THE ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY An introduction to…
Oh, The Possibilities… A question that presents an idea/issue/quote and then asks you to AGREE with, DISAGREE with, or QUALIFY the central argument presented in that idea/issue/quote A question that presents a passage and asks you to DEFEND, CHALLENGE, or QUALIFY the position of the passage. A question that presents a problem and asks you to provide a solution. A question that presents a controversial issue and asks you to develop a position on that issue.
In the “Singer Solution to World Poverty,” an article that appeared in The New York Times Magazine, Peter Singer, a professor of bioethics, calls attention to the urgent need for food and medicine in many parts of the world. Singer argues that prosperous people should donate to overseas aid organizations such as UNICEF and Oxfam America all money not needed for the basic requirements of life. “The formula is simple: whatever money you’re spending on luxuries, not necessities, should be given away.” Write an essay in which you evaluate the pros and cons of Singer’s argument. Use appropriate evidence as you examine each side, and indicate which position you find more persuasive.
HOW TO ANSWER THIS QUESTION STEP ONE: Evaluate and determine both the PROS and the CONS of Singer’s argument. STEP TWO: Argue which position you find more persuasive. STEP THREE: Support your argument with appropriate evidence.
THE UNDERLYING OBJECTIVE OF EVERY ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY IS TO SUCCESSFULLY DEVELOP YOUR OWN ARGUMENT/POSITION IN THE PAPER! NO MATTER THE PROMPT…
FOLLOW THESE TIPS FOR SUCCESS! HOW TO… Compose an effective argument essay
State your Position in Claim; Follow the Formula Provide details about the nature of the issue Articulate how your position differs from the opposition; analyze their argument carefully Define by denotations, connotation, examples, and/or cause & effect
Offer Reasoning and Evidence Provide readers with logic that led to your conclusion Offer supporting evidence (comparison, analogy, authority, quotations, and statistics) Check your reasoning for logical fallacies
PAY ATTENTION! ALWAYS THINK ABOUT THE WORLD AROUND YOU IN A CRITICAL MANNER WATCH THE NEWS TUNE IN TO CURRENT EVENTS TUNE YOUR RADIO TO NPR (91.5/90.9) HISTORY CLASS IS YOUR FRIEND Mastering VARIED FORMS OF SUPPORT
Cover the Opposition’s Objections to your Position When possible, refute the opposition Employ effective argumentative strategies—like acknowledgment & response This step creates complexity and sophistication in your essay
Offer a Solution or Alternative If the prompt and your position call for such a solution…
Do not restate the full quotation/problem in your prompt directly. Instead, reference parts of the quotation/posed problem. Speak through the quotation and/or problem/issue throughout your essay. WHAT NOT TO DO…
You MUST define your terms. What is paradise? What is simplicity? To avoid this step is to create an essay founded on vague generalizations. Translation: To avoid this step is to create an essay you will have to rewrite! IMPORTANCE OF SPECIFICITY…
Know the eleven forms of support. Though you are not asked to recognize them in a piece of text, you must demonstrate your mastery of usage of them in your writing. Your goal is to demonstrate your mastery of language. To do this, use 3-5 different forms of support WELL throughout the essay in order to prove your argument. IMPORTANCE OF VARIED SUPPORT…
***IN A RHETORICAL STRATEGIES ESSAY YOU EVALUATE AN AUTHOR’S EFFECTIVE USE OF LANGUAGE IN CREATING HIS/HER CENTRAL ARGUMENT. ***IN AN ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY YOU, AS THE AUTHOR, EFFECTIVELY USE LANGUAGE TO CREATE YOUR CENTRAL ARGUMENT. IN ESSENCE, YOU DO WHAT YOU EVALUATED IN THE RHETORICAL STRATEGIES ESSAY! Think of it like this…
YOU MUST UNDERSTAND… MOST IMPORTANTLY
THE OBJECTIVE OF THIS ESSAY IS TO ESTABLISH YOUR OWN ARGUMENT GIVEN THE CONDITIONS or DEMANDS OF THE PROMPT!
Of all the arguments that can be made in light of the prompt’s focus, you need to prove why your position is the best.