Argumentative Essay Writing

Argumentative Essay Writing Lesson

​by Mrs. Lamb

Essential Question:

How do I write an Argumentative Essay with a Social Studies vibe?

​

Poll

Clemson University's fans are the best collegiate fans in the USA.

• True

• False

Poll

iPhones are better than Android Phones.

• True

• False

Poll

Teenagers should be able to drive at 14 years old.

• True

• False

Poll

Three Musketeers are the best Halloween candy.

• True

• False

Poll

Colonial America was a democracy.

• True

• False

Poll

The colonists were justified in resisting British policies after the French and Indian War.

• True

• False

Poll

Great Britain's Parliament was justified in taxing the colonists to pay for the French and Indian War.

• True

• False

Poll

The Sons of Liberty were a terrorist group.

• True

• False

Poll

The American Revolution was avoidable.

• True

• False

Home

Open in new tab

Copy link

Essay Structure

Many essays follow a FIVE PARAGRAPH structure. This is an easy format to remember, and it allows you to clearly state your ideas.

Our essay will include:

Introduction/Thesis Paragraph

Body 1

Body 2

Body 3

Conclusion Paragraph

​Some important terms...

• ​Thesis Statement = Claim = Opinion

• ​Topic Sentence [often =] Argument = Reason

• ​Supporting Evidence

  • ​Textual Evidence

  • ​Anecdotal Evidence

• ​Warrant = Explanation = Commentary

• ​Counterargument = Counterclaim

• ​Rebuttal

Multiple Choice

How many paragraphs should your essay have?

• 2

• At least 5

• 4

• 3

Argumentative Writing:

​How should my argumentative essay look?

Introduction

First Reason

Second Reason

​Counterargument

Conclusion

​Counterargument

note: ​Introduce arguments/reasons not evidence in the thesis/claim

Introduction ------------------------------------->

First Argument (Reason) ---------------------->

Second Argument (Reason) ------------------>

​Counterargument ------------------------------>

Conclusion -------------------------------------->

​Counterargument

Third Argument (Reason) -------------------->

(not necessary but helpful if you have more arguments/reasons to support your thesis/claim)

Home

Open in new tab

Copy link

Introduction Paragraph

• Your introduction paragraph tells the reader what you are going to write about in your essay.

• The introduction pargraph starts with a hook.

• Then the introduction paragraph provides important background information.​

• Finally, The intro paragraph should tell the reader which side you are taking (Thesis Statement/Claim), and may also provide the arguments/reasons you will give supporting your thesis/claim.

​

Multiple Choice

Your introduction should have a HOOK that makes the reader interested.

• True

• False

Body Paragraphs

A basic body paragraph...

​

Tells ONE of your arguments/reasons.

​

Cites evidence.

​

Explains how that evidence shows your argument/reason is true.

Body Paragraphs - Template

Argument/Reason: State a good reason why your thesis is correct. 

Evidence 1: Introduce your evidence with some context.

Evidence 2: Use facts, statistics, or expert opinions to support your claim. (This is where you quote or paraphrase.)

Warrant/Explanation/Commentary: Explain why your evidence is important and how it connects to your argument/reason.

Conclusion: Wrap up by restating your argument/reason in new words.

Body Paragraph - Example

Argument/Reason: Takis have a better flavor than hot cheetos.

​Evidence 1: To see how unique Takis flavor really is, you only need to look at the bag.

​Evidence 2: Each bag of Takis includes a picture of a lime, highlighting its lime flavor (Takis 3).

​Warrant/Explanation/Commentary: This is unique to Takis alone, Cheetos don’t have any lime!

​Conclusion: This shows that Takis have a special flavor.

Body Paragraph - Example

Takis have a better flavor than Hot Cheetos. To see how unique the flavor of Takis really is, you only need to look at the bag. Each bag of Takis includes a picture of a lime, highlighting its lime flavor (Takis 3). This is unique to Takis alone, Cheetos don’t have any lime! This shows that Takis have a special flavor.

Multiple Choice

How many arguments/reasons should you include in each body paragraph?

• Only 1

• 2

• 3

• 4 or more

Multiple Choice

What TYPE of sentence is NOT in a body paragraph?

• Reason

• Evidence

• Commentary

• Hook

Multiple Choice

You can change the order of your evidence and warrant/explanation/commentary sentences if you need to.

• True

• False

What is a counterargument?

A statement or argument that is opposite of, or is directly against, your opinion/argument.  

Example:

Claim - Girl Scout cookies are the best type of cookie. 

Counterargument - Oreos are superior to all other cookies. 

Multiple Choice

Select the counterargument to the claim "Global warming is caused by natural cycles in the earth"

• Global Warming is a part of Earth's natural progression

• Global Warming would happen regardless of the actions of humans

• Global warming is caused by humans, not just by earth cycles alone.

Review:

​How should my argumentative essay look?

