Argument Essays

What is an Argument Essay?

• A type of writing that builds a convincing argument

• To argue convincingly, a writer needs to support a claim with clear reasons and evidence.

Opinion vs. Persuade vs. Argue

What is the difference?

Opiniono·pin·ionəˈpinyən/nounnoun: opinion; plural noun: opinions

A view or judgment formed about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge.

synonyms: belief, judgment, thought(s), (way of) thinking, mind, (point of) view, viewpoint, outlook, attitude, stance, position, perspective, persuasion, standpoint;

Persuadeper·suadepərˈswād/verbverb: persuade; 3rd person present: persuades; past tense: persuaded; past participle: persuaded; gerund or present participle: persuading

To cause (someone) to believe something, especially after a sustained effort; convince.

synonyms: prevail on, coax, convince, get, induce, coerce, influence, sway, inveigle, entice, tempt, lure, cajole, wheedle

Arguear·gueˈärɡyo4o/Verb

To give reasons or cite evidence in support of an idea, action, or theory; typically with the aim of convincing others to believe an idea.

Synonyms: reason, justify, explain, rationalize

Persuasion vs. Argument

• Persuasion appeals to the audience’s feelings and values– Ex: Candidate for Mayor urges voters to support

her because she will clean up the town’s parks.• Argument appeals to the audience’s sense of

reason– Ex: Newspaper columnist defends a town’s traffic-

light camera policy on the grounds of the annual reduction in car accidents.

Appeals to Readers

• Ethical Appeal• Emotional Appeal• Rational Appeal

Ethical Appeal

• The sense you convey of your knowledge on the topic

• Supported by:– Reasonable argument– Sufficient evidence– Tone

Emotional Appeal

• Aims directly for readers’ beliefs, values, and feelings

• Reasons:– To urge readers to respond to the argument– To inspire readers to new beliefs– To encourage readers to act on particular issuesBe careful not to get off topic! For example, if you are arguing students should have less homework, do not get off track by discussing a particular teacher.

Rational Appeal

• Addresses the reader’s capacity to reason logically about a problem.

• Examples of logic:– Inductive reasoning – when you start with factual

evidence and explain how it supports a general idea.

– Deductive reasoning – when you start with a general idea and apply it to a specific situation to draw a conclusion.

Rational Appeal

• Example of inductive reasoning:

– Offer facts on the average amount of time spent on HW per night for an 8th grader at Antrim (proof)

– Use those facts to conclude that teachers rely exclusively on HW to teach students (general statement– needs proof ^)

Rational Appeal

• Example of deductive reasoning– A child who burns himself three times by different

stoves approaches another stove and concludes the stove will also burn him.

All stoves burn me. (generalization)This is a stove. (specific assertion about

something)Therefore, this stove will burn me.

(conclusion)

Persuasive WritingClaim based on opinion

Not always verified (propaganda, advertisements)

Emphasis on appealing to audience through emotions, desires, and needs

Appeals to writer’s character, credentials, and trustworthiness

May make an “argument” but doesn’t always include elements of a formal argument

May not take opposing views into account

Argumentative WritingClaim – could be opinion, position, hypothesis, thesis statement, theory

Verified Claim – based on relevant and sufficient evidence

Emphasis on LOGICAL REASONING

Appeals to writer’s credibility, which is established through knowledge of subject matter and merits of reason and factual evidence

Includes the following elements of an argument: Claim, opposing claim, reasons and evidence, logical reasoning

Everyday Arguments

• What is the difference between arguing over a soccer referee’s decision vs. arguing with readers over a complex issue?

Everyday Arguments

• Referee is right in front of us– we can shift our tactics in response to his/her gestures, expressions, and words

• The reader is “out there”; we have to anticipate those gestures by carefully– Addressing the subject– Structuring the argument– Choosing evidence to support it

Everyday Arguments

• Two witnesses to an accident sometimes do not agree on what they saw (Example)

Components of an Argument Essay

• Claim• Opposing Claim• Reasons and Evidence• Logical Reasoning

Claim

• The position taken by the writer regarding an idea or topic

• Should be clearly stated in the introduction.

Opposing Claim

• A good writer will always include opposing or alternate claims, just to show readers they have considered the subject from all sides.

• An argument is strengthened when counterclaims are logically addressed.

Reasons and Evidence

• A good writer will support a claim with solid reasons and factual evidence.

• Reasons explain why the writer holds the opinion, while evidence– concrete facts and solid examples– support those reasons.

Logical Reasoning

• The way a writer builds an argument is called reasoning.

• Effective reasoning is well organized and logical.

• Reasons and supporting evidence need to be presented in a clear, easy to follow way.

Why write an Argument Essay?

• To Convince• To Inform• To State a Position

To convince

• We all have opinions we feel strongly about– so strongly that we try to convince others to hold the same positions.

• An argument essay is a powerful tool to use when trying to change the opinions of readers.

To Inform

• Readers can understand a topic in a new way

• An argument essay can help readers make positive changes in their lives due to their new understanding of certain topics.

To State a Position

• Making informed decisions is extremely important.

• A good argument essay can help clarify an issue and get readers to act.

• Understanding all sides of an issue is the best way to form an opinion that is based on fact.

Argument Writing Traits

• Ideas• Organization• Voice• Word Choice• Sentence Fluency• Conventions

Ideas

• Clearly stated position or claim

• Relevant supporting evidence that comes from reliable, credible sources

• Alternate or opposing claims that are acknowledged and addressed with logical evidence

Organization

• Must have the following elements:*Introduction – presents your position*Body – presents the argument*Conclusion – sums up argument and/or

offers a call to action

• Transitions that clarify the relationships among ideas

Voice

• Voice and tone that are appropriate for the purpose and audience

• Keep your opinion OUT. Support your reasons with FACTS

Word Choice, Sentence Fluency, Conventions

• Vary your word choice and use language that keeps the reader interested.

• Vary your sentence length and structure.

• PROOFREAD!!!! You will not convince anyone with an essay full of spelling and grammar mistakes.

Sample Essay

• “Give a Student a Laptop, Give a Student the World”

-Why do you think the writer presents the cons first?

Sample Essay

• Claim• Factual Evidence• Opposing Claims• Reasons

• Where could the writer have been more convincing?

Using the Rubric• Who is the audience?• How does Lori present a convincing argument?• What is her purpose for writing this essay?• Does she state her claim clearly?• Does she support her position and acknowledge opposing

viewpoints?• How does she organize the essay?• What is her call to action?• How does she use a convincing voice?• How well does she use precise words?• How well does she write interesting sentences?• How well does she use correct grammar, mechanics, and spelling?

Prewrite

• Decide on a position and find reliable evidence to support it.

• Gather information from sources.• Use search terms effectively-Write a major question about your topic-Underline main words in your question to articulate what you’re looking for -Search using these key words

Credible Website

• A credible website is an online source that contains accurate, trustworthy, up-to-date information.

• Example: britannica.com – information on this site comes from the same people who wrote the Encyclopedia Britannica

The Dangers of Plagiarizing

• To plagiarize is to present another person’s ideas as your own. This is STEALING.

• INSTEAD, you can paraphrase—this means you will restate the meaning of a particular passage or bit of information in your own words.

• Even when paraphrasing, you must still cite your sources.

Sentence Outline

• A Sentence Outline lists the writer’s reasons and supporting evidence in logical order..

• Each main point has a Roman numeral.• The supporting details under each main point

have uppercase letters (A,B,C). The introduction and conclusion are not included.

• See pg. 293