Unit 1 Argument Essays

Argumentative
Essays

Unit One Performance-Based Assessment

Lesson Objectives

The objectives for this lesson are:

●

to learn/identify the parts of an argumentative essay

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to determine how to plan for an argumentative essay

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to learn the requirements for Unit One argument essay

Parts of an Argument

●

Claim

●

Reasons

●

Evidence

●

Counterargument (optional)

●

Conclusion

The Claim

Also known as the stance, the claim states the
writer's opinion on a particular subject. The writer will argue or support his/her opinion throughout the entire essay; therefore, the claim serves as the essay thesis statement or topic sentence.

Multiple Choice

Another word for claim is

• decision

• stance

• argument

• fact

Multiple Choice

The claim serves as the ________ of an argument.

• reasons

• conclusion

• evidence

• thesis statement

Poll

For the argumentative essay for Unit 1, your claim must respond to this question:

Is heroism a component of human nature that we all share?

Which is your claim?

• Heroism IS a component of human nature that we all share.

• Heroism IS NOT a component of human nature that we all share.

Reasons

This part of the essay is the first part of support for your claim. These reasons are all personal and help the reader understand why the writer has this opinion. The writer can site personal experience, observations, or just personal convictions.

Multiple Choice

Reasons are supposed to be

• Personal

• Factual

• External

• Hypothetical

Multiple Select

Which of the following are sources for your reasons? (click all that apply)

• Personal experience

• Internet

• Observations

• Personal convictions

Evidence

The evidence is the second part of support for your essay. Whereas the reasons come specifically from the writer, the evidence comes from other sources.
In order to make a convincing argument, it is helpful to find others who agree without or prove that your opinion is correct.

Multiple Choice

Evidence comes from

• personal experiences
• theories and beliefs
• opinions and assumptions
• other sources

Counterargument

Though this part of the essay is optional, it helps to give the writer more credibility if he/she addresses the opposition and tries to see the merit in the why someone would take a different stance from the one that is being argued.

Conclusion

Solidify your argument with your conclusion. Make sure that your readers truly understand your point of view and leave them something to think about. Do not simply repeat your claim.

Multiple Choice

To conclude an argument, what should a writer NOT do?

• Give the readers something to think about

• Solidify your argument

• Repeat the claim

• Encourage your readers to take action

Planning your Essay

1. Introduction - Claim and Reasons (2-3 sentences

minimum)

2. Evidence from at least 2 different texts (6-10

sentences)

3. Counterargument/Conclusion (3-5 sentences)

Prepare to plan your essay with a
Pre-Writing Activity