The Elements of an Argument
An argument essay persuades your readers to make a change and contains the following:
-Argument (Claim=hook+commentary+thesis)
-Evidence (fact(s) that support the claim, anecdotes, facts, statistics, etc.)
-Commentary (3 E's evidence, examples, explanations)
-Counter-argument (opposing view)
-Refute (stronger support of your argument)
-Summation (a powerful, thought-provoking, real-world conclusion that re-enforces your argument, not repeat it)
**Bells and whistles for EPIC Content = rhetorical devices, literary techniques, transition words/phrases, "10 Things That Make Me Smile," etc.**
*Your counter-argument can go in any paragraph, then your refute follows.*
Check out this PowerPoint Presentation for additional help.
-Argument (Claim=hook+commentary+thesis)
-Evidence (fact(s) that support the claim, anecdotes, facts, statistics, etc.)
-Commentary (3 E's evidence, examples, explanations)
-Counter-argument (opposing view)
-Refute (stronger support of your argument)
-Summation (a powerful, thought-provoking, real-world conclusion that re-enforces your argument, not repeat it)
**Bells and whistles for EPIC Content = rhetorical devices, literary techniques, transition words/phrases, "10 Things That Make Me Smile," etc.**
*Your counter-argument can go in any paragraph, then your refute follows.*
Check out this PowerPoint Presentation for additional help.
Writing a Persuasive Argument
Choose a Topic
Choose a topic that is interesting to you, but compelling at the same time, so that you can easily demonstrate your writing skills.
One of the best ways to find a topic for an argumentative essay is to consider trending topics such as politics, religion, abortion, education, entertainment, anthropological issues, social issues/trends, home life.
Example: Common topics include abortion, divorce, dress code, etc.
Websites that might help:
50 Argument Essay Topics
90 Argument Essay Topics
100 Argument Essay Topics
200 Argument Essay Topics
One of the best ways to find a topic for an argumentative essay is to consider trending topics such as politics, religion, abortion, education, entertainment, anthropological issues, social issues/trends, home life.
Example: Common topics include abortion, divorce, dress code, etc.
Websites that might help:
50 Argument Essay Topics
90 Argument Essay Topics
100 Argument Essay Topics
200 Argument Essay Topics
Writing a Claim/Argument
State your position/defend or challenge/defend or challenge the assertion whether you agree, disagree or are neutral on the topic claim.
Outline
I. Introduction (Background (Narrative), Commentary (the issue and why it's important), Claim (Position)
II. Body Paragraph – Topic Sentence #1
A. [Point #1: Supporting paragraph with Commentary+Proof] (3 E's, Rhetorical appeals, techniques)
B. [Point #2: Supporting paragraph with Commentary+Proof] (3 E's, Rhetorical appeals, techniques)
C. [Point #3: Supporting paragraph with Commentary+Proof] (3 E's, Rhetorical appeals, techniques)
III. Body Paragraph – Topic Sentence #2
A. [Point #1: Supporting paragraph with Commentary+Proof] (3 E's, Rhetorical appeals, techniques)
B. [Point #2: Supporting paragraph with Commentary+Proof] (3 E's, Rhetorical appeals, techniques)
C. [Point #3: Supporting paragraph with Commentary+Proof] (3 E's, Rhetorical appeals, techniques)
IV. Counterclaim – Topic Sentence #3
A. [Point #1: Supporting paragraph for Counterclaim w/Commentary+Proof] (3 E's, Rhetorical appeals, techniques)
B. [Point #2: Refute=Supporting paragraph for Claim with Commentary+Proof] (3 E's, Rhetorical appeals, techniques)
C. [Point #3: Supporting paragraph for Claim with Commentary+Proof] (3 E's, Rhetorical appeals, techniques)
V. Refute – Topic Sentence #4 (The refute can be a profound, powerful sentence or, you can use an entire paragraph depending on the fidelity of your commentary (3 E's).
