Chapter 4 Essay writing

Open Ended

If you could have any superpower for a day, which one would you choose and why?

Match

Read the statements below, decide which one belongs to argumentative writing and persuasive writing?

• Presents emotion and the author's purpose is to try and convince you to think as they do. It is about the sales pitch more-so than an emphasis on the specifications and details of the subject area.

• Presents evidence and logic at its core. Whilst you are still trying to influence your reader's thinking on a given topic, you shouldn't pull on your reader's heart strings nearly as much as presenting a mountain of facts, data and specifics that cannot be ignored.

• Focuses on logical reasoning, evidence, and credibility to make a case for or against a particular topic.

• Aims to convince readers through emotional appeal, personal beliefs, and a mix of facts and opinions.

persuasive writing

argumentative writing

argumentative writing

persuasive writing

• persuasive writing

• argumentative writing

• argumentative writing

• persuasive writing

Dropdown

Argumentative vs. persuasive essay has a subtle but significant difference. Identify their differences.



​ ​ To get the reader to agree with you/your point of view on a particular topic. ​

Select answer

​ To get the reader to acknowledge that your side is valid ​

Select answer

The writer is sharing a conviction, whether the audience ends up agreeing or not.​ ​

Select answer

Offers the reader relevant reasons, credible facts, and sufficient evidence to honor the

writer has a valid and worthy perspective.​

Select answer

Blends facts and emotion in an attempt to convince the reader that the writer is "right."

(Often relies heavily on opinion.) ​ ​ ​

Select answer

Argumentative Essay

Word Cloud

What if you woke up one morning and found out you were the principal of your school? What changes would you implement?

Fill in the Blanks

Multiple Choice

What is the purpose of an argumentative essay?

• to convince the reader

• to tell an interesting story

• to entertain the reader

• to give information about a topic

Multiple Choice

Which of these is NOT a part of an argumentative essay?

• Introduction

• Conclusion

• Body Paragraphs

• Setting

​Example

Imagine a world where everything you do online is watched and recorded. Every website you visit, every photo you post, and even the messages you send to your friends are no longer just yours. Some people think this is okay because it helps catch bad guys and create new technology. But what if someone could see all your secrets just because they’re online? This essay argues that keeping our personal information safe is really important, even on the internet. We need rules that make sure companies and governments can’t just take our information without our permission. In this essay, we’ll talk about why privacy is super important for everyone, especially when we’re online, and why we need to be careful about who can see our stuff.

Open Ended

Write an introduction to an essay about any topic interests you.

Multiple Choice

What type of hook does this writer use in the intro?

• Question

• Anecdote (personal experience story)

• Question & anecdote (personal experience story)

• quote (citation from an author)

• statistic

Multiple Choice

In which part of the argumentative essay will you include your evidence?

• Introduction

• Body Paragraph

• Hook

• Conclusion

Multiple Choice

What is this writer's main argument?

• There has been a debate going on at Bidwell about whether or not teachers should allow music in they’re classes.

• It is clear, pioneers should definitely not listen to music in class.

• This has happened to me several times, but even more than that, I have seen it happen to my classmates.

• I look at them like they're crazy.

Multiple Choice

In which paragraph does the thesis go?

• Body
• Introduction
• Conclusion. 

Multiple Select

What information belongs in the introductory paragraph? (Select 3 that apply)

• Evidence

• Hook

• Thesis Statement

• Summary

• Claim

<sup>Have you ever been sitting in class and the teacher asks for an assignment that you have no idea about? Have you ever checked Aeries and seen a missing assignment that you never heard the teachers collect? Has your teacher ever excused you to work time, and you have absolutely no idea what you are supposed to do?

This has happened to me several times, but even more than that, I have seen it happen to my classmates. They ask me if I heard the instructions or if I heard the teacher collect the assignment. I look at them like they're crazy. How could they have been sitting in the same class and have no idea what is going on. I think I might actually know the answer to this question. They are listening to music. There has been a debate going on at Bidwell about whether or not teachers should allow music in their classes. It is clear, pioneers should definitely not listen to music in class. They are missing out on important instructions and music distracts students from their work.</sup>

Body ​

1. Divide the body into several slides, each representing a main point or reason supporting your thesis.

2. For each point, provide evidence and reasoning to show how it supports your argument.

3. Include counterarguments and explain why they are not as strong as your main points.

Drag and Drop

Argumentative essays should include​

Placeholder

reasons, ​

Placeholder

evidence, and ​

Placeholder

facts.

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

relevant

sufficient

credible

Multiple Choice

Facts and research that support your argument:

• Commentary

• Counterclaim

• Evidence

• Refutation

Multiple Choice

Where is the thesis statement located?

