Elements of an Argument

Less rhetoric, more cowbell!!!

Quickwrite

0Judith Rosen’s article states that teens said their “ideal” activity is reading a book. For the majority of teens, do you think reading a book is their ideal activity? Explain why you agree or disagree, and cite specific examples to support your position.

All quality arguments have five elements:

1. Hook2. Claim3. Concessions/refutations4. Support5. Summary/call to action

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/8420613/more_cowbell_snl_full_skit/

Let’s take a

look at one

vintage,

popular SNL

skit.

Hook0An opening that grabs the

reader’s attention and establishes a connection between the reader and the writer0“Easy guys… I put my pants

on just like the rest of you, one leg at a time. Except once my pants are on, I make gold records. Alright, here we go. ‘Fear the Reaper, Don’t Fear the Reaper’ – take one!”

Claim0A clear and

straightforward statement of the writer’s belief and what is being argued0“I gotta have more

cowbell, baby.”

Concessions and Refutations0Restatements of

arguments made by the other side (concessions) and the writer’s arguments against those opposing viewpoints (refutations) and why the writer’s arguments are more valid

0“I’ll be honest, fellas… It was sounding great. But, I could’ve used more cowbell.”

Support0The reasoning behind the

argument0Evidence, logical (logos)

and emotional (pathos) appeals

0Anticipate objections and provide reasoning to overcome those objectives

0“I’d be doing myself a disservice, and every member of this band, if I didn’t play the heck out of this!”

Summary/Call to Action

0A closing statement with a final plea for action0“Never question

Bruce Dickenson! Roll it!”

RatiocinationRead the response to Judith Rosen’s article and identify the elements of an argument that the author uses.0Hook - red0Claim - blue0Concessions and refutations - orange0Support - green0Summary - yellow

Back to the Quickwrite0Prompt: Is reading really an “ideal” activity for teens?

Why or why not?0Directions: Use your response to prompt above that

you wrote in your quickwrite yesterday to inspire an argumentative paragraph. Make sure that you have the following underlined and labeled:0 Sentences 1-2 – Hook 0 Sentence 3 – Claim0 Sentences 4-5 – Concessions/refutations0 Sentence 6 – Support A0 Sentence 7 – Support B0 Sentence 8 – Support C0 Sentences 9-10 – Summary/Call to action

Here’s my day by the numbers: 5:30am wake up, three mile jog in cross country, seven classes, four-hour shift at work, twenty-five math problems for homework, two quizzes to prepare for, three chores on my mom’s to-do list, reading twenty pages of my current novel, and drifting off to sleep at midnight. With all of my activities, it is so hard to find time to read. However, I believe that reading is something that every teen should make time for. I know a lot of my friends would say that they just do not have time for reading outside of school. I say that you make time for that which is important; if we can find time for Facebook, Instagram, and SnapChat, then we can find time to read. First of all, reading allows you to experience things outside of your comfort zone. Secondly, reading makes you a better writer. Finally, reading opens your mind to different perspectives and ideas. So, maybe the next time you are considering downloading a new app on your phone, why not download a novel instead of Twitter? As my English teacher likes to say, “It couldn’t hurt. It might help.”

Back to the Quickwrite0Prompt: Is reading really an “ideal” activity for teens? Why or

why not?0Directions: Use your response to prompt above that you wrote

in your quickwrite yesterday to inspire an argumentative paragraph. Make sure that you have the following underlined and labeled:0 Sentences 1-2 – Hook 0 Sentence 3 – Claim0 Sentences 4-5 – Concessions/refutations0 Sentences 6-7 – Support A0 Sentence 8-9 – Support B0 Sentence 10-11 – Support C0 Sentences 12-13 – Summary/Call to action

Here’s my day by the numbers: 5:30am wake up, three mile jog in cross country, seven classes, four-hour shift at work, twenty-five math problems for homework, two quizzes to prepare for, three chores on my mom’s to-do list, reading twenty pages of my current novel, and drifting off to sleep at midnight. With all of my activities, it is so hard to find time to read. However, I believe that reading is something that every teen should make time for. I know a lot of my friends would say that they just do not have time for reading outside of school. I say that you make time for that which is important; if we can find time for Facebook, Instagram, and SnapChat, then we can find time to read. First of all, reading allows you to experience things outside of your comfort zone. I may never get to travel to China, but I get a glimpse of the people and culture when I read The Joy Luck Club. Secondly, reading makes you a better writer. My writing grades have improved dramatically since I made reading a daily activity. Finally, reading opens your mind to different perspectives and ideas. After reading the book Ishmael, a novel centered around humanity’s impact on Mother Earth, I started to look at the ways I can be a better steward of our natural resources. So, maybe the next time you are considering downloading a new app on your phone, why not download a novel instead of Twitter? As my English teacher likes to say, “It couldn’t hurt. It might help.”