Transcript Persuasive Essay Notes - cm201-u

Argument Essay
Notes
CMMS
8th Grade
The Purpose of an Argument Essay
To persuade or convince
someone or a group of
people to agree with your
position on an issue.
Choose your battle and take
a STRONG STAND!
Using the “Ideas” Trait
Preparing to Write
• Determine a Point Of View:
• Your point of view is your opinion on the issue.
State your opinion clearly, telling the reader
EXACTLY what side of the issue you support.
You can only be on one side.
• Identify Your Specific Audience:
• For which group do I want to write?
– Pick an audience that would care about this issue and
would be able to accomplish the goal.
– Be specific. This decision determines the
style and content of your paper.
Expanding the “Ideas” Trait
Gathering Support
• Supporting Arguments – These are your
reasons for your opinion and tell why you
believe as you do. (Remember, you need to be
able to back them up – more than just
because “I think so”.)
• Evidence - anecdotes, facts or expert
opinions to back up your reason.
– In order to make your essay credible, you
must VARY your evidence!!!
Example
• Point of View:
– The lunchroom should offer vegetarian meals.
• Specific Audience:
– The District 201u School Board Members
• Reason:
– There are many students at CMMS who are vegetarians.
• Evidence:
– A recent study published in Parents magazine confirms
that 35 % of all American families, including their
children, are currently vegetarians.
The Trait of “Organization”
What is the format of a Persuasive Essay?
• Your opinion (point of view) is your
thesis/main idea of essay
• CLEARLY state your thesis as a strong onesided statement . Consider “I
believe/agree/disagree”…
• Each body paragraph = 1 main supporting
argument (reason) to support thesis/opinion
• Each reason should then be explained using
the evidence you researched.
• Use transitional phrases to link all
paragraphs, as well as within body
paragraphs to glue ideas together
Overall
• Incorporate the “Word Choice” trait.
– Avoid repetition of words. ~ Use a thesaurus!
– Choose specific words that enlighten your reader
(spelling/vocabulary words).
• Incorporate the “Sentence Fluency” trait.
– Write detailed sentences. Use compound/complex-- not
simple sentences.
– Vary how each sentence starts.
• Remember your “Conventions”(Capitalization, Grammar
Usage, Punctuation, Spelling).
– Edit your paper.
– Ask a peer to edit your paper.
– Use Spell / Grammar Check.
Overall
STAY FOCUSED - STICK TO ONE SIDE
OF THE ARGUMENT
You may address opposite opinions, but
remember your point of view!
The Trait of “Organization”
Argument Introduction
Sentence #
What you should be writing
1
Attention getter
2-3
Explain the issue
4
Thesis statement: Your argument (opinion)
on the issue you are presenting
5
State your three main supporting arguments
(reasons) that support your opinion/thesis.
Persuasive Introduction Example
A class of about thirty students is working on an essay. Several
students have their hands raised because they need help;
however, the teacher only has time to assist a few of them.
The rest leave frustrated and angry and as a result do not
complete their homework because they do not understand it.
This is a situation that happens way too often at Crete Monee
Middle School. Many students are struggling because they
are not able to get the attention they need in class.
Therefore, I believe class sizes at CMMS need to be smaller.
With such large class sizes, students cannot get individual
help. In addition, classroom behavior is harder to monitor in a
classroom with a large number of students. Finally, the
teachers are stressed because they are responsible for
assisting so many students at once.
The Trait of “Organization”
Persuasive Body Paragraphs
•
Body paragraphs should be written in the same order as they were listed in
the introduction.
•
Each paragraph should focus on ONE supporting argument (reason) for your
point of view.
•
Elaborate on each reason using facts, anecdotes, and expert opinions as
evidence.
•
Start each paragraph with a transition in order to link the paragraphs
together.
•
Your first sentence should be a topic sentence, stating your reason.
•
Do not address the audience by using “you”.
The Trait of “Organization”
Persuasive Body Paragraphs
Use the following format to take each paragraph through elaborations:
•
1st sentence– Begin with transition and state your supporting argument.
•
2nd sentence—State first supporting evidence
•
3rd sentence—Explain your evidence
•
4th sentence—State your second evidence
•
5th sentence—Explain your evidence
•
6th sentence—State your third evidence
•
7th sentence—Explain your evidence
•
8th sentence—restate the supporting argument in a new way
Example
(Reason 1 – larger class size = less individual help)
Currently, due to large class size, student needs are not being
addressed on a personal level. Each student has individual strengths and
weaknesses. The teachers at CMMS yearn to support their students to
the best of their ability. However, the average class size at CMMS is
twenty-nine. After giving students instructions on a lesson, the teacher
rarely has time to answer every child’s question. The instructor, in turn,
hopes that by answering a few questions she/he has attended to the
concerns of the majority. With smaller class sizes students would have the
opportunities they are worthy of.
The Trait of “Organization”
Persuasive Conclusion
Sentence #
What you should be writing
1
Restate thesis in a different form
2-4
SUMMARIZE information from body
paragraphs in 3 SEPARATE
sentences. DO NOT repeat intro.
5-6
Call to action: What are you
encouraging the reader to do now
that you have convinced them of
your argument? Get the reader
involved.
Persuasive Conclusion Example
All in all, it is quite obvious why class sizes at
CMMS need to be smaller. With a lesser amount of
students per class, overall grades would improve
because students would be able to get the one on one
help from their teachers they need. In addition,
smaller class sizes would mean a decrease in discipline
problems as the teacher would be able to better
monitor a fewer number of students. Furthermore,
teachers would be more satisfied with their
instruction and not feel as if they are being pulled in
a hundred different directions. Making class sizes
smaller would benefit everyone involved in so many
ways. Lessen class sizes and make school a more
positive place for all. Contact your school board
today!