1. Argumentative Essays Ms. Sanders rocks Ms. Sanders rocks

2. Persuasive or Argumentative? While some teachers consider persuasive papers and argument papers to be basically the same thing, it’s usually safe to assume that an argument paper presents a stronger claim—possibly to a more resistant audience While some teachers consider persuasive papers and argument papers to be basically the same thing, it’s usually safe to assume that an argument paper presents a stronger claim—possibly to a more resistant audience

3. Persuasive or Argumentative? For example: For example: while a persuasive paper might claim that cities need to adopt recycling programs, an argument paper on the same topic might be addressed to a particular town. The argument paper would go further, suggesting specific ways that a recycling program should be adopted and utilized in that particular area. while a persuasive paper might claim that cities need to adopt recycling programs, an argument paper on the same topic might be addressed to a particular town. The argument paper would go further, suggesting specific ways that a recycling program should be adopted and utilized in that particular area.

4. How do I write an argumentative essay? To write an argumentative essay, you’ll need to gather evidence and present a well-reasoned argument on a debatable issue. To write an argumentative essay, you’ll need to gather evidence and present a well-reasoned argument on a debatable issue.

5. How can I tell if my topic is debatable? How can I tell if my topic is debatable? Check your thesis! You cannot argue a statement of fact, you must base your paper on a strong position. Check your thesis! You cannot argue a statement of fact, you must base your paper on a strong position. Ask yourself… Ask yourself… How many people could argue against my position? What would they say? How many people could argue against my position? What would they say? Can it be addressed with a yes or no? (aim for a topic that requires more info.) Can it be addressed with a yes or no? (aim for a topic that requires more info.) Can I base my argument on scholarly evidence, or am I relying on religion, cultural standards, or morality? (you MUST be able to do quality research!) Can I base my argument on scholarly evidence, or am I relying on religion, cultural standards, or morality? (you MUST be able to do quality research!) Have I made my argument specific enough? Have I made my argument specific enough?

6. Worried about taking a firm stance on an issue? Though there are plenty of times in your life when it’s best to adopt a balanced perspective and try to understand both sides of a debate, this isn’t one of them. Though there are plenty of times in your life when it’s best to adopt a balanced perspective and try to understand both sides of a debate, this isn’t one of them. You MUST choose one side or the other when you write an argument paper! You MUST choose one side or the other when you write an argument paper!

7. Don’t be scurred… Don’t be afraid to tell others exactly how you think things should go because that’s what we expect from an argument paper. You’re in charge now, what do YOU think? Don’t be afraid to tell others exactly how you think things should go because that’s what we expect from an argument paper. You’re in charge now, what do YOU think?

8. Dos and Don’ts Do… Do… …use passionate language …use passionate language …cite experts who agree with you …cite experts who agree with you …provide facts, evidence, and statistics to support your position …provide facts, evidence, and statistics to support your position …provide reasons to support your claim …provide reasons to support your claim …address the opposing side’s argument and refute their claims …address the opposing side’s argument and refute their claims Don’t… Don’t… …use weak qualifiers like “I believe,” “I feel,” or “I think”— just tell us! …claim to be an expert if you’re not one …use strictly moral or religious claims as support for your argument …assume the audience will agree with you about any aspect of your argument …attempt to make others look bad (i.e. Mr. Smith is ignorant—don’t listen to him!)

9. Why do I need to address the opposing side’s argument? There is an old kung-fu saying which states, "The hand that strikes also blocks", meaning that when you argue it is to your advantage to anticipate your opposition and strike down their arguments within the body of your own paper. This sentiment is echoed in the popular saying, "The best defense is a good offense". There is an old kung-fu saying which states, "The hand that strikes also blocks", meaning that when you argue it is to your advantage to anticipate your opposition and strike down their arguments within the body of your own paper. This sentiment is echoed in the popular saying, "The best defense is a good offense".

