Writing the Argument Essay: Essentials of argument and persuasion

Mr. Donn, Neville HSEnglish II

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In This Presentation Persuasive Versus Argumentative Essay StructureThe CounterclaimCounterclaim & R.A.C.E. methodUse rhetoric to persuadeExpressing Doubt: Subjunctive MoodTypes of EvidenceLogical Fallacies to Watch Out ForBasic Requirements for This Task

Mr. Donn, Neville High School, English II

Persuasive Essay

•Addresses Opposition only by IMPLICATION•Contains less hard data and fact as evidence•DOES have hard evidence in LAST PARAGRAPH

Argument Essay Below is a suggested structure, not a formula. You should adapt depending the actual number of paragraphs in your writing.

•STRUCTURE: Thesis is a CLAIM with a CALL TO ACTION.•Provides 5 Reasons with and fact-based evidence• Paragraphs 2 & 3 establish the claim (focuses on clarifying the “pro” side or call to action) • Paragraphs 4-6: Complicates the argument, saving most important arguments. Uses COUNTERCLAIM that comes near the conclusion

Argument Essay

COUNTERCLAIM:

-Lends credence -Uses rhetorical to

establish claims

COUNTERCLAIM

CLAIM

The Counterclaim

COUNTER-CLAIM:

-Lends credence -Uses

rhetoric to establish claims

The counterclaim is the point in an argument where the lends credence--or gives

credit--to the opposing viewpoint or addresses potential complications

with the argument at hand. For complete example click

here.

The next slide shows the breakdown of a standard counterclaim using the

R.A.C.E. formula.

The Counterclaim & the R.A.C.E. MethodRemember, the counterargument is a fully developed paragraph, thus the basic

method applies to this paragraph as well.

Some may argue that students lack the responsibility to have

drinks in class. This, however, is not true. Students drink soda in the cafeteria all the time, and

rarely is there a spill. Also, there could be a compromise where students only bring in

clear liquids. This would eliminate any stains if there was

a spill. A final reason is that there could be a rule that all

drinks had to have twist on or snap on lids. 3.These reasons eliminate the concern of our

lack of responsibility.

Respond to argument claim, using rhetoric

Answer question by asserting reason to

dismiss counter

Cite or paraphrase evidence for

Connect back to purpose & conclude

Use rhetoric to persuade your reader!

Some may argue that students lack the responsibility to have

drinks in class. This, however, is not true. Students drink soda in the cafeteria all the time, and

rarely is there a spill. Also, there could be a compromise where students only bring in

clear liquids. This would eliminate any stains if there was

a spill. A final reason is that there could be a rule that all

drinks had to have twist on or snap on lids. 3.These reasons eliminate the concern of our

lack of responsibility.

Uses precise, well-placed phrases

Uses inversion for sake of emphasis "rarely is

there"

Uses modal verbs (could, would, should

) to suggest possibility

Appeals to ethos

Expressing Doubt: The Subjunctive Mood

When addressing an opposing view and expressing doubt

concerning that view, you will find it necessary to use the

subjunctive mood. Example: If there were other option, there would be no reason to take this advice. Review the link below carefully for the correct way to

phrase such sentences.

The Subjunctive Mood

Use of Rhetoric

• Your argument writing should make wise use of the rhetorical figures we study in this class. Just a few from your list:• Repetition for emphasis• Parallel structure to delineate importance• Anaphora, Antithesis, Aporia for essential claims that should catch the reader's attention• Vocabulary appropriate for opinions backed by fact and for the maintainence of an objective tone

Types of Evidence: A Balance of Rhetorical Appeals • Your argument writing should use a variety of evidence types

to create a lively, interesting discussion:

• LOGOS: Fact, statistic, cause-effect-based arguments

• ETHOS: Establish credibility with first-hand knowledge or expert knowledge from sources you know personally (this is the only place where "I" is allowed, and you should use it sparingly

• PATHOS: Anecdotal evidence based on real people and real-world events that readers can relate to emotionally. But BE CAREFUL! The "save the children" style argument can easily be overdone. Appeal to genuine pathos, not absurd or over-the-top, maudlin examples.

• Don’t forget about media--you can include infographics, charts,

imagery, photos, and other media!

Logical Fallacies to Watch Out for!

--Appeal to inappropriate authority: Arguments cannot be based strictly on religious or politically biased information.

--Ad hominem attacks: You cannot attack a position based the ethical value of its source (You cannot say Bill Clinton was a bad president because he had extramarital affairs--you have to look at the actual facts of his work)

--Circular Reasoning: You can't begin an argument with the assumption that what your argument ends up with is true (You cannot argue that your grandmother's meatloaf is the best in the city because your grandmother is the best cook in the city)

--Appeals to extreme emotion: While appeals to emotion are persuasive, they are not inherently logical and cannot be the sole basis of an argument. You cannot argue logically that we must save the Tree Octopus because if we don't then all the Tree Octopi will die out, and that would be a terrible, sad thing. WHY would it be tragic? What effect would have--if they were real, of course :).

--False analogy: While analogies are an excellent rhetorical tool, make sure your analogies are accurate. Example: The private school down the street has better teachers and children get a better education because 100% of their seniors get into a college. In reality, the private school only has to accept some students, not all.

Basic Requirements for this Task

-750 words minimum (NOT counting the Works Cited page), 1500 words maximum -MLA formatting (NO cover sheets, no title pages) on paper. Must include a Header on each page. For sample paper, click here. For an MLA style chart, click here-Works Cited page (the bibliography page). For explanation of formatting, click here. For sample Works Cited page as it appears in a paper, click here. -Minimum of 2 sources: One web, one print (may be EBSCO article), and one VALID source of your choice (no Wikis, Shmoop, Ask.com, or other general public forums). -Must turn in the following documents as part of the writing process: a. Outline, with Thesis underlined and outline fully completed (minimum of 7 paragraphs) b. Rough draft (handwritten) c. Second draft (typed, with handwritten revision) d. Final draft printed and uploaded to EDMODO. e. Hard copies (printouts) of all sources used in the composition. Include only up to the first 3 pages of your sources--this include web sites. -Must include graphic organizer that supports the written text. Text component of visual aid should include a minimum of 250 words. For grading rubric on graphic organizer, click here. For examples of graphic organizers and to easily create your own, use Piktochart.

To ocate all the documents you will need for this project, be sure to go to my web page and find the "UNIT 1 EXTENSION TASK RESOURCES" page that will soon be up. It will be located under the "Library and Research Resources" page.