Argument Essay Powerpoint 1

Everyday Life Example
When we argue:
Claim Bob: That was a lame movie!
Suzy: Why?
Evidence Bob: The special effects were bad. The
monsters were obviously fake.
Counterclaim Suzy: I thought the movie was good
because the acting was believable.
Bob’s bad response: You are an idiot.
Refutation Bob’s good response: Yes the acting was
good but the horrible special effects
were too distracting and caused some
awkward moments.
1
Elements of Argumentation
Argument/Claim
An argument states a claim and

supports it with reasons and evidence
from sources.
2
Counterargument/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 explains why you are wrong.
3
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.
4
The Rhetorical Triangle – remember me?
Don’t forget to incorporate elements of ethos, pathos, and logos.
5
Why is Organization Important in
Argument Writing?
 Guides an audience through your

reasoning process
 Offers a clear explanation of each argued

point
 Demonstrates the credibility of the writer
6
Organizing Your Argument
 Title
 Introduction
• Hook
• Claim statement
• Background
 Body Paragraphs
• Constructing Topic Sentences
• Building Main Points
• Countering the Opposition
 Conclusion
7
Title: Why You Need One
 Introduces the topic of discussion to

the audience
 Generates reader interest in the
argument
8
Creating a Title
 Try to grab attention by:
• offering a provocative image
• picking up on words or examples offered in
the body or conclusion of the paper
• asking a question
 Avoid titles that are too general or lack

character
9
What is an Introduction?
 Acquaints the reader with the topic and purpose
of the paper
 Generates the audience’s interest in the topic
 Offers a plan for the ensuing argument:

Introduction: Tell them what you’re going
to tell them
Body: Tell them
Conclusion: Tell them what you told them
10
Methods for Constructing
an Introduction
 personal anecdote
 example-real or hypothetical
 Question—(overused, so don’t you!)
 quotation
 shocking statistics
 striking image
11
Lead / Hook
Grab the Reader’s Attention
Anecdote (narrative I walked proudly through the hallways of AMS,
my new blue mohawk glistening magnificently in
vignette) the florescent lighting of the hallway, but then I

saw Mr. Caruthers. I felt the wax in my hair start
to melt.
Question Do schools have the right to tell kids how to

dress?
Hyperbole For the past 300 years in this country, schools

have been crushing the artistic freedom of
students with oppressive dress codes!
Setting At Centerville Middle School, a controversy is

brewing. Walk down the hallways, and amidst a
tranquil sea of khaki pants and navy blue polo
shirts, the blades of a fuchsia mohawk cut
through the peaceful learning environment.
Alliterative Phrase Timeless. Tasteful. Tried and true. The

traditional school uniform is the foundation of a
true learning environment.
Quotation “Give me liberty or give me death.”

What is a Claim
Statement?
 The MOST IMPORTANT SENTENCE
in your paper
 Lets the reader know the main idea of the
paper
 Answers the question: “What am I trying to
prove?”
 Not a factual statement, but a claim that has
to be proven throughout the paper
13
Claim Practice
Which thesis statement is the most effective for an argument about
the need for V-chips in television sets?
 Parents, often too busy to watch television shows with their

families, can monitor their children’s viewing habits with the aid
of the V-chip.
 To help parents monitor their children’s viewing habits, the V-

chip should be a required feature for television sets sold in the
U.S.
 This paper will describe a V-chip and examine the uses of the V-
chip in American-made television sets.
14
Body Paragraphs and Topic Sentences
 Body paragraphs build upon the claims made in
the introductory paragraph(s).
 Organize with the use of topic sentences that
illustrate the main idea of each paragraph.
 Offering a brief explanation of the history or
recent developments of topic within the early
body paragraphs can help the audience to become
familiarized with your topic and the complexity
of the issue.
15
Body
Paragraphs
 Paragraphs may be ordered in several ways,

depending upon the topic and purpose of your
argument:
 General to specific information
 Most important point to least important
point
 Weakest claim to strongest claim
16
Offering a
Counterargument
 Addressing the claims of the opposition is an
important component in building a convincing
argument.
 It demonstrates your credibility as a writer –
you have researched multiple sides of the
argument and have come to an informed
decision.
 It shows you have considered other points of
view – that other points of view are valid and
reasonable.
17
Effective
Counterarguments
 Consider your audience when you address the
counterargument.
 Conceding to some of your opposition’s
concerns can demonstrate respect for their
opinions.
 Remain tactful yet firm.
• Using rude or deprecating language can
cause your audience to reject your position
without carefully considering your claims.
18
Placement of a Counterargument
 Counterarguments may be located at various

