W.9-10.1

Write ARGUMENTS to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts using valid reasoning and relevant & sufficient evidence

W.9-10.1

ARGUMENT: present a CLAIM & use DETAILS to support the claim

• not just an opinion or series of emotional appeals

• sound arguments are reasoned and supported with valid evidence

Prewriting/Planning Strategies

• Choose a TOPIC

• Identify your CLAIM

• Define TASK: What are you writing?

• Define PURPOSE: Why you are writing? What effect do you want your writing to have?

• Define AUDIENCE: Who are you trying to persuade?

Supporting a Claim:

Consider ALL Sides of an Issue

• Gather evidence from a wide variety of sources to support your claim.

• Anticipate and address readers' potential expectations, biases, and misunderstandings.

• Do not ignore information that contradicts or opposes your position.

• VALID: based on fact or provable

• RELEVANT: directly related to your claim

• SUFFICIENT: enough evidence to support your claim

Drafting Strategies:

Structure Argument in a Logical & Effective Way

• Evaluate your evidence.

• Review all points that support your claim & consider their impact on your intended audience.

• Start with your least important point and build to your most persuasive point.

• Indicate where you will address counterarguments.

Develop the Claim

• Introduce your claim using precise wording to accurately states your ideas on the topic.

• Distinguish your claim from alternate claims (counterclaims).

• Make clear the relationship between the supporting evidence and the claim made at the beginning of your essay.

• Anticipate the audience's knowledge of the topic and likely concerns. Strive to be fair, pointing out the strengths and limitations of your evidence. Do the same as your address counterclaims.

• Provide a strong concluding statement that supports and summarizes your argument.

Style & Tone:

Establish a FORMAL style & tone.

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