Argumentative Studyguide

Argument

When an author wants to convince you of their position

The rules for argumentative writing

1. Support their arguments with data, fact, and observable reality.

2. Support their opinions with evidence.

The parts of an argumentative essay

1. Purpose: To convince or persuade using research.

2. Claim: A stating you want to prove.

3. Counterclaim: The other side of the argument

4. Reason: Tells why, the importance, and why someone should care

5. Evidence: supports your reasons with facts, research, and experiences

The 3 ways to become more persuasive

Ethos, logos, and pathos.

Ethos?

The person delivering the message has to be credible and trustworthy , likeable, and knowledgeable:

“is this person for me or against me?”

Logos?

The message must be logical and well-presented: Making facts and evidence have coherent structure (make sense)

Pathos

The messages touches the emotions: telling a compelling story that strikes pictures of fear and anger.

Analogy

A special type of comparison that helps illustrate your point.

Parallelism

The repeated use of a sentence structure to make a point.

Repetition

The repeated use of a word or phrase for an intentional effect.

Allusion

A reference to a significant event, person, etc, for an intentional effect. (they say something out from that topic to show connection).

Anecdote

A short story that is used totake a point; using stories from the source.

Rhetorical question

A question asked that does not require an answer; but make the audience think to emphasize a point.

Similie

A comparison between two things that uses the words like or as.

Metaphor

A comparison between two things without using like or as.

checking off an introduction to an argumentative essay.

1. Hook: a sentence that captures the readers attention

2. Specific information about the issue

3. Argumentative thesis statement: a sentence that states your opinion and why

Checklist for body paragraphs in an argumentative essay

1. Topic sentence: introduces the idea that supports your claim.

2. Supporting details: include evidence and proof of your claim

3. Relationship to the Thesis Statement: write a sentence that connects the supporting idea to the claim.

Checklist of rebuttal paragraph argumentative essay

Counter argument: the objection/s to your claim.

Refute counter argument: explain and prove why the counter claim is wrong

Concluding sentence: sum up the problems in the counter argument paragraph

Checklist for the conclusion of an argumentative essay.

1. summarizes all the issues and arguments in your essay

2. Restate the thesis statement in different words.

3. Show the significance of why the thesis matters.

MLA Format Details

1. Be types on white 8.5 × 11

2. Double space everything

3. Use 12 pt. Times New Roman font

4. Leave one space after punctuation

5. Set all margins to 1 inch on all sides

6. Ident the first line of the paragraphs by one half-inch.

MLA Heading

List your name, instructor’s name, the course, and date in the upper left-handed corner.

MLA header steps

1. List your name and page number in the upper right corner at half-inch from the top and one inch from the right of the page.

MLA Title steps

1. Center the paper title (with no italics, bold, or underlining)

the 7 types of effective hook

Interesting Question Hook

Strong Statement/Declaration Hook

Fact/Statistic Hook

Metaphor/ Simile Hook

Story Hook

Description Hook

Quotation Hook.  

Types of effective hooks that work for argumentative

1. The interesting question hook

2. The strong statement/declaration hook

3. Fact/Statistic hook

4. The quotation book

Steps for thesis

 

1) What is your major topic (one to two words):

2) What is your more specific topic (a more specific phrase):

3) What do you intend to say about the more specific topic (a complete sentence):

4) What are your three areas of support for your topic:

​ 5)  Combine Numbers three and four into a complete sentence to create a working thesis.

Steps to making an effective introductory paragraph

1) Begin introductory paragraph with an effective hook.

2) Write two to three sentences that connect the hook to the thesis. These sentences are typically background information, but they do not include any of the research.

3) Provide thesis.