Introduction

First Reason

Second Reason

​Counterargument

Conclusion

​Counterargument

note: ​Introduce arguments/reasons not evidence in the thesis/claim

Introduction ------------------------------------->

First Argument (Reason) ---------------------->

Second Argument (Reason) ------------------>

​Counterargument ------------------------------>

Conclusion -------------------------------------->

​Counterargument

Third Argument (Reason) -------------------->

(not necessary but helpful if you have more arguments/reasons to support your thesis/claim)

What is a rebuttal?

The rebuttal is your comeback when someone makes a counterargument against you. 

Example:

My argument: Barnes and Noble is the best bookseller in the United States.

·        Counterargument: Some people say that Amazon is cheaper and ships items faster, and is therefore “better”.

·        My rebuttal: However, the fact that BN has successful stores AND online sales proves that it is superior to an internet-only bookseller. 

A high-quality rebuttal should....

State your side, a counterargument, refute it, and give sufficient evidence to PROVE why you’re right.

Multiple Choice

Identify what is wrong with the following rebuttal: “Some people believe that it is unfair to make students wear uniforms, and they have a point.”

• States a counterargument, but fails to refute it

• Attempts to refute the counterargument, but does not provide sufficient evidence

• Insults the opponent or audience

• Nothing

Multiple Choice

Identify what is wrong with the following rebuttal: “Some students believe that it is unfair for the administration to require uniforms, but the school has good reasons.”

• States a counterargument, but fails to refute it

• Attempts to refute the counterargument, but does not provide sufficient evidence

• Insults the opponent or audience

• Nothing

Multiple Choice

Identify what is wrong with the following rebuttal: “Some students believe that it is unfair to be forced to wear uniforms, but they’re being immature. School is for learning, not fashion shows, and anyone who is that worried about an outfit has serious issues."

• States a counterargument, but fails to refute it

• Attempts to refute the counterargument, but does not provide sufficient evidence

• Insults the opponent or audience

• Nothing

Counterargument/Rebuttal Example

“Uniforms are critical to learning. Some students believe it is unfair for the administration to require uniforms because it stifles their creativity and personal expression. However, the true purpose of school is to learn, and uniforms have been statistically shown to improve the learning environment.”

Conclusion Paragraph

Your conclusion paragraph tells the reader what you just explained in your essay. The conclusion paragraph should:

Re-state which side you supported (thesis/claim).

Summarize your arguments/reasons.

End with a thought provoking idea or call to action.

Multiple Select

Your conclusion paragraph should (CHOOSE ALL THAT APPLY):

• Summarize your arguments/reasons.

• Re-state which side you supported (thesis/claim).

• End with a thought provoking idea or call to action.

• End with "This is the end of my essay."

• Include spelling and grammar errors

​Time to see what you know...

Multiple Choice

What is the correct definition of an argument?

• making a claim and supporting it using opinions

• pointing my finger in another person's face so they focus

• making a claim and supporting it using logic and evidence

• talking until the other person hears my side

Multiple Choice

What is the correct definition of persuasion?

• making a claim and supporting using feelings and emotions

• making a claim based on facts and evidence

• making a claim because I feel like it

• making a claim supporting others

Multiple Choice

What is a warrant?

(Clue: same as explanation or commentary)

• Statement that explains how the evidence supports and connects to the claim.

• Statement that is false.

• Statement that explains a lot.

• Statement that is right there.

Multiple Choice

The definition of claim in an argument essay:

• the position that you share

• the position you are trying to get your readers to accept

• the paper you get from insurance

• the paper that your teacher gave you

Multiple Choice

A counterargument is the same as a counterclaim.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

A counterargument/counterclaim is when the writer provides the other side's opinon or position.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

How many paragraphs should your essay have?

• 2

• At least 5

• 4

• 3

Multiple Choice

The claim is where the writer...

• shows what he/she is trying to prove

• show how smart he/she is

• will answer opposing view

• will tear an opposing view

Multiple Choice

Where is the best place to introduce the claim?

• at the end of the paragraph

• in the second paragraph

• at the end of the first paragraph

• in the last paragraph

Multiple Choice

How many arguments/reasons should you include in each body paragraph?

• Only 1

• 2

• 3

• 4 or more

Multiple Choice

Which type of writing contains differing points of view?

• descritive

• narrative

• argumentative

• informative

Multiple Choice

When you copy information exactly from a source, you must .

• plagiarize

• use quotation marks to show it is not your own work

• pretend it is your own work

• not use every word

Multiple Choice

What is it called when you raise possible objections to your claim?

• counterargument

• evidence

• argument

• rebuttal

Multiple Choice

What do you call a piece of information which can be proven?

• anecdote

• fact

• example

• statistic

Multiple Choice

What is another name for your comeback to a counterargument, disproving a different opinion?

• rebuttal

• counterargument

• evidence

• claim

Multiple Choice

What is another name for a counterargument?

• counter top

• counterpart

• counterclaim

• counterclockwise

Multiple Choice

Background information helps the reader to…

• watch for an opposing view

• easily believes on the writer’s point of view

• be distracted about the claim

• have more information about the topic

Multiple Choice

The rebuttal should come immediately after the_____

• introduction

• claim

• counterargument

• conclusion

Multiple Choice

Where would you find evidence and details?

• introduction

• conclusion

• body paragraphs

• underneath your bed