Argument essay preparation

Argument Essay Preparation

We have readings to prepare us for the argument paper and we have a short assignment that reinforces the readings.

Please start with the PDF Argument chapter:

Bridge Argument.pdf

Then move to your composition textbook for more examples:

· Introduction to Argument Essay 

· Rogerian Argument 

· "The Case Against Torture," by Alisa Soloman 

· "The Case for Torture" by Michael Levin

· How to Write a Summary by Paraphrasing Source Material

· Writing for Success: Argument 

· Student Sample: Argument Essay

This week the assignment is to reply to a series of questions on a message board. I've gone through and deconstructed the argument essay for you in a series of posts and asked for you to reconstruct the important elements of argument. It's a quick task, but it requires that you read the chapter first. Those who have questions on the structure of the argument essay should have them answered this week.  


Argument Paper Basics

Read the argument paper chapter and do your own web research to find the best and most complete definitions for the following elements of an argument paper. Each posting will seek to define and sometimes expand upon one element of a research paper.  This represents a week worth of work in the class.  Do not approach this assignment casually. I will set up one discussion thread for each paragraph that you need to write in an argument paper (yes, six paragraphs for this paper). Each will contain instructions on what to post underneath. Read each thread and post.

1) Argument Introduction

What is an introduction? Use your experience from the reading and previous class assignments to explain how it should start.  Are there any components to the argument essay intro that are important to mention?

 

What is important to remember about the thesis of an argument paper? Give an example of an argument paper thesis.

2) Argument Body Paragraph One

Define a body paragraph. What is the purpose of a body paragraph in an argument paper? What are the elements of a body paragraph that are expected? What are the expectations within this class?  What are the expectations for this paper?

3) Argument Body Paragraph Two

The topic is: High school students should wear school uniforms.  Find research to back this up and write it down here along with the correct MLA format for the source (pretend like this will go on your Works Cited page).

4) Argument Body Paragraph Three

The government should raise the minimum wage. Find a source to support this and write it down here along with a transition that introduces a second argument for the need to raise the minimum wage.

5) Argument Counter and Refutation Paragraph

This is the paragraph that is new to your papers. What is it? How do you

write it? What are the rules about writing a counter argument paragraph?

What would the counter arguments be for a paper that claims that America

should "go green."

What are the refutations?

Notice that refutation is a very important part of this paragraph.

6) Argument  Conclusion

How do you write an effective conclusion to an argument paper? What does it mean to restate the thesis? Where does the restated thesis go?  List the different ways that you can end an argument paper. As always, research before you write down your answers.

Your book says that a good conclusion is like a pyramid. What do you think that means?