Persuasive Essay Format
Intro:
*Immediately engage reader (attention getter)
· get the reader “in the ballpark”
*Establish context (topic of essay)
· usually 2-3 sentences narrowing down to the point of the paper
· cite your source with title and author (if using one source)
*Strong & complete thesis statement
Body:
*Begin paragraphs with a clear, concise topic sentence
· *Use concrete details (CD)
· these include facts or quotes
· cite sources when necessary (simplified: such as author’s last name & pg #)
· *Create insightful commentary to support concrete details (2-3 comments per CD)
· shoot for at least 2 CD per paragraph (+ commentary)
*Address a counter argument
· include a rebuttal defending your thesis (which includes CD and commentary)
Conclusion:
*Transition into summary of key points
*Transition into summary of key points
*Restate thesis (say it another way!)
Do Now: Copy the notes from above.
1. How can we use what we now know about debate to prepare us for the district writing assessment?
2. What skills do you struggle with the most when doing argumentative writing? Why do you think this is? Explain.
Share Out
Group Activity: We will learn a song which will help us to remember some of the most important components of argumentation. First, we will read the lyrics together and practice.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/112W4nzeWm5Kxdmihmsd4EY7iRgRR1XCfTUfDf_4eYgA/edit
Homework: Practice for tomorrow's debates if your team has not gone yet.
TUESDAY, 3/22/16
Key Terms for Argumentation
Claim – Your basic belief about a particular topic, issue, event, or idea
Counterclaim – A solid and reasonable argument that opposes or disagrees with your claim
Rebuttal – A written or verbal response to a counterclaim. The object of the rebuttal is to take into account the ideas presented in the counterclaim and explain why they aren’t persuasive enough, valid enough, or important enough to outweigh your own claim.
Support – Your specific facts or specific evidence used to support why your claim is true
Refute – Argue against a position or prove it to be wrong
Qualify – A “partly-agree” stance in which you agree (in part) with another person’s argument or position but also disagree with part of it.
Great Speeches
Patrick Henry “Speech to the Second Virginia Convention” http://www.history.org/almanack/life/politics/giveme.cfm
Thomas Jefferson “Declaration of Independence” http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/AMERICA/DECLAR.HTM
Edgar Allan Poe “Sonnet—to Science” http://library.thinkquest.org/11840/Poe/science.html
Theodore Roosevelt “The Proper Place for Sports”
Small Groups
Following the reading, students can separate into small groups to discover the following information:
1. What is the speaker’s claim? What does s/he want you to believe?
2. What reasons does s/he give for his claim?
3. What facts, quotations, evidence, or specific details does s/he give to support those reasons?
4. Is there a counterclaim? What is it?
HOMEWORK: INDEPENDENT READING LOGS!!!
WEDNESDAY, 3/23/2016
Do Now: Upon returning from spring break, we will be taking the district assessment/argumentative essay. What is one thing you feel confident about regarding the essay? What is one area of growth you still need to focus on? How can you take the time over break to prepare for this?
Group Activity: We will complete a sample essay in class. Begin by annotating the essay using our common symbols. We will use today and tomorrow to create our outline for the essay and work with writing coaches to get any suggestions.
Closing: Share Out/Shout-Outs and Call-Outs
Thursday/Friday 3/25/16
WRITING COACHES SCHEDULE:
You must annotate both articles in the argument packet. Please answer the five questions on the second page.
2. Work on your own and with your writing coach on the argument outline.
3. Choose TWO paragraphs you typically find challenging. Write these two paragraphs of this mock argument essay. They can include: Introduction, body paragraph 1, body paragraph 2, counter-argument/rebuttal paragraph or conclusion.
4. Take old work out of your binder (anything before argumentative writing) and place it in your work folder.
5. Complete independent reading and reading logs.
All work is to be done quietly.
