1. How to write the rough draft
Us history 1

2. The Importance of Organization
Why is organization important in argument?
Guides an audience through your reasoning process
Offers a clear explanation of each argued point.
Demonstrates the credibility of the writer.
Key Concept: Organization is an important component in any argument. Not only does a clear sense of organization guide the reader through the reasoning process, but it also demonstrates the credibility of the writer--that the writer has a clear conception of the issues involved and has the ability to offer a well-crafted response to the topic. An argument that has a confusing organization--that jumps from point to point without establishing connections between topics--is less likely to be convincing to its audience.

3. Organizing Your Argument Title Introduction Thesis statement
Body Paragraphs
Constructing Topic Sentences
Building Main Points
Countering the Opposition
Conclusion
Rationale: This slide illustrates the topics covered in this presentation, as well as the ordering of the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion within an argument.

4. Tip: Use active verbs in titles
Why You Need A Title
Title: (1) introduces the topic of discussion to the audience and (2) generates reader interest in the argument.
Tip: Use active verbs in titles
For example:
Clean Campus  Cleaning up Campus With Recycling Bins or Reducing Rubbish: Recycling on Campus
Key Concept: The title is often an overlooked component in the development of arguments. Indeed, the title provides the first words the audience encounters upon reading the paper. The title should introduce the topic of the argument as well as generate interest in reading the argument.

5. Which do you consider to be the best title? Road Rage Can’t Drive 55
Considering Titles
Imagine you just wrote a paper offering solutions to the problem of road rage.
Which do you consider to be the best title?
Road Rage
Can’t Drive 55
Road Rage: Curing Our Highway Epidemic
Activity: The facilitator may have students consider which title for a paper on road rage is the most effective. “Road Rage” provides little to entice the reader, though it does introduce the topic. “Can’t Drive 55,” while offering an interesting image, would better fit a paper on the speed limit than on road rage, which is defined by more than speeding. Also, “Can’t Drive 55” is unoriginal (a title from a popular Sammy Hagar song). The third choice is the best selection here: it both introduces the topic and provides an interesting analogy to describe the seriousness of the problem.

6. What is an Introduction?
Introduction: acquaints the reader with the topic and purpose of the paper.
An introduction offers a plan for the ensuing argument:
Introduction: Tell them what you’re going to tell them.
Body: Tell them.
Conclusion: Tell them what you told them
Key Concept: The introduction continues upon the tasks of the title--it both introduces the topic and generates audience interest in reading the entire paper. The introduction also indicates the purpose of the paper--to inform, persuade, call to action, etc.--as well as offers a plan for the ensuing argument.

7. Methods for Constructing an Introduction
Background information (your general topic)
More specific (why your topic is important)
Most specific (your
thesis statement)
Activity: The facilitator may ask students about effective methods for beginning an introduction.
Key Concepts: A personal anecdote illustrates the writer’s involvement within the topic, as well as moves the topic from the abstract to the real. Examples, both real (have happened) and hypothetical (have the potential to happen) can also help to illustrate the problem. Posing an interesting question can also generate reader interest; however, the question should be answered within the course of the paper. A quotation can provide a branch for discussion. Quotations, however, should be made relevant to the topic of the paper. An explanation of shocking statistics or the presentation of a striking image can also invite the audience to continue reading the paper.

8. Body Paragraphs and Topic Sentences
Body paragraphs: (1) build upon the claims made in the introductory paragraph(s); (2) are organized with the use of topic sentences that illustrate the main idea of each paragraph.
Tip: Offering a brief explanation of the history or recent developments of topic within the early body paragraphs can help the audience become familiarized with your topic and the complexity of the issue.
Key Concepts: This slide explains the function of body paragraphs within an argument-to continue proving the claim posited in the thesis statement. Clearly stated topic sentences within each paragraph can help writers to focus their arguments around their thesis statements. The facilitator may also suggest that students offer a synopsis of the topic, including the history of the issue and recent changes in current events that affect the topic.

9. Body Paragraphs
Paragraphs may be ordered in several ways, depending upon the topic and purpose of your argument:
General
Specific
Most important
Least important
Key Concepts: Body paragraphs may be ordered in various patterns, depending upon the purpose, audience, and topic of the argument. This slide offers participants options for organizing their work.
Activity: The facilitator may choose to offer suggestions on organizing patterns for a current argumentative assignment.
Strongest claim
Weakest claim

10. Research in Body Paragraphs
Researched material can aid you in proving the claims of your argument and disproving oppositional claims.
Be sure to use your research to support the claims made in your topic sentences—make your research work to prove your argument.
Key Concepts: Writers sometimes fall into the trap of letting research material overwhelm the paper, rather than using sources to prove their own argumentative claims. It is important to be selective when using source material; just because a source may relate to your topic does not mean it will necessarily be useful or relevant to proving your claims. Offering clear topic sentences that articulate claims relating to the thesis can be a useful strategy for offering a frame to researched material. Sources can then be used to back the claim provided in the topic sentence.

11. In-text citations
In addition to having an MLA-formatted Works Cited Page, you must also have MLA-format in-text citations for quotes and paraphrases that provides the Author’s last name** and page number**.
Ex: “Do your homework” (Staring, 231).
Ex: Ms. Staring says “do your homework” (231).
Ex: Many teachers say homework is important (Staring, 231).
** what if there’s no author or page number ??

12. Conclusion: Reemphasizes the main points made in your paper.
The Conclusion
Conclusion: Reemphasizes the main points made in your paper.
You may choose to reiterate a call to action or speculate on the future of your topic, when appropriate.
Avoid raising new claims in your conclusion.
Key Concepts: The conclusion is also an important paragraph in a paper--it provides the last words that a writer will present to his or her audience. Therefore, it should have a lasting impact. The conclusion should work to reemphasize the main claims of the argument, articulating the importance of the argued position and, when appropriate, the reader’s need to take action on the issue. Writers should also avoid raising new claims in concluding paragraphs--there is no more room to argue points comprehensively or convincingly. Such new points would be better repositioned within the body paragraphs.