1. CCELA Regents Exam
Argumentative Essay

2. CCELA Regents Exam Argumentative Essay
Is the most heavily weighted part of the CCELA English Exam
Will require the most exam time to prepare for and write
Is the easiest part to “study” for, once you understand what the requirements are, because you are good critical thinkers and good writers

3. Argumentative Essay =
a mini research paper.
You must cite outside sources (not just info from your head)
You must QUOTE those outside sources
You must CITE those outside sources

4. Argumentative Essay =
a mini research paper.
Use your outside info to SUPPORT YOUR THESIS
You should address the COUNTERCLAIM, AKA the OTHER SIDE OF THE ARGUMENT (this means, mention it and, if possible, try to discredit it; DO NOT support the other side!)

5. Argumentative Essay =
a mini research paper.
You must organize your essay into paragraphs
You should have a formal writing style (don’t use “I”, and remember to use transitions)

6. Argumentative Essay Game Plan
1. Learn the exam lingo; be sure to define terms you don’t yet know.
2. Make sure you understand what is being asked of you and what you are REQUIRED to do; commit this to memory.
3. CLOSELY READ and ANNOTATE all of the texts provided in the task.
4. Formulate an opinion and, consequently, a THESIS that you can support.
5. Choose the three or four examples (QUOTES!) from the texts that you will use to SUPPORT your side of the argument. (MINIMUM OF THREE)

7. Argumentative Essay Game Plan
6. Identify and ACNOWLEDGE the COUNTERCLAIM to the side of the argument you have chosen.
7. Create an outline for this essay, including QUOTES and CITATIONS; include the COUNTERCLAIM (and rebuttal).
8. Write the essay!
9. Edit it for conventions (spelling, grammar, punctuation) and make sure you have PROPERLY CITED a minimum of THREE different sources.

8. Argumentative Essay Game Plan
10. Do a happy dance because you have just finished writing a REALLY important essay that will help you ace the CCELA Regents Exam!
(P.S., It will also make your research paper feel like a piece of cake! )