argumentative writing

Argumentative Writing

“Don’t raise your voice; improve your argument.”

– Desmond Tutu

What is an argument?

• an exchange of diverging or opposite views

• a reason or set of reasons given with the aim of persuading others to agree with an idea or action

• a claim supported by evidence

Open Ended

In your opinion, what makes an argument POWERFUL?

A powerful argument is well constructed

Let's review how to WRITE an argument-

Part 1- Claim

• What you want your audience to believe

• It is NOT a simple statement- includes reasons to support your opinion

• It should consider the opposing argument

EXAMPLE: Cats are better than dogs because they are sweeter and smarter.

Reasons- "...they are sweeter an smarter."

Part 2- Evidence

• Facts or data that support my claim

• Can be a quote or example from the text that supports your claim

EXAMPLE: According to a 2017 study in Behavioural Processes, "cats prefer human interaction to all other stimuli, including food, toys, and catnip."

Part 3- Reasoning

• How and WHY my evidence PROVES my claim

• What a quote MEANS and why it MATTERS

• Demonstrates your understanding of the evidence and how it CONNECTS to your claim

EXAMPLE: This research shows cats don't only love their owners because they feed them. Cats have earned a bad rap for being cold and distant, when in fact they are both loving and clever pets.

Part 4- Rebuttal

• Outlines the opposing point of view

• Include this to show the other side is present (though yours is BETTER)

EXAMPLE: Many dog lovers would argue that cats only love their humans because they give them good food and place to sleep, but the data from this study proves this preposterous claim is false.

Sample Paragraph- COMBINED

Cats are better than dogs because they are sweeter and smarter. According to a 2017 study in Behavioural Processes, "cats prefer human interaction to all other stimuli, including food, toys, and catnip."  This research shows cats don't only love their owners because they feed them. Cats have earned a bad rap for being cold and distant, when in fact they are both loving and clever pets. Many dog lovers would argue that cats only love their humans because they give them good food and place to sleep, but the data from this study proves this preposterous claim is false.

Read the following texts carefully then identify if each text is an example of:

• Claim

• Evidence

• Reasoning

• Rebuttal

Multiple Choice

As an example, when a country faces economic recession, polls indicate that over 80% of the population supports . . .

• Claim

• Evidence

• Reasoning

• Rebuttal

Multiple Choice

Dance music has become popular for reasons that have nothing to do with the quality of the music; rather, the clear, fast beats respond to the need of people to move, and to move quickly.

• Claim

• Evidence

• Reasoning

• Rebuttal

Multiple Choice

Some may say that the sky is green, but it is clear the color of the sky is blue.

• Claim

• Evidence

• Reasoning

• Rebuttal

Multiple Choice

In other words, there are better alternatives to animal testing and the FDA agrees. If we don't need to use animals, why should we?

• Claim

• Evidence

• Reasoning

• Rebuttal

Poll

How do YOU feel about argument writing?

• I get it! I am ready to write!

• I can write, but will probably have some questions while I work!!

• I am still a bit confused.

• What is argument writing? HELP!

Time to practice!!

Open- Argument Practice on Schoology

This assignment is in your Week 30 folder- DAY 1