Argumentative EssayIs Queenie guilty or

innocent?

Argumentative Vocabulary

• Claim- the debatable point you are arguing• Reasons- helps support the main arguments• Evidence- facts, reports, physical proof• counterclaim- other side of the argument• Rebuttal- disproves the counterclaim• Conclusion- restates thesis and first three

pieces of evidence• Recommendation- suggestion/proposal

Introductory Paragraph

Introductory Statement

HOOK

Captures the reader’s attention

EXAMPLE

A dead man, a suspicious murder, but was it murder or an accident?

Briefly explain what was found

• After having a fight, Queenie found her husband, Arthur, lying dead on the floor in a position that suggested that he had fallen down the stairs or at least that what she claimed.

Mention 3 strongest pieces of evidence

• If that was the case, then why was the following questionable: his body position, unbroken glass in hand, and pictures on the wall undisturbed.

Thesis/Claim

•After looking at the picture, I believe that Queenie is …

Evidence/Explanation

EVIDENCE #1• Arthur was found on his

back with his feet on the stairs and his head on the floor. Queenie said that Arthur had been “coming down for another drink.”

EXPLANATION• If you walk downstairs and

trip, then when you fall either you would land on your feet. Arthur did not fall this way. This suggests that the body was staged, and Queenie lied; therefore, she must have killed him.

You complete the rest

EVIDENCE #2 EXPLANATION

EVIDENCE #3 EXPLANATION

Transition Words

• First of all…• It is important to note that…

• Consequently…• For instance…• In addition…• However…

• As a matter of fact…• First, second, third…

• Lastly…

Counterclaim…This paragraph should begin one of the following sentence starters

• Some believe that…• According to others…

• Some will say the evidence suggest that…

• Although some people claim…

Example• Although some people

believe Queenie is innocent, there is more evidence to suggest that Arthur’s death was not accident and that Queenie murdered him. For example…

Rubuttal…disagreement with the others side

of the argument.

• If you think Queenie is guilty, use more evidence to

prove she could not have been innocent.

• If you think Queenie is innocent, use more evidence to prove she could not have

been guilty.

Example• For example, another piece

of evidence that proves that Queenie is guilty is …

Conclusion…is a restatement of the thesis. This paragraph should begin with one of the following…

• In the end…• In conclusion…

• Based on the evidence I provided, I submit to you…

• I conclude…

ExampleIn light of all of this overwhelming evidence, only one conclusion is possible: Queenie killed Arthur. It was not accident because of the following three pieces of evidence: …

Recommendation

• Your recommendation does NOT need to be for her to go to prison. You are not the judge!

• EXAMPLEBeing that Queenie has committed a terrible crime, I

recommend she be arrested!

Due Date

• This essay is due Monday, September 8th, when you walk into class.

• Must be typed, double-spaced; no handwritten essays!

• NO LATE ESSAYS WILL BE ACCEPTED!