ENG 201 Notes Argumentative Essay

Argument Essay The Art of Persuasion Arguable or Not Arguable?  Marijuana should be legalized.  Arguable Smoking is harmful to people’s health.  Not Arguable  UMHS is the best school in the district.  Arguable  Radiations hurt the ozone.  Not arguable Gather Data to Support Your Claim  Complete research as necessary  Use appropriate web sites  Make sure your experts are valid  Prepare your Works Cited page and your parenthetical citations (Source Notes) in advance Complete Pre-writing Topic: Should marijuana be legalized? Topic: Technical training is better than a college degree. Topic: Homeschooling is better than traditional school. Pro Con Logos, Pathos, and Ethos  Logos-logical appeal  Evidence and the reasoning based on that evidence  Ethos-ethical appeal  According to Aristotle--the credibility or trustworthiness that the author establishes in his writing  Pathos-Emotional appeal  Persuades the audience by using emotions Introduction  Get the attention of the audience  Attention Getter or Hook  Provide background information to orient the reader to the issue  What does the reader need to know about this issue?  Define terms  Create a thesis statement or assertion to guide the reader The Antithesis  Address the case of the opposition  Several paragraphs at the beginning or weaved throughout the paper (argument-concession)  Concede points which can not be refuted  Use signal words and phrases such as Admittedly, While it is true that etc.  Offer refutation for claims which can be countered  Use signal words and phrases such as It has been argued, However etc. Body Paragraphs  Provide a clear topic sentence for each paragraph  Use Topic Sentence, Concrete Detail, Commentary (TS, CD, COMM) or Statement, Evidence, Explanation (S-E-E) or, Claim, Data, Warrant (CDW)  Build to the strongest argument  Use a variety of appeals  Demonstrate logic and reasoning  Address the opposition Conclusion  Restate your main premise  Provide a brief summary of your argument  Show how a group will benefit from following your assertion  Explain what might happen if your idea is not accepted  End with a rhetorical question  Ask for a call to action Sample Argument Essay  Read the annotated essay on the next slide and review the following:  attention getter  organization  antithesis—con  how author refutes the con  connective words—transitions  development of arguments  slippery slope metaphor  conclusion