1. Argument Unit
We are taking notes today! Take out your journal and label the top of the page and add a date.

2. Begins with a Claim (This will become part of your thesis!)
Claim – debatable and controversial statements or assertions you hope to prove
Can be demonstrated to be true through logic or evidence
Should answer the question So what’s your point?

3. What are some claims? Twinkies are delicious. I like dance music.
Opinion
Claim
Twinkies are delicious.
I like dance music.
I think Virginia Woolf is better than James Joyce.
The governor is a bad man.
Twinkies taste better than other snack cakes because of their texture, their creamy filling, and their golden appearance.
Dance music has become popular for reasons that have nothing to do with the quality of the music; rather, the clear, fast beats respond to the need of people on amphetamines to move, and to move quickly.
Virginia Woolf is a more effective writer than James Joyce because she does not rely on elaborate language devices that ultimately confuse and alienate the reader.
The governor has continually done the community a disservice by mishandling money, focusing on frivolous causes, and failing to listen to his constituents.

4. What are the differences?
—An argument is supported by evidence, which can be debated/challenged. Opinion is supported by more opinion (and ultimately you end up with something along the lines of “Well, just because, okay?”).
—A claim can be substantiated with research, evidence, testimony, and academic reasoning.
—A claim is something more than statement and support: an arguable claim also goes on to address the “so what?” question, the implications and why we should care in the first place.
—Remember that not all claims are created equal, and though a claim may be arguable, the best claims are focused, specific, complex, and relevant.

5. Concessions
Concession – acknowledgments of potential objections a reader may have to your argument
You will address your concession in your thesis statement by beginning your thesis with “Although.”

6. Thesis
Thesis statement – Statement that declares what you believe and what you intend to prove in the opening.
Your thesis will be a combination of your concession and your claim.
Example: Although some parents may oppose paying the extra tax for public schools, schools need an additional source of income if they are to continue providing many programs.
Did you see that? It was this formula: Although___________(Concession)___, __________(Claim)________________.

7. Attributes of a good thesis:
It should be contestable, proposing an arguable point with which people could reasonably disagree. A strong thesis is provocative; it takes a stand and justifies the discussion you will present.
It is specific and focused. A strong thesis proves a point without discussing “everything about …” Instead of music, think "American jazz in the 1930s" and your argument about it.
It clearly asserts your own conclusion based on evidence. Note: Be flexible. The evidence may lead you to a conclusion you didn't think you'd reach. It is perfectly okay to fine tune your thesis after developing your arguments. Now you know what you really want to say!

8. Attributes of a good thesis:
It provides the reader with a map to guide him/her through your work.
It anticipates and refutes the counter-arguments
It avoids vague language (like "it seems").
It avoids the first person. ("I believe," "In my opinion")
It should pass the So what? or Who cares? test (Would your most honest friend ask why he should care or respond with "but everyone knows that"?) For instance, "people should avoid driving under the influence of alcohol," would be unlikely to evoke any opposition.

10. What should be my claim?
NO!
YES!
“Eating fast food is bad and should be avoided.”
This statement is too general and would be nearly impossible for you to defend. It leaves a lot of big questions to answer. Is all fast food bad? Why is it bad? Who should avoid it? Why should anyone care?
“Americans should eliminate the regular consumption of fast food because the fast food diet leads to preventable and expensive health issues, such as diabetes, obesity, and heart disease.”

11. Starting Your Body You need to start each body paragraph with a clear
topic sentence (This is a mini claim).
Next you need to transition into your research and commentary.
Example: Additional taxes are needed to provide funding for fine arts programs. (TS) In a society of school budget short falls, the fine arts are often one of the first groups to be cut. (transition)

12. Common Transitional Words and Phrases
on the contrary
even though
however
while this may be true
ordinarily
generally
previously
in the meantime
Write down at least 6!
for example
in other words
likewise
in fact
furthermore
in addition
therefore
as a result

13. Evidence (This is from your research.)
Evidence – information or research that supports your argument
It should support your claim.
You need to have two pieces of evidence per paragraph. (That means for this paper you need four total.)
Any evidence (research) needs to be cited and properly embedded into your sentence.
Hint- What to research?
Listing the reasons you have for believing the claim can help focus your search for research supporting your claim.

