Argumentative Essay

1. Argumentative Essay
Please read through this Power-Point and answer the
questions on the blog.

2. Arguments

3. Argumentative Essay vs.
Persuasive Essay
 Persuasive Writing: Students aggressively try
convincing a reader to take their side. We are
NOT writing a persuasive essay.
 Argumentative Writing: Argumentative writing
is much more balanced. It requires the
development of both sides of an issue, offering
several claims for one side while discussing
valid counterclaims from the opposition.
Argumentative writing is about giving the
reader another perspective to consider on a
debatable topic.

4. What is an Argumentative
Essay?
 The writer supports a claim with a clear reasons and
relevant evidence.
 You can agree OR disagree with the claim made.
 You must use both evidence and credible sources to
form your argument.
 You must write about both your reasons for
supporting or not supporting the claim and the
counterargument against your claim.

5. Point and Counter Point

6. Example: The Claim
 The claim might be that when using certain
websites we are losing our privacy. Do you agree or
disagree with this claim? This is can be the basis of
an argumentative paper.
 Another example might be: As a society, we are
becoming less aware of the Bill of Rights and our
responsibilities to uphold these rights our nation
gives us to new technology that we don’t
understand. Do you agree or disagree with this
claim? This is can be the basis of an argumentative
paper.

7. The Argument and
Counter Argument
 You must state your position on the argument and
have relevant and credible sources to support your
argument. You want to use logic and reason.
 What is unique about an argumentative essay is
that you do not just give reasons to support your
point, you must also discuss the other side’s point
and rebut that point.
 Rebut means to point out problems with the other
side’s P.O.V. and prove they are not good reasons.

8. An Overview of the Essay
 Introductory Paragraph
 One sentence Introduction/Global
Statement about the claim/issue
 A two-three sentence explanation of both
sides of the claim/issue. Keep it short and
to the point.
 Thesis: Here you will explain the position
you have taken for or against this
claim/issue.

9. Body Paragraphs
 Paragraph One, Two and Three:
 Statement of the other side’s argument and
your counter argument.
 Start with the opposing view and end with
yours. It is more effective. We will review
transitional and other key words.
 Pattern: (We will Discuss this more in-depth
in class)
 T.S. Topic Sentence
 Other sides argument
 Your argument
 Concluding sentence

10. Conclusion
 Conclusion:
 End with a strong statement that supports your side
of the argument. Do not include the opposing side’s
argument in the conclusion. You want to leave the
reader thinking about your side of the argument.
 The conclusion can be a combination of a summary
of the arguments in your essay and a last strong
statement that makes your feelings/thoughts clear
on the subject.

11. But wait! What will I write
about?
 Answer:
 We will discuss this in class.
 I will be posting articles for you to read.
 You will choose one or two articles to
write your argumentative essay.
 And remember, this is only one part of our
PBL.