LESSON

Overview of Argumentative Essays

• An argumentative essay presents evidence for a claim to inform the reader why it is favorable.

• It contrasts with opposing views to demonstrate their unlikeliness.

• Structure includes an introduction and conclusion, effectively persuading readers through reasoning and evidence.

• Common topics include science, technology, politics, and health care.

Key Terms Related to Argumentative Essays

• Issue: A topic or idea with differing opinions.

• Claim: An author's statement about an issue, often controversial, requiring support.

• Argument: Supportive ideas for the claim, needing evidence.

• Evidence: Factual support for arguments, including statistics, study data, historical events, and practices.

• Counterargument: Opposing viewpoint against the claim.

• Rebuttal: Response to the counterargument.

• Pro: Arguments favoring a claim.

• Con: Arguments against a claim.

Importance of Learning to Write Argumentative Essays

• Develops critical thinking and research skills.

• Enhances ability to defend positions rationally.

• Contributes to academic and professional growth.

Elements of an Argumentative Essay

• Main components include:

  • Claim

  • Arguments

  • Evidence

  • Counterargument

  • Rebuttal

  • Conclusion

Elements of an Argumentative Essay - Example

• Issue Example: Should people be encouraged to travel by bicycle rather than by car?

  • Claim: Bicycles should be favored over cars.

  • Argument: Bicycles are maintenance-friendly compared to cars.

  • Evidence:

    1. Bicycle parts cost less than car parts.

    2. Bicycle repairs often do not need mechanics.

    3. Cars incur expensive yearly registrations.

  • Counterargument: Increased travel time and reduced productivity.

  • Rebuttal: Bicycles help avoid traffic jams.

  • Conclusion: Encouragement for bicycle travel to mitigate traffic issues.

Conclusion

• Effective argumentative essays require understanding of structure, components, and supportive evidence to create a persuasive argument.

 What is an Informative Text

• An informative text aims to educate readers about a specific topic.

• It relies on credible sources for evidence, including facts, statistics, and research data.

• Purpose: To answer the five Ws (who, where, when, what, why) and sometimes how to accomplish something.

Choosing a Topic

• Focus on a specific topic that is neither too broad nor too narrow.

  • Example of a broad topic: Special education (cannot be explained easily in one or two pages).

  • Example of a specific topic: Causes of hearing impairment (more manageable for elaboration).

Structure of Informative Texts

• Introduction

  • Captures reader's attention.

  • Contains the thesis statement, summarizing the essay.

  • Introduces the main idea and defines difficult concepts.

• Body

  • Expands on the thesis statement with supporting evidence: facts, statistics, and expert statements.

  • Importance of citing sources to ensure reliability and objectivity.

• Conclusion

  • Reiterates the thesis and summarizes main points.

  • No new evidence should be presented; all ideas must have been discussed in the body.

Tone, Clarity, and Transition Words

• Tone: Must be formal, objective, and neutral; personal opinions are not included.

• Clarity: Provide clear and specific answers to the five Ws and one H words.

• Transitions: Use transitional words for smooth flow of ideas for better reader comprehension.

Tips for Writing an Informative Text

1. Start with an attention-grabber and conclude by summarizing main points.

2. Include appropriate transitional words for logical flow.

3. Maintain a formal tone throughout.

4. Utilize proper, topic-specific language; avoid biased language.

5. Consider using formatting tools like flowcharts, graphs, and hyperlinks when necessary.

Example: How to Email Your Teachers

• The shift to email and chat due to limited face-to-face interactions requires clear communication.

• Tips for email writing:

  1. Subject Line: Clearly state the message's importance.

  2. Greeting: Use a proper salutation as in business letters.

  3. Introduction: State your name and class for identification.

  4. Content: Present your concern clearly and politely without using informal language or humor.

  5. Closing: Thank the teacher and avoid demanding immediate replies.

• Emails and chats are effective if executed correctly, applicable in both school and workplace contexts.

