Argument Essay Practice Topic – Mythology in Life and Literature Mr. Eugene AP English Language and Composition

The Prompt Prompt begins with a quote or passage asserting a specific point of view. Directions for composition take one of two forms:  Write an essay that defends, challenges, or qualifies ___________’s statement about ___________.  Write an essay that evaluates the validity of the speaker’s ideas about __________ in light of __________.

Planning your response Always begin by quickly identifying your position and the evidence you will use to illustrate/support it. Choose a structure appropriate to your argument:  The 4-5 paragraph essay Focus: confirmation of thesis Structure: Intro expressing position followed by 2-3 body paragraphs offering specific evidence in support of thesis  The classical argument Focus: discredit opposing views before confirming thesis Structure: Intro expressing position followed by  1-2 paragraphs identifying and disproving opposing points of view  1-2 paragraphs offering specific evidence in support of thesis

Today ’ s exercise Five quotes, five minutes each: Read the quote and immediately identify the point of view and your reaction to it. Quickly write a short-hand expression of your position. Identify evidence that you will use and outline a structure for your argument. At the end of five minutes, move on to the next quote

Quote #1 Over the centuries we have transformed the ancient myths and folk tales and made them into the fabric of our lives. Consciously and unconsciously we weave the narratives of myth and folk tale into our daily existence. – Jack Zipes

Quote #2 Man seeks to escape himself in myth, and does so by any means at his disposal. Drugs, alcohol, or lies. Unable to withdraw into himself, he disguises himself. Lies and inaccuracy give him a few moments of comfort. -- Jean Cocteau

Quote #3 The great enemy of the truth is very often not the lie -- deliberate, contrived and dishonest -- but the myth -- persistent, persuasive and unrealistic. -- John F. Kennedy

Quote #4 I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge -- myth is more potent than history - - dreams are more powerful than facts. -- Robert Fulghum

Quote #5 I am not a myth. – Marlene Deitrich