1. April 11, 2017 Please take the handout from the table.
Begin reading over the handout, for we will discuss it after I check role and the outlines.
If I did not see your outline yesterday, please have that on your desk for me to check.
Also, have your permission slip on your desk if you have it signed, and I will come and get it as well.

2. Concessions Two formats Block format
all concessions in one paragraph at beginning of paper
Point to point format
Listing counterarguments in first two body paragraphs
The parts of a counterargument are the following:
Acknowledging – writers let the readers know they are aware of the position that is against their view (concession)
Refuting – writers propose their objections to the other position by asserting that an opponent’s arguments are wrong and arguing against them

3. Quotations as Evidence in an Argument
Assertion – explain your viewpoint on the issue
Introduction – introduce the quotation and/or speakers
Quotation – include the information that proves or illustrates the assertion
Documentation – follow MLA format to provide citation information of the source
Commentary – provide your explanation of how the quotation supports your argument

4. Quotations—Embedding
Incorporate your research as embedded quotations as often as possible.
Not too many direct quotes
No lengthy quotes
Both make you look lazy.
Example:
Dr. John Smith, the lead researcher on bioethics at Texas A&M University, argues that stem cell research can “unlock the mysteries of why Parkinson’s disease occurs” and assist in determining how it can be cured (Jones 45).

5. Parenthetical Citations
The most basic citation includes the author’s last name and the page number from which the information was taken:
(Smith 43).
If the source does not have page numbers (an Internet or database source), include the author’s last name only or the title of the work:
(Smith). OR (“The Study of Physics”).
If the source does not have an author, include the first part of the works cited entry, such as the title of the article. You may abbreviate the title, but you must begin with the word by which it is alphabetized on the works cited page. Use more than one word if the abbreviated title matches another source:
(“Gun Control”).
If you include information from more than one source in a single sentence, list them in the order in which they appear in the sentence, separating them with a semicolon:
(Smith 43; “Gun Control”).

6. Parenthetical Citations
If you have two or more sources from the same author, you must also include the titles of the works in the citation:
(Smith, “Capital Punishment” 43).
(Smith, “The Death Penalty” 158).
If your source quotes someone in his or her work, indicate that this is second-hand information by designating that the information was quoted by that author:
Ronald Reagan inspired Americans with the words from his inaugural speech that reminded them “to…” (qtd. in Smith 43).
**Always attempt to find the original source
If you have two or more different authors with the same last name, include their first initial as well:
(J. Smith 43).

7. Parenthetical Citations
If you include the source’s name in your sentence, you can eliminate his or her last name in the citation and only include the page number. If you do this for an online source that does not have page numbers, you will not include a parenthetical citation at the end of the sentence:
Book source: The Surgeon General Joe Smith stated that stem cell research is necessary (43).
Online source: The Surgeon General Joe Smith stated that stem cell research is necessary.

8. Commentary Commentary should explain the significance of a statistic
the impact of a personal story
the result of proposed outcomes
Make sure you have at least a sentence of commentary for each researched fact.
This commentary is your chance to use your own words to make your point and to effectively use rhetorical devices and syntactical patterns.

9. Concluding Statements
End each paragraph with a clincher statement that provides your commentary on all the evidence presented as support of your position. These statements can
Call for action
Draw a deduction from the facts
Ask a question
Provide a strong contrast
Dismiss an opposing idea
Provide a final illustration
Return to the idea or structure of the beginning
State the subject’s overall significance
Suggest a solution to a problem or give a recommendation
Provide a useful analogy or comparison
Summarize the writer’s feelings

10. Sample Body Paragraph

11. Additional Considerations
Rhetoric, Diction, and Sentence Variety
All paragraphs should appeal to logos, pathos, and ethos
Include rhetorical devices and syntactical patterns
Use sophisticated diction
Vary sentence structure
Introduction
Attention-getter
Context of subject
Bridge
Last sentence should be your thesis statement.
Conclusion
It is your “closing argument” on your issue.
What are the final thoughts you want the reader to consider?
How does this issue relate to the “bigger picture”?
How can the audience respond by taking action?
Ultimately, why should the audience support your position on this controversial issue?
Transitions
Include transitions between all paragraphs so that you create a logical flow from one key idea to the next