ArgumentCarla M. JeffersonED 095Sandhills Community College

What Is Argument?A written argument is an

attempt to persuade a reader to think or act in a certain way.

Your goal is to get people to see your point – to do what you want them to do.

Hints for Writing an Argument ParagraphPick a topic you can handle.Pick a topic you can handle based on

your own experience and observation.Do two things in your topic sentence:

◦Name the subject of your argument◦Take a stand

Consider your audience.Be specific, clear, and logical in your

reasons.

Let’s PracticeExercise 1 - #’s 2, 4,6, 8, 10

◦2 – not appropriate◦4 – appropriate◦6 – not appropriate◦8 – not appropriate◦10 - appropriate

WRITING THE ARGUMENT PARAGRAPH

Gathering IdeasBrainstorm

◦Come Up With Your Topic◦List Related Ideas

Grouping Your Ideas◦Point, Reason, Details

Let’s Practice – Exercise 3Topic sentence: Physical exercise should be

a part of every school day at Emerson Elementary School.◦Reason 1◦Reason 2◦Detail for 1◦Detail for 2◦Detail for 3◦Detail for 1◦Reason 3◦Detail for 3◦Detail for 2◦Detail for 2

Let’s Practice – Exercise 3Topic sentence: The broken streetlights on

Milton Avenue need to be repaired immediately.◦Reason1 ◦Detail for 3◦Reason 2◦Detail for 1◦Detail for 2◦Reason 3◦Detail for 3◦Detail for 1◦Detail for 2◦Detail for 2

Devising a PlanChecklist on page 222

Using the emphatic order.◦Saving the best for last

Let’s PracticeExercise 5

◦School buses must be equipped with heating and air-conditioning. Reason 1

◦Anderson Hospital needs to expand its emergency-room services Reason 3

◦College students should receive free annual flu shots at their colleges. Reason 3

Drafting and RevisingChecklist on page 226

Checking Your Reasons◦Make sure your argument has

covered all serious and/or obvious reasons.

Explaining the Problem or the Issue◦Audience knowledge

Drafting and RevisingUse Transitions that emphasize

your reasons:◦Info Box 227

Revising a Draft◦Adding descriptions and details◦Varying sentence structure (simple,

compound, complex)◦Effectively using transitions

Let’s PracticeExercise 10

◦However◦First of all◦More important◦Even when◦Most important◦Finally

Proofreading and Polishing

Look to improve your writing by:◦Improving word usage◦Adding specific details◦Creating a creative introduction and

conclusion

Check your draft for errors in:◦Spelling◦Punctuation◦Typing◦Formatting

Independent AssignmentExercise 12 (Both Exercises)

◦Paragraph 1 (11 errors)◦Paragraph 2 (10 errors)

Writing AssignmentPage 233 - #2

◦In a paragraph, choose one of the following topics to the audience specified

◦NOTE: 15 sentence maximum

◦Due Monday, June 11th at midnight