Analysis of the Informative Essay

• The essay started with a relatable scenario and concluded with a rephrased thesis statement.

• Utilized transitional words like "however", "first", "second", "next", "after", and "lastly".

• Maintained a formal tone but occasionally became conversational in addressing the audience directly.

• Language suited for students and appropriate to the context.

• While lacking visuals, they may not be necessary due to the essay's brevity and topic.

Importance of Informative Writing

• Plays a critical role in academia and beyond.

• Essential for academic performance and future professional opportunities.

• Developing effective writing skills is challenging but beneficial.

Introduction to Persuasive Writing

• Definition of Persuasive Writing

  • Aims to convince readers to think, feel, or act in a specific way.

  • Common forms: essays, articles, posters, advertisements.

• Components of Persuasive Writing

  • Writer’s opinion: what the writer wants readers to accept.

  • Evidence: information supporting the writer’s opinion.

  • Call to action: what the writer wants readers to do.

• Importance of Research and Word Choice

  • Good persuasive writing combines research with effective word choice to make opinions believable.

  • The ultimate goal is to convince readers, showcasing the power of persuasive writing.

Effective Persuasive Techniques

• Rhetorical Question

  • A question posed to make a point rather than to elicit an answer.

  • Example: "Wouldn’t you do everything to make your family happy?"

• Repetition

  • Reinforcing key words or phrases to make them memorable.

• Bandwagon

  • Encourages belief in an idea because others endorse it.

  • Example: "Nine out of 10 students got higher grades because of the modular learning setup."

• Appeal to Emotion

  • Uses emotive language to persuade readers.

  • Example: "Be thankful you have more than you need; others lack basic necessities."

• Appeal to Authority

  • Establishing credibility by using facts and supporting evidence.

Understanding Your Audience

• Tailoring Techniques

  • Writers should choose techniques based on their audience.

  • Emotive language may work better with some audiences than others (e.g., teenagers vs. professionals).

Structure of Persuasive Essays

• Basic Structure

  • Introduction: presents the topic and the writer's stance.

  • Body Paragraphs: provide explanations and supporting evidence.

  • Conclusion: summarizes the opinion and includes a call to action.

Understanding Argumentative Writing

• Introduction to Argumentative Writing

  1. Definition: A form of writing aiming to present an issue and take a stand backed by proof.

  2. Emphasizes evidence and logical reasoning over emotive appeal.

  3. Structure is straightforward to aid understanding.

• Elements of an Argumentative Essay

  1. Background Information: Provides context for the topic. (Found in Introduction)

  2. Counterarguments: Recognizing opposing views. (Found in Body)

  3. Reasons: Justifications supporting the main claim. (Found in Body)

  4. Summary: Recap of the main points. (Found in Conclusion)

  5. Evidence/Proof: Data supporting claims. (Found in Body)

  6. Thesis Statement: Central argument of the essay. (Found in Introduction)

• Tips for Effective Argumentative Writing (Sarikas, 2019)

  1. Thesis Clarity: Clearly state your thesis in the first paragraph to strengthen the essay.

  2. Use of Evidence: Support arguments with facts to enhance credibility.

  3. Addressing Opponents: Include and refute opposing arguments to show thorough consideration of the topic.

  4. Logical Connectors: Use transitional phrases for better essay flow (e.g., however, therefore).

• Structure Overview of an Argumentative Essay

  1. Introduction: Outlines topic, provides necessary background, and states thesis.

  2. Body Paragraphs: At least three paragraphs with reasons and evidence backing the argument.

  3. Counterargument: Acknowledges and refutes opposing claims.

  4. Conclusion: Restates thesis and summarizes key arguments without introducing new points.

Understanding a Critique

• A critique is an in-depth evaluation of various forms of texts, such as stories, novels, films, etc.

• Purpose: To provide insights and enhance understanding for future readers/viewers.

• Distinction from Criticism: Unlike merely pointing out flaws, a critique delves deeper to explain the content and significance of the material.

• Importance: Helps to digest what has been read/viewed and guides decisions on future materials to consume.

