an essay in which you argue whether or not high school graduates should take a year off before entering college. Write your introduction, referring back to your original CIRCLE MAP for your SO WHAT (thesis). Write your conclusion, referring back to your original CIRCLE MAP for your SO WHY.

Writing the Essay: Step 4 Practice Prompt: Write an essay in which you argue whether or not high school graduates should take a year off before entering college. Idea 1: Least Important Idea 2: Middle Importance Idea 3: Most Important Evidence 1 Warrant Evidence 1 Evidence 2 Warrant Counterargument Warrant Evidence 2 Warrant Counterargument Evidence 1 Warrant Evidence 2 Warrant Counterargument introduction Conclusion Textual support

Writing the Essay: Step 4A The One Paragraph Essay Practice Prompt: Write an essay in which you argue whether or not high school graduates should take a year off before entering college. Claim Red Bow Conclusion Textual support Evidence 1 Evidence 2 Optional Evidence 3 Warrant Counterargument Warrant Counterargument Warrant Counterargument

Writing the Essay: Step 5 Practice Prompt: Write an essay in which you argue whether or not high school graduates should take a year off before entering college. Now you have completely mapped out your essay and you have all of the information you need to write your essays. The next step is to devise paragraphs consistent with the information included on the FLEE MAP.

English Argument In English language arts, students make claims about the worth or meaning of a literary work or works. They defend their interpretations or judgments with evidence from the text(s) they are writing about. “This is What it Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona” has three different settings. Write an essay in which you identify the setting that has the strongest effect on the plot, citing specific evidence from the text to back your claims. Read “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” Complete a TREE MAP in which you categorize the pathos (emotional language), logos (factual evidence), and ethos (believability) that Edwards uses in his sermon. Then write an essay in which you explain which of the three factors Edwards uses most effectively in his sermon. Use specific textual evidence to support your argument.