locations within your body paragraphs.
 You may choose to:
• build each of your main points as a
contrast to oppositional claims.
• offer a counterargument after you have
articulated your main claims.
http://
study.com/academy/lesson/refutatio
n-of-an-argument-definition-examp
les-quiz.html
19
Organizing Ideas into an Outline
20
Research in Body
Paragraphs
 Researched material can aid you in
proving the claims of your argument and
disproving oppositional claims.
 Be sure to use your research to support
the claims made in your topic sentences –
make your research work to prove your
argument.
 Your research is referencing original text
from “Bargain”.
21
u s i o n
nc l
Co
 Your conclusion should reemphasize the main points
made in your paper.
 You may choose to reiterate a call to action or
speculate on the future of your topic, when
appropriate.
 Avoid raising new claims in your conclusion.
Introduction: Tell them what you’re going to tell
them
Body: Tell them
Conclusion: Tell them what you told them
22
Conclude or End Your Essay…
What makes a good conclusion?
· Last paragraph summarizes your main point.
· End using one or more of the following strategies:
– Call the reader to action
– Anecdote or scenario
– Make a Prediction
· The last paragraph wraps up the writing and gives

the reader something to think about.
Recap: Organizing Your Argument
 Title
 Introduction
• Claim statement
 Body Paragraphs
• Constructing Topic
Sentences
• Building Main Points
• Countering the Opposition
 Conclusion
24
Review: Argumentative Essay:
• A Catchy Title
• Introductory paragraph with a “hook”, three
main arguments and a thesis statement.
• One paragraph for each of your
three arguments.
• Address the “counter-argument”
• Closing paragraph that re-states your thesis
and challenges the reader to think about it.
Don’t Forget…
• Read over your work and edit for
mechanics and spelling.
• Use transitions for fluidity
• Include detail and strong
vocabulary:
– strong verbs & vivid adjectives
• Follow proper format:
– Indent between paragraphs, no slang,
formal tone.
Audience and Author’s Purpose
• When writing persuasively, always

remember the interaction between the
writer and the reader. Specifically,
• The writer is trying to persuade a reader
who may be enthusiastic or resistant or
simply disinterested. Therefore,
• Persuasive writing must be well organized,
but it must also hook the reader, and then
keep him or her engaged with creative and
authentic word choice.
Difference between
Persuasive and Argumentative Essay
A persuasive essay An argumentative essay
 May make a claim  Makes claims based on factual

based on opinion evidence (research)
 May not take opposing  Makes counterclaims – the author
ideas into account takes opposing views into account.
 Persuades by appealing  Neutralizes or “defeats” serious
to the audience’s opposing ideas
emotion or by relying  Convinces audience through the merit
on the character or and rationality of the claim and
credentials of the writer proofs offered
 Emotion-based  Logic-based
28
A few DON’Ts to keep in mind:
Don’t :
• Don’t begin with “Hello my name is___ and
I’m going to write about___”
• Don’t use the word “I ” (Instead of “I think
Baumer shouldn’t…” say “Baumer shouldn’t
be held accountable….”
• Don’t be wishy-washy. Pick a side—the side
you wish to argue, even if it is not what you
personally feel to be true.
• Don’t forget to support your argument with
facts and examples from the text. The text is
your research. You should reference “In the
short story “Bargain” the author writes….” or

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Everyday Life Example

An argument states a claim and

An argument that stands in opposition to your

Don’t forget to incorporate elements of ethos, pathos, and logos.

 Guides an audience through your

 Offers a clear explanation of each argued

 Demonstrates the credibility of the writer

 Introduces the topic of discussion to

 Avoid titles that are too general or lack

 Offers a plan for the ensuing argument:

vignette) the florescent lighting of the hallway, but then I

Question Do schools have the right to tell kids how to

Hyperbole For the past 300 years in this country, schools

Setting At Centerville Middle School, a controversy is

Alliterative Phrase Timeless. Tasteful. Tried and true. The

Quotation “Give me liberty or give me death.”

 Parents, often too busy to watch television shows with their

 To help parents monitor their children’s viewing habits, the V-

 Paragraphs may be ordered in several ways,

 Counterarguments may be located at various

· The last paragraph wraps up the writing and gives

• When writing persuasively, always

A persuasive essay An argumentative essay

 May make a claim  Makes claims based on factual

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