Argument Essays

1
Argument Essays

• There are a few different kinds of essays, one of
  those being the ARGUMENT ESSAY.

2
The Essay

• Comes from the French word essayer, which means
  to try.

3
A Well Written Essay

• Has a purpose ( to entertain, to inform, to
  analyze, to problem-solve to CONVINCE!)
• Considers a defined audience (age, education
  level, etc.)
• Has a specific structure and organization
• Requires unity and coherence of ideas
• Has a definite style (personal and informal or
  objective and more formal).

4
A Well Written Essay Continued

• Employs words appropriate to the audience and
  purpose
• Provides a strong introduction to catch the
  readers attention
• Develops ideas in an orderly sequence with
  well-supported evidence
• Leads the reader to a logical conclusion that
  summarizes the main ideas

5
Formal Essay Structure

• Remember Me?

6
Introductory Paragraph

• Catches the readers interest with a hook
• Introduces the topic
• Provides background information on your topic
• States the Thesis- your opinion or position on
  your topic
• Tends to move from general to more specific

7
Other Viewpoint

• May be new to you
• Show the argument(s) that are against your
  opinion in a separate paragraph following the
  introduction
• This should be quite short
• TRANSITION At the end of this paragraph, agree
  that these arguments are true, but you will show
  that your arguments are better!

8
Body Paragraph

• A series of complete paragraphs that develop and
  support he thesis statement
• Each paragraph introduces and supports a main
  point related to the thesis statement (developing
  unity)
• Each paragraph is complete with a topic sentence,
  body and concluding sentence

9
Body Paragraph Contd

• Paragraphs are linked by transitional words or
  phrases (eg. furthermore, in summary)that help to
  ensure coherence
• Paragraphs are developed through details,
  examples, reasons, definition, anecdotes,
  similarities and differences
• Follows the point/proof method

10
Body Paragraph Contd

• The strongest argument, comparison or example is
  usually presented in the last paragraph of the
  body
• The body usually consists of at least three
  paragraphs
• Each topic sentence should be unique and
  effectively link to your thesis

11
Concluding Paragraph

• Ties the important points in the essay together,
  often using key words from the thesis
• Draws a final conclusion
• Broadens the topic, emphasizing the importance or
  relevance
• Offers an insight-leaves the reader with
  something to think about
• Does not introduce new ideas or evidence into the
  paper

12
Pretend You are a Lawyer

• Thesis My client is INNOCENT!
• TS 1 He/she has an alibi.
• Point 1 He/she could not have been at the scene
  of the crime when it happened.
• Proof 1 That is because I have a phone records
  stating that he/she was making phone calls from
  Miami on the date in question.
• NOTE Would I convince you that my client was
  innocent if I just told you the proof without
  explaining the point? Would you be convinced if I
  just told you that they had an alibi? Probably
  NOT!

13
Transitions

• What Are They?

14
Transitions

• Contribute to style, organization and clarity
• When you use transitions effectively, your
  writing flows smoothly and naturally, the
  underlying structure is emphasized and the
  relationship between ideas is clear

15
Categories of Transitions

• Order in Time
• In the beginning
• Afterward
• Finally
• Ultimately
• Meanwhile
• Since
• When
• Whenever
• At the same time
• Subsequently
• Later

• Similarities/ Differences
• Similarly
• In a similar way
• Likewise
• In contrast
• Like/unlike
• On one hand
• On the other hand
• Nevertheless
• In the same way
• However
• Although

16
Categories of Transitions

• Example/Explanations
• For example
• For instance
• Such as
• That is
• In other words
• Along with
• To illustrate
• Specifically
• In particular
• Generally
• Namely

• Summary
• In summary
• In conclusion
• Therefore
• Accordingly
• Finally
• Thus
• Consequently
• Hence
• In closing

17
Categories of Transitions

• Cause-Effect
• Because
• Consequently
• Since
• As a result
• Therefore
• So
• Thus
• For that reason
• As an effect

• Adding Ideas
• In addition
• Furthermore
• Also
• Not only but also
• Another
• Moreover
• Additionally
• Equally
• As well

18
Categories of Transitions

• Now create your own list of transitions for the
  following
• Order of Importance
• Order in Space
• Emphasis
• What did you get?