1. Notes for an Argument Essay

2. Leads
A lead grabs the reader’s attention in order to keep them reading more.
There are four types of leads.
A thought provoking question
A dramatic, eye-opening statement
An expert quotation
A descriptive segment

3. Leads Here are some possible leads for this claim:
Here’s an example claim to an argument paper:
Students should be required to take gym class each day because it prevents obesity, keeps students awake, and can promote healthy lifestyles.
Here are some possible leads for this claim:

4. Thought-provoking question
A question about the topic that gets the reader thinking right away. A question must also have an answer. DO NOT just ask the reader’s opinion on the topic.
What could possibly be a solution to America’s shockingly high obesity rates? Some experts may argue that learning habits at a young age could be a solution.

5. Dramatic, eye-opening statement
An intense sentence or two about your topic that shocks the reader to get them thinking
More than one-third of U.S. adults (35.7%) are obese. It could be argued that had they been taught better habits at a young age, they would not be obese now.

6. Expert Quotation
A quote that matches the topic of your paper, comes from an authority, and makes your reader think about how it applies.
Arnold Schwarzenegger once said, “Training gives us an outlet for suppressed energies created by stress and thus tones the spirit just as exercise conditions the body.”

7. A descriptive segment
A sentence or two about the topic that allows the reader to imagine a scene in vivid detail by using sensory details
The sounds of squeaking shoes and bouncing basketballs echo through the large room. The smell of sweat is in the air. Students run by with smiles on their faces. Gym class is in action.

8. Background information
Now that you’ve got your reader interested, it’s time to give them some basic information to prepare to read your essay. We call this background information.
Background information introduces the topic as well as the two sides of the issue.

9. Background information
Here’s our claim:
Students should be required to take gym class each day because it prevents obesity, keeps students awake, and can promote healthy lifestyles.
The topic of this essay: gym class.

10. Background information
To start off your background information, you will write a sentence that is non-specific about the topic. This is just to get your reader familiar with your topic.
In most high schools, students are not required to take gym each day.
Nothing specific, definitely no evidence— this is just to let your reader know what you’re going to be writing about.

11. Background Information
Now, we need to address the two sides to the issue surrounding the topic.
In order to do this, we use two specific sentence starters:
Some say…
Others say…

12. Background Information
Some say that gym should be required because it helps students in other areas.
Others say that gym should not be required because many students dislike gym class.
Background information can be almost anything as long as you don’t use it for evidence later on. Stay non-specific! It’s easier!

13. Background Information
Now, let’s take those three things,
non-specific information about the topic,
non-specific information about one side of the issue,
non-specific information about the other side of the issue,
and add them together.

14. Background Information
In most high schools, students are not required to take gym each day. Some say that gym should be required because it helps students in other areas. Others say that gym should not be required because many students dislike gym class.

15. Background Information
The last thing you include in an introduction paragraph is your claim.
What should you claim include?
Your side/stance on the issue
Three mini-claims that support your claim

16. Lead + background info + claim = stellar introduction !
The sounds of squeaking shoes and bouncing basketballs echo through the large room. The smell of sweat is in the air. Students run by with smiles on their faces. Gym class is in action. In most high schools, students are not required to take gym each day. Some say that gym should be required because it helps students in other areas. Others say that gym should not be required because many students dislike gym class. Students should be required to take gym class each day because it prevents obesity, keeps students awake, and can promote healthy lifestyles.

17. Introduction Paragraph Sentences
1st sentence: Lead
2nd sentence: Introduce the topic
3rd sentence: Some say…
4th sentence: Others say…
5th sentence: Claim(with three topic sentences)

18. Conclusions Conclusion paragraphs are also important!
The purpose of a conclusion is to repeat your main points. You want to have the most important info fresh in their heads.
Lucky you! You don’t need to come up with anything new. You just need to say it in a different way! Woo!

19. Conclusions
Your first sentence will be your claim. Give it a makeover though; make it fresh and new!
Original claim: Spring is the best season of the year because of the flowers, daylight, and general sense of rejuvenation.
Make-over! (minus the topic sentences)
Overall, the very best time of year is springtime.

20. Conclusions
Next, you will use three separate sentences to go over your topic sentences again. Like April rain, refresh our memories about your body paragraphs.
Flowers long-buried in snow come back!
The sun stays out later and later.
Finally, everything seems to spring back to life as Old Man Winter relinquishes to Mother Nature.

21. Conclusions
Overall, the very best time of year is springtime. Flowers long-buried in snow come back! The sun stays out later and later. Finally, everything seems to spring back to life as Old Man Winter relinquishes to Mother Nature. After the long, dark months of winter, the thought of a little springtime is enough to make anyone smile.

22. Conclusions PLEASE avoid terrible concluding sentences like these:
This is just what I think, but you can make your own decision! ;)
So, what do you think? Is spring the best season of the year?
This is spring is the best season.
This has been my paper on spring. Thank you for reading.