Name
Elements of an Argumentative Essay
• An introduction with background information
• Support (3 paragraphs)
• A refutation (1 paragraph that explains why a counter-argument is flawed)
• A conclusion (1paragraph)
I. INTRODUCTION
Hook: This is intended to grab the reader’s attention. Remember a hook can be a quote, startling statistic, anecdote, question, etc. Anything to hook the reader:
Background information about controversy: Give some background on Julius Caesar the play: who wrote it, the title, a little summary, all leading up to the funeral speeches and who gave them:
Thesis: (Who you believe gave the more persuasive speech and three main reasons why – these 3 reasons will be your three supporting paragraphs: ethos, pathos, logos):
Person =_______________
E:
P:
L:
[Thesis statement]=
II. ARGUMENT – (for your side)
SUPPORT 1 (Body Paragraph) (Ethos)
TRANSITION AND CLAIM (Transition word and first supporting point)
QUOTATION SUPPORT (Evidence: important facts/statistics shows ethos; Quote from the play that you recorded in your graphic organizer):MLA cite
CONNECTION TO CLAIM (What does this all lead you to believe? How is the quotation linked to the claim? Why does this quote support your point in this body paragraph):
CONCLUSION SENTENCE (“Therefore” sentence – Restate how this supports your overall position):
III. Support 2 (Body Paragraph) (Pathos) (Same format as 1st body paragraph)
TRANSITION AND CLAIM
QUOTATION SUPPORT (Evidence: important facts shows pathos (Direct quote from the story proving this point…from your pre-writing):MLA cite
CONNECTION TO CLAIM (What does this all lead you to believe? How is the quotation linked to the claim? Why does this quote support your point in this body paragraph):
CONCLUSION SENTENCE (“Therefore” sentence – Restate how this supports your overall position):
IV. Support 3 (Body Paragraph) (Logos) (Same format as 1st and 2nd body paragraphs)
TRANSITION AND CLAIM
QUOTATION SUPPORT (Evidence: important facts/statistics shows logos MLA cite):
CONNECTION TO CLAIM (What does this all lead you to believe? How is the quotation linked to the claim? Why does this quote support your point in this body paragraph):
CONCLUSION SENTENCE (“Therefore” sentence – Restate how this supports your overall position):
V. REFUTATION
(Explaining why an opposing argument is wrong)
Evidence (This should be the strongest fact or statistic that supports the other side!) (Give a sentence detailing the most effective part of the speech you didn’t pick):
Dispute (Why is this piece of evidence not convincing, not important, or flawed? (Even though this is a strong part of the speech, what is wrong with it to make it still not the best speech:
Conclusion based on evidence (Sentence that sums up why the other side is wrong):
STEPS follow in Parag 5
I. Topic sentence that states the opposition’s point of view:
II. Summary of one of the opposition’s strongest arguments:
III. Acknowledge parts that are valid (point out what you agree with):
IV Counter the argument (explain why it’s still not a good enough argument):
IV. Conclusion (should reiterate your position and provide a satisfying ending to the paragraph)
VI. CONCLUSION
TRANSITION + FINAL OPINION:
RESTATE THE REASONS YOU BELIEVE IN YOUR SIDE:
L.O.F.T. ( last opinion final thought)Words of Wisdom to remember: