1. 7th grade Writing Overview
Narrative
Explanatory
Argumentative

2. What is the purpose of each? Do I know how to write each of these?
Narrative:
Purpose: To entertain! We wrote these as Medieval poems.
Must have elements of plot and often times, dialogue
Focus on making it creative, building character development and ensuring you have rising action, climax and resolution.

3. What is the purpose of each? Do I know how to write each of these?
Explanatory
Purpose: To INFORM.
King Arthur Chunk and Scrooge essay were explanatory
You are writing to inform the reader on prompt
Focus on elements of effective Chunk writing
Claim/Thesis
Concrete details and CM’s (you are showing)
Organized, word choice…

4. What is the purpose of each? Do I know how to write each of these?
Argumentative
Purpose: To Convince, to persuade
You are writing to persuade and convince the reader on your position/claim
Focus on elements of effective Chunk writing
Claim/Thesis- must address opposition
Reasons= Concrete details and CM’s (you are showing)
Counter Claim and Refutation

5. Argumentative
Decide on your position List all the reasons why this position is the “right one.” You need Concrete details and CM’s Each reason will be a paragraph- you need TWO You also need to address the opposition but then you must refute (prove why the opposition is wrong)

6. Example: Are video games good for students?
Position: No- video games steal student’s focus
Reasons: I should have TWO- these are backed by evidence
Too much time spent on video games, brains fill with negative energy
Evidence shows clear connection between video game playing and ADD
Counter: I need to address the other perspective (video games are entertaining), but then I refute it (prove it wrong)
Although video games keep student’s entertained and occupied; nevertheless children are paying a heavy price by losing their ability to focus.
Then go on and prove your 3rd point

7. Connection to The Pearl
Should Kino have thrown away the world’s most valuable pearl? Yes: He made the right choice in throwing the pearl away… No: Throwing away the pearl was not the right choice…

8. 1st step in Writing Process: Prep and PRE-WRITE
You need to thoroughly read all documents
We read the book, and discussed it so we are done!
Next you need to gather the data and take a position…
We are going to pre-write together and choose which argument we think is most valid
We already did the prep work in our debate notes

9. Argumentative Essay- Intro P
Same requirements- Hook, BS, Claim
Write an appropriate hook- Brief intro
Write an appropriate BS- introduce all articles/sources

10. Argumentative Essay- Intro P
Claim: Main point you are trying to prove
The claim for an argumentative essay is different from expository/explanatory in that it must have an although clause.
The although clause looks like this:
Although _______________ (counterclaim), in reality ______________________ (your position)

11. Although clause transition options
It is true that…however…therefore…
Certainly…but…in short…
Admittedly…on the other hand…so…
Of course…nevertheless…as a result…
Obviously…on the contrary…finally…
Sure…however…in addition…

12. Example of Although Clause Claim
Although _______________ (counterclaim), in reality ______________________ (your position)
Although video games are fun, they destroy student’s ability to focus and thus are dangerous.

13. Body Paragraphs
1st and 2nd Body: Your most convincing reason should be body paragraph 1, then 2…
3rd body: Your counterclaim argument addresses the opposing position then REFUTES it (disproves) by emphasizing your 3rd final reason
ALL YOUR REASONS MUST BE SUPPORTED WITH LOGICAL, RELEVANT EVIDENCE

14. Your turn:
IN your groups, write an effective argumentative intro for the following prompt:
Was Kino throwing away the pearl at the end of the novel a good decision?
Intro: Hook, BS, Thesis (Although Clause)
Work TOGETHER