Response Essay Type:General Argument

General Argument “It is designed as a

contemporary issues question, but it is really a values question.”◦ What are your values?◦ What do you think our

society should value?◦ What should a moral,

thoughtful, reflective society consider its most important strengths?

The Riverside Reader

The Basics

1. Read the prompt carefully.

2. Identify the claim.

3. Create a sample list.

Read the Prompt CarefullyA brief passage

from fiction, poetry, nonfiction (2 lines-1/2 page

An opinion-based piece (features a spokesperson)

Determine whether you agree, disagree, or wish to qualify your opinion [ADQ]

Examples

How do blogs and radio talk shows encourage or discourage the democratic process?How can the United States’ wealth be better used to foster development in emerging countries?

Identify the ClaimUnderstand the

claim.Perceive the

larger social content and ask questions about it.

Make your argument using examples from your own experience.

“Through tatter’d clothes small vices do appear;

Robes and furr’d gowns hid all. Plate sin with gold,

And the strong lance of justice hurtles breaks.

Arm it in rags, a pigmy’s straw does pierce it.”

Wm. Shakespeare

Planning ProcessCritically read the

passage and underline anything that clearly defines the author’s claim.

Are you for it, against it, or ambivalent?

Make a list of examples.

Creating a Sample ListEvidence for the

argument – the familiar:◦ Books◦ Movies◦ Televisions◦ Current events◦ History lessons◦ Personal

experiences

List ExamplesMovies

◦ “The Color of Money”

◦ “Wall Street”Books

◦ The Jungle◦ The Great Gatsby

Current events◦ Tsunami in Japan◦ The end of the

recession

General Argument Essay ProcessIdentify and

restate the fundamental claim.

Agree, disagree, or qualify.

Give examples to support your argument.

Close with a summarizing statement.