ARGUMENT ESSAY WRITING

INTRODUCTIONS

It is true that the first impression—whether it’s a first meeting with a person or the first sentence of a paper—sets the stage for a lasting impression. The introductory paragraph of any paper, long or short, should start with a sentence that peaks the interest of readers. In a typical essay, that first sentence leads into two or three other statements that provide details about the writer’s subject or process. All of these sentences build up to the essay’s thesis statement.

INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH INCLUDES:

LEAD/ATTENTION GRABBERSET UP FOR THE THESIS

Bridge and background informationTHESIS

LEADS/ATTENTION GRABBERS

To get a paper off to a great start, writers should try to have a first sentence or two that engages their reader.

This opening should be broadly related to the topic of the essay.WRITERS CAN BEGIN WITH… INTRIGUING STATEMENT SHOCKING STATEMENT OR STATISTIC RHETORICAL QUESTION ANECDOTE STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM PROVERB, QUOTE, OR STRONG STATEMENT

SET UP FOR A THESIS

After the lead, a writer needs to gradually narrow the broad subject towards the thesis.GRADUALLY NARROWING CAN: Provide background information Explain underlying information Describe the complexity of the issue Introduce various layers of he subject Help transition from these more broad ideas

to the narrow thesis Define terms that the reader may not know

to understand the issue

THESIS STATEMENTSA thesis statement manages to encapsulate an essay’s main argument in a succinct, one-sentence comment.

Beginning writers often times find it useful to create an essay map thesis, where the thesis briefly lists the areas that will be discussed in the essay.

A THESIS STATEMENT: Has a clearly stated opinion, but does not bluntly announce

the opinion (“In this essay I will…”) Is narrow enough to write a focused essay, but is broad

enough to write MULTIPLE body paragraphs Is clearly stated in specific terms Is easily recognized as the main idea Is forceful and direct Is not softened with token phrases (“in my opinion” or “I

think”) Can list all the main points (PRONGS) that will be made

QUESTION: HOW IS THIS A GRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION OF AN INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH?ANSWER: BECAUSE IT STARTS BROAD, AND GRADUALLY NARROWS TOWARDS A FOCUSED, BUT NOT OVERLY SPECIFIC THESIS. THE THESIS IS SPECIFIC ENOUGH TO FULLY EXPLORE THE ESSAY, BUT IT IS NOT SO SPECIFIC THAT THERE IS NOTHING MORE TO WRITE ABOUT.

SAMPLE INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH

[ATTENTION GETTER] After the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on New York’s World Trade Towers and the Pentagon, the debate surrounding racial profiling in airports intensified. Many people believed that profiling was the best way to identify possible terrorists, but many others worried about violations of civil liberties. While some airports began to target passengers based solely on their Middle Eastern origins, others instituted random searches instead. [BEGIN SETTING-UP THE THESIS] Neither of these techniques seems likely to eliminate terrorism. Now many experts in the government and in airport security are recommending the use of a national ID card or Safe Traveler Card. [THESIS] If every US citizen had such a card, airlines could screen for terrorists more effectively than they do now and avoid procedures that single out individuals solely on the basis of race.

BODY PARAGRAPHSEach body paragraph will have basic structure. Body paragraphs are the middle paragraphs that lie between the introduction and conclusion. The key building blocks of essays are the paragraphs as they represent distinct logical steps within the whole argument.BODY PARAGRAPHS TYPICALLY HAVE: Topic sentence starting with transition/ transitional

phrase introducing first reason or grounds for argument.

Warrants, Evidence, Backing/Analysis Acknowledge Counterclaim and Refute/Rebut Conclusion sentence beginning with transition or

transitional phrase summarizing info in paragraph as well as transitioning to next body paragraph

BODY PARAGRAPHS: TOPIC SENTENCES

Readers like to know why they’re reading a particular passage as soon as possible. That is why topic sentences are placed at the beginnings of body paragraphs. A topic sentence should contain the main idea of the paragraph, and should follow the same rules as the thesis statement (clear and to the point). Writer should start by writing one of the main ideas, in sentence form; the topic sentence should frame the paragraph.Transitions are a crucial part of every body paragraph, but not all topic sentences require a transition. Transitions are not as necessary when composing the first paragraph, but they help to move into the following paragraphs; however, if concluding with a transition that smoothly transitions into the next paragraph, a formal transition may not be necessary. Writers have to decide where a transitional word or phrase

fits best.