Elements of a Critique

• Key elements assessed in a critique:

  • Characterization: Evaluation of how well characters are developed. Are they relatable and interesting?

  • Setting: How well is the setting crafted? Does it engage multiple senses? Is it connected to character development and narrative style?

  • Conflict: Is there a central conflict? Is the plot engaging, original, and well-structured?

  • Plot: Assessment of main events, originality, and coherence of the storyline.

  • Dialogue: How realistic and meaningful is the dialogue? Does it serve to develop character and advance the plot?

  • Theme: Does the story provide insights or raise poignant questions about life?

  • Style: Examination of the writing style and any literary devices or techniques employed. Does it show uniqueness or purpose?

Evaluative Questions for Critics

• Setting: How effectively is the setting developed? Does it link to character and narrative style?

• Characterization: Are characters well-drawn and relatable? Are there unnecessary characters?

• Conflict and Plot: Is the conflict present? How original and well-developed is the plot? Are there confusing subplots?

• Theme: How well does the narrative resonate with readers? What insights does it offer?

• Style: How distinctive is the writing? Are literary devices purposeful? Which authors does the style remind you of?

Crafting a Coherent Critique

• Structure of Critique:

  • Provide the overall assessment of the work (positive/negative).

  • Mention the author and title of the work.

  • Systematic assessment of elements (main body), supported by quotes/examples.

  • Recommendations for improvement, if necessary.

  • Summary providing context/background of the work.

  • Indicate focal elements and purpose of critique.

• Final Structure:

  • Introduction: Include steps 2, 5, 6.

  • Body: Incorporate detailed assessments (step 3).

  • Conclusion: Present overall evaluation and recommendations (steps 1, 4).

Additional Tips for Budding Critics

• Avoid starting sentences with "I think" or "In my opinion" as it weakens the analysis.

• Clearly introduce the work being critiqued to ensure understanding.

• Have a thorough knowledge of the material to write a comprehensive critique.

Lesson 1: Critiquing a Literary Selection - Formalist Approach

Introduction to Literary Critique

• Adventure of Reading: Engages imagination, cultivates critical and creative thinking.

• Benefits of Reading:

  • Builds vocabulary.

  • Strengthens the brain.

  • Reduces stress and depression symptoms.

  • Expands understanding of the world and values of life.

• Literary Elements Learned:

  • Short story components: setting, character, plot, theme, point of view.

  • Literary devices: imagery, symbolism, figures of speech.

The Formalist Approach

• Definition and Purpose:

  • Analyzes the structure and form of each individual element of a story.

  • Focuses solely on the text itself.

  • Utilizes close reading for deeper meaning analysis.

  • Values the work as a distinct art form.

• Expectations: An excitement for exploring the inherent value of literary works.

Vocabulary Development

• Key Terms:

  • Formalism: Derived from 'form'; emphasizes structure in literary analysis.

  • Literary Criticism: Evaluates, analyzes, describes, or interprets literary works.

  • Critique (verb): To evaluate; (noun): A detailed analysis of a literary piece.

  • Critic: An individual who analyzes and judges literature.

Elements of Formalist Criticism

• Structure/Form:

  • Scrutinizes plot and conflict.

  • Analyzes how each part relates to the whole.

• Key Components:

  • Character: Individuals or personified entities in the story.

  • Setting: Place, time, atmosphere.

  • Tone: Emotion conveyed through word choice, imagery, and narrator's voice.

  • Point of View:

    • First Person: Narrator is a character (uses 'I' or 'We').

    • Second Person: Instructs 'You'.

    • Third Person: Uses 'They', 'He', 'She', with potential omniscience.

  • Theme: The underlying message from the author.

  • Imagery: Descriptive language that appeals to senses.

Characteristics of a Formalist Literary Critic

• Reading Style:

  • Careful reading to evaluate elements individually.

  • Seeks unity and aesthetic experience within text.

  • Avoids external influences such as author's biography or societal context.