GP Argumentative Essay - Mrs. Cedeño's Webpage

[Pages:14]Argumentative Essay Writing

AICE General Paper AS 8004

Mrs. Cede?o, MS. Ed. South Broward High School

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STEP 1: PREWRITING

So, of course, the first step of any essay is to first think of everything you know about that subject. Believe it or not, you've already been doing that! We've read a novel, we've read informational text, we've watched TED Talks -- plus everything you've read or studied or listened to in the past-- has prepared you for this prompt: Should bottled water be banned in your society?

As you (hopefully) recall from prior learning, there are 5 stages of the writing process: prewriting; drafting/writing; revising; editing; publishing. Use the graphic organizer below to brainstorm your ideas on our working prompt (prewriting). Highlight key words in the prompt to help you get started.

PROMPT:" " Should bottled water be banned in your society? " " Essay"Style:""_A__r_g_u_m__e_n_t_a_t_i_v_e_____________________________""

Thesis:""

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________""

Brainstorm--Hand$Approach$Ideas:$

" SOCIAL/RELATIONSHIPS$

- "Flint, MI

" "

ENVIRONMENT$

-" Great Pacific garbage patch

"

"

"

" MEDIA,$SPORTS,$ ENTERTAINMENT$

" "

"

POLITICS$&$GOV'T$ "

"

"

"

"

"

SCIENCE$&$TECHNOLOGY:$ $

" - recycling bins/centers

$

$

(

Credits:""Jill$Pavich,$NBCT$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$jill.pavich@"" AICE:"General"Paper"8004"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""Boca"Raton"Community"High"School,"PBCSD" " "

Remember to think GP Relevance:

? Local, National, and International impact

? Past history/current event

? Consider all academia: math, science, social studies, literature, arts

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STEP TWO: DRAFTING/WRITING -

INTRODUCTIONS

Identifying Parts of an Argumentative Introduction

Take a look at the following paragraph and label, as well as highlight: general statement; shift in perspective within the context; thesis statement. Finally, cirlce words that contribute to logos, pathos, and ethos:

In the 1970s, Pink Floyd's album, "Dark Side of the Moon," sold over 50 thousand vinyl records in its heyday. Michael Jackson's 1980s hit album, "Thriller," sold even more than that. Yet these artists wouldn't survive in today's music market because people aren't buying music anymore; they're streaming it for free. With this in mind, should people pay to enjoy music? Though modern technology is making it easier to access this form of entertainment for free, people should still pay to hear music becuase it rewards the hardworking artist in a way that is fair, and because it positively impacts the economy at large.

Practice: Writing an Effective Thesis

Take a look at each prompt and, with a partner, brainstorm aloud. Highlight key words in each prompt. Then use the following tips to practice writing a thesis statement. Rembmer, these are just for practice!

The thesis should start with a major POINT from the opposition with one of these words: though; even though; although; despite; in spite of; notwithstanding; albeit (not necessarily at the beginning of the sentence). Then move to your COUNTERPOINT. Use key words from the prompt to help ensure that your essay will be on task.

1. How important is the father's role in the modern family? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ 2. As long as we communicate, does it matter that we are grammatically accurate? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________

3. Is it democratically acceptable not to vote in elections?

________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________

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Rough Draft: Argumentative Thesis

Now that you've practiced writing an effective thesis statement, let's draft an introduction. Some things to keep in mind with an argumentative introduction:

Connect to the language of the prompt Clarify ambiguous terms- avoid equivocation! Context includes a shift in perspective to indicate arguable issue (point/counterpoint) Convey the essay's style through the thesis statement Using the Guide to Argumentative Essays presentation, let's draft an introduction for the following prompt: Should bottled water be banned in your society? Choose either Yes or No for the purpose of our essay. 1. Generally introduce the topic: ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Tip: Begin with a concrete image of the topic-- vinyl records, for example. 2. Provide context-- including why the argument is important: ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Tip: Your goal is to write a compelling essay that the reader will act upon! 3. Thesis that clearly states your side & includes logos, pathos, &/or ethos:

___

________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________

Tip 1: use key words from the prompt Tip 2: Try to appeal to all three points in the rhetorical triangle! NOW WRITE YOUR ARGUMENTATIVE INTRODUCTION: ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________

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STEP TWO: DRAFTING/WRITING -

BODY PARAGRAPHS

Body paragraphs are the most important part of your essay because they are the essence of the essay. Think of it this way-- if your essay was a sandwich, your body paragraphs would be the meat and "fixins", whereas the introduction and conclusion would be the bun. Although the bun is important for holding the sandwich together, it's not why you eat the sandwich!

