Elements of an Argument Less rhetoric, more cowbell!!!

Quickwrite 0 Judith Rosen’s article states that teens said their “ideal” activity is reading a book. For the majority of teens, do you think reading a book is their ideal activity? Explain why you agree or disagree, and cite specific examples to support your position.

All quality arguments have five elements: 1. Hook 2. Claim 3. Concessions/refutations 4. Support 5. Summary/call to action

/watch/ /more_c owbell_snl_full_skit/ /watch/ /more_c owbell_snl_full_skit/ Let’s take a look at one vintage, popular SNL skit.

Hook 0 An opening that grabs the reader’s attention and establishes a connection between the reader and the writer 0 “Easy guys… I put my pants on just like the rest of you, one leg at a time. Except once my pants are on, I make gold records. Alright, here we go. ‘Fear the Reaper, Don’t Fear the Reaper’ – take one!”

Claim 0 A clear and straightforward statement of the writer’s belief and what is being argued 0 “I gotta have more cowbell, baby.”

Concessions and Refutations 0 Restatements of arguments made by the other side (concessions) and the writer’s arguments against those opposing viewpoints (refutations) and why the writer’s arguments are more valid 0 “I’ll be honest, fellas… It was sounding great. But, I could’ve used more cowbell.”

Support 0 The reasoning behind the argument 0 Evidence, logical (logos) and emotional (pathos) appeals 0 Anticipate objections and provide reasoning to overcome those objectives 0 “I’d be doing myself a disservice, and every member of this band, if I didn’t play the heck out of this!”

Summary/Call to Action 0 A closing statement with a final plea for action 0 “Never question Bruce Dickenson! Roll it!”

Ratiocination Read the response to Judith Rosen’s article and identify the elements of an argument that the author uses. 0 Hook - red 0 Claim - blue 0 Concessions and refutations - orange 0 Support - green 0 Summary - yellow

Back to the Quickwrite 0 Prompt: Is reading really an “ideal” activity for teens? Why or why not? 0 Directions: Use your response to prompt above that you wrote in your quickwrite yesterday to inspire an argumentative paragraph. Make sure that you have the following underlined and labeled: 0 Sentences 1-2 – Hook 0 Sentence 3 – Claim 0 Sentences 4-5 – Concessions/refutations 0 Sentence 6 – Support A 0 Sentence 7 – Support B 0 Sentence 8 – Support C 0 Sentences 9-10 – Summary/Call to action

Here’s my day by the numbers: 5:30am wake up, three mile jog in cross country, seven classes, four-hour shift at work, twenty- five math problems for homework, two quizzes to prepare for, three chores on my mom’s to-do list, reading twenty pages of my current novel, and drifting off to sleep at midnight. With all of my activities, it is so hard to find time to read. However, I believe that reading is something that every teen should make time for. I know a lot of my friends would say that they just do not have time for reading outside of school. I say that you make time for that which is important; if we can find time for Facebook, Instagram, and SnapChat, then we can find time to read. First of all, reading allows you to experience things outside of your comfort zone. Secondly, reading makes you a better writer. Finally, reading opens your mind to different perspectives and ideas. So, maybe the next time you are considering downloading a new app on your phone, why not download a novel instead of Twitter? As my English teacher likes to say, “It couldn’t hurt. It might help.”

Back to the Quickwrite 0 Prompt: Is reading really an “ideal” activity for teens? Why or why not? 0 Directions: Use your response to prompt above that you wrote in your quickwrite yesterday to inspire an argumentative paragraph. Make sure that you have the following underlined and labeled: 0 Sentences 1-2 – Hook 0 Sentence 3 – Claim 0 Sentences 4-5 – Concessions/refutations 0 Sentences 6-7 – Support A 0 Sentence 8-9 – Support B 0 Sentence – Support C 0 Sentences – Summary/Call to action

Here’s my day by the numbers: 5:30am wake up, three mile jog in cross country, seven classes, four-hour shift at work, twenty-five math problems for homework, two quizzes to prepare for, three chores on my mom’s to-do list, reading twenty pages of my current novel, and drifting off to sleep at midnight. With all of my activities, it is so hard to find time to read. However, I believe that reading is something that every teen should make time for. I know a lot of my friends would say that they just do not have time for reading outside of school. I say that you make time for that which is important; if we can find time for Facebook, Instagram, and SnapChat, then we can find time to read. First of all, reading allows you to experience things outside of your comfort zone. I may never get to travel to China, but I get a glimpse of the people and culture when I read The Joy Luck Club. Secondly, reading makes you a better writer. My writing grades have improved dramatically since I made reading a daily activity. Finally, reading opens your mind to different perspectives and ideas. After reading the book Ishmael, a novel centered around humanity’s impact on Mother Earth, I started to look at the ways I can be a better steward of our natural resources. So, maybe the next time you are considering downloading a new app on your phone, why not download a novel instead of Twitter? As my English teacher likes to say, “It couldn’t hurt. It might help.”