Argumentative Writing Paragraph Building Quoting Text

Making an argument Arguments must be focused Arguments must be rational, logical, and reasonable Arguments MUST use examples

Making an argument about a passage from Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Black Cat.” In this example, we are going to read the passage and write a short, one paragraph argument that the narrator was not always an evil person.

From my infancy I was noted for the docility and humanity of my disposition. My tenderness of heart was even so conspicuous as to make me the jest of my companions. I was especially fond of animals, and was indulged by my parents with a great variety of pets. With these I spent most of my time, and never was so happy as when feeding and caressing them. This peculiarity of character grew with my growth, and, in my manhood, I derived from it one of my principal sources of pleasure. To those who have cherished an affection for a faithful and sagacious dog, I need hardly be at the trouble of explaining the nature or the intensity of the gratification thus derivable. There is something in the unselfish and self-sacrificing love of a brute, which goes directly to the heart of him who has had frequent occasion to test the paltry friendship and gossamer fidelity of mere Man.

So, our argument is that the narrator was not always a mean, evil person. First, we must collect examples (proof, evidence) to support our claim. We will identify and highlight the examples that work for our argument

From my infancy I was noted for the docility and humanity of my disposition. My tenderness of heart was even so conspicuous as to make me the jest of my companions. I was especially fond of animals, and was indulged by my parents with a great variety of pets. With these I spent most of my time, and never was so happy as when feeding and caressing them. This peculiarity of character grew with my growth, and, in my manhood, I derived from it one of my principal sources of pleasure. To those who have cherished an affection for a faithful and sagacious dog, I need hardly be at the trouble of explaining the nature or the intensity of the gratification thus derivable. There is something in the unselfish and self-sacrificing love of a brute, which goes directly to the heart of him who has had frequent occasion to test the paltry friendship and gossamer fidelity of mere Man.

Using Evidence So now we have three pieces of evidence/proof: – 1. I was noted for the docility and humanity of my disposition. – 2. I was especially fond of animals – 3. I derived from it one of my principal sources of pleasure

Constructing the Argument – Begin with your topic sentence: Although the narrator in Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Black Cat” was a ruthless murderer, he was not always evil.

Now insert your proof Although the narrator in Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Black Cat” was a ruthless murderer, he was not always evil. For example, the narrator states “I was noted for the docility and humanity of my disposition.”

Now, discuss your proof Although the narrator in Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Black Cat” was a ruthless murderer, he was not always evil. For example, the narrator states “I was noted for the docility and humanity of my disposition.” This means that people noticed that he was unusually kind when he was younger.

Now, transition to new example Although the narrator in Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Black Cat” was a ruthless murderer, he was not always evil. For example, the narrator states “I was noted for the docility and humanity of my disposition.” This means that people noticed that he was unusually kind when he was younger. Not only that, but he was also very kind to animals. In fact, he wrote “I was especially fond of animals.”

Continue, etc. Although the narrator in Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Black Cat” was a ruthless murderer, he was not always evil. For example, the narrator states “I was noted for the docility and humanity of my disposition.” This means that people noticed that he was unusually kind when he was younger. Not only that, but he was also very kind to animals. In fact, he wrote “I was especially fond of animals.” He repeated this fact when he wrote about spending time with animals that it was “one of my principal sources of pleasure.”

Don’t forget to conclude!...Therefore, it is clear that the narrator, while crazy, cruel, and murderous, was not always an evil person.

Although the narrator in Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Black Cat” was a ruthless murderer, he was not always evil. For example, the narrator states “I was noted for the docility and humanity of my disposition.” This means that people noticed that he was unusually kind when he was younger. Not only that, but he was also very kind to animals. In fact, he wrote “I was especially fond of animals.” He repeated this fact when he wrote about spending time with animals that it was “one of my principal sources of pleasure.” Therefore, it is clear that the narrator, while crazy, cruel, and murderous, was not always an evil person.