English 8 1
Unit 4 – Taking a Stand Persuasive Writing: The Argumentative Essay
Assignment Overview: Reality television has taken over our media world in the past few years. These shows are created using real people and real lives, but at times it feels scripted or contrived. Although these shows are created for entertainment, it appears to be at a serious cost. In most cases lives are forever changed and not always for the better.
Essay Prompt: Is the reality type programming that the Hunger Games exploits helpful or harmful to individuals and society?
Focusing Points: 1) Your essay will identify and analyze two key reasons that support your claim.
2) Following the identification of which side you support, the essay should provide textual support and analysis from the text.
3) Additionally, your essay should demonstrate your knowledge of character development, conflict, and plot.
Compare and Contrast Writing Process Checklist: 1) Introduction: Review the “Six Traits of Good Writing,” Qualities of Persuasive Writing, Essay Model, Argumentative Essay Format 2) Pre-Writing: Brainstorming Sheet (Graphic Organizer) 3) Drafting 4) Editing & Revision (includes Peer Editing and editing marks) 5) Publishing (typed – 12 pt. font, Times New Roman, double-spaced; Cover Page – title, your name, period #, teacher’s name; minimum of one and a half pages and maximum of three pages; Works Cited page – MLA format)
Important Dates:
o Brainstorming & Evidence Based Claims sheets Due On: ______
o Rough Draft Due On: ______
o Peer Editing On: ______
o Final Copy Due On: ______English 8 2
1) Introduction of Essay & Review of Writing Process: What is the WRITING PURPOSE of a Compare and Contrast Essay? (circle one) Expository Narrative Persuasive Descriptive
* Your essay is meant to explain and inform the reader of the characters’ journeys. *
Review: The Six Traits of Good Writing (from Unit 1) TRAIT 1 = Ideas TRAIT 2 = Organization TRAIT 3 = Voice TRAIT 4 = Word Choice TRAIT 5 = Sentence Fluency TRAIT 6 = Conventions
Goals, Audience, Tone:
Goal: Reason for writing
1) Why am I writing?
2) What do I want my writing to do?
3) How do I want my readers to react?
Identifying goals can help you focus your writing!
Audience: These are the people with whom you will share your writing
1a) Who is my audience?
1b) What do they already know about my subject?
2a) What do I want them to know?
3a) What details might they find most interesting?
Tone: As you consider your audience, also think about the kind of language you will use to present your ideas. English 8 3
2) Pre-Writing: Brainstorming Graphic Organizer (will be given out)
3) Drafting:
Essay Format
Cover Page – Title (centered); Your Name, Period #, Teacher’s Name (bottom, right-aligned)
Essay – 12 pt. font, Times New Roman, double-spaced; 2-3 pages
Introduction : Hook Introduce Titles, Authors, & Background Brief background Information on the two supporting reasons. Thesis Statement (also known as the Claim)
Body 1: Transition into Topic Sentence – Connect Thesis Statement to 1st point 2 examples of Textual Evidence that support first point (Include Parenthetical References) o Before each Textual Evidence, you must provide a context leading into the example. o After each Textual Evidence, you must ANALYZE the significance or importance of the quote in proving your point. Conclusion Sentence
Body 2: Transition into Topic Sentence – Connect Thesis Statement to 2nd point 2 examples of Textual Evidence that second point (Include Parenthetical References) o Before each Textual Evidence, you must provide a context leading into the example. o After each Textual Evidence, you must ANALYZE the significance or importance of the quote in proving your point. Conclusion Sentence English 8 4
Body 3: Transition into Topic Sentence – What is the counter argument? 2 examples of Textual Evidence that shows how the other side has a potential argument. (Include Parenthetical References) o Before each Textual Evidence, you must provide a context leading into the example. o After each Textual Evidence, you must ANALYZE the how the quoted material is not enough to sway someone from your side of the argument. Conclusion Sentence
Conclusion : Restate Thesis Statement Summarize point #1 – 1 sentence Summarize point #2 – 1 sentence Make a final statement that shows why your argument is sound and the only option
Last Page –MLA Formatted Works Cited page (alphabetical order, by author’s last name):
Author’s Last Name, Author’s First Name. Title. (State of Publication: Publisher, Year Published).
Collins, Suzanne. The Hunger Games. New York: Scholastic Press, 2008. Print.
** Common Transitions: First, next, most important, similarly, in contrast, therefore, on the other hand; subsequently, consequently; As a result, for that reason, because, since
4) Editing & Revision: “No-No” WORDS FOR FORMAL WRITING: First, read over your essay with no writing utensil in your hand. Next, re-read your essay; circle any of these words – if you find them in your paper – and make sure to change them for the final copy! Me This paper is about…
I Here is some information on…
You Don’t you want to read about…
In this paragraph I will… I hope you enjoyed my paper…
Let’s read on to find out… I tried to tell you…
My paper is about… And that was my paper…
Clearly The End English 8 5
Let me tell you about…. We
Obviously As you can see
1) Publishing: Time to type up a final copy. Make sure to follow all guidelines:
Cover Page – Title (centered); Your Name, Period #, Teacher’s Name (bottom, right-aligned)
Essay – 12 pt. font, Times New Roman, double-spaced; 2-3 pages
Works Cited – Works Cited (centered) and MLA format of The Hunger Games ***See above***