10. By addressing the opposition you achieve the following goals: illustrate a well-rounded understanding of the topic illustrate a well-rounded understanding of the topic demonstrate a lack of bias demonstrate a lack of bias enhance the level of trust that the reader has for both you and your opinion enhance the level of trust that the reader has for both you and your opinion give yourself the opportunity to refute any arguments the opposition may have give yourself the opportunity to refute any arguments the opposition may have strengthen your argument by diminishing your opposition's argument strengthen your argument by diminishing your opposition's argument

11. Relate this to your life… Think about yourself as a child, asking your parents for permission to do something that they would normally say no to. You were far more likely to get them to say yes if you anticipated and addressed all of their concerns before they expressed them. You did not want to belittle those concerns, or make them feel dumb, because this only put them on the defensive, and lead to a conclusion that went against your wishes. Think about yourself as a child, asking your parents for permission to do something that they would normally say no to. You were far more likely to get them to say yes if you anticipated and addressed all of their concerns before they expressed them. You did not want to belittle those concerns, or make them feel dumb, because this only put them on the defensive, and lead to a conclusion that went against your wishes. The same is true in your writing. The same is true in your writing.

12. How do I accomplish this? To address the other side of the argument you plan to make, you'll need to "put yourself in their shoes." In other words, you need to try to understand where they're coming from. If you're having trouble accomplishing this task, try following these steps: To address the other side of the argument you plan to make, you'll need to "put yourself in their shoes." In other words, you need to try to understand where they're coming from. If you're having trouble accomplishing this task, try following these steps:

13. Opposing arguments Jot down several good reasons why you support that particular side of the argument. Jot down several good reasons why you support that particular side of the argument. Look at the reasons you provided and try to argue with yourself. Ask: Why would someone disagree with each of these points? What would his/her response be? (Sometimes it's helpful to imagine that you're having a verbal argument with someone who disagrees with you.) Look at the reasons you provided and try to argue with yourself. Ask: Why would someone disagree with each of these points? What would his/her response be? (Sometimes it's helpful to imagine that you're having a verbal argument with someone who disagrees with you.) Think carefully about your audience; try to understand their background, their strongest influences, and the way that their minds work. Ask: What parts of this issue will concern my opposing audience the most? Think carefully about your audience; try to understand their background, their strongest influences, and the way that their minds work. Ask: What parts of this issue will concern my opposing audience the most?

14. Opposing facts continued… Find the necessary facts, evidence, quotes from experts, etc. to refute the points that your opposition might make. Find the necessary facts, evidence, quotes from experts, etc. to refute the points that your opposition might make. Carefully organize your paper so that it moves smoothly from defending your own points to sections where you argue against the opposition. Carefully organize your paper so that it moves smoothly from defending your own points to sections where you argue against the opposition.

15. PARCC Argumentative essays No longer one question based on personal opinion. No longer one question based on personal opinion. Research-based questions Research-based questions You will now have to read 2-3 informational, factual articles, watch an information video, and, sometimes, look at a picture to form your thesis and write your essay. You will now have to read 2-3 informational, factual articles, watch an information video, and, sometimes, look at a picture to form your thesis and write your essay. PARCC is asking you to write a research paper in 84 minutes PARCC is asking you to write a research paper in 84 minutes Textmarking is key! Textmarking is key! Planning is key! Planning is key!

16. PARCC thesis Writing a good thesis is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT for PARCC essays. Writing a good thesis is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT for PARCC essays. Any essay without a thesis will be knocked down one entire holistic point! Any essay without a thesis will be knocked down one entire holistic point! Your thesis is the LAST sentences in your INTRODUCTION! Your thesis is the LAST sentences in your INTRODUCTION! You will have to formulate your own thesis after reading the articles, textmarking, watching the video and looking for a common theme among those works. You will have to formulate your own thesis after reading the articles, textmarking, watching the video and looking for a common theme among those works. If you can not find a common theme amongst the article, you will not be able to form a thesis or write your essay! If you can not find a common theme amongst the article, you will not be able to form a thesis or write your essay!

17. Textmarking PARCC articles The first thing you must do before you read the articles is READ THE PROMPT. The first thing you must do before you read the articles is READ THE PROMPT. If you do not read the prompt, you will have no idea what to textmark for while you are reading. If you do not read the prompt, you will have no idea what to textmark for while you are reading. Textmarking these articles will be tricky! The information you are looking for won’t just jump off the page. Textmarking these articles will be tricky! The information you are looking for won’t just jump off the page. You will have to SEARCH for it. You will have to SEARCH for it. There could be a lot of inferring There could be a lot of inferring You may have to read the articles more than once (gasp!) You may have to read the articles more than once (gasp!) As you are reading, imagine your essay taking shape As you are reading, imagine your essay taking shape