SO YOU THINK YOU SO YOU THINK YOU CAN CAN

All About All About Writing Writing

An ArgumentAn Argument

ARGUEARGUE

WHAT IS WHAT IS AN AN ARGUMENARGUMENT?T?

It’s just…It’s just…

PERSUASIVE PERSUASIVE WRITING, right?WRITING, right?

WRONG!!Persuasive writing is based on an emotional appeal and the credibility of the writer.

Argument writing is based on logic and reasoning.

An An argumentargument is a claim that someone is a claim that someone

believes should or should not be true.believes should or should not be true.

Kids should be in school Kids should be in school Monday through Saturday!Monday through Saturday!

A claim by itself is not enough. You A claim by itself is not enough. You have to convince people why your have to convince people why your claim is true.claim is true.

You do this by using You do this by using warrants and backing.warrants and backing.

““I NEED I NEED BACKUP!”BACKUP!”

A main argument--or A main argument--or claimclaim--all by --all by itself is not very strong. itself is not very strong.

Warrants explain how the evidence supports the claim.Backing supports the warrants.

Claim:Claim:

Kids should not have to go to school on Kids should not have to go to school on Saturdays.Saturdays.

Warrants:Warrants:

Most working parents have weekends off, and students need to Most working parents have weekends off, and students need to be with their families.be with their families.

BackingBacking: Students spend 36 hours a week at school.: Students spend 36 hours a week at school.

Students spend 12 hours a week with their parents.Students spend 12 hours a week with their parents.

Some students have jobs.Some students have jobs.

Backing: Backing: 86% of 1186% of 11thth and 12 and 12thth graders work on the weekends. graders work on the weekends.

Students need time for other activities.Students need time for other activities.

Backing: Backing: Only 12% of students aren’t involved in Only 12% of students aren’t involved in extracurricular extracurricular activities. activities.

On average, students spend 22 hours a week on On average, students spend 22 hours a week on extracurricular activities.extracurricular activities.

Arguments should also include Arguments should also include rebuttals rebuttals

or reasons why the or reasons why the counter arguments counter arguments

are wrongare wrong

Kids should Kids should notnot have to go have to go to school on Saturdays.to school on Saturdays.

Qualification

EvidenceClaim

Warrant

Backing Rebuttals

Argument

Synthesis

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Claim

WarrantBacking

WarrantBacking

WarrantBacking

Counterclaim

WarrantRebuttal

WarrantRebutatl

WarrantRebuttal

MAKING A CLAIM Think about how a teenage driver might convince his/her parents to loan the family car. Some tactics might include:

• Present examples of trustworthiness from the past

• Instill feelings of guilt

• Whine

• Present statistics on teen driving to demonstrate a sense of responsibility.

 Based on an example from: http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/argument.html

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EVIDENCE

Information that supports a claim or counterclaim (ex. facts,

figures, examples)

I should be allowed to drive the

car!

I probably should not be allowed to drive the

car!

Concluding Statement

I have not lost my cell phone, wallet, or debit card.

(I am responsible.) Personal communication

Synthesis

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CONCLUDING STATEMENT

SynthesisPoint out strengths and limitations of both claim and counterclaim

I should be allowed to drive the family car as I have

demonstrated responsibility, fulfilled the legal

requirements, and have maintained control of my driving. Even though it is true that traffic accidents

are a leading killer of teenagers, it is obvious since

not all teenagers have accidents that there are

many safe teenage drivers. In previous circumstances, when I have been given the

opportunity to be responsible, I have

demonstrated this attribute so a lack of experience is not a strong counterclaim.

Synthesis

Clarify relationships between claim and reasons, reasons and evidence, and claim and counterclaim.

Claim

WarrantBacking

WarrantBacking

WarrantBacking

FOR YOU TO DO! Within content-alike groups, identify two

opportunities you have to highlight scientific argument with your students during the first quarter.

Consider how you will encourage students to:

Use scientific evidence,Use scientific language,Consider counterclaims.

Share examples with your department.

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