Writing the Argumentative/Persuasive Essay

What is an Argumentative Essay? The purpose of an argumentative essay is to persuade the reader to accept—or seriously consider--your opinion on a controversial issue

An Argumentative Essay Includes: Introduction Claims (at least 2) Counter Claim & Rebuttal Conclusion

Consider your Audience Whom are you trying to reach? What do they already know about your topic? What is your relationship with your audience and how does it impact your word choice and tone?

THESIS STATEMENT The thesis statement  states your position on the topic  sets up the structure for the paper.

SUPPORT THE THESIS Support your thesis with three claims.  Write down each of the three main reasons that support your belief on a separate piece of paper.  These are your arguments.

What is a Claim? To be valid, an opinion or point of view must be supported by facts and information. A claim is your position on the issue. It must be supported with evidence (quotes, facts, data). Your evidence must be explained.

COUNTER- ARGUMENTS  Every controversial issue has two sides.  Once you can support your position with research, you need to explore what others think.  Consider the opposite side  What argues against your claim?

PREPARING YOUR ARGUMENTS  Look at the three main reasons for your opinion.  What objections would others have to each of your reasons?  Write these down under each of your claims. Now you have three arguments and three counter-arguments.

PREPARING YOUR ARGUMENTS Ask these questions: 1. Who might disagree with my position? Why? 2. What reasons do people have for disagreeing with me? 3. What evidence would support an opposing argument?

Counter Claim Key phrases to use: One might object that... It might seem that... It's true that... Admittedly... Of course...

ANSWERING COUNTER- ARGUMENTS WITH A REBUTTAL Turn back to your original position The rebuttal responds to and refutes issues presented by the counterclaim. Write your answers down under the counter- arguments. Return to your original argument based upon careful reasoning Show why counter argument is mistaken Acknowledge it, but show why it is less important

Rebuttal Key Phrases to use: but yet however nonetheless still

Example CLAIM: “More Americans are choosing low-carb diets because the media promotes low-carb diets as the new way to a skinnier body.” COUNTER CLAIM: “Some Americans don't watch television commercials because they own a DVR or Tivo, but most Americans are exposed to other forms of advertisement in magazines, newspapers, and highway billboards.

INTRODUCTION PARGRAPH  The first sentence is a general statement, designed to attract the reader’s attention.  Second and perhaps third sentences narrow the idea down to your specific idea.  The last sentence in the introduction must be your thesis.

INTRODUCTION Think of the introduction as having a funnel shape: General statement (hook) Specific information Thesis

Example of Intro Paragraph More people die on driving on Greek roads in a single year than all the U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq since the fighting began. The road conditions and the mentality that leads to this unnecessary and avoidable loss of life should be changed. Fact to support position and a good hook. The authors position or Thesis Statement. Please Note: This is a sample, yours will be more detailed

BUILDING BODY PARAGRAPHS The first topic sentence of the first paragraph will be the first reason that supports your position. You may even wish to begin the sentence with the word first to focus the reader’s attention on its importance.

FIRST BODY PARAGRAPH Write a topic sentence and two details that support your claim. Repeat the process until you have two paragraphs with two different reasons and two details to support that reason.

Counter Arguments - Rebuttals Use your sources to learn what people opposed to your point of view believe. Write down two counter- arguments to your position. Now address those arguments in a paragraph explaining why your position is the better one.

BUILDING PARAGRAPHS  The final sentence in each paragraph should sum up and make a transition to the main idea of the next paragraph.

Concluding Paragraph Indicate in the conclusion that you have shown the thesis statement to be true. Has a powerful ending often relating to the introduction. Do not include any new information in a conclusion. If you have not mentioned something yet in the paper, it is now too late.

What is not effective Saying the opposing viewpoint is “stupid.” Good essays are clear, calm and factual. Prove it instead. Saying negative things about groups or individuals that have different view points. This does not support your position but makes you seem petty instead.

How many is that? 1.Intro Paragraph 2.Body Paragraph 1 3.Body Paragraph 2 4.Body Paragraph 3 5.Rebuttal Paragraph – other viewpoints 6.Conclusion Paragraph

Reflecting on Your Paper Are you happy with what you have written? Have you made a convincing case for your position? Is it clear that research supports your position? Have you shown that you understand the objections to your position?

Reflecting on Your Paper Have you shown that you understand the objections to your position? Is it clear that your position still outweighs the possible objections?

Reflecting on Your Paper It is true that counter arguments enrich argumentative writing However adding a weak counterargument or overdoing it cause worse results

Practice Provide a Claim and Counter Argument for the following topics: 1. To Die or Suffer: The Necessity of Physician-assisted Suicide 2. Are Herbal medicines beneficial to our health?