BUILDING YOUR BUILDING YOUR ARGUMENTARGUMENT

Using Bruffee’s Organizational Using Bruffee’s Organizational Patterns to Strengthen A Patterns to Strengthen A

Rhetorical WritingRhetorical Writing

1.1. On the On the blue card, blue card, write your thesis write your thesis (statement of your claim or (statement of your claim or

proposition).proposition).

2.2. Write down your first reason in favor Write down your first reason in favor of the proposition/claim on the first of the proposition/claim on the first

green cardgreen card. On the back, . On the back, in in complete sentences, complete sentences, provide a few provide a few

key examples of this reason.key examples of this reason.

3.3. Use the remainder of Use the remainder of green cardsgreen cards for other pro reasons. Get more if for other pro reasons. Get more if

needed. needed.

4.4. Use the Use the red cardsred cards for your con for your con reasons (reasons against the reasons (reasons against the proposition/claim). On the back, proposition/claim). On the back, give key examples. give key examples.

5.5. On the On the orange card, orange card, provide a hookprovide a hook—a strong image, punchy quote——a strong image, punchy quote—something to get and keep the something to get and keep the reader’s attention.reader’s attention.

6.6. Continue this process until you have Continue this process until you have a con for every pro and a pro for a con for every pro and a pro for every con. every con.

1.1. Take three white note cards and a copy Take three white note cards and a copy of the transitions handout. of the transitions handout.

2.2. Find a partner. Sit with that person.Find a partner. Sit with that person.

3.3. Refer back to the essay patterns notes Refer back to the essay patterns notes and review the following patterns: and review the following patterns:

Two Reasons Two Reasons Nestorian Order Nestorian Order

Straw Man Straw Man Concession. Concession.

Organizing Your PrewritingOrganizing Your Prewriting

Using the essay patterns, work with Using the essay patterns, work with your partner to find the pattern that your partner to find the pattern that best fits your essay. You do NOT both best fits your essay. You do NOT both have to have the same pattern! have to have the same pattern! Make sure to try them all out. Make sure to try them all out.

Remember, you can mix and match Remember, you can mix and match aspects of the different patterns—aspects of the different patterns—focus on what works best for YOUR focus on what works best for YOUR piece.piece.

Create TransitionsCreate Transitions

Refer to the sheet on transitions that Refer to the sheet on transitions that you got as you entered. Use the you got as you entered. Use the white cards to create transitions white cards to create transitions between your ideas. between your ideas.

You may use other transitions, of You may use other transitions, of course. course.

Work with your partner to ensure Work with your partner to ensure that your transitions are clear. that your transitions are clear.

Wrap-Up Before DraftingWrap-Up Before Drafting In your “Conference Notes” section of your In your “Conference Notes” section of your

writer’s notebook, answer the followingwriter’s notebook, answer the following: :

1. Which pattern worked best for your piece? 1. Which pattern worked best for your piece? Explain your choice in detail. Explain your choice in detail.

2. Did you combine any patterns? How? Why?2. Did you combine any patterns? How? Why?

3. What’s your next step? How will you go about 3. What’s your next step? How will you go about putting together your draft? Explain. putting together your draft? Explain.

When you are ready, begin drafting your essay!When you are ready, begin drafting your essay!