BODY PARAGRAPHS: SUPPORTING INFORMATION & EVIDENCEParagraphs should be constructed with some sense of internal order, so after The topic sentence, writers will need to deliver their first warrant. Supporting evidence should be facts, statistics, examples, quotes, transitions, and other sentences which support the topic sentence.

TO SUPPORT THE TOPIC SENTENCE, WRITERS SHOULD: Begin with the first warrant/point to introduce evidence Give evidence to support the warrant Explain or give analysis by backing up the evidence to

support the warrant Repeat this process until all credible evidence has been

presented Writers should remember to transition between new supporting

details/warrants within the paragraph. GOOD TRANSITIONS FOR GIVING EXAMPLES: For instance, Specifically, In particular, Namely, Another, Other, In addition, To illustrate

ACKNOWLEDGE PARTS OF THE OPPOSITION THAT ARE VALID

The writer acknowledges that some of the opposition’s claims may be valid, but the writer still shows that his own claims are stronger. The strength of the writer’s claims are more convincing than the opposing viewpoints. A writer might explain the opposition’s weakest points, contrasting them with his argument’s strongest points.WAYS WRITERS CAN BEGIN: Admittedly, Certainly, Of course, One cannot deny that… At the same time…

BODY PARAGRAPHS CONTINUED:Acknowledge the Counterclaim and Refute/Rebut: Somewhere within your body paragraph you must acknowledge the other side and then refute or rebut the information to strengthen your argument. You, as the writer, will have to determine where

this should be placed in your body paragraph based on the evidence you are presenting.

Don’t forget to refute/rebut the information prior to concluding the paragraph.

You don’t want their side to win the argument!

After That

In order toSince

So thatThoughUnlessUntilWhen

WheneverWhere

WhereverWhether

While

Although As As if

As long asAs soon asBecauseBeforeEven

Even ifEven though

If In order

Occasion/Position StatementsCan be used as Topic Sentences or used to Acknowledge a Counterclaim and refute/rebutAn Occasion/Position Statement is a complex (two-part) sentence that begins with one of these words or phrases:

THE OCCASION

1. Is the first part of the sentence2. Introduce your reason for writing3. Can be any event, problem, ideas, solution, or circumstance that gives you a reason to write4. Is the dependent clause (dependent meaning a fragment) in the complex sentence

THE POSITION

1. Is the second part of the topic sentence2. States what you plan to prove or explain in your paragraph3. Is the independent (complete sentence) clause in the complex sentence

EXAMPLES: OCCASION/POSITION1. Although my family and I have taken many

wonderful vacations, none was more fun and exciting than our camping trip to the Grand Canyon.

2. Even though bike helmets are sometimes unfashionable and uncomfortable, all cyclists should wear them.

3. Before you make the decision to light up a cigarette, consider the problems caused by smoking.

4. If students use chemicals to do science experiments, it is important that they learn the proper way to dispose of them.

5. If you are ever fortunate enough to capture an anole, William White’s book, “The American Chameleon,” offers important rules for keeping your new pet healthy and happy.

CONCLUDING BODY PARAGRAPH CONTINUED:

When writing a concluding statement in a paragraph, writers want to flag that they are concluding the paragraph by offering a concluding transition.

TRANSITIONS FOR CONCLUDING STATEMENTS: Therefore Thus Consequently As a result

AS WELL AS MANY MORE IN THE ELA SURVIVAL GUIDE

TRANSITIONS TO SET-UP THE NEXT PARAGRAPH: Another… ____________ is not the only…

SAMPLE BODY PARAGRAPH[TOPIC SENTENCE] Perhaps the cheapest and most efficient security method for the nation is a Safe Traveler Card or national ID card. [WARRANT] A Safe Traveler Card or national ID card would be about the size of a credit card, contain a computer chip and cost little to produce. [EVIDENCE] In some ways, these cards are like the EZ Pass devices that enable people to drive on highways, bridges, and tunnels without having to stop and pay tolls (Dershowitz 590). By scanning the card, airport security officials would be able to obtain back ground information from government databases for every passenger: flying history, residence, credit-card spending, travel habits, phone records, criminal background, and fingerprint and iris patterns (Safire 587). [BACKING/ANALYSIS SUPPORTING EVIDENCE] These simple measures could ease the mind of every traveler within our continental borders. Also, the burden of cost for the consumer versus security measures taken at airports or other means of travel would be universal, ensuring that all measures of safety are taken into account when screening travelers. This simple security measure may reduce the number of random searches leaving regular travelers to go on their way without the burden of indiscriminate examinations. [COUNTERCLAIM/REBUTTAL] Some might believe that this is an invasion of privacy that undermines our rights as citizens in addition to the extra expense; however, it is no more information than the Federal Government is not privy to already if they deem necessary to investigate via the Drivers License that citizens already pay to receive. [CONCLUDING STATEMENT] It is easy to see how such a card could expedite security checks at airports, and one could tell at a glance whether a person should be searched or let through.

