q3: argument essay

﹙introduction paragraph﹚

exordium

  • typically 1 sentence is sufficient

  • draw the audience in - introduces the main topic of essay & should flow to thesis

  • possible strategies include:

    • providing a common experience - try to relate to the reader, establish common ground

    • providing a false assumption to disprove

    • providing an interesting fact, idea, cliche or anecdote (not made up statistics)

    • develop a comparison through simile / metaphor

    • DON’T start with “throughout history…” or “since the beginning of time…”

narration

  • 1-2 sentences is sufficient

  • continue with the idea introduced in exordium

  • provide background material / context based on the topic of the argument

thesis

  • 1 sentence is sufficient

  • take a position in response to the prompt clearly

  • commit to a thesis and leave it open for exploration

  • transition into it with a transitional phrase, such as “with this in mind…” or “thus…”

﹙body paragraph(s)﹚

line of reasoning (lor)

  • 1 sentence is sufficient

  • topic sentence that serves to set up the idea of the body paragraph

    • consistency with the line of reasoning is key because commentary grows from it

  • think of evidence before committing to an LOR because evidence has to support LOR

  • do not repeat thesis in LOR - provide a reason why, not the claim

  • make sure to provide an actual reason, not an effect or definition

evidence

  • should be 4-6 sentences total (2-3 sentences per piece of evidence)

  • 2 concrete examples needed; must include names, specific and be relevant

  • include evidence from history, current events, science & tech, business, art, class readings, etc

    • do not include fictional evidence (ex. characters from a story)

  • include the key word from the prompt to focus on relevance

commentary

  • should be 4-6 sentences (2-3 sentences per piece of evidence)

  • should support thesis and LOR and has to stay focused - aims to justify evidence

  • keep evidence out of commentary - discuss how the claim is true in general

    • demonstrate the broad relevance of the claim outside the context of evidence

  • answer the questions, “why is this happening?” and “how is this developing?”

  • reinforce key words to stay focused

﹙counterargument﹚

format

  • 6 sentences total

  • concession sentence with reason

    • sentence stems include:

      • on the other hand,

      • it is also true,

      • some argue that…

      • admittedly,

      • granted,

      • some make a convincing argument that…

  • evidence + commentary (~1 sentence each)

    • less concrete evidence is okay, as long as it is supported with more general observations or the same evidence with different viewpoints

    • commentary needs to show you are truly honoring the opposite viewpoint

  • refutation sentence with reason

    • sentence stems include:

      • more importantly,

      • however,

      • it is quite clear, however, that…

  • evidence + commentary (~1 sentence each)

﹙conclusion﹚

functions

  • should sound like a conclusion

  • answer the “so what?” question - leave the audience thinking about what you have said

strategies

  • re-emphasize position without re-writing the thesis verbatim - highlight the key ideas explored

  • provide the answer to “so what?”

  • examine the future of your topic / possible direction / implications

  • discuss other concepts related to the topic and how they are affected

  • suggest solution to the problem presented in the argument

  • end with a thoughtful, but not stupid rhetorical question

  • include an appropriate metaphor