14. Commentary/Analysis
In an argument, it is important that there is a logical and persuasive connection between a claim and the reasons and data used to support it.
The commentary is the connection. It justifies the claim.
Don’t switch arguments. It confuses the reader.
You need strong commentary/analysis for a strong argument.

15. 3 Types of Audience Appeals
Pathos – emotional appeals to the heart
Ethos – ethical appeals or appeals based on the writer’s authority and credibility
Logos – logical appeals or appeals to reason

16. What appeal is this?
Smoking
Weight Watchers

17. Is this a good Thesis?
“There are high numbers of homeless people living in Berkeley, California.”

18. Specific, focused, it’s debatable, and has claims!
“Homeless people in Berkeley should be given access to services, such as regular food donations, public restrooms, and camping facilities, because it would improve life for all inhabitants of the city.”

19. Is this a good Thesis?
“Secondhand smoke is bad and can cause heart disease and cancer; therefore, smoking should be outlawed in public places, but outlawing smoking is unfair to smokers so maybe non-smokers can just hold their breath or wear masks around smokers instead.”

20. No!
A wishy-washy statement like this will make your reader scratch his head in puzzlement. Are you for smoking laws or against them? Yankees or Mets? Mets or Yankees?
Pick a side, and stick with it!
“Secondhand smoke is just as harmful as smoking and leads to a higher prevalence of cancer and heart disease. What’s worse, people who inhale secondhand smoke are doing so without consent. For this reason, smoking in any public place should be banned.”

21. Is this a good thesis? “Humans should relocate to Mars.”
“It is too late to save earth; therefore, humans should immediately set a date for their relocation to Mars where, with proper planning, they can avoid issues of famine, war, and global warming.”

22. “It is too late to save earth; therefore, humans should immediately set a date for their relocation to Mars where, with proper planning, they can avoid issues of famine, war, and global warming.”

23. thesis starters 1. Financial Compensation for Organ Donors
People who sign up for organ donation freely give their hearts and other organs, but this free system limits the number of available donors and makes it difficult for recipients to access lifesaving transplants. Thus, organ donors should be financially compensated to produce more available organs and, at the same time, to decrease profitable, illegal organ harvesting activities in the black market.
2. Our School Is Too Dependent on Technology
Our school’s dependence on technology has caused students to lose the ability to think independently. This dependence has caused a greater prevalence of mood disorders, memory loss, and loneliness. Educators should combat these issues by requiring students to participate in regular technology detoxes.
3. School Officials’ Should Fight Cyberbullying
Bullying has extended far beyond school and into cyberspace. Even though these acts of aggression take place outside of school boundaries, school officials should have the authority to discipline students who engage in cyberbullying without fear of reprisal. Doing so will help improve the online behavior of students and decrease incidences of cyberbully-related suicide attempts.
4.The U.S. Media Should Update the Depiction of Traditional Families
The U.S. media depicts the traditional family as being comprised of a mother, father, and children; however, this notion of the traditional family is outdated and can be harmful to children who look to this as the gold standard. The U.S. media should, therefore, expand and redefine the definition of the traditional American family to include divorced and remarried parents, extended families living together, and families with same-gender parents. This will increase the overall sense of happiness and well-being among children whose families don’t necessarily fit the mold.
5. Student Loans Should Be Forgiven
Crippling student debt is stifling the growth of the U.S. economy because it inhibits graduates from being able to spend money on consumer goods and home purchases. To alleviate this, lenders should be required to forgive student loans in cases where students are unable to repay their debts. Doing so would benefit the growth of the economy by increasing tax revenues, unfreezing credit markets, and creating jobs.
6. Foreign Aid to Africa Does Not Work
Sending foreign aid to African countries is doing more harm than good, and it should be discontinued; the practice has caused African countries to become vulnerable to inflation, currency fluctuations, corruption, and civil unrest.
7. China’s One-Child Policy Should Be Reversed
China’s one-child policy was intended to help control population growth. Instead, it has led to unintended and negative consequences, such as a diminishing labor force, an aging population, the neglect of basic human rights, and an unbalanced gender population. To improve China’s situation, the policy should be reversed.