6VArgumentativeEssay

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Argumentative essay

The goal of an argumentative essay is to convince / to persuade your reader that your opinion on a controversial topic is the correct one. 

Argumentative essay

In a five-paragraph argumentative essay, you should provide 3 arguments in support of your thesis, you do not have to provide a counter argument.

Formal language

Argumentative essay = formal language!

Avoid words as 'wanna' and 'gonna'. Find suitable synonoms where necessary (for example: kids - children). 

Use a dictionary!!!

Argumentative essay

You can provide structure in your essay using the following means:

1. Repetition

2. Signal words

3. Linking words

Argumentative essay: Introduction

The introduction to an argumentative essay has four required elements: 

1. A hook or attention grabber
2. Some background information (bridge)
3. A thesis
4. A road map 
5. *thesis statement = thesis + road map

Thesis statement

• A thesis statement is one complete sentence that expresses your position 
• A thesis statement can also be called the 'main point' of an essay
• roadmap = opinion + 2 arguments in favor
• No use of negations or I believe in a thesis statement
• Thesis statement has modals > should, must, have to

Thesis statement

Phones should be banned in class because they are a distraction and they can cause privacy issues during class

Thesis = Phones should be banned in class

Roadmap = argument 1 + argument 2

Arg. 1 = Phones are a distraction

Arg. 2 = Phones can cause privacy issues during class

Hook/attention grabber

introduce the topic

1. interesting question
   
2. strong statement
3. fact/statistic 
4. metaphor
5. story
6. description
7. quotation

Slide 3: Introduction

Hook 

Background information 

Thesis statement 

Explain the components of a strong introduction and provide examples.

Hooks and clinchers

Hook: you start off your introduction with a hook that draws in your readers; you want them to keep reading

Clinchers: conclusion sentence; you want your readers to remember your essay so end in way they will remember 

General statement 

Specific statement(s)

Thesis statement

Thesis statement 

Specific statement(s)

General statement

INTRODUCTION

CONCLUSION

What is the purpose of argumentative essay?

1. to compare and contrast
2. to share effects / causes
3. to give examples
4. to support opinion using evidence

How many paragraphs should your argumentative essay be?

1. 3
2. 4
3. 5
4. 6

Mag je 'I' gebruiken in een essay?

1. ja, altijd.
2. nee, nooit.
3. soms
4. liever niet

Why are you not allowed to use contractions in your argumentative essay? For example, don't/won't/we'll

1. Because the reader will not understand what you mean.
2. Because that is informal language
3. Because the teacher says so
4. Because roses are red and contractions are forbidden.

Which applies to the thesis statement?

1. provides a road map for your reader
2. draws the attention of your reader
3. wraps up your discussion
4. helps you in writing the essay

This hook is an example of

1. a quote
2. personal story
3. fact/definition
4. common misconception

The essay uses FORMAL writing.

1. TRUE
2. FALSE

What are the three key characteristics of a thesis statement in an argumentative essay?

1. Arguable, reasonable, clear
2. Simple, uninteresting, factual
3. Personal, vague, complex
4. Informative, brief, convoluted

What is the form of your thesis statement?

1. key point 2 + key point 1 + opinion
2. key point 1 + key point 2
3. opinion + key point 1 + key point 2
4. key point 1 + opinion+ key point 2

Body Paragraphs

Body Paragraphs

Body paragraphs develop and support the thesis statement with evidence, examples, and analysis.

Each body paragraph should start with a topic sentence that introduces the main idea of the paragraph.

In your essay, you should have three body paragraphs

C. Body paragraph 1, 2 & 3

The body paragraph consists of

(a transition)

1. the topic sentence
2. first example + explanation
3. second example + explanation

(a transition)

Body paragraph 1

Firstly, the most glaring issue with phones in the classroom is their propensity to distract students. The allure of social media notifications, text messages, and gaming apps can easily divert students' attention away from the lesson at hand. This distraction not only affects individual academic performance but also disrupts the entire learning environment, as the constant buzzing and beeping of phones create a cacophony of interruptions.

Body paragraph 2

Secondly, the use of phones in class can undermine crucial face-to-face social interactions among students. The essence of a classroom goes beyond the transmission of information; it fosters an environment for interpersonal relationships and collaboration. When students are engrossed in their screens, the opportunity for meaningful discussions and the exchange of ideas diminishes, hindering the development of important social skills necessary for future success.

In other words, you PEE in each body paragraph. 

TRANSITION WORDS

 OR

LINKING WORDS 

You have a list of transition words in front of you

Writing a conclusion

Structure: conclusion

1. Transition word > In conclusion, In essence
2. Restate thesis statement in different words
3. Sum up important arguments in favor (in different words)
4. End with clincher/recommendation

     

     Writing an argumentative           essay

Lesson goals

After this lesson you will be able to:

• write the body paragraphs of an argumentative essay
• use transitions words in your argumentative essay
• write the conclusion of an argumentative essay
• give peer-feedback on a argumentative essay

Last time

- Structure body paragraphs

- Transition words, punctuation & capitilization

- Homework = write body paragraphs 3x

Recap

grammar recap

What is a topic sentence?

1. A sentence at the start of a paragraph
2. A sentence at the end of the conclusion
3. A sentence at the end of the introduction

What should a body paragraph contain?

1. Several arguments in favour of your statement
2. Background information about the statement
3. A further explanation of your statement
4. One argument in favour of your statement with an explanation and examples

What is not a good linking word for your second body paragraph?

1. The second reason why
2. Secondly
3. Furthermore
4. Thereafter

What is the purpose of the first sentence of a body paragraph

1. to give an example
2. to state whether that option is the most benefical
3. to indicate what the rest of the paragraph is about
4. to convince the reader

2. You have to use P.E.E. structure in your body paragraphs. What does this stand for?

1. example - explanation - point
2. explanation - point - example
3. point - example - explanation

How many body paragraphs should your essay have?

1. 2
2. 3
3. 4
4. 5

What does every body paragraph start with?

1. a topic sentence
2. a thesis statement
3. a concluding sentence

A topic sentence is the same as a thesis statement

1. true
2. false

Include your counterargument in the conclusion.

1. true
2. false

Which signal word indicates a conclusion?

1. however
2. to sum up
3. because
4. and

The conclusion should:

1. not provide new information
2. end with a closing statement
3. repeat your main arguments
4. all of the above

The conclusion starts with

1. A transition
2. Your thesis statement
3. An attention grabber
4. A closing sentence

Argumentative Essay Structure

- Title
- Introduction
- Main argument 1
- Main argument 2
- Main argument 3 
- Conclusion

Important

Spelling, grammar, punctuation, capitilization

In class = Peer-feedback

Use a classmate's body paragraphs

Give feedback > Use feedback form

Correctly fill in feedback form

Give body paragraphs & feedback form to your classmate