1. All About Writing An Argument
So You Think You Can
ARGUE
All About Writing
An Argument

2. What is an argument?

3. PERSUASIVE WRITING, right?
It’s just…
PERSUASIVE WRITING, right?

4. It’s more!! Persuasive writing is based on emotion.
Argument writing is based on logic and reasoning.

5. Kids should be in school Monday through Saturday!
An argument, or claim, is a statement of opinion that the author supports with evidence.
Kids should be in school Monday through Saturday!
For the next three slides, have students fill in the missing words in the “notes” at the top of the guided worksheet.

6. A claim by itself is not enough
A claim by itself is not enough. You have to convince people why your claim is true.
You do this with evidence.

7. “I need backup!”
A main argument--or claim--all by itself is not very strong.
Evidence can be reasons, examples, or statistics.

8. Claim: Kids should not have to go to school on Saturdays.
Evidence:
Most working parents have weekends off, and students need to be with their families.
Supporting facts: Students spend 36 hours a week at school.
Students spend 12 hours a week with their parents.
Some students have jobs.
Supporting facts: 86% of 11th and 12th graders work on the weekends.
Students need time for other activities.
Supporting facts: Only 12% of students aren’t involved in extracurricular activities.
On average, students spend 22 hours a week on extracurricular activities.

9. Arguments should also include reasons why the counter arguments are wrong
Kids should not have to go to school on Saturdays.

10. Claim Counterclaim Evidence Argument Synthesis
8/10/2011
Synthesis
Counterclaim
is wrong because

11. Making a Claim
8/10/2011
Think about how a teenage driver might convince his/her parents to loan the family car. Some tactics might include:
Present examples of trustworthiness from the past
Make parents feel compassion
Present statistics on teen driving to demonstrate a sense of responsibility.
 Based on an example from:

12. Evidence
Information that supports a claim or counterclaim (ex. facts, figures, examples)
8/10/2011
I should be allowed to drive the car!
I probably should not be allowed to drive the car!
Concluding Statement
I passed the driving test the first time.
(I know the rules.)
Driving record at MVA
I have never gotten a ticket.
(I follow the rules.)
I have not lost my cell phone, wallet, or debit card.
(I am responsible.)
Personal communication
No previous experience with being responsible for something this potentially dangerous or expensive.
Synthesis

13. Put it all together Concluding Statement
Clarify relationships between claim and reasons, reasons and evidence, and claim and counterclaim.
8/10/2011
I should be allowed to drive the family car since I have demonstrated responsibility, met the legal requirements, and have maintained control of my driving. In previous circumstances, when I have been given the opportunity to be responsible, I have demonstrated this attribute so a lack of experience is not a strong counterclaim.
Claim
Evidence
Backing
Argument
Put it all together
Point out strengths and limitations of both claim and counterclaim