Day 30: Argumentative Essay Peer Review

1. Peer Review Handouts

You should be familiar with the key components of argumentative essay. Have look at them again in the slides. Now you will be given two types of peer review documents discussed and read them through carefully. You will need to take the handouts with you when you move other’s seat for peer review. Here's HANDOUT 1, and here's HANDOUT 2. At this point, pull up two copies of HANDOUT 1 on your screen if your argumentative essay followed plan 1. If your argumentative essay followed plan 2, pull up two of the HANDOUT 2 files on your screen.

2. Peer Review 1

Next Pull out your first draft of argumentative essay on screen. Move one seat to your right. Read through your peer’s essay and see if you find any points that you are not sure about or are unclear. Refer to your peer review document and give comments using comment function in word document.

3. Peer Review 2

Now, move one seat to your right. Read through your peer’s essay and see if you find any points that you are not sure about or are unclear. Refer to your peer review document and give comments using comment function in word document.

4. Peer Review Wrap-up

Please come back to your original seat and review the comments from your peers. Examine them carefully and revise your essay based on the comments. If you do not want to take some of them, it is OK. As long as you think you provided supporting reasoning and supporting evidence, it is up to you whether or not to take them. Finish revising your essay by Wednesday, November 3rd at 11:59 PM.


I hope you all had a fun and safe Halloween.

Day 29: Argumentative Pre-Writing and Outlining

1. Review: Invention Techniques

Let us remind ourselves about the invention techniques in the early semester. Those skills help you control your ideas and organize them more clearly when you are writing an academic paper. There are several invention techniques you explored to find which fits best you. Refer to DAY 6 if you need to review them.

2. Pre-writing
Now that you have reviewed the invention techniques, we can move on. You should have all selected the topic of your argumentative essay, so what I want you to do is to choose an invention technique that helps you the most and spend seven minutes working on generating ideas for your essay with the strategy you selected.

3. Types of Argumentative Essays

You’ve learned two types of outlines for argumentative essay in the previous classes. It is good to have a reminder of them again so that you have a clear idea of how to construct the outline of your essay. You can review the outlines of both HERE. We will go over how to insert opposing arguments (Cons as they are called in this PPT) into your essay by reviewing this PPT. Now that you have a picture of what your argumentative essay should look like, decide on an outline plan and think about how to put opposing arguments in your essay.

4. Refuting Strategies

There are useful refuting strategies and useful expressions in constructing your argumentative essay. I will walk you through the PROCEDURE OF REFUTATION that you can use in your essay step by step.

5. Outlining

Now that we have reviewed how to refute opposing argument of the claims of your essay. You will be given 10 minutes to finish the outline of your argumentative essay based on the procedures and expression so far. Use the outline as a guide for your argumentative paper. Remember it is due before class on Monday, November 1st.


Be sure to have a fun and safe Halloween

Homework 12: Concluding Paragraphs In Argumentative Writing

Refer to section 3 on DAY 26. Your homework is to revise the conclusion paragraph that you wrote for the sample essay based on the feedback you received from the peer review activity. Follow the guidelines in the POWERPOINT to receive a good score.

This assignment is due Sunday, October 24th at 11:59 PM.

Upload this assignment to your ESL114_FirstName LastName folder.

Name the file Homework12_FirstName LastName

This assignment is worth 5 Homework Points.

Day 26: Argumentative Writing Part 6

We will begin with an in-class quiz.

1. Analyzing sample conclusion paragraphs

Get into groups of two or three. Read the two SAMPLE CONCLUSION PARAGRAPHS. Try to identify what each sentence is doing in the paragraphs. Discuss your answers with your partner. Be prepared to share your answers with the class. After class, you can compare your answers to Sample Conclusion answers. That I will post later. Remember that these are not the only answers!

2. Components of conclusion paragraphs

Go over the points made in the PPT and learn about the key components of a concluding paragraph.

3. Writing a conclusion

Read the SAMPLE ESSAY on high school uniforms, which is missing a concluding paragraph. Follow the directions and write the conclusion for that essay.

4. Peer review

Exchange your conclusion with your friend and give comments to each other. Refer to the PEER REVIEW CHECKLIST when doing this.

