Teacher Websites at inetTeacher.com



Argumentative Writing Tip SheetResearchAvoid taking a side until you’ve completed your research.Find information from multiple points of view.Develop a system for organizing your notes and their sources. Hyperlinks with notes underneath, use a number for each source--have all source information on one page and notes organized in categories on other pagesBe critical of biased articles—does the author have something to gain from you agreeing with his or her ideas (e.g. they work for the company), are their patterns of information left out or the kinds of information/sources that are used (e.g. all employees of the company; does it only present one side of the issue); and does this information contradict other information you’ve read?EvidenceBefore the evidence include a transition, context/credentials.According to Rob Vance, a writer for the Bleacher Report, athletes are paid fairly because “Compared to other careers, football players may have only 10-15 good years depending on their position.”Be sure to properly cite each source so the reader can reference the works cited page easily—author’s last name or article title if no author is listed.According to Bob Jones, “This is it.”The answer is clear: “This is it” (Jones).Help your reader follow your thinking with two or more sentences that make the evidence clear, explain how the evidence proves your point, and show why this is anizationUse transitions to guide your reader through your argument:One reason for this is . . . also . . . as a result . . . for instance . . . in factHave a topic sentence for each paragraph to let your reader know what you’ll be proving in the paragraph:One reason uniforms are beneficial is that they will save families money. For example,IntroductionBe fair (multiple points of view presented equally)Be strategic (mention your point of view second, right before the claim, stronger wording for your idea)Be clear (two or more subtopics in claim)Start with the main issue: “Whether or not to assign homework is a frequently debated issue.”Include both points of view: “Some argue that it is essential for students to develop their understanding of the material. Others argue, however, that it is an unnecessary burden on students.”Last sentence is claim: “Therefore, the practice of assigning homework should be discontinued because it causes undue stress and has not shown to have a significant impact on students’ learning.”Paragraphs in Favor of Your IdeaMake the subtopic clear in your topic sentence.Include 2-3 pieces of cited evidence.Include a variety of sources and kinds of evidence (statistics, quotes, examples, facts, anecdotes)Aim for 2 or more sentences of explanation and analysis for each piece of evidence—the majority of your writing should be your thinking/analysis—NOT the evidence.Highlight either your evidence or analysis to check the ratio of evidence to analysis.CounterargumentInclude a topic sentence that indicates the other perspective and that you’ll be refuting it: “Of course there are some benefits to homework, but do they outweigh the problems of assigning it?” “While some believe that homework is essential, research indicates that this just isn’t true.”Use cited evidence in the counterargument and/or the rebuttal.Use clear transitions to help your reader follow your thinking: For example, some students at Pine Lake say that homework helps them understand math better because they get to try out the process in different ways. However, when researchers looked at two programs, they could find no difference in the state test scores for the students who did and didn’t have homework (Smith).In rebuttal use strategies such as citing evidence to prove the other perspective wrong, emphasizing more important goals met by your perspective, or offering a compromise.ConclusionRestate the big issue in different words than the introduction: “The examination of homework practices is an important issue.”Acknowledge the other point of view before yours: While it’s true that the repetition of processes learned at school can help some students feel more confident with the topic, for most students it is just an added burden. Recap the main ideas of your subtopics.End with a meaningful insight, compromise solution, call to action, or rhetorical question: Therefore, since it does benefit some students, teachers should offer additional practice assignments, but should make them optional unless a student is really struggling with the topic.Works Cited PagePut entries in alphabetical orderHave it be on a separate sheet of paperUse the same font/size as the rest of your essayUse to assure correct MLA formattingIndent after the first line (press enter, then TAB)Center the words “Works Cited” at the topGeneral EditingUse a formal tone (Don’t use “we”, “us”, “our”, “you”, etc.)Commas separate introductory phrases. For example, vs. One reason for this is thatCommas separate complex sentence parts: When I run, I like to listen to mas separate two independent clauses: I like to run, but I like to listen to music more.Parenthetical citations are before the end punctuation: As Bob said, “This is it” (Jones).Read your essay out loud to spot grammar and fluency problems. ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download