Key Concepts in Argument Essays

Dawn Knight, an English teacher, guides students through writing an argument essay. The focus is on understanding the prompt, developing a thesis, organizing body paragraphs, selecting evidence, and writing commentary. The video emphasizes the importance of a clear line of reasoning and sophisticated evidence. It also covers how to write a conclusion that summarizes and discusses implications. Key reminders include organizing around the thesis and selecting relevant evidence.

What are the main focuses of the argument essay discussed in the introduction?

• Length and word count

• Grammar and punctuation

• Organization and line of reasoning

• Vocabulary and style

What should you be cautious of when reading the background information in a prompt?

• Using it as the main thesis

• Writing an essay based on it

• Focusing only on it

• Ignoring it completely

What is the primary difference between striving for perfection and attaining perfection in the prompt?

• Striving is less valuable than attaining

• Striving is about effort, attaining is about success

• Striving is easier than attaining

• Attaining is more important than striving

What should the body paragraphs in an argument essay focus on?

• Summarizing the introduction

• Introducing new topics

• Listing unrelated facts

• Supporting the thesis statement

Which of the following is NOT a suggested brainstorming example for striving for perfection?

• Benjamin Franklin

• Fictional characters

• Major League Baseball pitchers

• Olympic athletes

What is a key element of a sophisticated thesis statement?

• Considering both positive and negative aspects

• Focusing only on positive aspects

• Using complex vocabulary

• Ignoring negative implications

Why should fiction generally be avoided as evidence in an argument essay?

• It is not interesting

• It is too complex

• It is not real

• It is too lengthy

What is the purpose of commentary in an argument essay?

• To introduce new evidence

• To explain how evidence supports the claim

• To summarize the evidence

• To restate the thesis

What should be included in the conclusion if time permits?

• A new thesis statement

• Implications or lessons for society

• A list of all evidence used

• A detailed summary of each paragraph

What is a crucial aspect to remember when selecting evidence for an argument essay?

• It should be fictional

• It should be relevant and sophisticated

• It should be humorous

• It should be as lengthy as possible