• Introduction paragraph - first sentence

• Introduction paragraph - last sentence

• Body paragraph 1 - topic sentence

• Body paragraph 2 - topic sentence

Dropdown

Your main argument is also called the ​

Select answer

Multiple Choice

The argument against the claim:

• evidence

• claim

• facts

• counterclaim

Check out this body paragraph...

con't. on next slide...

_{It is clear that students are not hearing what their teachers are saying. Each day, I hear my teachers introduce something and go over it two or three times, only to have students ask what is going on a few minutes later. I see ear buds sticking out of many students’ shirts. In my history class, my teacher gives us instructions while we are working on a website or are writing an essay on the Chromebooks. She will give pointers or help or mention issues she is seeing with our assignment. So many kids are not even hearing what she is saying to help them, because they are listening to music and don’t even know that something helpful is being shared.}

Body paragraph continued...

Sure, I love listening to music probably more than the average kid here at Bidwell, but we definitely don’t need it in class. According to the study "Effects of Background Music on Phonological Short-term Memory" by Salame and Baddeley, “listening to lyrical music while studying creates a huge distraction. And that means people don't remember certain tasks and bits of knowledge they need the most for learning.” This means that while kids are listening to music, they are not getting everything they can out of the lesson. This shows the negative effect that music can have at school. The whole purpose of being at school is to learn, so why should we harm that? Obviously, teen’s at Bidwell are missing out on needed information because of music in the classroom.

Multiple Choice

Which word below is the first sentence of a paragraph that signals to the reader what the paragraph's main idea will be?

• essay

• topic sentence

• clincher

• evidence

Reorder

Reorder the parts of a body paragraph:

• Topic Sentence

• Introduction to evidence

• Evidence (cited)

• Analysis of evidence

• Closing statement/ transition

1

2

3

4

5

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Check out this counterargument paragraph...

on next slide

^{There are obviously many people who disagree. One may argue that music actually helps them focus because it takes away from distractions in the class. However, this is incorrect thinking, because finding the right song, finding your earbuds, discussing music with your friends and listening to inappropriate and distracting content, is clearly more distracting than normal classroom noises. A critic might state that music would make things quieter in the classroom and easier on the teacher, but they are clearly wrong. Finally, someone may disagree and say that music is wonderful and inspiring. They are absolutely right, but that does not mean that we need music in every area of our lives. Save music for when you can really focus on it, instead of tuning out your teachers and schoolwork.}

Exercise: Writing the Body of an Argumentative Essay

Objective: To construct well-developed body paragraphs for an argumentative essay that support your thesis with evidence and address counterarguments.

Topic: Should schools implement a year-round educational system?

Instructions:

1. Thesis Statement: Assume your thesis statement is: “Schools should implement a year-round educational system because it promotes continuous learning, reduces information loss, and better utilizes school resources.”

2. Evidence Gathering: Research and list at least three pieces of evidence that support the thesis statement.

on the next slide

Exercise: Writing the Body of an Argumentative Essay

1. Counterargument Identification: Identify one common counterargument to the year-round educational system and find evidence to refute it.

on the next slide

Exercise: Writing the Body of an Argumentative Essay

Paragraph Construction:

• Paragraph 1: Write a paragraph explaining how a year-round educational system promotes continuous learning. Include at least one piece of evidence.

• Paragraph 2: Write a paragraph discussing how this system can reduce information loss over long breaks. Support your point with evidence.

• Paragraph 3: Write a paragraph on how a year-round system can better utilize school resources. Provide supporting details.

• Paragraph 4: Address the counterargument by acknowledging its validity and then refuting it with your researched evidence.

on the next slide

Conclusion ​

1. Summarize the main points of your argument.

2. Restate your thesis in light of the evidence and arguments presented.

3. End with a strong closing statement that reinforces your position.

Check out this conclusion...

on the next slide

In conclusion, music should definitely not be allowed in the classrooms at Bidwell. It is clear that students are missing out on important information from teachers and it is taking away their attention from their work. When the teachers and parents of the PTA make the vote about whether or not our Chromebooks should allow music add-ons, vote no! Students do not need anything in their lives that will make their classes harder and their grades slip. There is absolutely nothing keeping students from listening to music in their free time, in fact, it’s a great part of life. However, there is no need for music to be continuously playing when students have something on which to focus that is way more important. A vote for no music is a vote for better student achievement!

Multiple Select

Does this conclusion include all the parts: restate thesis, paper overview, and ending statement.

• YES

• NO

You can do this!

• Be sure to create a plan for your essay

• Include all the parts of an essay: Intro., Body Paragraphs, Counterargument, & Conclusion.

• Always include evidence - explain the quote you use

• Write a strong hook and ending statement

• Proofread!