Each body paragraph of an argumentative essay should include the following: point and counterpoint; student logic; rhetorical appeals.

Point/Counterpoint Argument The first sentence of your body paragraph needs to introduce the topic-- your argument. There are several

ways that you can write this sentence, but you will ALWAYS incorporate a word that maintains focus on the prompt. Our prompt is: Should bottled water be banned in your society? So, some words/phrases you would try to include could be "recyclable", "waste" , "ensure clean water", "environmental risks". It depends on your stance. One effective way to start is with a POINT/COUNTERPOINT statement. 1.) First, use a transitional word or phrase that will indicate that you're introducing the OPPOSITION'S POINT. Below is a list of transitions that indicate opposition, contradiction, or limitations:

? although this may be true ? in contrast ? different from ? of course ..., but ? on the other hand ? on the contrary ? at the same time ? in spite of ? even so / though ? be that as it may ? then again ? above all

? in reality ? after all ? but ? (and) still ? unlike ? or ? (and) yet ? while ? albeit ? besides ? as much as

? even though

? although ? instead ? whereas ? despite ? conversely ? otherwise ? however ? rather ? nevertheless ? nonetheless ? regardless ? notwithstanding

2.) Next, immediately DISMISS the opposition's point with your COUNTERPOINT. 3.) Third, follow up with our counterpoint that dismisses the opposition's contentions using phrases such as:

? ...it does not take into account... ? ...it does not consider... ? ...it overlooks... ? ...it encourages/discourages... ? ...it is also possible that... ? ...it could actually... ? ...it does not change the fact that... ? ...the benefits/drawbacks outweigh the benefits/drawbacks... ? ...it is more practical/impractical to... ? ...it may be the only/best/most effectice/last option...

4.) Finally, give evidence to support your argument, avoiding logical fallacies!

Congratulations! You have a clear and effective point/counterpoint statement!

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Examples of Point/Counterpoint 1. Denying birthright citizenship may seem like the best way to manage illegal immigration, but changing the law

will actually increase the illegal population currently residing the United States, a staggering 12 million people. 2. Electric cars might be practical for local commutes, but they prove highly inefficient for anyone travelling farther

distances for work or leisure. 3. While there is no doubt the Internet has the poiwer to distract modern teens, the majority of experts polled by the

Pew Research Center support the idea that the opportunities this technology affords far outweigh the problems. You Try It! 1. Illegal immigration: _________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ 2. Electric Cars: _____________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ 3. Technology: ______________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ Student Evidence and Support Give support for your counterpoint-- or argument-- that will further clarify and/or validate your position. You do not necessarily need to cite your sources here, which is ONLY true of the General Paper exam. Towards the end, include a warrant-- or brief wrap-up-- that explains how this information supports your thesis. Finally, include a seamless transition into the next paragraph; this sentence should be a preview for the reader as to what is to come. Use one of these transition words to help you: moreover; likewise; similarly; furthermore; another distinctive quality; in spite of. Practice

Take a look at the following paragraph and label the following: opposition's point; author's counterpoint; support of argument; warrant. Prompt: Should water bottles be banned in your society?

While critics of bottled water might argue that not enough people recycle, this contention is losing its value because now, more than ever, the number of people recycling water bottles in doubling. Currently, nearly half of bottled water consumers are recycing their used bottles, which in turn cuts down the amount of plastic being used in future production. Since these numbers demonstrate a positive trend in the right direction, it's likely that the number of people who will recycle in the future will continue to grow since America is becoming more environmentally conscious-- not less.

Apply It: First Body Paragraph

Use the previous tips to write your first paragraph. Remember, you are transitioning from your thesis statement.

First Argument: ___________________________________________________________ _______

1.Point/Counterpoint: _________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________

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2.Proof to Support: ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ 3. Warrant: _________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ 4.Seamless Transition:_________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________

Apply It: Body Paragraphs

Write your body paragraphs, employing point/counterpoint effectively, being sure to use seamless transitions. Use the transitions on page from page 5 to help you.

________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________

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________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________

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