Argumentative Writing

Argumentative Writing

An argumentative essay...

Argumentative essays are a genre of writing that require you to:

• Investigate a topic

• Collect, generate, and evaluate evidence

• Establish a position on the topic in a concise manner

Multiple Choice

The argumentative essay is a genre of writing that requires you to:

• Investigate a topic

• Collect, generate, and evaluate evidence

• Establish a position on a topic

• All of the above

Everyday life example

When we argue...

Claim: Barrett: That was a lame movie!

Arianna: Why?

Evidence: Barrett: The special effects were bad. The monsters were obviously fake.

Counterclaim: Arianna: I thought the movie was good because the acting was believable.

Barrett's BAD response: You're an idiot.

Refutation: Barrett's GOOD response: Yes, the acting was good but the horrible special effects were too distracting and caused some awkward moments.

Persuasion vs Argumentation

Persuasion

The act of persuading someone or being persuaded to do or believe something using personal feelings or emotions.

Argumentation

The process of establishing a claim and then proving it with the use of logical reasoning, examples, and research.

Multiple Choice

Persuasive writing is writing that encourages the reader to side with you, using your feelings and emotions to persuade them.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Argumentative writing is writing that establishes a claim and uses facts and reasoning to prove your point.

• True

• False

• Makes claims based on factual research

• Makes counterclaims (takes opposing view into account)

• Defeats serious opposing arguments

• Logic-based

• Convinces through merit/rationality of claims and proof offered

Argumentative

• May make a claim based on an opinion

• May not take opposing ideas into account

• Emotion-based

• Persuades by appealing to the reader's emotions or by relying on character/credentials

Persuasive

Difference between Persuasive and Argumentative

Elements of Argumentation

Argument/Claim

An argument states a claim and supports it with reasons and evidence from sources.

Arguing your side makes you the proponent.

Multiple Choice

Your claim is another word for:

• Argument

• Opinion

• Fact

Elements of Argumentation

Counter-argument/Counterclaim

An argument that stands in opposition to your argument/claim.

The counterargument is your opponent's (the other side's) argument that tries to explain why you are wrong.

Multiple Choice

An argument that stands in opposition to your argument/claim is called...

• Proponent

• Counterclaim

• Opponent

Elements of Argumentation

Refutation

Simply disproving an opposing argument. It is an important skill because it is how a writer successfully convinces the audience of the validity of his/her own argument.

Multiple Choice

If you refute an argument, you are proving that the argument is correct.

• True

• False

Why Is Organization Important in Argumentative Writing?

• Guides an audience through your reasoning

• Offers a clear explanation of each argued point

• Demonstrates the credibility of the writer

Organizing Your Argument

• Title

• Introduction

  • Thesis Statement (The sentance stating your claim)

• 3 Body Paragraphs each containing:

  • Constructing topic sentences

  • Building main points

  • Your 3rd body paragraph: Countering the opposition

• Conclusion

What is argumentative writing

In argumentative writing, you are typically asked to take a position on an issue or topic and explain and support your position with research from reliable and credible sources.

​When writing an argumentative essay introduction, you must introduce the claim and organize ideas, reasons, and information.

​Be sure to address the opposing point of view as well as a rebuttal to that opinion.

​

At the beginning of each body paragraph, there ​should be a transition word, and at the end of each body paragraph, a concluding sentence should be provided.

An argumentative essay must include evidence to support your claim and facts related to the topic.

Evidence or proof from outside sources/passages must be cited to avoid plagiarism. ​

​The conclusion paragraph should start with a transition, restate your claim and reasons, and summarize the information from the body paragraphs.

​The organization of the essay must be logical and effective throughout the essay.

Sentence structure should vary and include simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences.

​Exclamatory (!) and interrogative (?) sentences should be used at least once in the essay.

​You MUST

• Take a position

• ​Gather evidence

• ​Present argument logically

• ​Provide counterarguments

​

​Don't use first person language—"I think," "I feel," "I believe,"—to present your claims. Doing so is repetitive since by writing the essay you're already telling the audience what you feel, and using first-person language weakens your writing voice.

Multiple Select

How do you feel about writing an argumentative essay?

• I feel prepared! Let me see the prompt topic! 🥳

• I kind of understand, but may need a little help along the way.

• I do not understand how to write an argumentative essay at all.