Grace Lutheran - Ms. Wolfanger
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Writing  8

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.

401 Prompts for Argumentative Learning from the NYT Learning Network
33 Argumentative Essay Topics for Middle School
50 Compelling Argumentative Essay Topics

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.
​

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
                                                                                                                                   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.
​

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. 


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.
​
​

EXEMPLARS (That's a fancy word for really great sample paragraphs.)

Introduction Exemplars
Body Paragraph Exemplars
Counterclaim Paragraph Exemplars
Conclusion Exemplars
​

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.
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  • Home
  • E-Learning 8
  • E-Learning 7
  • Lit 8
    • Coming Soon!
    • Lit - Short Story III
    • LIT - Romeo and Juliet
    • LIT - A Christmas Carol
    • LIT - To Kill a Mockingbird >
      • Mockingbird Audio
  • ELA 8
    • Summer Reading
    • Writing 8
  • Lit 7
    • LIT - The Outsiders
    • LIT - Short Story I
  • ELA 7
    • Grammar 7 >
      • Chapter 3
      • Chapter 2
      • Chapter 1
  • US History
    • US History 7 >
      • US Constitution
    • US History 8 >
      • Chapter 8
  • Religion
  • High School