How to Organize an Argumentative Paper

TPEQEA- It’s easy once you have the formula!!

Introduction

HookSummary Thesis

Hook or Lead

Introduce the Topic with an interesting lead or hook.

This could be a compelling quote from the text or that you heard somewhere

This could be a questionWhy do we hurt the ones we love?

Summary

Summarize the topic- if it is a text (like a story, poem, or novel), spend about 3 to 4 sentences explaining what the text is about.

Make sure the first sentence includes the title of the work (novel, story, whatever) and the author.

“The Scarlet Ibis” by James Hurst

Thesis

Last sentence of first paragraph should be the thesis.

The thesis has three partsCounter claim (opposite of claim)HoweverClaim

Example Thesis

Some may claim Brother is innocent because he taught Doodle to walk; however, he only taught him to walk for his own selfish reasons making it clear that Brother is responsible for Doodle’s death.

Body Paragraphs

- Write 3 body paragraphs- Each BP has a reason that support your

thesis- Organize the paragraphs by using

TPEQEA(pronounced tuh-pee-kee-uh)

Body Paragraphs: TPEQUE Style

T: Topic Sentence

P: Point

E: Example

Q: Quotation

E: Elaboration

A: Analysis

T: Topic Sentence: Introduces the topic of the paragraph

P: Point: Makes a clear argument about the topic

E: Example: Provides an example to back up the point

Q: Quotation: Research to prove the point

E: Elaboration: Explains how the example proves the point

A: Analysis: Analyzes the importance of the argument and takes the elaboration one step further.

Layering

Example, Quotation, Elaboration (AKA- EVIDENCE!!) can be layered to make your argument stronger!!

Example Paragraph

Thesis: People may feel that Brother is innocent because he thought Doodle how to walk; however, he only taught him to walk because he was embarrassed about having a brother who was disabled and his selfishness lead him to pushing Doodle too hard and causing his death.

Reason 1: Brother ignored doctors orders for his own benefit

T: Topic Sentence: Introduces the topic of the paragraph

Throughout his short life, Brother constantly pushed Doodle to do things he was incapable of for his own selfish reasons.

HINT **use adjectives that promote an emotional response**

P: Makes a clear argument about the topic

The warnings of the doctor not to physically exert Doodle fell on deaf ears.

E: Provides an example to back up the point

For example, the family was told not to turn Doodle on his stomach. However, the order was ignored.

Q: Quotation: Research to prove the point

“The doctor said that with his weak heart the strain would probably kill him, but it didn’t” (430).

E: Elaboration: Explains how the example proves the point

Had brother not been so anxious to have a “normal” sibling, he would not have risked his brother’s life by turning him over.

E: Provides an example to back up the point

Also, Brother was given specific instructions on how to care for Doodle when he took him out.

Q: Quotation: Research to prove the point

“The doctor had said that he mustn't get to excited, to hot, too cold, or too tired, and that he must always be treated gently” (431).

E: Elaboration: Explains how the example proves the point

Because he did not want his burden of a brother accompanying him, Brother constantly did the opposite of what he was told.

E: Provides an example to back up the point

When Doodle was in his care, not only did Brother not follow doctor’s orders, he also further jeopardized his brother’s life.

Q: Quotation: Research to prove the point

“To discourage his coming with me I’d run with him across the end of the cotton rows and careen him around corners on two wheels. Sometimes I accidentally turned him over” (431).

E: Elaboration: Explains how the example proves the point

This shows how reckless and selfish Brother was.

A: Analysis: Analyzes the importance of the argument and takes the elaboration one step further.

Time and time again, Brother was told by a medical professional how to care for his fragile brother. Each time the orders were ignored, bringing Doodle closer to his death.

Sample Body Paragraph

Throughout his short life, Brother constantly pushed Doodle to do things he was incapable of for his own selfish reasons. The warnings of the doctor not to physically exert Doodle fell on deaf ears. For example, the family was told not to turn Doodle on his stomach. However, the order was ignored. “The doctor said that with his weak heart the strain would probably kill him, but it didn’t” (430). Also, Brother was given specific instructions on how to care for Doodle when he took him out. “The doctor had said that he mustn't get to excited, to hot, too cold, or too tired, and that he must always be treated gently” (431). Because he did not want his burden of a brother accompanying him, Brother constantly did the opposite of what he was told. When Doodle was in his care, not only did Brother not follow doctor’s orders, he also further jeopardized his brother’s life. “To discourage his coming with me I’d run with him across the end of the cotton rows and careen him around corners on two wheels. Sometimes I accidentally turned him over” (431). This shows how reckless and selfish Brother was. Time and time again, Brother was told by a medical professional how to care for his fragile brother. Each time the orders were ignored, bringing Doodle closer to his death.

The Conclusion Paragraph

The last paragraph in an essay that neatly wraps up the paper

Contains 3 main partsRestate the thesisLead-outClincher

A Visual

Think of the Conclusion as a triangle.

General

SpecificRestatement of Thesis

Lead-out

Clincher

Transition

Should include a transition to indicate that this is your concluding paragraph. It is clear from the evidence provided that

Brother is innocent.

Restate the thesis

Summarize the thesis without repeating yourself

The most specific part of the conclusionThough some may argue that Brother is

guilty because he wanted Doodle to die, the evidence shows that he was an innocent naive child who grew to love his Brother immensely.

The Lead-out

Just like the lead-in only backwardsMakes the topic larger to become more

general and less specificSmoothes out the conclusion paragraph

The facts that brother took Doodle with him everywhere, plan their future, and his reaction when Doodle died prove that he did not want his brother to die.

The Clincher

Last sentence of the last paragraphGive the paper finalitySimilar to an attention getter because it should

make the reader think and leave an impression

Most general part of the conclusion paragraphAll brothers have a love/hate relationship, these

two were no exception.

Sample Conclusion

Though some may argue that Brother is guilty because he wanted Doodle to die, the evidence shows that he was an innocent naive child who grew to love his Brother immensely. The facts that brother took Doodle with him everywhere, plan their future, and his reaction when Doodle died prove that he did not want his brother to die. All brothers have a love/hate relationship, these two were no exception.