argumentative essay
ENGL 1302 – FALL 2019
Alex Kurian - NLC
What is argument/arguing?
Not a fight!!
Argumentative writing – taking a strong personal position on a significant, social, controversial issue, and by the use of evidence and specific strategies, explaining that position, defending that position, responding to counterarguments for that position, and suggesting a solution for that position.
2
Argumentative Writing as a Process
The aim is to produce something that is understandable and persuasive.
Persuade = change someone’s paradigm/ perspective
Specific evidence
Clear language/definition of terms (recognizing their denotations and connotations)
3
Argument – A Process
Logos – information
Pathos - emotions
Ethos - ethics
4
Must write on first topic in your list of assigned topics
Have at least three reasons to justify your position (but not more than five)
Have a separate paragraph (between the intro and body) to give some additional context/background of the issue
Requirements of Essay 1
5
Body - explain & defend reasons with evidence
In each reason, you must indicate one strategy you have used in that reason (indicated with ** and name of the strategy at the beginning of the first paragraph for each reason)
Requirements of Essay 1 (cont’d)
Don’t indicate the same strategy in more than one reason
Have a separate paragraph between body and conclusion that contains two counterarguments
Concluding paragraph will be just the solution (no summary!)
Requirements of Essay 1 (cont’d)
Length: 6-8 pages (not counting Works Cited)
Length starts with first word of intro para (NOT top of first page)
Make sure on each full page you have 23 lines total; otherwise, you will have to make up those lines on the last page to meet the minimum length requirement.
Requirements of Essay 1 (cont’d)
Intro (1 para, ¼ - ½ page or 5-10 lines): Any intro technique(s) and thesis
Background (1 para, ¼ - ½ page or 5-10 lines): Any two history/background techniques
Body (multiple paras, ¼ - ¾ page each or 5-18 lines): Explain reasons with evidence
Counterarguments (1 para, no more12 lines): Two counterarguments and their responses
Conclusion (1 para, ½ - ¾ page or 10-18 lines): Solution (no summary)
Outline of Essay 1
Requirements of Essay 1 (cont’d)
You must have at least 2 print sources in the essay (book, magazine, newspaper, journal, catalog, etc)
They must be accessed in the original printed form (e-book, PDF, or anything else accessed electronically does not count as a print source)
Requirements of Essay 1 (cont’d)
At least 1of your 2 print sources must be used in the body of your essay (the other can also be used in the body or in the introduction, background para, counterarguments para or conclusion)
Requirements of Essay 1 (cont’d)
Must attach photocopy or picture of each print source used (no credit for print sources otherwise)
Photocopy/picture must show the cover along with the page/ information you actually used and the lines/sentences you quoted must be underlined
Requirements of Essay 1 (cont’d)
If the source is from a library, the picture must also show the library barcode/sticker
Requirements of Essay 1 (cont’d)
You must also have at least 4 online sources in the essay.
These must be DCCCD academic database sources.
Once you have these, you may add additional sources apart from the database, as long as they are reliable.
Requirements of Essay 1 (cont’d)
At least 2 of your 4 online database sources must be used in the body of your essay (the others can also be used in the body or in the introduction, background para, counterarguments para or conclusion)
You do not need to submit pictures or printouts of your online sources
Requirements of Essay 1 (cont’d)
Personal experience – can be used in only one reason, up to ½ page (10 lines)
How much documented evidence – one documented evidence for every 10 lines in your paragraph.
Any numerical data must be from 2014 onwards
Requirements of Essay 1 (cont’d)
For the 6 required sources (2 print and 4 online), you must quote something from them, not simply paraphrase.
After you have at least one quote from each of the required sources, if you want to paraphrase, you can.
You should have no more than two paraphrases in the essay.
Parts of an Essay
Title
Introduction
Body
Conclusion
Works Cited
18
Guidelines for a Proper Title
Purpose of the title is identification
Should indicate subject and position of essay
Should not be more than 6 words
19
Introduction – First Impression
Should be a preview/guide to your essay
Must include your thesis statement
Must include one introductory strategy
No apologies in introduction!
20
Thesis Statement (The Main Idea of Your Paper)
One thesis per paper
Only one sentence
Combination of fact and opinion
Avoid phrases such as – in my opinion, I think, I believe, it seems to me, I feel
21
A Thesis Should Contain…
Your topic
Your position on the topic
At least 3 reasons to support your position (but no more than 5)
22
Introductory Techniques
Tell a relevant story
State why your topic is important
Relevant quotation(s)
Relevant example(s)
Relevant question(s) [not more than 3]
23
Techniques(cont’d)
Length of introduction – 1 paragraph, ¼ to ½ page (5-10 lines)
24
Purpose: To provide some additional context to your issue
Should include only 2 of the following techniques…
How long the issue has been in existence (origins of the issue)
What parts of the world/country are most affected by the issue (need specific data)
Background Paragraph
Any significant rulings/laws related to the issue (e.g. Roe v.Wade)
Any significant event(s) related to the issue (e.g. 9/11)
Dictionary/official definitions of any key concepts/terms
Any significant person/people/groups involved with the issue
Background Para (cont’d)
Do not repeat anything already mentioned in intro
No personal experience in this para
Length: ¼ - ½ page (5-10 lines)
History/Background Para (cont’d)
Body Paragraphs
Where you explain or prove your thesis with evidence.
Every reason must have at least one piece of evidence
28
Characteristics of Evidence
Relevant
Specific
Adequate
Accurate
Representative
Verifiable
29
Characteristics of Evidence (cont’d)
Make sure evidence is understandable to audience
Treat all issues as ‘sensitive issues’ (balance between arguing and offending)
Statistics must contain the sample size.
