1. Argumentative Writing
POINT Vs. COUNTERPOINT

2. ARGUMENTATIVE WRITING
Writing to state an opinion, or CLAIM
Argumentative writing is NOT solely stating an opinion or whining about what you think and begging others to think the same.
You must use facts, reasons, evidence/examples and explanations to force and support your claim (opinion) as valid.

3. ARGUMENTATIVE WRITING
When a writer asserts an opinion or states a claim, the writer’s goal is to explain why the reader should think, act, or feel the same way the writer does.
A writer accomplishes this goal by following a skilled format for writing.

4. ARGUMENTATIVE WRITING
Format for Writing
State the Claim
State the Reasons with the evidence
Make a Counterargument
Restate the Claim and Reasons
Structure for Paragraphs = Introduction with Thesis = 3 Body Paragraphs = 1 Body Paragraph = Conclusion Paragraph

5. ARGUMENTATIVE WRITING
POINT
The specific claim a writer is making. This claim/point is normally an opinion of the writer.
Example: Students deserve a later start to the school day to help increase their learning potential.
COUNTERPOINT
The claim or opinion held by the writer’s
audience/readers. This claim is opposite to the writer’s claim.
Example: Students deserve an earlier start to the school day to help increase their learning potential.

6. ARGUMENTATIVE WRITING
Over the next few weeks, you will write an argumentative essay.
You will make the claim/point that you should be awarded a privilege you have wanted but that you do not currently have.
Your parents will provide you with the counterpoint for your claim.
See Parent Letter Handout

7. ARGUMENTATIVE WRITING
Let’s practice together!
Using the “Building an Argument” graphic organizer, let’s think through a point we would like to make as students at LMS.
What reasonable privilege do we think you should be allowed?
You practice too!
Use the second copy of the graphic organizer to brainstorm your own topic. Anticipate your parents’ counterarguments.

8. ARGUMENTATIVE WRITING
HOMEWORK:
Complete your “Building an Argument” graphic organizer.
Go over the letter with your parents/guardians and have them begin making a list of 10 reasons for their counterpoints. If you write the list for them, they should sign it so that I know it does comes from them.
These lists are due Wednesday.

9. Day 2: THESIS STATEMENT WORKSHOP
Trade your “Building an Argument” G.O. with the person sitting next to you.
Read over the G.O. Rank the three reasons from 1- 3 with 1 being the weakest and 3 being the strongest.
Discuss the following with your partner:
Do you think this is a good topic?
Do you agree on the 1-3 rankings?
Do you have any suggestions for the reasons or counterargument?

10. Day 2: THESIS STATEMENT WORKSHOP
Can you find the CLAIM and the SPECIFICS?
With your partner, create a T-Chart on a sheet of paper. Label one side Claim and one side Specifics. Put both of your names on this paper.
For each of the examples, write the “C” and “S.”
I deserve a golf cart due to my consistently improving grades in school, increasing level of maturity, and greater need of responsibility.
A Sony PS4 would be a perfect gift as it provides living room Internet access, Blue Ray DVD capabilities, and the highest technology in gaming.
A trip to Chicago will help me grow as a person as provides me the opportunity to take care of myself, to experience other cultures, and to bond with new and different people at my school.

11. Day 2: THESIS STATEMENT WORKSHOP
Have paper handy to jot down these… THESIS REMINDERS: -Be sure to express the main claim/point first in your thesis. -Order your reasons from weakest to strongest. -Do not include more than your three strongest reasons. -Your thesis should be ONE sentence.

12. Day 2: THESIS STATEMENT WORKSHOP
Let’s Practice!
Using the back of your T-Chart, you and your partner should draft thesis statements for each of these writing prompts. You will need to decide on your claim and reasons before you can start writing the statements.

13. Some teachers say that TV is rotting the minds of today’s youth
Some teachers say that TV is rotting the minds of today’s youth. They think that young people watch way too much Television. Do you think it is true that children watch too much TV? Should parents restrict the number of hours kids spend watching television?
Many students object to the requirement of taking PE because they see it as unnecessary. What do you think? Should PE remain a required course at your school?
Your family takes a vacation every summer. Your parents always choose the destination. Now that you are getting older, you feel like you should have a say in the matter. Think of a place you would like to visit and convince your parents to go there on vacation.

14. Day 2: THESIS STATEMENT WORKSHOP
Homework:
Look over the reason rankings on your “Building and Argument” G.O.
Draft three different thesis statements that switch the order of your rankings while also phrasing your claim differently.