Argumentative Essay (3rd Quarter)
Argumentative Writing Resources
FIVE MINUTES WITH FLO: Writing Effective Introductions
The Introductory Paragraph- Tell 'em what your gonna tell 'em
Hello English II Students!
Before the Covid-19 Shutdown, we were working hard to write an effective argumentative essay, chipping away at its parts to help you feel more confident in your writing skills. Reach out to me through TEAMS or school email if you need assistance in writing this essay, not only if you are a student who hasn't submitted it through TEAMS yet (get this done please), but even if you are a student who wants to polish up an essay you submitted already.
Since we have quite a bit of time, I have been grading student intros in TEAMS thoroughly, leaving simple, but detailed comments for you to use moving forward with your writing. Below is a list of some common things I am seeing when grading your introductory paragraphs. I wanted to give you a checklist to go through before submitting a final draft in the future:
INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH CHECKLIST:
1. Does your essay have a FORMAL TONE? Avoid personal pronouns, contractions, abbreviations, slang, vague words, redundancies, and use SOPHISTICATED LANGUAGE and do not announce what you are writing ("I'm going to write about" is a big "no-no").
2. Do you have a STRONG HOOK that is FULLY DEVELOPED? Many students are including a hook, but are struggling to develop it on a deeper level that is COHESIVE with the bridge that follows. Are you getting readers "all up in their feels" with a thought-provoking attention grabber (general statement, shocking data, powerful quote, anecdote, or a mix -but NO QUESTIONS PLEASE).
3. Do you have a STRONG BRIDGE that connects the hook with your topic of choice? Again, students are making an effort to include some BACKGROUND INFORMATION, but the info is not developed. Where the hook about your topic may be general, HONE IN ON THE HOOK when writing the bridge, limiting your focus even more on the argumentative topic you chose. This is a great place to include the author or authors' names, the title of the text or texts that will be referenced, and digging your heels into your topic assertively and with confidence in your persuasive skills.
4. Do you have a STRONG THESIS STATEMENT / CLAIM that includes SPECIFIC REASONS / SUB-POINTS as to why you have the opinion that you do? A thesis statement is LIMITED IN FOCUS, is not a question, nor is it a fact; it is an opinion that you are going to support with EVIDENCE from RELIABLE SOURCES. It should be highlighted at the end of your introductory paragraph; it should also have your specific sub-points underlined. I require this to help students stay on topic throughout the other paragraphs of the essay.
5. Finally, I am seeing a lot of great attempts at including all three parts: the hook, the bridge, the claim; however, students are struggling to make them cohesive, fully developed, and thought-provoking. This takes time and practice, naturally. EFFECTIVE TRANSITION and ELABORATION are key.
I am here to help! Let me know what I can do to better serve you as a growing writer. : )
Argumentative Essay Topics From Siegel Students
When writing an argumentative essay, you (the student) must PICK A SIDE. You, as the writer, need to have a LIMITED FOCUS, honing in on two SUBPOINTS or two of the strongest reasons you feel the way you do about the topic. These TWO COMPONENTS should be clearly recognizable in your CLAIM or THESIS STATEMENT. Also, these two subpoints/reasons/components will be dissected in the two body paragraphs.
Remember, thesis statements are NOT questions. They are NOT facts. They are strong opinions that you will prove to be true with reliable, supporting evidence.
TOPICS OF STUDENT PAPERS (2020):
these are in no particular order
1. Are pathological liars born or made?
2. Should cheerleading be considered a sport?
3. Are authentic tacos better than non-authentic?
4. Should marijuana be legalized in our state?
5. Can perfect pitch be acquired?
6. Should football be dissolved because of increased concussions?
7. Is homework necessary?
8. Should immigrants have the same rights as non-immigrants?
9. Are science and religion similar?
10. Is a college degree really that significant?
11. Do violent video games lead to violent behavior?
12. Should cell phones be banned from schools?
13. Are people overeacting to the Covid-19 virus?
14. Should transgenders be given their own bathroom?
15 What impact do reality television shows about teenage pregnancy have on the issue in America?
16. Should Esports be considered a real sport?
17. Do parents put too much pressure on their children to be overacheivers?
18. Should Christopher Columbus be honored nationally?
19. With the increase of e-reading opportunities, should public libraries be shut down for good?
20. Would gun-control laws help prevent mass shootings?
21. Are sex education classes beneficial?
22. Does life exist beyond Earth?
"401 Prompts For Argumentative Writing" (New York Times)