5. Introduction & Conclusion matching activity

Complete the INTRODUCTIONS AND CONCLUSIONS ACTIVITY worksheet by responding to the two questions (connecting the introductions to the conclusions and writing titles for each topic).

We will end class with another quiz.

Paper 3: Argumentative Essay

Argumentative Paper

You will be introduced the structure of a five-paragraph persuasive paper and choose your topic. Once you have your topic, you will search for related sources online to help you support your arguments. A minimum of four sources is required for the argumentative paper.

This paper is due 11/22/2010 at 11:59 PM.

Upload the file to your ESL114_FirstName LastName folder.

Name the file Argue3_FirstName LastName

The paper should be formatted in the following way:
Font size: 12pt
Font style: Times New Roman
Line spacing: Double-Spaced (ctrl+a and then press ctrl+2)Do not insert extra spaces between paragraphs by hitting the enter/return key twice.
Margins: 1-Inch margins on top and bottom; 1-Inch margins on left and right sides
Indentation: The first line of every paragraph should be indented (tab key). This is roughly equal to ten spaces.
Text alignment: The text should be aligned to the left side of the page.
Special formatting: Do not make your entire document bold or italicized.
Title: Give your paper a title that appears above the first line and is centered within the line.

Grading
Make sure you incorporate the following components as you write part of the essay because these factors will affect your grade.

Length: The paper should be between a minimum of 2 full pages and a maximum of 4 full pages. This page limit does not include the references page.

Sources: You are required to use a minimum of 4 reputable sources to support your writing. Sources should be cited in APA Style.

Organization: Your argumentative essay should be organized according to PLAN 1 OR PLAN 2.

Plan 1
Introduction--required
Background Information--optional
Body Paragraph 1--required
Body Paragraph 2--required
Body Paragraph 3--required
Conclusion--required

Body Paragraph Structure for Plan 1:
1st Problematized opposing argument
2nd Topic sentence with rebuttal
3rd Supporting point for your topic sentence followed by details
4th Supporting point for your topic sentence followed by details
5th Concluding sentence

Plan 2
Introduction--required
Background Information--optional
Opposing Points Paragraph--required
Body Paragraph 1--required
Body Paragraph 2--required
Body Paragraph 3--required
Conclusion--Required

Body Paragraph Structure for Plan 2:
1st Topic sentence
2nd Supporting point for your topic sentence followed by details
3rd Supporting point for your topic sentence followed by details
4th Concluding sentence

(You will need to have a separate paragraph that addresses the opposing arguments put this paragraph after your introduction and before your first body paragraph).

Opposing Argument Paragraph Structure for Plan 2:
1st Topic sentence that explains that there are opposing arguments
2nd Introduces the opposing arguments
3rd State opposing 1st opposing argument followed by explanation on why it is bad
4th State opposing 2nd opposing argument followed by explanation on why it is bad
5th State opposing 3rd opposing argument followed by explanation on why it is bad
6th Concluding sentence

Other Notes on Organization:
Make sure your writing has an overall logical flow and uses transitions to introduce new main/supporting points. Using transitions really highlights your main ideas and makes them clear. All papers must have an introduction paragraph, only three body paragraphs, and a conclusion paragraph. This may vary slightly depending on which argumentative plan you choose.

APA Style: any sources that you took information from and used in your essay must be cited, cite in the text of your essay using in-text citations, create a separate page that contains the list of references you used in your essay; Consult the APA STYLE TUTORIAL I prepared if you are confused about this. The references page does not count towards your 4-page limit. Be sure you have 4 sources for this essay.

Grammar: The highest scoring papers will be relatively free of grammatical errors. Errors distract your reader from your writing and make it difficult for you to make a clear point.

If you are still confused about what I am looking for in this essay, check out this SAMPLE ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY that I made some comments on. It follows Plan 2. You can also check out this SAMPLE ARGUMENTATIVE BODY PARAGRAPH. It follows Plan 1.

Day 25: Argumentative Writing Part 5

Get into your groups before class begins because you will have 5 minutes to wrap up your GROUP PARAGRAPHS from last class.

1. Warm-up activity--keynote speech:

Watch Steve Jobs’ intro to iphone KEYNOTE SPEECH. Think about how this serves as a great introduction and what Steve Jobs is doing in this introduction.

