Term 2, Class 3 (class 11 overall) Starting opinion writing (Argumentative Essay)

Your Process "How To..." Essays were very nice! I think we learned a lot from each other! I have NOT finished checking them. (I give feedback and scores by the next class at the BOTTOM of the essays.)

Final Essay

Argumentative Writing

In-class Writing Assignment: Write a 4+ paragraph argumentative essay. You will have two lessons to practice, but writing the essay will be in-class on Jan. 19 (not homework).

Pre-writing   Step 1 Choosing a good topic
The goal of argumentative writing is to convince/persuade other people that your opinion is correct (and very important).

Not effective topic: Before reading, readers already agreed with your opinion.

Not effective writing: Readers disagreed with your opinion before… and after reading your essay they still disagree.

Effective: People disagreed with you before, but now they agree!

Effective: People didn’t know much about the topic before, but now they strongly agree with you!

One of the most important things is to choose a controversial topic. This means that many people disagree with your opinion before reading. If readers already agree with you, the argumentative essay is meaningless.

Not controversial:  “People should smoke less.” (Basically, everybody already agrees.... Not a good topic.)

Controversial:  “The government should triple the cigarette tax to decrease smoking.” (some people disagree with this)

1. Activity 1: Discussing possible topics (link)
Absent: Click here to take a survey about possible topics, and to try to change classmates opinions.

2a. Check the essay organization

Introduction  paragraph

Body paragraph 1 (One reason)

(“First of all,…”)

       Support (details, examples, explanation)

Body paragraph 2 (Another reason):  “Another reason we should… is…” / “Moreover,”)

        Support (details, examples, explanation)

Counter opinion paragraph 

(optional - required for an A+ grade)           

Acknowledge a counter opinion

Refute (argue against the idea)

        Support (details, examples, explanation)

Conclusion Paragraph

3. Consider topic (Eat our favorite food first?) of the sample student essay. 

4. How to write the introduction paragraph.

We will practice here.

Absent? Click here>> Activity 1 

Homework: write a blog post or respond to your classmates.