Name: ______
Argumentative Essay Structure
Introduction
Hook: (Introduce the title, author and genre; make a general statement about the essay)
Info: (paraphrased from the first part of the prompt – give the reader the background information they need)
Thesis (Your claim): ______had to choose between ______to please society or ______to please ______(himself or herself); ______(he or she) made the ______(right/wrong) choice.
Body Paragraph #1(discuss the choice the character makes and how they make it)
Topic Sentence #1: Atticus made the decision to______(tie to thesis) by ______(state how he did this).
Evidence #1:This was shown when(introduce quotation with the name of the article and/or author and a verb: “Name of Article” claims/argues/demonstrates/states that,) “______” (give evidence from article; use a complete sentence and correct sourcing). ______
Commentary #1: This is important because ______(explain reasoning; this must be opinion, not fact.)
Evidence #2: Furthermore, (or in addition, or also, or additionally – use a transition word and then introduce quotation with the name of the article and/or author and a verb: “Name of Article” claims/argues/demonstrates/states that,) “______” (give evidence from article; use a complete sentence and correct sourcing).
Commentary #2: This is important because ______
______(explain reasoning; this must be opinion, not fact.)
Closing: It is clear that ______(restate topic sentence).
Body Paragraph #2(analyze the consequences of the choice)
Topic Sentence #2: The consequences that Atticus faced are ______because ______(state reasons here).
Evidence #3:For example, (introduce quotation with the name of the article and/or author and a verb: “Name of Article” claims/argues/demonstrates/states that,) “______” (give evidence from article; use a complete sentence and correct sourcing).
Commentary #3: This is important because ______(explain reasoning; this must be opinion, not fact.)
Evidence #4: Furthermore, (or in addition, or also, or additionally – use a transition word and then introduce quotation with the name of the article and/or author and a verb: “Name of Article” claims/argues/demonstrates/states that,) “______” (give evidence from article; use a complete sentence and correct sourcing).
Commentary #4: This is important because ______(explain reasoning; this must be opinion, not fact).
Closing: It is clear that ______(restate topic sentence).
Body Paragraph #3(judge whether or not the character made the right choice)
Topic Sentence #3: In the end, Atticus made the (right/wrong) choicebecause ______(give reason here).
Evidence #5:This is shown when (introduce quotation with the name of the article and/or author and a verb: “Name of Article” claims/argues/demonstrates/states that,) “______” (give evidence from article; use a complete sentence and correct sourcing).
Commentary #5: This is important because ______(explain reasoning; this must be opinion, not fact.)
Evidence #6:Furthermore, (or in addition, or also, or additionally – use a transition word and then introduce quotation with the name of the article and/or author and a verb: “Name of Article” claims/argues/demonstrates/states that,) “______” (give evidence from article; use a complete sentence and correct sourcing).
Commentary #6: This is important because ______(explain reasoning; this must be opinion, not fact.)
Closing: It is clear that ______(restate topic sentence).
This is the Paragraph that should contain a connection to “A Road not Taken.”
Body Paragraph #4 (Counterclaim & Refutation)
Counterclaim: Some people would argue (State the main argument that the other side would use).
Refutation: This is untrue because (give evidence from an article that clearly disproves the counterclaim. Introduce the quote. Use proper citation.)
Commentary: This is important because ______(explain reasoning; this must be opinion, not fact).
Closing: It is clear that ______(Summarize the paragraph).
Conclusion:
Thesis: Re-state your thesis statement in a new way.
Ideas: Re-state your key reasons.
Extension: Make a broad statement that summarizes why you chose your position.