1. Defining the Argument English II

2. What is an argument? Expressing a point of view on a subject and supporting it with evidence. Information presented as fact may be argument if it depends on the point of view of the storyteller and the audience. Yes, yes! To Obi-Wan, listen!

3. Argument vs. Persuasive Writing Argument: Purpose is to be logical. Consider all available evidence, appeal to reason, use evidence to convince your readers. Persuasive: Purpose is to be convincing. Select the most favorable evidence, appeal to emotions, use style to persuade your readers.

4. Why argument matters Over time, new ideas and theories emerge to challenge the received wisdom of the past. The ability to evaluate the validity of an argument can help you determine the extent to which those new ideas are worthy of consideration.

5. Why argument matters “Recognize that knowing a lot of stuff won’t do you much good, unless you can do something with what you know by turning it into an argument.” Gerald Graff, Professor of English and Education University of Illinois at Chicago; President, Modern Language Association

6. How it works In academic writing, an argument is usually a main idea – often called a “claim” or “thesis statement.” Claims should not be simple or obvious. Claims must be supported with evidence. To be useful, evidence must be both relevant and verifiable.

7. What kind of evidence? “Without analysis of data (verbal and nonverbal texts, materials, surveys and samples), any thesis is likely to be no more than a preconception or assumption or clichéd popular belief that is unwarranted, and at worst, totally indefensible.” George Hillocks, Jr., Emeritus Professor of Education, University of Chicago

8. Examples Claim: Protons are positively charged and electrons are negatively charged. Evidence: In this experiment, protons and electrons acted in (such and such a way).

9. Examples Claim: The end of the South African system of apartheid was inevitable. Evidence: Every successful revolution in the modern era has come about after the government in power has given and then removed small concessions to the uprising group.

10. Counterargument One way to strengthen your argument and show that you have a deep understanding of the issue you are discussing is to anticipate and address counterarguments or objections. Ask yourself how someone who disagrees with you might respond to each of the points you’ve made – or your position as a whole. The point is to leave your reader with the sense that your argument is stronger than opposing arguments.

11. Audience It’s a good idea to imagine that the audience of your argument is someone who is perfectly rational and intelligent – but who doesn’t necessarily agree with you. You should not, however, expect your audience to be as familiar with the material you are discussing as you are. You will need to provide them with the necessary background information to support your points.

12. Reading argumentative texts Ask yourself: what is the author trying to prove? What is the author assuming I will agree with? Do you, in fact, agree with the author? Does the author adequately defend her argument? What kind of proof does she use? Is there something she leaves out that you would have included? Would including that information hurt his argument?

13. Sources University of North Carolina Writing Center: http://writingcenter.unc.edu/files/2012/09/Argument-The-Writing- Center.pdf Teaching Argument Writing, Grades 6-12 by George Hillocks, Jr.: http://www.heinemann.com/shared/onlineresources/e01396/introand chapter1.pdf