Argument Essays There are a few different kinds of essays, one of those being the ARGUMENT ESSAY.
Post on 24-Dec-2015
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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 organizationRequires unity and coherence of ideasHas a definite style (personal and informal or
objective and more formal).
A Well Written Essay Continued…
Employs words appropriate to the audience and purpose
Provides a strong introduction to catch the reader’s attention
Develops ideas in an orderly sequence with well-supported evidence
Leads the reader to a logical conclusion that summarizes the main ideas
Introductory Paragraph
Catches the reader’s interest with a “hook” Introduces the topicProvides background information on your
topicStates the Thesis- your opinion or position
on your topicTends to move from general to more
specific
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 shortTRANSITION: At the end of this paragraph,
agree that these arguments are true, but you will show that your arguments are better!
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
Body Paragraph Cont’d
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”
Body Paragraph Cont’d
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
Concluding Paragraph
Ties the important points in the essay together, often using key words from the thesis
Draws a final conclusionBroadens the topic, emphasizing the
importance or relevanceOffers an insight-leaves the reader with
something to think aboutDoes not introduce new ideas or evidence into
the paper
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!
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
Categories of Transitions
Order in Timeo In the beginningo Afterwardo Finally o Ultimately o Meanwhileo Sinceo When o Whenevero At the same timeo Subsequently o Later
Similarities/ Differenceso Similarlyo In a similar way o Likewiseo In contrasto Like/unlikeo On one hando On the other hando Neverthelesso In the same way o Howevero Although
Categories of Transitions
Example/Explanationso For exampleo For instanceo Such aso That iso In other wordso Along with o To illustrateo Specificallyo In particularo Generally o Namely
Summaryo In summaryo In conclusiono Thereforeo Accordinglyo Finally o Thuso Consequently o Henceo In closing
Categories of Transitions
Cause-Effecto Becauseo Consequentlyo Sinceo As a resulto Thereforeo So o Thuso For that reasono As an effect
Adding Ideaso In additiono Furthermoreo Alsoo Not only… but alsoo Anothero Moreovero Additionallyo Equallyo As well
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