Argumentative Writing

What is argumentative Writing?

Argumentative writing is a genre of writing that uses reasoning and evidence, and not emotion, to take a stand on a controversial or debatable issue.

Think-pair-share

During the 2012 Presidential debate, the moderator asked the question, “Should the government raise taxes on the rich in order to balance the budget?”

As you listen to the debate, make a list of points that each candidate makes to question.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cO8DZm05fw

Think-pair-share

“Should the government raise taxes on the rich in order to balance the budget?”

Obama Romney

Claim 1 Claim 1

Claim 2 Claim 2

Claim 3 Claim 3

Parts of an argumentative paper

The claim is your position (or an author’s) in an essay.

Think back to the debate. Each candidate made a claim about what the government should do.

There are different types of claims in which you can defend, qualify, or challenge.

Types of claims

When a writer is defending a claim, he/she is writing in support of another author.

When a writer is challenging a claim, he/she is writing the reasons why they disagree with the author.

When a writer is qualifying a claim, he/she is defending arguments that makes sense and challenging ones that don’t.

Choosing a side

In in argumentative essay, you must choose a side and defend it with evidence!

Student model

Evaluate the student model. Identify the claim in the introduction.

The final bell rings. It’s the last day of school, and summer has finally come! Students don’t have to think about school for at least another 2 1/2 months. That is the way it should always be. Schools should continue using the traditional calendar and not a year-round schedule. There are numerous downsides to year-round schooling. It has no positive effects on education, it adds to costs, and it disrupts the long-awaited summer vacation.

FAT-P

When you are given a writing prompt, think about the FAT-P before you start writing.

F- format (letter, essay, etc)

A- audience (Who are you writing to?)

T- topic (What are you writing about)

P-purpose (argumentative or expository)

Complete the FAT-P

Writing Situation:  Many school districts are now establishing online schools for students who do not want to attend the traditional school. Some parents prefer to homeschool their children, and some students would like to avoid the peer pressure and/or bullying. Consider the advantages and/or disadvantages of an online school.  What is your position on this issue?

Directions for Writing:  Write a letter to the school board stating your position and supporting it with convincing reasons.

Pre-writing activity

Directions for Writing:  Write a letter to the school board stating your position and supporting it with convincing reasons.

Complete a pro/con chart for the topic. List the positive aspects of an online school, and the negative aspects.

Pro (positive of an online school

Con (negatives of an online school)

Write a claim for the prompt.

Directions for Writing:  Write a letter to the school board stating your position and supporting it with convincing reasons.

Choose a side after you have considered the pros and cons of an online school.

Think-pair-share with your partner.

Writing an introductory paragraph

After you write a claim, then what?

You need to write an introduction to your essay.

The purpose of an introduction is capture the reader’s interest and establish a claim.

The hook is the first sentence of your essay. The purpose is to grab the reader’s attention.

Effective hooks can include:• a quote• A question• An anecdote ( a short story that

illustrates a point)• A statistic

What is a HOOK?

Example: a question

Asking a rhetorical question is a great way to begin an essay.

Topic: online school

Do you hate getting up early each morning to go to school? If we had an online school, students would be able to complete their coursework on their own schedule.

Example: a quoteA quote is based on something someone has said or it could be a cliché (common saying).

Topic: online school

Bill Gates says, “Online schools give at-risk students an opportunity to gain an education.”

Lisa Anderson, an assistant principal at Howard Elementary states, “Schools do not just provide an education, but teach students social skills.”

Example: an anecdoteAn anecdote is a short story (3-5 sentences) that demonstrates a point.

Topic: online schools

Teri was bullied everyday in 6th grade. After the constant bullying, it was struggle for her to attend school each day. By 7th grade, Teri refused to attend school. Her mother discovered that their school district offered an online school and decided this would be an opportunity for Teri to get an

education without the fear of bullying. Online schools give students like Teri the opportunity to learn without fear. Therefore, online learning promotes a positive environment, decreases health issues, and allows more room for personal freedom.

Example: a statistic

A statistic is the use of numerical data (such as a number, percent, fraction) to support your argument.

• Seven out of 10 students believe that online schools are a great idea.

• Each year 70,000 students graduate from online schools in the United States.

Activity: Write an introduction

Write an introduction for this essay. Make sure to include a hook, background information, and your claim.

Writing Situation:  Many school districts are now establishing online schools for students who do not want to attend the traditional school. Some parents prefer to homeschool their children, and some students would like to avoid the peer pressure and/or bullying. Consider the advantages and/or disadvantages of an online school.  What is your position on this issue?

Directions for Writing:  Write a letter to the school board stating your position and supporting it with convincing reasons.