Documented Argumentative Essay

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Remember This? The iThinkthesis is the culminating product of this

year-long experience. The iThinkthesis is an academic paper based on original, extended research. You will collect this research as the year progresses.

In May, you will write the iThink academic paper. This paper will be a documented argumentative essay that proposes the label for your time period and then supports your decision through the research that you’ve done and recorded using the iThinktrackers and the discussions you’ve participated in from the iThinktanks.

Who knows, your iThinkthesis could propose the label that will be used in textbooks for centuries to come. Your children and grandchildren could be reading about this time period under the label you create!

But first…we think on paper

Scholars identify and establish a literary period by examining the culture, society, history, and literature

of a nation, region, or other cultural or geopolitical unit

for a protracted period.

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Cultural Christmas

consumerism3 more3 minutes

Societal Single parent

households3 more3 minutes

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Brain Dump: Distinguishing Trends

Historic Sept. 11, 2001

3 more3 minutes

Economic The 99%

3 more3 minutes

Scholars analyze literary Genre—Zombie? War romances? Form—Newspapers? Manga? Content—Pictures? Talking

animals? Style— l8r, g8r? Rhyming poetry? Theme

With great power comes great responsibility?

A woman’s place is in the home?

Now Literature

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iThinktanks

Now consider what was discussed during each of the iThinktanks:1. Identity and Culture2. Art and Entertainment3. Politics and Economy4. Health and Environment5. Advancements and Inventions

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One Step at a Time You will be scored on your planning and

revision of this essay; keep everything! We’re still thinking about the name for

this time period (1980-Present) It shouldn’t be painfully obvious It shouldn’t be the same as everyone else’s Why “The Technology Era” isn’t good Review your brainstorming As you are thinking of them, write them down Let’s keep thinking….

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RI.07. Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in different media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively) as well as in words in order to address a question or solve a problem.

RI.09. Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.

W.05. Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on addressing what is most significant for a specific purpose and audience.

Wait, there are more …

Standards

StandardsW.01. Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.

a. Introduce precise, knowledgeable claim(s), establish the significance of the claim(s), distinguish the claim(s) from alternate or opposing claims, and create an organization that logically sequences claim(s), counterclaims, reasons, and evidence.

b. Develop claim(s) and counterclaims fairly and thoroughly, supplying the most relevant evidence for each while pointing out the strengths and limitations of both in a manner that anticipates the audience’s knowledge level, concerns, values, and possible biases.

c. Use words, phrases, and clauses as well as varied syntax to link the major sections of the text, create cohesion, and clarify the relationships between claim(s) and reasons, between reasons and evidence, and between claim(s) and counterclaims.

d. Establish and maintain a formal style and objective tone while attending to the norms and conventions of the discipline in which they are writing.

e. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument presented.

36

points!

Keys to Effective Prewriting1. Choose the name for this time period

(1980-Present).2. Gather reasons and details to help form

and support your position (claim, thesis).3. Write a position statement (central

claim, thesis statement) that focuses your thoughts.

4. Choose a significant objection to address in the middle part of your essay.

5. Create an outline or organized list to plan your essay.

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A Source List RI.07 and RI.09

Integrate and evaluate multiple sources presented in different media or formats as well as in words Draw evidence from literary or

informational texts It’s important that your sources have

Variety Validity Relevance

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Source List—Example Create a source

list… Personal

Experience Primary Sources

(firsthand) e.g. journals,

presentations, interviews

Secondary Sources (secondhand) e.g. TV

documentary, magazine articles, most websites

Personal Experience

Primary Sources

Secondary Sources

My cousin had to do drug testing to join track.

Interview with Coach Colton

Steroids: Silent Danger Steven Smith

There was a creatine problem at the high school five years ago.

Survey of student athletes at Millard Fillmore

Major League Baseball Web site (mlb.com)

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Types of Research Facts: bits of information that can be

proven to be true. Use facts to lay the foundation of the issue. Example: Major League Baseball has instituted

strict standards for testing pro baseball players for the use of steroids (Smith).

Statistics: facts that include a numerical value. Use statistics to provide examples that help to illustrate the controversy. Over a five year period, steroid use among

high school athletes in New Jersey rose from 3 percent to 6.2 percent. (“Roid Rage”).

