MIDTERM: Write an ARGUMENT essay: An argument is a cohesive series of reasons intended to establish and support a point of view. Arguments should be fair, logical and PRODUCTIVE. They do not need to be negative, loud, or destructive. Arguments prioritize planning and evidence, not emotion and opinion. Consider the counter arguments that might challenge your claim. Remember that arguments encourage progress.
Think about what you have pondered, thought about, realized, and/or discovered so far in Freshman Comp. Consider the importance of topics we've discussed: our perceptions, opinions, judgments, the language and words we use (our RHETORIC) and their impact.
Begin by thinking about what your overall takeaway has been throughout these first few weeks of COMP.
Try to CRITICALLY THINK AND SYNTHESIZE. You have, as you know, been collecting PRIMARY RESEARCH DATA through our class activities. What have you learned as a result of these: Examples, Anecdotes, Descriptions?
What have you learned or realized about the people around you?
Include something about the Name speeches/Labels Descriptions, the Queenie Activity, the Fall-Out activity, the Literacy Autobiography, your resume and/or introductory cover letter, The Five People You Meet in Heaven. Consider the impact these discussions and activities have had on your awareness. What has been the most interesting or revealing aspect?
THEN: Reference the SECONDARY SOURCES provided regarding first impressions. There are 2 articles given for you to use to: Include Statistics, Facts and Expert Analysis in your argument as support and evidence.
Perhaps find your own article. There is an opportunity for Enrichment points for this.
Look at what you have already written in your reflections.
EXAMINE the DATA and find a common "thread" throughout and "weave" from there.
DEVELOP a CLAIM by exploring your WARRANT and use your EVIDENCE to SUBSTANTIATE your topic.
1st Create an outline:
Follow the Toulmin Model as outlined in the Teaching Arguments article provided and discussed. Or use the Purdue Owl reference: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/academic_writing/historical_perspectives_on_argumentation/toulmin_argument.html
Outline the topics and activities you have used as PRIMARY RESEARCH and the articles for SECONDARY RESEARCH
Outline of the Toulmin Model
I. Claim: assertion, thesis, conclusion to be established
A. Contains topic plus controlling idea
B. Signaled by words like ought to, must, it is essential
II. Grounds: evidence, reasons, support
Deductive: premises from which a claim is derived
Inductive: sample, experiment, observation
III. Warrants: why the reasons support the claim; principles or assumptions
Deductive: meanings of terms, parallel argument
Inductive: representative sample
A generalization of why the evidence supports the claim.
IV. Backing: implicit assumptions that show the warrant is reliable and/or evidence to support grounds
V. Modal Qualifiers
A. Words like probably, in most instances, typically they show when, how, and why the claim is reliable
VI. Rebuttals: counterarguments or exceptions to the claim
Finally, Write and submit the paper and outline
Remember: 12-point, quality font, MLA Heading, double spaced, internal citations that refer to at least 3-5 pieces of CREDIBLE EVIDENCE regarding perceptions and judgments supporting your claim.
MLA citations are required WITHIN AND IN A WORK CITED PAGE for all activities and resources.
Due Monday October 24th 11:30pm