Unit Essential Questions

1. How is the decision to speculate affecting Will Mclean’s

family as a whole?

2. How do different family members react to his decision?

3. What are the positive and negative aspects of

speculating?

4. Is Will Mclean a patriot for what he is doing or a

profiteer?

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The

Alternative

Assessment

For this alternative

assessment you will be

writing a 5 paragraph

argumentative essay.

• Persuasion and argument are often used interchangeably

• Persuasion is a broad term, which includes many tactics designed to move people to a position, a belief, or a course of action.

• Argument is a specific kind of persuasion based on the principles of logic and reasoning

Persuasion vs. Argument

An Introduction to Argument

Writing

Moving people to a belief, position, or

course of action

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Adapted from Mike McGuire’s Com 101 class notes, MV Community College

What exactly is an Argument?

An argument involves the

process of establishing a claim

and then proving it with the use

of logical reasoning, examples,

and research.

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Structure of a Classical Argument

Introduction

Thesis Statement

Background Information

Reasons and Evidence

The Opposing View and the Refutation

Conclusions

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The Goal of Argumentative

Writing

The Goal of argumentative writing

is to get the reader to acknowledge

that your side is logical validated

through facts, evidence that

supports, and research.

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Before Writing...

• Brainstorm ideas on the subject.

• Identify the main topics and ideas that support your argument.

• Use logical research for organising your notes.

• Decide which side you are on i.e. which arguments are most convincing. Make sure you choose the side that you can fully support.

• Plan and write an outline for your essay noting down the information you will include in each paragraph.

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The Essay

• Each separate point in your argument requires its

own paragraph.

• Just as the purpose of your overall essay is to prove

your thesis, the purpose of each body paragraph

should be to prove a part of your argument.

• This point should be articulated in the topic sentence

of the paragraph, and the rest of the paragraph

should present evidence that supports the point.

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Introduction Paragraph:

Start with an attention-grabbing

sentence to introduce the issue.

Briefly describe your argument and

lead into your thesis.

Thesis Statement: In one or two

sentences, state your argument by

taking ONE side of the issue. Be clear

and concise.

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The Thesis Statement

…is the most important sentence in your paper

…answers the question: “What am I trying to prove?”

...brings focus to the entire essay

…lets the reader know the main idea of the paper

…is not a factual statement or an announcement of purpose, but a claim that has to be proven throughout the paper.

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The Body of the

essay

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Body Paragraphs 1 & 2

Arguments for: The reasons “parts” of your thesis statement

will be in your body

Go back to essential questions and form an argument for

the topic you chose.

• Body paragraphs 1 & 2 give clear arguments for your claim with

(examples, statistics, explanations, etc.)

• Use transition words as you move from paragraph to paragraph

(Firstly, secondly, furthermore, in addition, moreover, finally).

• You can also use any of the transitions from the other essay types as

long as they are appropriate for your argument. (You may want to

compare/contrast things, give reasons/results, descriptions, definitions etc.)

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Body Paragraph 3-Refutation

Paragraph

• This is also used to support your claim.

• Use the counter arguments to show that

your idea is the stronger one.

• Do not focus only on the opposing

ideas.

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Offering a Counterargument

• Addressing the opposition demonstrates your credibility as a writer

• It shows that you have researched multiple sides of the argument and have come to an informed decision

• Remember, keep a balanced tone when attempting to debunk the opposition

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Concluding paragraph

Your conclusion should:

• Restate the main claim

• Present one or two general sentences which accurately

summarise your arguments which support the main

premise

• Provide a general warning of the consequences of not

following the premise that you put forward and/or a

general statement of how the community will benefit

from following that premise

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Assignment By the end of chapter 20, we learn that Will McLean has become a

speculator to support his family.

Argument Topic: Should he be praised or criticized for this role in

the war?

In a 5 paragraph argumentative essay, explain what it means to be a

speculator then choose a side and support your answer with text

evidence.

Essential Topics to Discuss

1. Think about how this decision is this affecting his family as a whole?

2. How do different family members react to this decision?

3. What are the positive and negative aspects of speculating?

4. Is Will Mclean a patriot for what he is doing or a profiteer?

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Assignment Requirements:

1. Rough drafts must be revised and edited when turned in with the

Final Draft.

2. ALL (rough and final) Drafts that are typed need to be New Times

Roman or Arial 10 or 12-point font, and follow all other Writing

Guidelines.

3. The Final Draft must not exceed three pages and must not be

shorter than 1 ½ pages. One-inch margins are to be used.

4. Your final draft should have a cover page with: your name, your

teacher’s name, and a title for your essay. You may add pictures or a

design to your cover.