For our next assignment, we're going to work on an argument essay.
Our argument essay will be a 5-paragraph essay, with an introduction, 3 body paragraphs, and
a conclusion.
The most important paragraph is the introduction paragraph, in my opinion.
It has a Thesis Statement, and like a foundation on a home, without a strong thesis statement,
your home, or your essay, will fall apart.
So let's begin by looking at the introduction paragraph and the important components involved
in it.
In an introduction paragraph, you begin with an attention getter.
Just after that, you give your background information.
Use the research report we wrote to develop your background information.
Then, you want to lead into your thesis statement.
What is a thesis statement?
It is a declarative statement that shows your opinion.
Because a thesis statement is so important to the introduction paragraph, I have provided
you some on my website.
You're not required to use it, but I do have it there in case you're struggling with writing
it.
I don't want your essay to fall apart just because you have a weak thesis.
Now I do recommend that you write your own thesis statements.
One suggestion is that you use my thesis statement as a model in helping you compose your own.
Next up are the body paragraphs.
You will have 3 main body paragraphs. 2 of them are going to be very similar in structure,
and one of them is going to be a little different from the rest.
Let's first look at the 2 body paragraphs that are similar to each other in structure.
They will both begin with the topic sentence.
This topic sentence directly relates to the thesis statement.
I like to think of it as an extension of the thesis statement because it looks at 1 main
point from that thesis statement.
Next you need to support your topic sentence using outside research.
Go to your research report to gather information that you might use to support this paragraph.
It's ok to also use a personal experience, as long as it directly relates to the issue.
A large portion of our online work will be dedicated to developing these 2 body paragraphs.
Next up is our 3rd body paragraph, or what is called our refutation paragraph.
The refutation paragraph takes time to look at the opposing side's viewpoints.
You need to review the opposition's view respectfully and briefly.
You do this respectfully because you don't want to offend them, however, just after you
point out what they believe you need to tell them why they're wrong.
Again, do this respectfully so that your audience will be willing to listen to you.
So here we have the 3 body paragraphs.
Be aware that your refutation doesn't have to be last.
You can organize your body paragraphs in any way that you like.
You can put it in the middle, or it might work better in the front.
You decide.
Now that you have written a wonderful introduction paragraph, and 3 solid body paragraphs, you're
going want to write a conclusion to top things off nicely.
A conclusion paragraphs has some main components.
First of all, you're going to want to restate the thesis.
Be sure you restate it in a way that it looks and sounds different from the original thesis.
You also want to review the main points from the essay.
You can do this by looking at the topic sentences that you wrote.
Finally, you want to leave your reader with something interesting to think about.
Do not let this be confused with writing a new argument.
Argument time ended when you finished writing the body paragraphs.
Instead, think of a suggestion, or a though-provoking quote that might leave the reader thinking
on the subject.
Now at the end of the essay you should have a works cited page.
Much of our online work is dedicated to understanding this.
Also, I strongly recommend that you take time looking at the sample essays I left you in
the assignment screens.
Often students overlook this and they regret it.
Finally, look at the rubric.
This is what I use to grade your essay.
Good luck, and I think you guys will do great!