Topics for the in-class Argumentative Essay

All topics except the first one came from: U.S. and World Report Debate Club.  Please feel free to read the informative article that presents the topic.  (Click on the link of the underlined title to take you directly to the article.)

Do the benefits of domestic surveillance by the NSA outweigh the harms?

Should the Plan B Morning After Pill Be Available to 15-Year-Olds?

 Should There Be Such a Thing as 'Reporter's Privilege'?

Should NCAA Athletes Be Paid?

Should Football Be Fundamentally Changed to Make It Safer?

Should There Be More Armed Guards in Schools?

Are 'Black Friday' Christmas Sales Starting Too Early?

Structure of the Argumentative Essay

Structure of an argumentative essay

1^st par. –serves to get the reader’s attention; presents the issue and the two sides of the issue and in your thesis you state your claim (or your position)—without using 1^st or 2^nd person….. EXAMPLE:

While many scientists feel there is no harm in using animals for experimental use, the truth is that many animals suffer unnecessarily and are treated cruelly in backroom laboratories. 

Body Par. – present rational, logical REASONS to support the thesis; along with the reasons, one provides evidence that is relevant, representative and sufficient. The evidence, whether fact or opinion, may be accompanied by examples and explanation

Next to the last paragraph – “some”???? could be some proponents; some members of the ASPCA; many other scientists; opponents – present the other side of the argument—not in-depth, but you MUST acknowledge that it exists—THEN, refute it with your own logic and reasoning, which is stronger than the opposing view

CONCLUSION – leave the reader with an deliberate impact – this may be the shortest paragraph in the paper; it may contain only 3 sentences—but it MUST contain more than one.

Key Points to the Argumentative Essay

An argumentative essay:

·     Must deal with one side of an issue, but the issue MUST be debatable

·     There must be evidence

o Facts and expert opinion

·     Argumentative essays are not the same as persuasive essays

·     Argumentative essays written in class should be written in 3^rd person—without the use of “I” or “you”

·     Argumentative essays are based reason, with emotion being in the selection of words and (perhaps) at the end of the essay

·     Evidence must possess specific criteria:

o Relevance to topic

o Representative

o Sufficient

Thesis should state a claim (a definite position)

 

 

SPECIFICALLY for JCHS on Monday, 9/30/13

From text and essay:

1.       Explain the difference between argumentation and persuasion.

2.       Is Carr’s essay an argumentative or persuasive essay? How can you tell?

3.       What is the purpose of an argumentative essay?

4.       What is the structure of an argumentative essay?

5.       How well does Carr’s essay follow this structure?

6.       Where does the thesis or claim in an argumentative essay come? What is Carr’s thesis?

7.       How can writing an antithesis assure that you’ve written a thesis for an argumentative essay?

8.       Compose your own antithesis for Carr’s essay.

9.       There are two types of evidence for argumentative essays—facts and opinions; however, what criteria must all evidence possess.

10.   What types of evidence (I wrote “criteria” on the board—sorry!) does Carr use? Does his evidence meet the requirements established in the text?

From C/C to Argumentative

Today:
Hand in your comparison/contrast essays!

For our next class:
Read in your text: 525-532 - Important Points:

525 - The FIRST sentence is IMPORTANT!!
526 - Explain the difference between argumentation and persuasion
         Explain the purpose of argumentation
         What role does emotion play in argument?
527 - While one should have a "stake" in choosing a position in an argument, one must be able to
         _____________.
         If you cannot be ____________, you should ___________. WHY?

        The thesis of an argumentative paper must __________.
528 - What is the antithesis?
          Explain type of audience one must keep in mind for an argument? WHY?
529 - Types of evidence - explain each
530-531 - Criteria for Evidence - explain each

*****DOCUMENTATION*****

We will save this for the 2nd argumentative paper you write, which will be OUT of class

531 - Refutation/refute - explain

Read the following essays listed on the sidebar:
"Is the Internet Making Us Dumber" by Nicholas Carr
"The Genius of the Tinkerer" by Steven Johnson

It could help you to print each one so you will have a physical reference when we discuss these in class!

REMEMBER: if you can't fathom a word by its context or use in a sentence, look it up.

Comparison/Contrast - From Topic Subjects to Essay Organization

Suppose you had the following essay topic (which is simply an exercise in comparison/contrast):
Compare the two sculptures, one by August Rodin and the other by Robert Indiana.

Step One: find the common features:

Both sculptures: 

• deal with the same theme (LOVE)
• are meant to be viewed by the public
• suggest "something" about humanity

Step Two: find the differences within each common feature, keeping the same order as you have established:

• theme: love
• Rodin's statue titled "The Kiss" deals with physical love/sensual love; it's very definite, involving two people who are lovers, perhaps husband & wife; the emphasis is personal
• Indiana's sculpture of "LOVE" suggests a broader, more idealistic view of love, in an abstract form, a generalized ideal of love
• viewed by the public
• Rodin's sculpture is most at home in a museum, where art is appreciated and where people seek the beauty/inspiration found in art
• Robert Indiana's sculpture is easily found in a park and could be re-located to another public arena; it is intended to be viewed by all people, whether they have a background in art or not; in fact, this sculpture is seen by the masses--again reinforcing a love between all people
• what it suggests to or about people
• Rodin's sculpture is both romantic and provocative; it appeals to people in the same way as a love poem might and suggests to the viewer the importance of connecting with another person in an intimate embrace and relationship
• Indiana's sculpture, on the other hand, suggests that love is universal; it stands as a reminder to all people of the importance of community compassion, understanding; it reminds the public that not only do individuals need love, but the world, the nation, the community needs it as well

All of the above are notes that you might (or might not) make before writing a rough draft. NOW--one must decide upon organization, and because it is a C/C essay, it must be tight and logical.

For subject to subject organization, take one sculpture and discuss the relevant points that have been chose; then do the next one:

Rodin                                                                        Indiana
theme                                                                        theme
viewers                                                                     viewers
suggestions                                                                suggestions

PLEASE NOTE:  THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT THERE SHOULD ONLY BE TWO BODY PARAGRAPHS.

The key is organization!!!  THE ORDER NEEDS TO REMAIN THE SAME IN EACH EXAMPLE.

ALSO: all that has been done here is a straight-forward comparison/contrast, for the sake of comparison/contrast. However, comparison/contrast is MOST effective when it is completed for a specific purpose, especially if it is for argument or evaluation.

Punctuation - It's No Laughing Matter