1. Argumentative Writing- February 2019

2. Thesis Your opinion on the topic + reference to claims.
Topic: Should missions be sent to Mars?
Thesis: It is important that expeditions to Mars continue in order to gain better understanding of our own planet and life on other planets.
BAD: In this essay, I will convince you to agree that missions to Mars are invaluable.
BAD: In this essay, I will tell you about why missions should be sent to Mars.
BAD: I think missions should be sent to Mars.

3. Topic: Should missions be sent to Mars?
Thesis: It is important that expeditions to Mars continue (opinion on topic) in order to gain better understanding of our own planet (CLAIM #1) and life on other planets (CLAIM #2).
Your claims will be supported with evidence and explanations in body paragraphs.

4. Thesis
Topic: Are schools too dependent on technology? Thesis: Schools’ dependence on technology has caused students to lose the ability to think independently (opinion on topic), leading to a greater prevalence of mood disorders (CLAIM #1)and loneliness (CLAIM #2). Topic: Should schools start at a later time of day? Thesis: Beginning the school day at a later time would positively impact children (opinion on topic) by stabilizing students’ sleep patterns (CLAIM #1) and increasing students’ academic success (CLAIM#2).

5. Body Paragraph format Topic sentence- includes CLAIM #1
Evidence- quote or paraphrase from source. Must be cited with an in-text citation.
Explanation- Include any background information reader needs to understand evidence. Break down any inferences/connections that you expect the reader to make about the evidence and CLAIM. How does the evidence support your CLAIM?
Conclusion- Explain how your CLAIM supports the THESIS (your opinion on the topic)

6. Thesis: Missions should be sent to Mars.
(CLAIM) Due to similarities between Mars and our own planet, data gathered from Mars can help researchers learn about early planet evolution. (EVIDENCE) According to the article, “Red Planet InSight: Why Do We Keep Going Back to Mars?,” scientists argue that evidence of early geological development has been preserved on Mars. On Earth, such evidence has been destroyed by moving plate tectonics and mantle convection. (EXPLANATION) By studying the geological make-up of Mars, scientists can create a clearer picture of how our own planet was formed. (CONCLUSION-Refers back to THESIS) The best way to know more about the creation of Earth is to research Mars- and the only way to do that is by sending missions to our neighboring planet.

7. If you refer to only one source (article, book) multiple times in a paragraph, you do not need to repeat the title. State the title completely one time, and then you can reference “the article”
If you reference different sources in a paragraph, you must state the title whenever you refer to a different source
In Hidden Figures, the female characters struggle to succeed in a profession populated by few women. This is a problem that has not changed with time. The article “A Woman’s Place Is in Science” argues that even in today’s society, men greatly outnumber women in science and engineering fields.

8. In-text citations- direct quotes
Use quotes if you are repeating information word-for-word (verbatim) from article.
Cite the author
Stephen Ornes states, “….”
Cite the article title
The article “A Woman’s Place Is in Science” argues, “…”
If you are quoting someone interviewed for the article, make it clear.
In the article, Mary Perkison, a director of a program that pushes girls to solve problems using science, says, “…”
Direct quotes should not be longer than 1-2 sentences.
Paraphrase if the information is longer.

9. Paraphrasing
Paraphrasing: express the meaning of (the writer or speaker or something written or spoken) using different words, especially to achieve greater clarity
You still need to use in-text citations, even if you have reworded the information!

10. Paraphrasing Example
Original: "On Mars, that structure's been preserved over the last 4.5 billion years, whereas on the Earth, where we actually can study it pretty easily, that structure's all been scrambled up both by plate tectonics, by mantle convection, and so the evidence of the very earliest processes has been wiped away on the Earth," Bruce Banerdt, principal investigator of the InSight mission and a researcher at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California, said during the briefing. Paraphrased: According to the article, “Red Planet InSight: Why Do We Keep Going Back to Mars?,” scientists argue that evidence of early geological development has been preserved on Mars. On Earth, such evidence has been destroyed by moving plate tectonics and mantle convection.

11. Counter Argument/Rebuttal
Begin by referencing an opposing opinion on the topic. This is one sentence.
Some may argue …
It is said …
Others may claim…
Then, transition to rebuttal. This is where you refute the counterclaim and explain why your opinion is correct.
However,
Rebuttal must be logical and must contain NEW EVIDENCE that is properly cited. You cannot reuse any evidence twice.
Conclusion sentence- reaffirm that your opinion is correct. DO NOT REPEAT WORDS/SENTENCES VERBATIM (word-for-word)

12. Introduction Hook-Catch the reader’s attention
Ask a question (most over-used hook type)
Describe a situation or scenario that will engage the reader
Begin with an interesting fact or quote
Facts must actually be interesting or little-known. Facts and quotes must be cited- especially if you get them from a source that is not one of your pro/con articles.
Give any background information the reader may need on the topic
Explain why the topic is important
Transition to the thesis (opinion on the topic with a general reference to the two claims that will be discussed)
DO NOT REFERENCE COUNTER CLAIM IN INTRO

13. Conclusion If you can, tie-in to your hook.
Rephrase thesis. DO NOT REPEAT IT VERBATIM! (word-for-word) This is difficult, but nobody likes reading the same sentence twice. It is OK if thesis is not restated in the same one-sentence format required in the introduction
Emphasize why your opinion on the topic is important to the reader or the world
End with a call to action- what needs to be done