30
Opposites or Contraries
Comparison-Contrast*
Cause-Effect*
Induction/Deduction*
Narration/Description*
Process
List of Strategies
Classification
Emotion
Definition
Hypothetical Situation
*Counts as only one strategy
List of Strategies (cont’d)
Body Paragraphs
Write paras that are focused, developed and organized
Length of paras: ¼ - ¾ (5-18 lines) of a page. Have balance among reasons!
How many paras per reason – you decide
Ask yourself – would my paper be any different if I took this paragraph out?
33
The Research Process
Research involves finding, evaluating, using & documenting sources
Most important consideration when evaluating a source – who is the author or manager or editor of the information?
34
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is using another person’s language or ideas without acknowledging them or using them and acting as if they were your own.
Plagiarism is derived from the Latin word for kidnapper or thief.
35
Plagiarism (cont’d)
Plagiarism is treated so seriously because you are trying to be someone you are not and not acknowledging the hard work or effort of someone else.
36
Types of Plagiarism
Deliberate plagiarism – with intent
Accidental/unintentional plagiarism – due to carelessness, hurry, or ignorance
37
Cite Sources…
When you quote an entire sentence word for word
When you quote part of a sentence word for word
When using your own language but based on someone else’s idea (paraphrasing)
38
Works Cited vs Bibliography
Bibliography – can list all sources referenced or referred to even if they do not appear in your paper
Works Cited – can list only those sources actually used in your paper
We are using Works Cited
39
Indicating Sources in Paper
I. By name of author
According to name of author, “72% of people that….”
“72% of 300 people surveyed stated that….” (name of author).
Name of author = first & last name or just last name, NOT just first name.
Indicating Sources in Paper
II. By name of source (e.g. book/article).
According to name of source, “72% of people that….”
“72% of 300 people surveyed stated that….” (name of source).
Indicating Sources in Paper
If source is book/magazine/newspaper/ website put in italics.
If source is name of article put in quotation marks.
Indicating Sources in Paper
Can use various verbs for introducing quotes (asserts, believes, claims, reports, observes, etc)
Quote should not be more than 4 lines
Quote should not be in first or last sentence of any paragraph.
For print sources, page number(s) should be indicated.
Indicating Sources in Paper
For the 6 required sources (2 print and 4 database), you must quote something from them, not simply paraphrase.
After you have at least one quote from each of the required sources, if you want to paraphrase, you can.
You should have no more than two paraphrases in the essay.
Times New Roman, size 12 font
1-inch margins all around
Double-spaced
Black ink, white paper
Stapled (in order!)
Layout of first page – see example essay on e-campus
Need last name and page number in top right corner of every page
Formatting (MLA)
Formatting (MLA)
6-8 pages of content (Works Cited page does not count)
Length starts with first word of intro para (NOT top of first page)
Make sure on each full page you have 23 lines total; otherwise, you will have to make up those lines on the last page to meet the minimum length requirement.
Format of entries – must follow current MLA standards (handout on e-campus).
Every entry in works cited page must correspond to an entry in your paper and vice versa.
Formatting (cont’d)
Responding to the points made by the opposing side
Shows you have thought about the issue from different viewpoints/ angles before coming to your decision.
Counterarguments
48
Also shows you recognize “flaws” or “weaknesses” in your own position but that you still think your position is the better one
We cannot address all counterarguments – must address only two
Counterarguments (cont’d)
49
Research
“Flipping” one of your own reasons
How to Find Counterarguments
50
Format of Counterarguments
Each counterarguments has two parts - stating the counterargument
- your response to it
Must use the exact wording given for both sections to get credit for it
State the counterargument:
- My opponents* may say/argue that….
*[those on the other side, those who disagree with me, proponents of the counter position, those who are for/against, those with a different point of view]
Format of Counterarguments
Respond to the counterargument:
- However, I would respond by saying that…
If you want to use outside sources in counterarguments, you can, but it is not required
Format of Counterarguments
Location & Length of Counterarguments
Both counterarguments will be in one paragraph, between the body and conclusion.
This paragraph should not exceed 12 lines
I. Do not make an argument without proposing a solution
Anyone can complain/point out a problem!
A solution shows you have thought deeply and seriously about the issue
II. Ask for a specific response
Don’t be vague
Don’t be unsure
Proposing a Solution
III. Know the particulars regarding your solution
What is it going to involve in terms of factors such as time, money, effort, and image?
What are its benefits/risks?
Proposing a Solution (cont’d)
IV. Don’t ask for too much
Be reasonable
Don’t ask your audience to do something you wouldn’t do
V. Offer realistic solutions
Keep audience and their limitations/ context in mind
Don’t offer “blanket” solutions
Proposing a Solution (cont’d)
VI. Don’t feel you always have to come up with an original idea
If something has worked elsewhere, nothing wrong in suggesting it
Show specific examples of how it has worked in the past
You can also modify existing solutions
Proposing a Solution (cont’d)
Proposing a Solution (cont’d)
Solution will be last paragraph of essay (10-18 lines)
If you want to use outside sources in solution you can, but it is not required
Don’t have more than two solutions in this paragraph
To sum up, make sure your solution is…
Relevant
Specific
Logical
Practical/realistic
Ethical/moral
Proposing a Solution (cont’d)
Essay Submission
Essay (including works cited page) must be submitted by 11AM on due date to turnitin.com and printed copy (along with proof of print sources) must be brought to class.
Essay must be submitted as a Word document (.doc or .docx) only.
Essay Submission
Essay submitted to turnitin.com and printed copy submitted in class must be exactly the same.
Late work is not accepted.