ARGUMENTATIVE WRITING

In argumentative writing, a writer takes a position FOR or AGAINST an issue and writes to convince the reader to believe or do something.

Argumentative writing… has a clear position and is focused on

that position. has more than one argument (claim) or

reason to support the position. is elaborated by using well-chosen and

specific details, examples, anecdotes, facts, and/or statistics as evidence to support arguments.

is organized to make the best case for the position or claim.

uses transitions to connect position, arguments, and evidence.

Argumentative writing… shows commitment to position (claim)

with voice and language appropriate for the audience.

uses specific words, phrases, and persuasive devices that urge or compel the reader

is organized to make the best case with an opening, including the position statement, and an effective conclusion, such as a call to action.

anticipates and refutes the opposing position

Argumentative Writing is powerful!

Use it to…

Support a Cause

Urge People To Action

Make a Change

Prove Something Wrong

Stir Up Sympathy

Create Interest

To Get People To Agree With You

EXAMPLESSupport a cause Please support the soccer team & buy coupons

Urge to action Vote to abolish greyhound racing

Make a change Let’s get the dress code changed

Prove s/thing wrong Tucking shirts in does not promote good behavior

Stir up sympathy If you don’t adopt a dog it may be killed

Create interest Better grades get you a better job & more money

Convince to agree w/you I am sure you will agree that Justin Bieber is the best singer!

Audience Awareness

The audience is who will read your writing.

The audience may include your teacher, your parents, your friends, or even a politician or someone famous.

Think about the needs of your reader (audience) so you can give reasons that will persuade him/her.

Knowing your audience helps you to decide…How to connect with the ideas, knowledge, or beliefs of the person or group

What information to include How informal or formal the language should be

Argumentative Writing Organization

Strategies that you choose to use for persuasion determine how the paper is organized.

Argumentative organization frequently looks very different from informative organization.

As we look at different strategies, we will see what that means regarding the organization of the paper.

Argumentative LanguageArgumentative language is choosing just the right words or phrases to use at just the right time with just the right audience.

Strong words trigger strong feelings. SnatchesSnarlsDumbstruck

Repeated words or phrases for emphasisI have a dream…(Martin Luther King, Jr.)

Effective choice of connotationsMean or strictDied or passed awayUsed or pre-owned

FIND THE POSITION STATEMENT:“I’m sorry!”

“Sorry isn’t good enough! This assignment was due yesterday, not today.” Here I am on my knees begging for mercy at my teacher’s feet. Tears forming in my eyes, I feel like an out-of-order water fountain ready to explode! I sigh and back away like a puppy dog with its tail between its legs. I slump back down in my plastic, red chair and stare at the metal desk. “I worked so hard,” I muttered silently to myself. The teacher turned her back on me and continued on with today’s lesson. I am against the no late homework rule because some students did the work but forgot it at home, and others forgot about the assignment but made it up the next day.

Concession & RebuttalConcession and rebuttal happens frequently. How many of you have been in a discussion with someone and you remember saying, “Yeah, that’s true, but…” This is concession and rebuttal.Let’s list several situations when you have actually said something similar.

Concession & Rebuttal

Concession and rebuttal (or counter argument). In a concession, you acknowledge that certain opposing arguments have some truth. The rebuttal explains how this does not weaken your argument. This makes you sound open–minded. This sounds like. . .

I realize most teachers don’t want cell phones in class because they cause problems, but. . . .

I know what other kids would say, but I have a possible solution to this problem...

Concession & Rebuttal Example:

…I’d want all the procrastinators to get no credit, because they didn’t turn the work in on time and I did.

I understand your position, but some people need to take up the reins and learn some responsibility.

YOUR TURN! This exercise is done with a partner. Choose one rule in your school that needs to be changed.

***Each partner chooses a different rule. Each of you takes the role of a student and writes the rule

and what needs to be changed about the rule. Each student has his/her own note card.

Trade your note card with your partner. Each student takes the role of the principal. Respond to

your partner’s rule / write the principal’s arguments. Trade back & respond again, this time as a student. Repeat. Repeat once more. Your note card, when complete, will show two points of

view (an argument and counter argument).

Group Discussion Say goodbye to your partner and form a new

group of three. Each student reads his/her own note card aloud. Select one card from your group and discuss

and write the answers to the following questions based on that paper.

Why did you choose the paper?Which arguments were most effective? What made them effective?Were you persuaded? Why or why not?Share with the class

Causal Chain to Explain Your Position

If you give us more time for a break, we will get more homework done, so our grades will be better, and our parents will be proud.

If your mom forgets to buy gas, then you will run out of gas on the way to school, and then you will be late and get detention.

Argumentative Conclusion Your conclusion is the last paragraph that your reader

will encounter. Your conclusion should remind your reader about the

most important aspects of your essay. In most essays, therefore, your conclusion should

creatively restate the main idea of the essay. Your conclusion should also leave your reader more

interested in your topic and idea. ***For argumentative essays, it's particularly effective

to end your conclusion by directly addressing your reader with a solution, a call for action, or a prediction.***

Be sure to spend a good deal of time planning and writing your conclusion. A strong conclusion can resolve and fulfill your essay as a whole and make a real impact on your reader.

Argumentative Conclusion Example: Donating Blood

In conclusion, in most cases people do care when the disaster is near; however, it is often too late to change something or save someone’s life. The precious outsider needs to help by donating blood. Blood donation should, therefore, be perceived as mutually supportive process everyone should be aware of.  Our knowledge and spreading it to others can reap many benefits in the long run. Most importantly, we should never remain indifferent to others needs when the “black” day comes.

Which strategy is used here?SOLUTION CALL TO ACTION PREDICTION

ARGUMENTATIVE CONCLUSION EXAMPLE: Water Parks with Captive Animals

Finally, these parks should be closed, or at the very least, no new animals should be captured for marine parks in the future. Society is no longer prepared to tolerate unnecessary cruelty to animals for science and entertainment. If past crimes are continued against these creatures, people will be remembered as cruel and inhuman by the generations of the future.

Which strategy is used here?SOLUTION CALL TO ACTION PREDICTION

ARGUMENTATIVE CONCLUSION EXAMPLE: Should Dangerous Sports be

Banned?In summary, our society would be

healthier if more people took part in sports of all kinds. Coaches, parents, and organizers should continue to try to prevent accidents and injuries; however, sports they should ensure that the sports are challenging, exciting, and, above all, fun.

Which strategy is used here? SOLUTION CALL TO ACTION PREDICTION

Argumentative Conclusion Example: Government Funded Childcare

To sum it up, it is essential that the nation's parents and children are supported by funding more childcare facilities. Only in this way can valuable learning environments be provided to young Americans. The entire national community will be enriched economically, socially, and culturally. If society fails to meet our obligations in this area, it will be sacrificing the present and future well-being merely in order to appease outdated notions of family life and to achieve short-term financial savings.

Which strategy is used here?SOLUTION CALL TO ACTION PREDICTION

LET’S WRITE!