1. Written Argument

2. What is a written argument?  It is a series of claims an author makes about how things are or should be (opinion).  It is always about the topic of the text.  It’s purpose is to convince or persuade the audience to do something or think a certain way

3. What is the main claim/main argument/central claim? 1. The author’s main opinion or belief he/she wants the audience to agree with 2. It can be stated directly or implicitly 3. Usually comes at the beginning of the argument, but can come at the end 4. Is supported by subclaims

4. What are claims (subclaims)? 1. The reasons the author gives to convince the audience that he/she is right. 2. They are opinions, not facts. 3. They are supported by evidence. 4. In the text, they can come before or after the evidence that supports them. 5. Claims can be counterarguments that challenge those who disagree (continue Diagram)

5. How do I know if a statement is a claim? ASK YOURSELF: 1. Is this statement an opinion? 2. Is this opinion supported by any evidence? 3. Does this statement support the author’s main claim/main argument? IF YES TO ALL 3, then it is a CLAIM!!!

6. SOOO…  Since claims are the opinions of the author, let’s now see if we can identify what an opinion is!!

7. Is it a claim or evidence? 1. According to the National Science Foundation, 23% of teenagers are obese. 2. Fast food industries are to blame for America’s obesity problem. 3. Obesity in America affects everyone, not just those who eat fast food. 4. No one wants to turn into the Stay Puff Marshmallow Man! 5. A recent study done by Harvard researchers states that 1 out of every 4 teens is obese. EVIDENCE (stats/facts) CLAIM EVIDENCE (allusion) EVIDENCE (research study)

8. Which claim does the evidence support? 1. ___ Obesity in America affects everyone, not just those who eat fast food. 2. ___ Obesity should be America’s number one health concern. 3. ___ Fast food restaurants close to schools are making kids fat. 4. ___ Parents who are not at home when kids get home from school contribute to the obesity problem. 5. ___ There are not enough calorie information charts on fast food restaurant menus for customers to make informed decisions. A. Out of McDonalds’ 15,000 restaurants in America, only 25% of them have calorie information pamphlets for customers to view. (stats/facts) B. According to a government study, obesity is the leading cause of preventable death in America. (research study) C. According to Manuel Lopez, a fast food expert, 50% of parents say their kids eat fast food because they aren’t home to cook dinner. (expert/stats/facts) D. Health treatment of obese kids costs American taxpayers $500 million a year. (stats/facts) E. Look at Gabriel Iglesias – he walked to McDonald’s, Taco Bell and KFC a ¼ mile from school everyday!(allusion) CLAIMEVIDENCE A B C D E

9. How does a written argument end?  Call to Action A sentence or series of sentences that suggest what the audience should now do to support and spread the author’s belief. In other words, it “calls” the audience “to act” in a certain way that supports the author’s belief.