Sample Argumentative Essay

Please glue the sample into the WRITING tab of your notebook Please label the page ‘Sample Argumentative Essay’ Please color-code the paragraphs & take notes

Highlight the thesis in pink. Write these notes on the next page: Thesis for argumentative = does not use author’s name Insane murderers should be able to use the insanity plea as a legitimate defense in the criminal justice system. Copy this into your notes

Lead-in for Argumentative = give credit to the person who said it, the name of the study or group that researched it Can’t find these – credit the article itself Ex: Parenting.com points out… Highlight these 2 paragraphs like our other sample – Claim -Transition/Lead-in -Evidence & Citation -Analysis (Interpretation & Justification) -Concluding Sentence Copy this into your notes

BODY #3: COUNTERCLAIM Partially highlight this in pink (opposite of our pink) Start with “Others may argue…” or “Some people…” so we know it’s a COUNTERCLAIM It should be a specific argument AGAINST your thesis Make it one that you can argue against Others may argue that all murderers, insane or not, deserve punishment. Copy this into your notes

BODY #3: Lead-in & Evidence Partially highlight this in blue (opposite of our blue) New strategy: Give evidence from the OPPOSING SIDE Make sure you have a comeback for it! “The Insanity Defense” from Reality Central argues “there are many people who struggle with severe mental illness who do not commit crimes” (54). Copy this into your notes

BODY #3: INTERPRETATION & REBUTTAL/JUSTIFICATION Highlight this in green Interpret the evidence and validate it Then REFUTE IT beginning with “However…” Now you thoroughly prove your opponent’s argument WRONG It is not disputed that there are…These criminals are still paying consequences for their crimes; they’re just serving time in a hospital environment instead of a jail. Copy this into your notes

BODY #3: Concluding sentence Highlight this in pink YOUR argument, NOT your opponent’s Murderers who are deemed insane will still be punished for their crimes even if they are able to plead insanity. Copy this into your notes

CONCLUSION Highlight 1 st sentence in pink Highlight the rest in green Conclusion = Restated thesis Review main arguments (super short!) New insights/understan dings In conclusion, the insanity plea is a legitimate defense in the criminal justice system. Some people with a proven mental illness are simply unable to tell right from wrong. Instead of life imprisonment, they should be sent to a mental hospital for treatment. The insanity plea is necessary in some cases. Copy this into your notes