2. Analyzing sample introduction:

Now it’s time to look at written introductions. First I will put you into pairs. Have a look at the two sample introduction paragraphs - INTRODUCTION 1 and INTRODUCTION 2. After reading the paragraph I assign your group. Try to identify what kinds of things are included in the introduction in the two paragraphs.

3. What to include in introductions:

Now compare what you’ve listed with the points made in the PPT (slides 2-3). The PPT summarizes the components of an introduction of argumentative essays.

4. Good thesis statements vs. bad thesis statements

Work with your partner again on theTHESIS STATEMENT ACTIVITY HANDOUT. Your goal is to identify why the sentences are considered as bad thesis statements. You can skip number six.

5. Thesis statement checklist

Based on the observations from the previous activity, work with your partner and try to come up with a checklist for writing a good thesis statement. Compare your checklist with the one in slide 4 from the PPT.

6. Writing and revising thesis statements

It’s time for you to write a thesis statement. Write a clear thesis statement on the topic “capital punishment“ (the death penalty). Keep in mind the checklist you’ve just come up with. After you are finished writing, I will tell you to switch seats with someone nearby. You then have the opportunity to peer review your classmate's thesis statement. After you receive some feedback from your peers, revise your thesis statement to make it clearer!

Your homework is to brainstorm ideas for argumentative essay topics. You will want to come up with two possible paper topics. After you have the topics, write thesis statements for both of your topics and email me the topics along with their corresponding thesis statements and your name by 7 PM on Thursday, October 21st.

Day 24: Argumentative Writing Part 4

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.

Day 23: Argumentative Writing Part 3

1. Warm-Up Activity: Connecting Words

You are already familiar with the many different transitional phrases in English, so this activity is just for a refresher. You may be using the same ones in your writing over and over again, or you may forget to use them sometimes when you need to. This ACTIVITY will remind you of all the synonyms there are for each transitional action, so that you can connect your ideas better in your essays.

2. Peer-Check the Arguments

Pull up the outline you did for homework last night and switch computers with someone near you. You have 5 minutes to peer-check someone else’s outline. You are checking to see that their outline follows one of the two ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY PLANS from last class, and incorporates the opposing arguments. You should also be looking at the actual argument that your peer is presenting. What persuasive strategies does he/she use? Is it convincing? Are each of the Main Topics different, or do they overlap? Is he/she missing any important opposing arguments? Afterwards, discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the outline with your peer.

3. Recap of Problematizing: Gaining the reader’s trust

Today we are working to create good relationships with our readers. The reason for presenting the opposing argument is to gain the reader’s trust. You have about 4 minutes to choose one of the opposing arguments from your outline and problematize it. Use the POWERPOINT handout from last class for reference. You don’t need to do research or anything. The point is to work on the structure of problematizing. Then volunteer to read your problematized opposing argument to the class.

4. Tone: Setting up the relationship with the reader

The words you choose to use and choose not to use are extremely important in Academic Writing. You can change the relationship with the reader, either positively or negatively, just by using certain words. Remember, a good relationship with the reader is your #1 priority. You want the reader to not only agree with you by the end of the essay, but also believe and trust in everything you say; you want the reader to like you. Take a look at Part II on the RELATIONSHIP WITH THE READER handout. Which words set good or bad tones for the reader and why?

5. Hedging: Leave room for other possibilities

In the following cases, not only tone is important, but also the strength of our certainty. We are using a skill called hedging to assert claims/explanations/generalizations. To hedge in writing is to choose certain words that will demonstrate how sure we are of a statement we are making. That way, we can leave room for other possibilities and scenarios that the reader may think of, and we can maintain our credibility. Take a look at Parts III and IV of the RELATIONSHIP HANDOUT. Do you see how each word has its own degree of certainty?

6. Avoiding Hasty Generalizations: Don’t lie to the reader! Duh!

When you make a generalization about a group of people, events, etc., you should use hedging to assert your certainty of the statement. It is very rare that you can make a statement that includes an entire group or event in every instance. Even if something is almost always true, it’s not always true! So don’t lie to the reader and tell them it’s always true or you will lose your credibility. Take a look at Part V of the RELATIONSHIP HANDOUT. Which words can be changed so that the writer isn’t making a hasty generalization?

