1. What stuff goes in my body paragraphs?

2. Turn to the body paragraph format page in your packet; let’s look at the FORMULA under the doc camera…

3. Here’s a stellar example-- I need three readers please! 1. reads TS and CS 2. reads BU 3. reads EX (TS) The most obvious reason for legalizing gay marriage is that it is a right guaranteed under the United States Constitution (BU) For example, the Equal Protection Clause in the Fourteenth Amendment states that “No state shall…deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the law” (“The Constitution of the United States”). (EX) When examined closely, this clause clearly means that it is unconstitutional to define marriage as something that is only between a man and a woman; doing so would violate this amendment’s intention to treat all people in a fair manner. (EX) Furthermore, same-sex couples deserve equal protection under the law in civil marriage, just as minority groups deserve the same rights as those in the majority. (BU) Quite illogically, people argue that the government should not recognize same- sex marriage because several major religions classify homosexuality as sinful (Messerli). (BU) Yet the very first sentence of the Bill of Rights states that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion…” (“The Constitution of the United States”). (EX)Taking this into account, the government clearly cannot pass laws making gay marriage illegal just because many religions deem it a sin; doing so would violate the First Amendment’s implied separation of church and state. (EX) Unquestionably, a faith-based law would also intrude on Americans’ freedom to not practice religion. (CS) All of this proves that denying gay and lesbian couples the right to marry is quite clearly unconstitutional.

4. Fun with sample paragraphs! Let’s take a look at sample body paragraph #2 on your handout. Let’s look for back- up vs. explanation; PLEASE YELL OUT either “back-up!” or “explanation” during the pauses as I read.

5. Next, in table groups: Using body paragraph #1 on your handout, highlight the BACK-UP (facts) in one color, and the EXPLANATION (opinion, comment) in another… Please also notice the Topic and Closing Sentences. Does the TS drive the paragraph? Does the CS nicely sum it up? Let me know if you need highlighters! We’ll correct in a sec

6. Refuting the opposition: Now we’ll focus on the 3 rd body paragraph of your essay; it’s in the same format as the first two, but it REFUTES THE OPPOSITION!

7. Acknowledging the Opposition in a Persuasive Essay Hi, robber guy Hey, fairy princess

8. Why do it… You do this so that your paper is not completely biased and thus more convincing. You MUST present a strong argument from your opposition; you might choose the argument by looking at your arguments and choosing one that both you and your opposition can defend –Example Topic Sentence for refuting opposition paragraph: While some say that the death penalty prevents crime, statistics clearly show otherwise. –In this case, one of YOUR arguments is that having the death penalty does not keep criminals from committing crimes-- your 3 rd body paragraph will bring in the opposition’s belief that it does.

9. Where to do it… Acknowledge your opposition in your final body paragraph Do it in the topic sentence Continue in your opinion sentences to try to prove your opposition wrong.

10. Topic Sentence Begin with a transition such as: –Although –Conversely –Counter to –Even though Your sentence will look like this: Transition Opposition’s argument Your Rebuttal. Example: Although some may argue that gum chewing is messy and distracting, it is proven that it improves brain performance. Use your transitions cheat sheet for more ideas!

11. Example: Gum Chewing TS:Although some may argue that gum chewing is messy and distracting, it is proven that it improves brain performance. B.U.:A custodian scraping gum from the floor would not dare argue with the 73% of scientists who say that gum chewing improves both short and long term memory. Explan : This is an amazing find; gum can clearly help students while they are studying and testing. Most kids are responsible and throw their gum away properly, but it’s obvious that the data outweighs the mess for the few who don’t. Explan:Similarly, the argument about the mess seems petty when facing the real evidence: gum can make a person smarter. Isn’t that what teachers want from students anyway? Why fight it? B.U.: Even more, gum chewers scored 25% higher on tests than non gum chewers. Explan : Clearly, gum chewing should not just be allowed in school, but it should be encouraged or even required. CS:Due to the evidence that gum chewing promotes intelligence, the mess is a ridiculous argument that holds little importance.

12. Let’s take a look at another example of refuting the opposition under the doc camera:

13. In a few days… We’ll score whole papers from last year. This will give you a good idea of the big picture and a chance to become familiar with the rubric!