2. Agenda
Common Writing Errors: Missing comma with
transitional and parenthetical
expressions, absolute phrases, and contrasted
elements
Discussion: Torture Essays
In-class writing: Outlining and Thesis statement
practice
3. Common Writing Errors:
Missing comma with transitional and parenthetical
expressions, absolute phrases, and contrasted elements
Transitional Expressions CORRECT: Therefore, I could
not finish writing my paper.
Parenthetical Expressions CORRECT: You, on the other
hand, can’t carry a tune.
Absolute Phrases CORRECT: Having taken preventative
measures, I did not get sick.
Contrasting Elements CORRECT: I want English, not
Economics, classes.
4. Practice
1. Lance where did you leave the car keys?
2. We can however just stay home and have a quiet evening.
3. Instead I'd rather use the money for a vacation.
4. That trip to the dentist wasn't so bad in fact.
5. However I hope I don't have to go there again for a long time.
6. Celine Dion for example achieved success as a singer at an
early age.
7. How did you catch the criminal Sherlock Holmes?
8. I hope you realize moreover that this is your last chance.
9. Mr. Van Allen unfortunately is no longer with our organization.
5. Discussion: Torture Essays
In groups of three:
Using Bagaric’s essay “A Case for Torture” (266):
Find (and mark) the thesis statement
Identify (and mark) Bagaric’s most compelling reasons for justifying
torture in his essay
Find (and mark) illustrations (specific details, quotes, statistics, or
real-life examples) he uses to support his reasons.
Find (and mark) the issues he addresses in his counterargument.
Using Johnson’s essay “Inhuman Behavior: A Chaplains View of
Torture (268):
Find (and mark) the thesis statement
Identify (and mark) Johnson’s most compelling reasons for justifying
torture in his essay
Find (and mark) illustrations (specific details, quotes, statistics, or
real-life examples) he uses to support his reasons
Find (and mark) the issues he addresses in his counterargument.
Are you using any of these as support for your essay? Should you?
6. FREECASH
Which arguments from our FREECASH
brainstorming session do you find most
compelling?
Which side will you argue?
Which objections will you address by
accommodating or refuting?
7. The Prompt: Is torture
ever morally justified?
Plan and write an essay in which you
develop your point of view on this
issue. Support your position with
reasoning and examples taken from
your reading, studies, experience, or
observations.
8. TORTURE ESSAY
OUTLINE FORM
Controlling idea of the essay. Which side will you
argue? Torture is sometimes morally justifiable?
Torture is never morally justifiable?
_________________________________________
___
Three main points of the argument:
1. Torture_______________________________
2. Torture_______________________________
3. Torture______________________________
9. INTRODUCTION:
The introduction should make the reader want to
continue reading.
The lead in statements could (1) make a striking
assertion, (2) use a split anecdote (a story that is begun in
the introduction and is finished in the conclusion), or (3)
use an interesting detail, statistic, or quotation.
Choose one and write your idea here:
10. Thesis
Transition to thesis: While both sides have passion for their
positions; or?
__________________________________________________
_____________________
Thesis (which includes points of argument; You can
eliminate these later if you desire, but for now, they must
be there):
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
________________
11. Body Paragraphs
Each topic sentence should be a major point of
argument that supports the thesis statement.
Explanation sentences are general statements
that support the topic sentence.
The concrete illustrations support the
explanation sentences, provide specific
details, quotes, statistics, or real-life examples.
12. Body Paragraph 1 (develops first point of argument):
Topic sentence:
_________________________________________________________
____
Explanation
_________________________________________________________
______
Concrete Illustration:
_____________________________________________________
Explanation:
_________________________________________________________
____
Concrete Illustration:
______________________________________________________
Explanation:
_________________________________________________________
______
Concrete Illustration:
______________________________________________
13. Follow the same format for
the next two paragraphs
Body paragraph 2 Body paragraph 3
Topic Sentence Topic Sentence
Explanation Explanation
Illustration Illustration
Explanation Explanation
Illustration Illustration
Explanation Explanation
Illustration Illustration
Transition Transition
14. Counterargument (anticipates objections by
accommodation or refutation):
First anticipated objection:
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
________________________________________________
Accommodation or Refutation? Circle your approach.
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
________________________________________________
Second anticipated objection:
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
________________________________________________
Accommodation or Refutation? Circle your approach.
______________________________________________________
________________________
15. CONCLUSION:
The concluding paragraph should include a
general summary statement that recaps the
thesis, a sentence that restates the major points
of argument, and a wrap-up statement. The
conclusion could also contain the end of a split
anecdote that would finish the story begun in the
introduction. The wrap-up statement could
contain insights of the essay writer, encourage
the reader to take action, emphasize the
importance of one of the points of argument, or
create a solid sense of finality.
16. General summary statement that recaps thesis in different words:
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
______________________________________________
Recap major points of argument:
1._____________________________________________________
______2._______________________________________________
____________3._________________________________________
__________________End of Anecdote:
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
______________________________________________
Wrap-up statement (consequences and insights; prediction of the
future if your warnings are not heeded):
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
____________
17. Homework: EXAM PREP
Finish outline and thesis statement.
REREAD DEBATE ESSAYS!
Bring a copy of your outline (with a thesis) and
your book to class!
Bring a computer to class if you want to type your
in-class essay.
