Argument Essay
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Argument Writing: IMPORTANT TERMS
1. CLAIM: The writer’s stance, or overall argument. 2. REASONS: Main points that use logic or reasoning to justify the writer’s claim. 3. DATA: Evidence (facts) that support the reasons (claim). 4. JOINT: The warrant or bridge that connects data to the writer’s reasons and claim. 5. COUNTERCLAIM: A claim that disagrees with the writer’s claim. (The opposition’s stance) 6. REBUTTAL: Evidence that disputes or disagrees with the counterclaim. 
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Choosing a Topic: MAKING YOUR CLAIM
* A CLAIM is what you believe and what you want your readers to believe.
Start Your Research: FIND EVIDENCE TO BACK YOUR CLAIM
* Your claim will be stronger when you have data and facts to back it up.
Be open to changing your claim if the evidence is weak.
Look for the REASONS the experts use to support your claim. Do they match what you anticipated?
Anticipate your opponent's COUNTERCLAIM; you'll need to address that in your essay.
Keep track of your sources. You'll need a WORKS CITED page.
(You can begin that page even now using EasyBib or Citation Machine.)
Are your sources reputable? Test them using this form.
Look for the REASONS the experts use to support your claim. Do they match what you anticipated?
Anticipate your opponent's COUNTERCLAIM; you'll need to address that in your essay.
Keep track of your sources. You'll need a WORKS CITED page.
(You can begin that page even now using EasyBib or Citation Machine.)
Are your sources reputable? Test them using this form.
Research, Research, Research! WHAT ARE YOU DISCOVERING?
Be sure there are two sides to your topic.
Has your view of your topic changes as you learn more about it?
Begin to organize your thinking and your learning.
Reason #1
Reason #2
Reason #3
Has your view of your topic changes as you learn more about it?
Begin to organize your thinking and your learning.
Reason #1
Reason #2
Reason #3
Counterclaim & Rebuttal
Writing Body Paragraphs using PEELS
"P"= Point - Start your paragraph with a topic sentence that directly makes your POINT.
"E"= Evidence - Provide EVIDENCE with data or quotes from reliable sources.
"E"= Explanation/Elaboration - EXPLAIN what the evidence says and how it supports your claim.
"L" = Link - Connect your paragraph to your CLAIM
"S"= Style - Use a formal STYLE
Download a PEELS graphic organizer HERE.
Read and analyze a sample paragraph HERE.
"E"= Evidence - Provide EVIDENCE with data or quotes from reliable sources.
"E"= Explanation/Elaboration - EXPLAIN what the evidence says and how it supports your claim.
"L" = Link - Connect your paragraph to your CLAIM
"S"= Style - Use a formal STYLE
Download a PEELS graphic organizer HERE.
Read and analyze a sample paragraph HERE.
Anticipate a COUNTERCLAIM and come back with a strong REBUTTAL
Know the counterclaim: Anticipate the opposing viewpoint.
Address the counterclaim: Acknowledge those who disagree.
Write a rebuttal: Prove the counterclaim false or ineffective.
Download the counterclaim paragraph organizer.
Address the counterclaim: Acknowledge those who disagree.
Write a rebuttal: Prove the counterclaim false or ineffective.
Download the counterclaim paragraph organizer.
Last but not least: INTRODUCTIONS and CONCLUSION PARAGRAPHS
Kick off your essay with the right hook. (Get it?!)
Close with a knockout punch (Get it?!)
Review the Introduction and Conclusion paragraph pages. Use them to gather and organize your thoughts.
Close with a knockout punch (Get it?!)
Review the Introduction and Conclusion paragraph pages. Use them to gather and organize your thoughts.
EXEMPLARS (That's a fancy word for really great sample paragraphs.)
Nuts and Bolts
Wondering about in-text citations? Check out this page at the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL)
Remember to credit your sources on your Works Cited page. Use EasyBib.com or CitationMachine.net to generate
your entries. Arrange your sources alphabetically by author.
Remember to credit your sources on your Works Cited page. Use EasyBib.com or CitationMachine.net to generate
your entries. Arrange your sources alphabetically by author.