1. How to Write an Argument
Revising the singer / hardin argument essay

2. Step 1: Analyze the prompt
AP argument prompts will be one of two kinds: an agree/disagree prompt or an original thesis prompt
Make sure you analyze the prompt
What am I expected to include in my essay?
Are there any abstract terms that I’ll need to define for my readers?
What kinds of evidence am I expected to use?

3. Agree/Disagree Original Thesis
Will give you a quote that you must agree with, disagree with, or qualify.
Will give you a topic and ask you to formulate a thesis of your own.
Example:
“Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents which in prosperous circumstances would have lain dormant. “ —Horace
Consider this quotation about adversity from the Roman poet Horace. Then write an essay that defends, challenges, or qualifies Horace’s assertion about the role that adversity (financial or political hardship, danger, misfortune, etc.) plays in developing a person’s character. Support your argument with appropriate evidence from your reading, observation, or experience.
The first Buy Nothing Day—a day on which
people are urged to purchase no goods—was
organized in Canada in 1992 as a way to increase
awareness of excessive consumerism. Consider
the implications of a day on which no goods are
purchased. Then write an essay in which you
develop a position on the establishment of an
annual Buy Nothing Day.
Possible theses:
I agree with Horace’s claim that adversity brings forth hidden talent because necessity has always been the mother of invention.
I disagree with Horace’s claim that adversity brings forth hidden talent because true talent is inherent, not developed.
I qualify Horace’s claim; adversity has the potential to bring forth hidden talent, but that doesn’t mean prosperity can’t develop it as well.
Buy Nothing Day should be an annual establishment because our society is overly obsessed with material worth.
Buy Nothing Day should not be annually established because it is not drastic enough to change our habits as consumers.
Buy Nothing Day has the potential to bring great awareness to our heavy reliance on material goods, but it may not do enough to make a real impact.

4. Which kind do we have here?
We have read both Peter Singer's "The Singer Solution to World Poverty" and Garrett Hardin's "Lifeboat Ethics: The Case Against Helping the Poor."  Though one speaks to individually giving resources away and the other focuses on government-funded aid, both bring up an important ethical question: are we morally obligated to give our resources to those in need?  Write an essay on which author's viewpoint you agree with. In your response, consider the following questions:
From an ethical perspective, why do you agree with this author? (Note, this does not need to be from a consequentialist perspective.)
What is the individual's moral responsibility to others?  What is the government's moral responsibility to others?
Is there a conflict between what is moral and what is realistic?
What are the downfalls of this particular viewpoint (counterargument)?
In your response, feel free to use evidence from class readings (cite them!), your observations, and your experience.

5. Step 2: Formulate a thesis
A thesis is a CLAIM, and a claim is a well-reasoned opinion that you need to PROVE
Your thesis should:
ANSWER THE PROMPT QUESTION
Give a generic or all-encompassing reason WHY you believe this
Be debatable
Be a statement, not a question (that’s why it’s called a thesis statement)
Appear at the end of your introduction

6. Here’s a game….
Locate your thesis in your own essay. Underline it. Does it meet these requirements?
ANSWER THE PROMPT QUESTION
Give a generic or all-encompassing reason WHY you believe this
Be debatable
Be a statement, not a question (that’s why it’s called a thesis statement)
Appear at the end of your introduction
If it doesn’t meet ALL of these criteria, it needs to be revised.

7. Let’s build your thesis
Do you agree more with Singer’s idea or with Hardin’s?
Do you believe that we are morally obligated to give our resources to those in need?
Why do you think this?
(If you are qualifying, you’ll set yours up slightly differently, so see me for help.)
I agree with ______________ that______________________________________
(author) (position on prompt question)
because __________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

8. Step 3: Compose the Outline
Creating an outline before you write (even a really basic one) is ESSENTIAL to a successful, organized essay.
I made an assumption (which is an idea or opinion held without proof) that you guys were taught how to outline. This was a faulty assumption, so I’m teaching you now.
Think of the outline as your roadmap for the essay. At the very least, it should include:
Paragraph structure
Topic sentences
Evidence

9. Argument paragraph 3 (optional)
Introduction & Thesis
Topic Sentence 1 (This should be a more specific reason that proves your thesis is true)
A. Evidence 1a
B. Explanation of evidence
C. Evidence 1b (optional)
D. Explanation of evidence
Topic Sentence 2
A. Evidence 2a
C. Evidence 2b (optional)
Argument paragraph 3 (optional)
Counterargument or Conclusion (note: your counterargument can be your conclusion OR your first body paragraph)

10. Topic Sentence 3 (optional)
Introduction & Thesis
We are morally obligated to give our resources to those in need because it’s our human responsibility to help others.
A. Quote from Jeremy Bentham’s “Principles of Morals and Legislation”
B. Explanation of evidence
Topic Sentence 2
A. Evidence
Topic Sentence 3 (optional)
Topic Sentence 4 (optional)
Counterargument or Conclusion (note: your counterargument can be your conclusion OR your first body paragraph)

11. Sample topic sentences:
We are morally obligated to give our resources to those in need because it’s our human responsibility to help others.
A. Quote from Jeremy Bentham’s “Principles of Morals and Legislation”
B. Explanation of evidence
C. The Trolley Problem
D. Explanation of evidence
II. We are not morally obligated to give our resources to those in need because our greater responsibility is to ensure the welfare of our families, not strangers.
A. Quote from Garrett Hardin’s “Lifeboat Ethics: The Case Against Helping the Poor”
B. Explanation of evidence
C. Saving money for childrens’ college tuition, savings accounts, etc.

12. Sample Paragraph Outlines:
Sample 1: Pro-Singer
Sample 2: Pro-Hardin
Intro & Thesis
Ethical reasons we should give to others
Why Singer’s solution is morally praiseworthy for individuals
Why giving to others is also the government’s moral responsibility
Counterargument: the realistic downfalls of Singer’s solution
Ethical reasons we should not give to others
Why Hardin’s solution is morally praiseworthy from a government’s standpoint
Why individually giving to others is not in our best moral interest
Counterargument: the seeming coldness of Hardin’s solution
Sample 3: Qualification
Sample 4: Qualification
Why it is morally obligatory for governments to give resources to those in need
Why it is not morally obligatory for individuals to give resources to those in need
Counterargument: the seeming coldness of this solution
Where Singer goes too far
Ethical reasons governments should provide for their own people, not others

13. Time to build your outline!
Introduction & Thesis
Topic Sentence 1 (This should be a more specific reason that proves your thesis is true)
A. Evidence 1a
B. Explanation of evidence
C. Evidence 1b (optional)
D. Explanation of evidence
Topic Sentence 2
A. Evidence 2a
C. Evidence 2b (optional)
Argument paragraph 3 (optional)
Counterargument or Conclusion (note: your counterargument can be your conclusion OR your first body paragraph)