1. Warm-up Activity: Paragraph Structure
You should already be familiar with the structure of a paragraph (topic sentence, supporting details, closing sentence), and now that you’ve learned how to PROBLEMATIZE the opposing argument, you are almost ready to write an argumentative essay! Use what you know about both paragraphs and argumentative essays to identify each component of paragraph structure and put the sentences in order. One paragraph is organized for PLAN #1 and the other is for PLAN #2 of Incorporating the Opposing Arguments.
2. Handout: The Three Types of Evidence
Take a look at the THREE TYPES OF EVIDENCE used in writing an argumentative essay: Personal Experiences, Facts and Statistics, and Expert Opinions. Using the examples and prompts given, try to properly use evidence to back up your argument.
3. Argumentative Writing Workshop
You will be divided into groups of 2-3 students and have the remainder of the class to write an argumentative paragraph as a group. Each group will be assigned either TOPIC 1 or TOPIC 2 Take no more than 5-10 minutes to read the source provided and take notes that are relevant to your Main Topic. Then work with your group to come up with the opposing argument and at least 3 supporting details. Work together to write a paragraph (at least 6-7 sentences) applying all of the skills of argumentative essay writing so far: Persuasive Strategies, Problematizing, Integrating Expert Opinions and Facts, Transition Words, Maintaining a Good Relationship with the Reader and Paraphrasing. Phew! Finish this before the end of the class and have one member of the group E-mail the finished paragraph to me. Be sure the body of the email contains the first and last names of each member in the group. Attach the paragraph to the E-mail as a Microsoft Word document. Be sure that you saved the file correctly. If I can't open the file, your group will not receive credit for this assignment. You will receive a score on this, so be sure to proof read your final version. This is due at 4:00 PM on Monday, October 18th. Late submissions will not receive credit.