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Types of Research Quotations: the exact words of people

involved in the topic. Use quotations to let experts and authorities speak for themselves. “Pro sports have…forgotten the reason for

competition—the love of the game, the pursuit of excellence. Instead of our high school athletes learning from drug-using pros, the pros ought to learn from our kids.” (Colton)

Anecdotes: brief stories that make a point. Use anecdotes to demonstrate an abstract idea in a concrete way. When the high school had trouble with creatine

use five years ago, strict school policies were implemented. At first athletes and parents complained about the invasion of privacy, but now they support the policy for healthy, fair competition.

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Stating Your Position

An effective position statement names the issue and takes a specific stand or opinion about it.

Issue

As a society, we expect and demand our needs be met almost immediately

Specific Stand

This lack of willingness to wait for anything is creating or enhancing a self-centered society.

Position Statement

Our society’s inability to exercise self-restraint and the conditioned expectation to ‘have’ on demand is creating the iMe Era.

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The “Why” Chart—ExampleApplying the reasons and supporting details from your research Write your position and three (or more) reasons that

answer the question “why?” (These are like topic sentences.) Then add details that support each reason.

Position: Random drug tests should be used for high school athletes.

Why? Testing is the only sure way to detect steroids.

Muscles can be built naturally. Steroid use is illegal and secretive. Peer pressure makes people keep silent.

Why? Testing makes it easy to resist steroids.

Athletes won’t risk getting benched. Testing gives an excuse to say “no.”

Why? Athletes’ health and well being are at risk.

Drugs damage internal organs. Drugs cause mental-health issues.

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The “Why” Chart—My ExampleWhy? Too many people (parents and

young adults) are working for far more than basic survival necessities.

We want possessions and are unwilling to either wait for them or go without. The number of young children with cell phones. Profit is the bottom line for companies and many families.

Why? Dedication and hard work are being passed over for speed and easy solutions.

The items we sell in the store are cheaply made products from other countries. Nothing is made to last (cars, furniture, houses, etc.)

Why?

Position: We are currently a self-centered demanding society.

The “Why Not” Chart By evaluating and addressing the objections to your

proposed name, you will demonstrate to your reader that you fully understand the issue at hand.

Position: Random drug tests should not be used for high school athletics.

Why not? Drug tests are too costly.

Why not? Some performance drugs can’t be detected by testing.

Why not?Drug testing is a violation of student privacy. *

•Identify at least three objections to your issue. Then choose the

strongest one to counter in your essay. *

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The “Why Not” Chart—My ExampleWhy not? In times of natural disasters, the American people rally

together to help those in need by sending money, necessary products (e.g. clean water, food, blankets), and sometimes by going to that location to help. Ex. Hurricane Katrina

Why not?

Why not?

Position: Currently, we are not a self-centered demanding society.

Countering the Objection—Example Countering an objection allows you to

take the best argument of the opposition and use it to further your own position.

Objection: Drug testing is a violation of student privacy.

Yeah, but…1. A respectful approach that seals records

will ensure privacy.2. Random testing eliminates bias.3. It is acceptable to trade some privacy for

safety.

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Countering the Objection—My Example Objection: In times of natural disasters, the American people rally together to help those in need by sending money, necessary products (e.g. clean water, food, blankets), and sometimes by going to that location to help. Ex. Hurricane Katrina1. --It took the government x-amount of

time to send help.2. --We didn’t stay until everything was

fixed. There are still people living in trailers and large tracts of New Orleans in devastation.

3. --

Using the strongest opposition to your proposed name, come up with at least three reasons that minimize or refute it.

Outlining Your Essay Position Statement: Reason #1:

Evidence: Source: Fact, Statistic, Quotation, or Anecdote

Paraphrase or summary or quote Explanation of the evidence Explain why this evidence is relevant to your

topic and position statement (so what?) Reason #2:

Evidence: Source: Fact, Statistic, Quotation, or Anecdote

Paraphrase or summary or quote Explanation of the evidence Explain why this evidence is relevant to your

topic and position statement Continue…

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Homework

Decide on a label for this time period Create a source list Gather your sources and bring them Create your why and why not charts Counter the objection Outline your essay Prepare for iThinktank #6

No particular topic Something new and helpful to you

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