Argument Essay Practice

Topic – Comedy

Mr. Eugene

AP English Language and Composition

The Prompt Prompt begins with a quote or passage

asserting a specific point of view. Directions for composition take one of two

forms:

1. Write an essay that defends, challenges, or qualifies ___________’s statement about ___________.

2. Write an essay that evaluates the validity of the speaker’s ideas about __________ in light of __________.

Planning your response Always begin by quickly identifying your position and the

evidence you will use to illustrate/support it. Choose a structure appropriate to your argument:

The 4-5 paragraph essay Focus: confirmation of thesis Structure: Intro expressing position followed by 2-3 body

paragraphs offering specific evidence in support of thesis The classical argument

Focus: discredit opposing views before confirming thesis Structure: Introduction expressing position followed by

1-2 paragraphs identifying and disproving opposing points of view 1-2 paragraphs offering specific evidence in support of thesis

Rogerian argumentation Focus: Creating win/win rhetorical situations by finding common

ground with opposing views Structure: Introduction defuses controversy by redefining core

values of the argument; no set structure for body of essay.

Today’s exercise

Five quotes, three minutes each: Read the quote and immediately identify the

point of view and your reaction to it. Quickly write a short-hand expression of your

position. Identify evidence that you will use and outline

a structure for your argument.

Quote #1

A person without a sense of humor is like a wagon without springs. It's jolted by every pebble on the road.

– Henry Ward Beecher

Quote #2

Humor is just another defense against the universe.

-- Mel Brooks

Quote #3

I think the next best thing to solving a problem is finding some humor in it.

-- Frank Howard Clark

Quote #4

Comedy is tragedy plus time.

-- Carol Burnett

Quote #5

The duty of comedy is to correct men by amusing them.

– Moliere