Argumentative Writing Lesson 1: Overview

Summary

In this first lesson on argumentative writing, Miss Coupley introduces the concept of argumentative writing, emphasizing the importance of taking a stance on an issue and supporting it with evidence. The lesson outlines the key steps: investigating a topic, collecting evidence, and establishing a position. It also breaks down the structure of an argumentative paper, including the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. The goal is to persuade the reader by presenting a clear point of view, supported by reasoning and evidence, while acknowledging opposing viewpoints. Future lessons will delve into crafting strong thesis statements and making bold claims.

Takeaways

• 😀 Argumentative writing involves taking a stance on an issue and supporting it with evidence.
• 😀 The goal of argumentative writing is to persuade the reader to understand and support your viewpoint.
• 😀 Step 1 in argumentative writing is to investigate the topic to understand both sides of the issue.
• 😀 Step 2 involves collecting and evaluating evidence to back up your claims.
• 😀 It's important to not just have an opinion, but to support it with valid evidence.
• 😀 In argumentative writing, you must clearly establish your position on the issue, whether for or against.
• 😀 The first part of an argumentative paper is the introduction, which includes your thesis statement.
• 😀 The body paragraphs are where you present reasons supporting your thesis and address opposing viewpoints.
• 😀 Typically, an argumentative paper includes three body paragraphs, each focusing on a different reason or point.
• 😀 The conclusion restates the thesis and summarizes the arguments made in the body paragraphs.
• 😀 The end goal of argumentative writing is to provide a clear point of view, supported by reasoning and evidence, while addressing opposing perspectives.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of argumentative writing?

The main purpose of argumentative writing is to persuade the reader to understand and support the writer's point of view about a topic by stating reasoning and providing evidence.

What does argumentative writing involve in terms of taking a stance?

Argumentative writing involves choosing a side on an issue and writing about it, presenting a clear stance, whether in favor or against the topic.

What are the first steps in argumentative writing as outlined in the video?

The first steps in argumentative writing are to investigate a topic, collect and evaluate evidence, and establish a position on the issue.

Why is it important to back up your opinion with evidence in argumentative writing?

It's important to back up your opinion with evidence because opinions alone are not convincing; evidence helps to support the argument and make it more credible.

What are the three main parts of an argumentative paper?

The three main parts of an argumentative paper are the introduction (with the thesis statement), body paragraphs (explaining reasons and addressing opposing viewpoints), and the conclusion (restating the thesis and summarizing arguments).

What is the role of the thesis statement in an argumentative paper?

The thesis statement in the introduction outlines the topic and clearly states the writer's claim or stance on the issue.

How do body paragraphs contribute to the argumentative paper?

Body paragraphs explain the reasons supporting the thesis statement, address opposing points of view, and provide evidence to strengthen the argument.

What is the purpose of addressing opposing viewpoints in argumentative writing?

Addressing opposing viewpoints allows the writer to acknowledge other perspectives and demonstrate why their stance is stronger, making the argument more persuasive.

What should the conclusion paragraph do in an argumentative paper?

The conclusion paragraph should restate the thesis and summarize the key arguments made in the body paragraphs, reinforcing the main point of the paper.

What will be covered in the next lesson, according to the video?

The next lesson will focus on thesis statements and making bold claims in argumentative writing.