Argument Paragraph. READ 180 rbook Flex II Paragraph Writing. Writing Genre. Topic Sentence. Detail Sentences. Concluding Sentence.

Transcription

1 Writing Genre Argument Paragraph An argument states a position or claim about an issue. The writer supports the claim with convincing evidence and reason. Read Fiona Layton s argument paragraph about year-round schooling. Topic Sentence The topic sentence identifies an issue and the writer s claim about the issue. 1. UnDERLINE the topic sentence. 2. Box the claim. Detail Sentences Convincing reasons and relevant evidence support the writer s claim. 3. check seven convincing reasons or pieces of evidence. Transition words and phrases introduce and connect ideas. 4. four transition words or phrases. Concluding Sentence The concluding sentence restates the writer s claim. 5. star the concluding sentence. Student Model Keep Summer Vacation by Fiona Layton Some schools are adopting year-round schedules, but I believe that long summer vacations are beneficial and necessary. First of all, many students need to work during the summer. Without several months to devote to full-time work, teens will be cheated of income and work experience. Additionally, some students need to re-take courses in summer school. If there is no time to catch up, those students will fall further behind. Finally, teachers deserve an extended break from school. They might need to take classes themselves, to stay up to date in their subject matter. Without a summer break, teachers don t have a chance to do this. In conclusion, there are important reasons to keep long summer vacations. Page 1 of 8

2 Brainstorm Writing Prompt: Write an argument paragraph stating why students at your school should or should not have to do a year of community service in order to graduate. Reasons for Mandatory Service Reasons Against Mandatory Service State Your Position Use your ideas from the web to help you determine your position. I believe that students have to do a year of community service in order to graduate, because Page 2 of 8

3 Write Your First Draft Write a draft of your argument paragraph. Writing Prompt: Write an argument paragraph stating why students at your school should or should not have to do a year of community service in order to graduate. Everyday busy needed do good word choices Precise preoccupied crucial achieve rewarding (title) Topic Sentence Write your topic sentence about the issue. I believe that students (should/should not) participate in mandatory community service because (reason) Type your topic sentence on the computer or write it on paper. Then use these transition words and phrases to complete a draft of your argument essay. Detail Sentences The primary reason... As a result,... Accordingly,... Otherwise,... Consequently,... Therefore,... Concluding Sentence Overall,... On the whole,... In conclusion,... In the final analysis,... Page 3 of 8

4 Revise Your Argument Paragraph Evaluate Rate your argument paragraph. Then have a writing partner rate it. Discuss Give feedback on your partner s argument paragraph. Scoring Guide needs improvement average good excellent 1. underline the topic sentence. Does it introduce the issue effectively? Self Partner 2. Box the writer s claim. Is it expressed clearly? Self Partner 3. check reasons and evidence. Are they convincing and relevant? Self Partner 4. transition words and phrases. Do they connect ideas? Self Partner 5. star the concluding sentence. Does it restate the writer s claim? Self Partner 1. Start with a positive comment about your partner s argument paragraph. You did an effective job of I appreciate the way you 2. Give your partner suggestions for revision. I have a question about This even would be stronger if you Your essay needs to include 3. Answer any questions your partner has about your suggestions. Ask your partner for feedback. Use the frames below to summarize your partner s feedback. I did an effective job of... You appreciated the way I... You had a question about... My essay needs... Revise: Now revise your paragraph. Page 4 of 8

5 Writing Genre Argument Paragraph An argument states a position or claim about an issue. The writer supports the claim with convincing evidence and reason. Read Fiona Layton s argument paragraph about year-round schooling. Topic Sentence The topic sentence identifies an issue and the writer s claim about the issue. 1. UnDERLINE the topic sentence. 2. Box the claim. Detail Sentences Convincing reasons and relevant evidence support the writer s claim. 1. check seven convincing reasons or pieces of evidence. Transition words and phrases introduce and connect ideas. 2. four transition words or phrases. Concluding Sentence The concluding sentence restates the writer s claim. 3. star the concluding sentence. Student Model Keep Summer Vacation by Fiona Layton Some schools are adopting year-round schedules, but I believe that long summer vacations are beneficial and necessary. First of all, many students need to work during the summer. Without several months to devote to full-time work, teens will be cheated of income and work experience. Additionally, some students need to re-take courses in summer school. If there is no time to catch up, those students will fall further behind. Finally, teachers deserve an extended break from school. They might need to take classes themselves, to stay up to date in their subject matter. Without a summer break, teachers don t have a chance to do this. In conclusion, there are important reasons to keep long summer vacations. Page 5 of 8

6 Brainstorm Writing Prompt: Write an argument paragraph stating why students at your school should or should not have to do a year of community service in order to graduate. Reasons for Mandatory Service would make students feel more connected to the community may help community members to overcome their stereotypes about young people could improve the social and communication skills of students would give students real-world experience Students may enjoy doing volunteer work and pursue a career in a related field. Reasons Against Mandatory Service Some students have after-school jobs, so could not do community service. Students might become resentful at being forced to work for the community. Students already have too much to do after school, including studying for tests, homework, and after-school activities. Community service could distract high school students from focusing on learning. State Your Position Use your ideas from the web to help you determine your position. I believe that students should not community service in order to graduate, because focus on academics to do their best. have to do a year of high school students need to Page 6 of 8

7 Revision Passage Writing Text Type Argument Paragraph Help Others... and Yourself by Bettina Greene Students at my school should do a year of community service in order to graduate. Community service would asist people in need. For example, our local food bank depends on volunteers to distribute meals. Last month they did not have enough helpers, and some food did not get delivered. If students helped, people in our town would not go hungry. Students would also benefit from community service. Working with members of the community would give students real-world experience. They would learn to speak to people from a vuriaty of backgrounds, which could help when they are looking for a job or applying to college. In conclusion, mandatory community service would make our town a better place and would make our students better people! Revise Use the ratings to revise the argument paragraph. Scoring Guide needs average good excellent improvement 1. Does the topic sentence identify an issue and the writer s opinion on the issue? 2. Does the topic sentence state the writer s claim? 3. Does each detail sentence support the writer s claim? 4. Do transition words and phrases connect ideas? 5. Does the concluding sentence restate the writer s claim? Page 7 of 8

8 Revision Passage Writing Text Type Argument Paragraph Help Others... and Yourself by Bettina Greene Students at my school should do a year of community service in order to graduate. assist Community service would asist people in need. For example, our local food bank depends on volunteers to distribute meals. Last month they did not have enough helpers, and some food did not get delivered. If students helped, people in our town would not go hungry. Students would also benefit from community service. Working with members of the community would give students real-world experience. They variety would learn to speak to people from a vuriaty of backgrounds, which could help when they are looking for a job or applying to college. In conclusion, mandatory community service would make our town a better place and would make our students better people! Revise Use the ratings to revise the argument paragraph. Scoring Guide needs average good excellent improvement 1. Does the topic sentence identify an issue and the writer s opinion on the issue? 2. Does the topic sentence state the writer s claim? 3. Does each detail sentence support the writer s claim? 4. Do transition words and phrases connect ideas? 5. Does the concluding sentence restate the writer s claim? Page 8 of 8