Introduction to Collections #4: Making Your Voice Heard

Introduction to Collections #4:

Making Your Voice Heard

During this unit, you will be focusing on:

• Writing an argumentative essay

• Taking a position about whether people should own wild animals as pets or not

• Reading, identifying and citing evidence to support your position

• Using figurative and technical language correctly in your essay

What is a "wild" or "exotic" animal?

• lives in the wild

• does not need humans to survive

• Examples: cheetahs, giraffes, snakes

• Non-examples: dogs and cats are NOT considered "wild" animals

Open Ended

Is a cow a wild animal? Why or why not?

Open Ended

Is a gorilla a wild animal? Why or why not?

Poll

Do you think people should be allowed to own wild animals as pets?

• yes

• no

• I need to know more

Performance Task #4

Write an argumentative essay answering the question, "Should people be allowed to keep wild animals as pets?"

Multiple Choice

Which of these sounds like an argumentative essay?

• I describe my life as a robot in outer space.

• I believe that homework should not be allowed.

Parts of an Argumentative Essay

• Your position or claim

• At least three reasons for your position

• The evidence that supports your position

• Counterargument

• Why you disagree with the counterargument

• Your conclusion

Poll

Have you ever had an argument with someone?

• Yes

• No

• I'm not sure what you mean by argument.

What is a claim?

The writer's position or argument on an issue or a problem.

Multiple Choice

Which of these sounds like a claim to you?

• I think schools should get rid of homework.

• The night was calm, clear and biting cold.

• I don't know what you mean by a claim.

What is a counterargument?

The other side of an argument.

Multiple Choice

Which of these sounds like a counterargument to you?

• Life doesn't frighten me at all.

• I want to get rid of homework, but my sister says that homework is good and helps you learn.

What is evidence?

A piece of information that supports or backs up your claim. It can be a fact, a quote, an example or a personal experience.

Multiple Choice

Which sounds like a piece of evidence you might hear in an argumentative essay?

• Many studies have shown that students who do homework learn more than those who don't.

• The ship shuddered as if it had rolled over a thousand marbles.

What is a conclusion?

A statement of belief that summarizes your argument.