Argumentative Writing6th Grade Reading

Ms. Merjech

An argument in writing

• IS DIFFERENT THAN ARGUING WITH A PARENT OR FRIEND

Characteristics of Argument Writing

• Convinces reader claim is true

• Uses evidence—facts and data

• Acknowledges counterclaims—the other side of the argument

An Effective Claim

• Takes a clear position

• Has two sides

• Is narrow enough to be supported within essay

• Can be supported by facts or citations from a text

Prewriting

• Choose an appropriate, focused topic (ex: Airport Security)

• Explore and decide your position for this topic

• Predict opposing arguments

• Consider your audience and occasion

• Decide on which points you will argue (ex: Safe Traveler Card, etc.)

• Decide on which points you will refute in the concession (ex: Loss of privacy, etc.)

• Write a thesis that is focused, arguable, and opinionated

Claims for Written Argument

• The thesis for your argument needs to be opinionated or debatable.

• The thesis will usually fall into 4 different categories or claims. Sometimes, an arguable thesis may overlap and use 2 or even 3 different claims.

• The more claims you incorporate into your thesis, the longer your essay will be.

Types of Claims

1) Claims of Fact or Definition

2) Claims About Cause & Effect

3) Claims About Solutions or Policies

4) Claims About Value

Claims of Fact or Definition

• If you choose to make a claim of fact or definition, be sure that you choose a DEBATABLE fact or definition. For example, if a student claimed that the Brazilian Samba was a slow graceful dance, it would only take a few moments of research for me to find that it is actually a fast-paced, rhythmic, and lively dance. So clearly, this claim would not be debatable; there is no argument.

• One debatable claim is whether or not a lie-detector test is really accurate.

Claims about Cause and Effect

• A cause is why an event happens. An effect is an event that happens because of a cause.

• Similar to the claims about fact or definition, claims about cause and effect need to be opinionated or debatable. It is obvious, for example, that smoking causes lung cancer, but one could debate whether or not secondhand smoke causes lung cancer.

• Other more typical controversial cause-and-effect topics range from the effect television has on teens.

Claims about Solutions or Policies

• This claim is a perfect example of how 2 different claims can overlap each other. Claims about solutions or policies usually work hand in hand with claims about fact or definition.

• For example, any policy relating to under-aged minors is always controversial because it is difficult to define when an adolescent is capable of making a deliberate decision, just as an adult would.

Claims about Value• Anytime a writer places value on someone or

something as "the best" or "superior", that writer is making a claim about value. While writers should always anticipate how to respond to the opposing viewpoint, it is particularly crucial to do so when dealing with a claim about value.

• For example, people who are blind have a unique culture of blindness, and many believe that living a visionless life is better than living a seeing-life. But to properly address this topic and claim, one must anticipate and respond to the opposing viewpoint, that seeing-life has significant benefits.

Addressing the counterclaim…

• Refutes or proves wrong, another point

• Recognizes the other side’s points

• Lends credibility to the writer’s claims