Argument Essays

There are a few different kinds of essays, one of those being the

ARGUMENT ESSAY.

The Essay

Comes from the French word essayer, which means to try.

A Well Written Essay:

Has a purpose ( to entertain, to inform, to analyze, to problem-solve… to CONVINCE!)

Considers a defined audience (age, education level, etc.)

Has a specific structure and organizationRequires unity and coherence of ideasHas a definite style (personal and informal or

objective and more formal).

A Well Written Essay Continued…

Employs words appropriate to the audience and purpose

Provides a strong introduction to catch the reader’s attention

Develops ideas in an orderly sequence with well-supported evidence

Leads the reader to a logical conclusion that summarizes the main ideas

Formal Essay

Structure

Remember Me?

Introductory Paragraph

Catches the reader’s interest with a “hook” Introduces the topicProvides background information on your

topicStates the Thesis- your opinion or position

on your topicTends to move from general to more

specific

Other Viewpoint

May be new to you…Show the argument(s) that are against your

opinion in a separate paragraph following the introduction

This should be quite shortTRANSITION: At the end of this paragraph,

agree that these arguments are true, but you will show that your arguments are better!

Body Paragraph A series of complete

paragraphs that develop and support he thesis statement

Each paragraph introduces and supports a main point related to the thesis statement (developing unity)

Each paragraph is complete with a topic sentence, body and concluding sentence

Body Paragraph Cont’d

Paragraphs are linked by transitional words or phrases (eg. furthermore, in summary)that help to ensure coherence

Paragraphs are developed through details, examples, reasons, definition, anecdotes, similarities and differences

Follows the “point/proof method”

Body Paragraph Cont’d

The strongest argument, comparison or example is usually presented in the last paragraph of the body

The body usually consists of at least three paragraphs

Each topic sentence should be unique and effectively link to your thesis

Concluding Paragraph

Ties the important points in the essay together, often using key words from the thesis

Draws a final conclusionBroadens the topic, emphasizing the

importance or relevanceOffers an insight-leaves the reader with

something to think aboutDoes not introduce new ideas or evidence into

the paper

Pretend You are a Lawyer…

Thesis: My client is INNOCENT!TS #1: He/she has an alibi.Point #1: He/she could not have been at the scene of

the crime when it happened. Proof #1: That is because I have a phone records

stating that he/she was making phone calls from Miami on the date in question.

NOTE: Would I convince you that my client was innocent if I just told you the proof without explaining the point? Would you be convinced if I just told you that they had an alibi? Probably NOT!

TransitionsWhat Are They?

Transitions

Contribute to style, organization and clarity

When you use transitions effectively, your writing flows smoothly and naturally, the underlying structure is emphasized and the relationship between ideas is clear

Categories of Transitions

Order in Timeo In the beginningo Afterwardo Finally o Ultimately o Meanwhileo Sinceo When o Whenevero At the same timeo Subsequently o Later

Similarities/ Differenceso Similarlyo In a similar way o Likewiseo In contrasto Like/unlikeo On one hando On the other hando Neverthelesso In the same way o Howevero Although

Categories of Transitions

Example/Explanationso For exampleo For instanceo Such aso That iso In other wordso Along with o To illustrateo Specificallyo In particularo Generally o Namely

Summaryo In summaryo In conclusiono Thereforeo Accordinglyo Finally o Thuso Consequently o Henceo In closing

Categories of Transitions

Cause-Effecto Becauseo Consequentlyo Sinceo As a resulto Thereforeo So o Thuso For that reasono As an effect

Adding Ideaso In additiono Furthermoreo Alsoo Not only… but alsoo Anothero Moreovero Additionallyo Equallyo As well

Categories of Transitions

Now create your own list of transitions for the following…

Order of ImportanceOrder in SpaceEmphasisWhat did you get?