Argument
- develop a multi-paragraph response to the assigned topic that clearly communicates your claim to the audience;
- include text-based evidence from sources to support your claim and arguments/reasons;
- paraphrase or summarize information, in your own words, except when quoting directly from sources and cite information appropriately;
- address the readers' concerns, opposing viewpoints, and/or counterarguments/counterclaims;
- organize your essay in a clear and logical manner, including an introduction, body, and conclusion;
- use transitional strategies to connect your ideas, sentences, and paragraphs;
- use well-structured sentences and appropriate language for your audience;
- edit your work to conform to the conventions of standard American English.
Focus and Purpose
- Revision Goal 1:
State your claim.
1. Your claim is your point of view on the issue. Make sure you write your claim in one sentence in the introduction. Highlight it in teal .
2. If you do not have a claim yet, you need to read about the issues in the sources provided or in outside, trusted sources. As you read your sources, take notes about the pros and cons of the issue. Then, pick the side with which you most agree. You can use the T-chart to help you. Write one sentence that firmly states the side of the issue with which you agree.
- Revision Goal 2:
Understand your task and purpose.
- Reread the prompt and underline the purpose, topic, and audience for your essay. Highlight, in red , any parts of the prompt that are unclear or confusing to you. If necessary, look up unknown terms or ask a teacher for help understanding what the prompt is asking you to do.
2. Remember that you are writing an argumentative essay. Click on the argumentative outline tool to remind yourself of the elements you need to include in this kind of essay.
Content and Development
- Revision Goal 1:
Include reasons to support your claim.
- Focus on your reasons as you reread your essay. Highlight, in maroon , the reasons that support your claim. Reasons answer the question “why did you state that claim?”
- If you did not include at least two different reasons, use the prewriting tool to brainstorm more ideas. Follow the directions on this outline. Then, add your new ideas to your draft.
3. If you found at least two reasons in your essay, evaluate them: Do they clearly tell why you stated your claim? Do they make sense?
- Revision Goal 2:
Include text-based evidence to support your reasons.
1. Focus on your evidence for your reasons as you reread your essay. First , highlight, in maroon , the reasons that support your overall claim. Next, highlight, in green , the evidence (e.g., facts, statistics, or quotes) to support each reason.
2. If you did not include evidence for each of your reasons, include it now. You can do this by rereading the sources and selecting facts, statistics, details that support your reasons.
3. If you did include evidence for each of your reasons, evaluate your evidence: 1) does it support your claim; 2) does it provide more detail or information about a reason you wrote; 3) is it specific; 4) does it come from a trusted source?
Organization
- Revision Goal 1:
Create an effective introduction.
- Your introduction should include your claim. Your claim is the point of view you will argue in your essay. Highlight it in teal . If you do not have a claim, state it clearly in one sentence.
- Your introduction should include important background information about the issue. Briefly explain the topic. Tell why the issue is controversial and something readers should care about.
- Revision Goal 2:
Create three supporting paragraphs.
1. Organize your reasons and evidence into three separate paragraphs. Go back to the argumentative outline tool and organize your essay into the boxes provided (Hint: Use cut and paste to help you do this). This will help you identify your paragraphs.
2. Each paragraph should have a topic sentence that states a reason for your claim. Highlight the topic sentence in each paragraph. If you do not have a topic sentence, add it now as the first sentence in the paragraph.
- Revision Goal 3:
Create a conclusion.
Your conclusion should inspire your reader to think more about the issue and hopefully agree with your claim. Reread the end of your essay and underline your conclusion. If you do not have a conclusion, add one now. Use the following tips to help you write your conclusion.
a. Restate your claim, reasons, and evidence in a different way.
b. Remember to use firm language to emphasize that your readers should believe your claim.
Language Use
- Revision Goal 1:
Write complete sentences.
1. Reread your essay and underline the subject (doer) and verb (action) in each sentence. If you cannot find both in each sentence, add a subject or verb to make complete sentences.
2. Highlight, in purple , any sentences that are too long and have too many ideas. Then, separate your ideas into two or more sentences.
- Revision Goal 2:
Choice your words carefully.
1. In your introduction, highlight, in green , the words or phrases that answer the questions who, what, when, where, why, and how about the issue.
2. Now, add more precise words to describe the issue and its significance. Use the Word Bank to help you identify vivid verbs and adventurous adjectives to replace vague words or lack of detail.
3. Add firm language to show that you truly believe your claim. Use the Word Bank’s persuasive/argumentative words to find examples of strong language.
Grammar and Mechanics
- Revision Goal 1: Eliminate errors in spelling, punctuation, grammar, and mechanics.
1. Read your writing. You may want to read out loud (to yourself) so that you can hear many of your mistakes and correct them.
2. Correct any spelling errors using the spellchecker. Then, make your readers SMILE by doing the following:
Sentences: Make sure each sentence has a subject and a verb (an action).
Indents: Indent when you begin a new paragraph. Marks: End each sentence with a punctuation mark .
Letters: Start each sentence with a capital letter, and capitalize formal names, places, and the pronoun "I."
Editor: Click on MY Editor for more ways to improve your writing.