Name______Date______

Argument Synthesis Essay

Establish your claim regarding the impact of releasing gorillas and other endangered species into the wild. You may also focus on endangered species born or not born in captivity.

WRITING THE INTRODUCTION

1. Grab the reader’s attention with a hook. (This may only be one sentence long)

2. Then, introduce the reader to the topic you are going to speaking about. Don’t give your opinion yet.

3. Give your thesis (which is the main argument you are going to make) Within your thesis, write down the three main reasons you agree or disagree with releasing these animals. The three reasons will be explained further in your three body paragraphs.

Example of a thesis statement:

Captive animals who were born in the wilderness should be freed because they are used to providing for themselves, living in less confined spaces, and interacting with large populations of their species.

A thesis statement for an argument essay explains in one sentence what you believe and what three main points you are going to make about why you believe what you believe.

(Do not write in first person. Why? It sounds more professional and not all about you, you, you. )

Body Paragraphs (Three Total)

Each paragraph should go into detail about one of the reasons these animals should or should not be kept in captivity.

Make sure the first sentence of each paragraph states the topic you are discussing so the reader knows what you are going to speak about.

Go back to my thesis on page 1. This is what my first body paragraph would explain.

•Body Paragraph 1–(Topic sentence) Species born in the wild are used to finding food for both themselves and their young, as well as attracting mates to create future generations of their kind. In captivity, however, they are fully dependent on humans to provide for them. (Counterargument in this next sentence) Although some argue that food is limited in the wild and being fed by zoo keepersensures they will not starve (Text 1, lines 5-8), (refutation) only the best zoos have enough money to do this. As a result, many animals do not get the proper food and nutrients that they need, so would be better off fending for themselves in their natural environment. Furthermore, these animals often become mentally unstable when they are not in a position to search for a mate. Their basic instinct is to procreate, and while some zoos offer that chance, others with a lower budget do not. Therefore, these creature become emotionally depressed and more aggressive than they normally would in the wild(Text 1, lines 26-28). Humans have no right to decide for these endangered species when food and mates arrive.

What would I be talking about in the next two paragraphs?

•Body Paragraph 2?

•Body Paragraph 3?

Important notes:

  1. Have a topic sentence that states what you are going to talk about in the paragraph.
  1. Using the articles for quotes or information.
  1. If you use a quote, “quote it” and then at the end of the quote write (Text 2, lines 4-5).

Many parents believe “teenagers need to use cell phones in case of emergencies.” (Text 3, line 5)

  1. If you are not using a direct quote, but using information you got from an article you do NOT need to use quotation marks. However, you do NEED to give credit to the article. So, you simply follow the rules above, and after discussing the information, show what text and lines you got it from.

Parents believe that students should have access to cell phones just in case something bad should happen and they need to reach their child immediately.(Text 3, lines 5-8)

  1. Make sure when you refer back to an article, you are explaining it in your own words as well. Just using a quote is not enough. Explain why the quote or information is important.
  1. You do not need a separate paragraph for a counterargument. You can say in the same paragraph, “While some claim that ______, this is only true when ______. In most cases, however, ______.

Why do you have a counterargument? This is because it shows you know that other people think differently. However, you are going to explain that this statement is not always true under the circumstances you are speaking about.

(Example for one about gun control – While some claim that guns keep people safe, this is only true if every single person used a gun simply to defend themselves in life threatening situations. In many cases, however, people will grab for a gun in a heated moment that could have been resolved in far less deadly ways.

NOTE – YOU NEED TO EXPLAIN THAT THE COUNTERARGUMENT IS NOT CORRECT. OTHERWISE, YOU’RE SAYING, “WELL, I HAVE TO ADMIT THAT THE OTHER SIDE HAS A GREAT POINT, AND THEY’RE KIND OF RIGHT.” What!?! No!!!

Now, try writing your own body paragraph about endangered species in captivity, and use all of the above rules.

We’re the Tigers on the field, but use the TIECR method when writing your body paragraph.

TIECR

  1. Topic Sentence
  2. Using Information from the articles you receive
  3. Further Explaining the quotes or information from the articles in your own words.
  4. Counterargument and then Refuting it (Concessions and Refutations)

Now, try to write your own introduction paragraph with your thesis at the end! (Hook, Background Info, Thesis)

______

Now try a body paragraph

TIECR

Topic Sentence

Using Information from the articles you receive

Further Explaining the quotes or information from the articles in your own words.

Counterargument and then Refuting it (Concessions and Refutations)

____________

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