CONCLUSION PARAGRAPHSWriters have just taken the reader through an organized and convincing essay. Now readers seek satisfaction by reading a conclusion statement that wraps up all the main points nicely. Frequently, the ideas in the body of an essay lead to some significant conclusion that can be stated and explained in their final paragraph.

Writers should also provide the reader with a fresh new outlook on the subject, leaving them thinking about the issue, not recycling the same words used previously in the essay.

Good conclusions can even have a striking ending. It should evoke supportive emotions in the reader, reflecting the same emotions the reader felt throughout the essay. Nothing is more disappointing to a reader than reaching a flat & boring ending.

CONCLUSION PARAGRAPHSConcluding statements which refer back to the introductory paragraph (i.e. the attention-getter) are appropriate here; it offers a nice stylistic touch which brings the essay full circle.Also, restating the thesis and summarizing the main points will remind the reader of your position. Asking your reader to do something about the issue (Call to Action) or leaving the reader to ponder the magnitude of the issue (Clincher) offers a well-rounded ending.THE CONCLUSION PARAGRAPHS TYPICALLY: Restate the thesis Review the main points Leave the reader thinking

Writers should remind the reader of the magnitude and timeliness of the issue.

CONCLUSION PARAGRAPHS:

1. RESTATE THE THESIS

The thesis and the restatement of the thesis are cousins, not identical twins: They share key similarities, but they still look and sound like separate individuals. Make sure the restatement looks and sounds different from the thesis.

2. REVIEW THE MAIN POINTS

Beginner writers may have the tendency to sound like they are making a list when they review the main points of the essay. Read and re-read this section. Make sure it flows and smoothly fits into the conclusion paragraph without sounding like a list.

CONCLUSION PARAGRAPHS: 3. LEAVE THE READER THINKING!

Now is not the time to introduce new key arguments; that argument should have properly been addressed in the body paragraphs. Instead, writer might want to extend the reader’s understanding on the argument showing new aspects of the “big picture.” Writers can do this by discussing what the future would look like if the situation remains the same. Referring back to an anecdote or an attention-getter that was used in the introduction paragraph adds a nice stylistic ending. Writers should take some time to be creative in this part of the conclusion; they should find a way to add an artistic, creative but focused element to the ending.

STRATEGIES TO WRAP UP THE CONCLUSION: Clincher: a final sentence that leaves the reader with an intriguing

thought, question, or quotation Full Circle Ending: Connect your final thoughts with the grabber in the

beginning of your intro paragraph Call to Action: Ask the reader to do something or get involved by doing

something

CONCLUSION PARAGRAPHS: IN THE CONCLUSION PARAGRAPH NEVER EVER EVER…

Oversimplify the message Use clichés Apologize for the material you are writing Blatantly refer to the actual essay (“this essay shows

you…”) Introduce new arguments, evidence, or details you

might have forgotten Soften your argument by being wishy/washy Identical repetition of words in the thesis Sound repetitive or list-like Leave readers frustrated after reading an otherwise

wonderful paper

SAMPLE CONCLUSION PARAGRAPH:[RESTATE THESIS & REVISIT VALU OF ESSAY] Clearly, the only acceptable way of ensuring the safety of airline passengers is to begin a program to issue Safe Traveler Cards or National ID cards to United States citizens. [REVIEW MAIN POINTS] These cards would screen out those who are unlikely to be terrorists and would also eliminate the delays that currently characterize air travel as well as equalizing the cost to all residents. Most important, they would help prevent terrorists from high jacking American planes. At the same time, by making racial profiling unnecessary, these cards would help protect personal and civil liberties of American citizens. [LEAVE READER THINKING!] Only by instituting a national ID card system can the U.S. make certain that the terrorists who attacked the United States on 9/11 did not hijack the liberties that are so precious to us.