V. Real-world conclusion
II. Body Paragraph – Topic Sentence #1
A. [Point #1: Supporting paragraph with Commentary+Proof] (3 E's, Rhetorical appeals, techniques)
B. [Point #2: Supporting paragraph with Commentary+Proof] (3 E's, Rhetorical appeals, techniques)
C. [Point #3: Supporting paragraph with Commentary+Proof] (3 E's, Rhetorical appeals, techniques)
III. Body Paragraph – Topic Sentence #2
A. [Point #1: Supporting paragraph with Commentary+Proof] (3 E's, Rhetorical appeals, techniques)
B. [Point #2: Supporting paragraph with Commentary+Proof] (3 E's, Rhetorical appeals, techniques)
C. [Point #3: Supporting paragraph with Commentary+Proof] (3 E's, Rhetorical appeals, techniques)
IV. Counterclaim – Topic Sentence #3
A. [Point #1: Supporting paragraph for Counterclaim w/Commentary+Proof] (3 E's, Rhetorical appeals, techniques)
B. [Point #2: Refute=Supporting paragraph for Claim with Commentary+Proof] (3 E's, Rhetorical appeals, techniques)
C. [Point #3: Supporting paragraph for Claim with Commentary+Proof] (3 E's, Rhetorical appeals, techniques)
V. Refute – Topic Sentence #4 (The refute can be a profound, powerful sentence or, you can use an entire paragraph depending on the fidelity of your commentary (3 E's).
V. Real-world conclusion
A break-down...
1.State your Argument/Claim: Schools should make multiple milk options available to students during lunch.
2.Brainstorm supporting facts: lactose intolerant students, allergy sufferers, special dietary needs
3.State your position: Schools should make multiple milk options available to students during lunch because some students may be lactose intolerant, suffer with allergies from dairy or have special dietary needs that prevent them from consuming dairy products.
4. Provide supporting facts and examples: ...Also, students who have special dietary needs such as vegans, vegetarians cannot drink dairy milk. Instead, these students need nondairy milks such as cashew, almond, soy, hemp, rice or other nut or grain milk that does not come from an animal..
5.Counterclaim: Some might argue that students with dairy restrictions need to bring their own milk because it would not be cost-effective for the school.
6.Refute the counter-argument: [However, it would be more cost-effective to provide multiple milk options instead of tossing out milk that is not being bought by half of the student body.]
7. Real-world conclusion: Gone are the days of cutter-cutter education where "one size fits all," even in the cafeteria. In order to educate the whole child, schools need to be aware of the changing trends in not only classroom diversity, but in the restrooms, gyms and especially the cafeterias.
REMEMBER!!!! Use transition words/phrases, include personal observations, include “The Ten Things That Make Me Smile, but NO PERSONAL SCHEMA!!
2.Brainstorm supporting facts: lactose intolerant students, allergy sufferers, special dietary needs
3.State your position: Schools should make multiple milk options available to students during lunch because some students may be lactose intolerant, suffer with allergies from dairy or have special dietary needs that prevent them from consuming dairy products.
4. Provide supporting facts and examples: ...Also, students who have special dietary needs such as vegans, vegetarians cannot drink dairy milk. Instead, these students need nondairy milks such as cashew, almond, soy, hemp, rice or other nut or grain milk that does not come from an animal..
5.Counterclaim: Some might argue that students with dairy restrictions need to bring their own milk because it would not be cost-effective for the school.
6.Refute the counter-argument: [However, it would be more cost-effective to provide multiple milk options instead of tossing out milk that is not being bought by half of the student body.]
7. Real-world conclusion: Gone are the days of cutter-cutter education where "one size fits all," even in the cafeteria. In order to educate the whole child, schools need to be aware of the changing trends in not only classroom diversity, but in the restrooms, gyms and especially the cafeterias.
REMEMBER!!!! Use transition words/phrases, include personal observations, include “The Ten Things That Make Me Smile, but NO PERSONAL SCHEMA!!