Tuesday/ Wednesday, May 28/29 writing an argumenative essay

Today l begin writing an argumentative essay, where you will apply the rhetorical material we have just covered. This will involve research, making claims, finding evidence, refuting an argument and drawing a conclusion. You will need to write an argumentative essay on your ELA Regents exam.  It is very important that you stay on task and come to class. If you are absent anytime, you should check the blog and complete the material we covered in class. This will count as a writing grade.

Please spread out your desks or make sure you are not sitting next to anyone.

Take out the copy of the exam that we reviewed in class last Monday and Tuesday.  Review the directions again and begin. I will put two sheets of paper on each desk.  It is not expected that you will finish today. I will collect these at the end of class and return them to you tomorrow. Please put your name on the exam and the lined paper. 

There are four basic sections of any argumentative essay you should follow:

1. Introduction paragraph
2. Body with 2-3 strong arguments that weave in supporting text and are cited correctly.
3. Refuting/ opposing arguments in one paragraph (again weave in and cite)
4. Conclusion

Opposition / Limitation / Contradiction

Transition phrases like but, rather and or, express that there is evidence to the contrary or point out alternatives, and thus introduce a change the line of reasoning (contrast).

although this may be true

in contrast

different from

of course ..., but

on the other hand

on the contrary

at the same time

in spite of

even so / though

be that as it may

then again

above all

in reality

after all

but

(and) still

unlike

or

(and) yet

while

albeit

besides

as much as

even though

although

instead

whereas

despite

conversely

otherwise

however

rather

nevertheless

nonetheless

regardless

notwithstanding