Homework 11: Incorporating Opposing Arguments

Open the INCORPORATING OPPOSING ARGUMENTS HANDOUT. Your assignment is to complete page 1 of the handout. Since you made an outline for the previous class's homework. You may find it helpful to use the ideas you put into that outline. In this outline you should incorporate the opposing arguments along with your main points OR include them in a separate paragraph (other opposing arguments). Do not include opposing arguments in both sections.

Name the file Homework11_FirstName LastName

Upload the file to your ESL114_FirstName LastName folder.

This assignment is due Thursday, October 14th at 11:59 PM.

This assignment is worth 5 Homework points.

Day 22: Argumentative Writing Part 2

1. Warm-Up Activity:
[SIRENS BLARING]
Welcome aboard the spaceship ESL114G. The ship has been struck by a meteor. The life support systems on the ship are now damaged and cannot sustain the whole crew. You and your crew of three other members have just 8 minutes to decide as a group which of the colonists to sacrifice, or the ship will lose power and crash! Be sure to have 3 supporting reasons, using ethos, pathos, logos or kairos. Be ready to present your final decision in 8 minutes! Click HERE to start this mission that is of utmost importance to your survival.

2. Supporting and Opposing Arguments

Read the following ESSAY looking for the key components of argumentative writing that we have discussed so far. Follow the directions and identify the thesis statement, the connecting words used, and the three supporting arguments. Pay attention to the persuasive strategies that the author uses (ethos, pathos, logos, etc.) Then think about why the author mentions 2 opposing arguments. How does this help the argument?

3. “Problematizing” the Opposing Argument

After reading the essay and answering the questions, you will have seen an example of how an author can present the opposing argument. This is an essential component of argumentative writing. Participate during the PowerPoint to learn how to include an opposing argument in your writing without seeming like you agree with it!

4. Two Ways of Incorporating the Opposing Arguments

Now that you know how opposing arguments are used in an argumentative essay, you will need to know how to actually incorporate them into your own essays. Take a look at pages 2 and 3 of the INCORPORATING THE OPPOSING ARGUMENTS HANDOUT to see two different ways. Notice the differences in the order of the arguments and topics, the number of paragraphs for each and how this would fit with the outline that you already have. Then go back to the first page to do some brainstorming and come up with as many opposing arguments as you can. This sheet should help you decide which Plan would work best for your essay.

Day 21: Argumentative Writing

1. Warm-Up Activity

I will need two volunteers to read the firstSCENARIO as loudly and clearly as you can. I will then need two more volunteers to read the secondSCENARIO loudly so everyone in the class can hear. While listening to the role play think about which child is more successful in his/her argument and why.

2. Fact vs. Opinion/ Debatable vs. Non-Debatable Statements

Next we will review an interactive POWERPOINT. It's not a lecture PowerPoint, so don’t fall asleep because I need your participation! Think about fact vs. opinion, and later, debatable vs. non-debatable statements. A different person should volunteer for each statement. At the last slide, choose a category and type a debatable statement into Microsoft Word, followed by the opposing argument to check that it’s debatable. Then, volunteers will be needed to read/show their statement, so be ready and ask me if you are not sure about something.

3. Reverse-Engineering the Argumentative Essay

You should have already read the article called ARE MEN BORN WITH POWER by Helen Fisher for homework. Now you will work on putting it into OUTLINE FORM to see how the author arranges her information and support. Try to practice your paraphrasing skills when creating your outline. Review the SAMPLE COMPLETED OUTLINE.Also, think critically about the essay. Is the thesis statement debatable? What could be an opposing argument? Is the argument convincing? What strategies of persuasion does she use? What could she have added to make it more convincing?

4. Outlining Support

Take a look at the words written on the board, medicinal marijuana, arranged marriage, euthanasia, death penalty, bilingual education, cell phones, and cigarettes. Choose one that you are familiar with and do one of the pre-writing activities: listing, clustering, free-writing, or questions for 5 minutes. If you forgot the pre-writing activities, you can review them HERE. Then write a debatable thesis statement so that you can begin filling in THIS OUTLINE. (Check that your thesis is debatable by trying to think of a possible opposing argument). You will need 3 Main Topics with 2 Supporting details each, and you should use at least 2 of the persuasive strategies that we have talked about in class to make your argument more convincing. You don’t need to do any research for this assignment, but if you decide to use any sources, you must list them on your outline. Finish the outline for HOMEWORK.