Learning Objective:

This assignment will help ensure that you understand how your argumentative essay should be structured to be a clear and concise piece of writing.

Directions:

Step 1: Review!

I know we have already talked a bit about arguments and what makes a good one, but since some students struggled a bit with structure when we wrote Essay 1. Make sure you have carefully reviewed our lecture on Argument Essay Structure as well as the Essay 2 Prompt.

Step 1: Respond!

Then, answer the following questions:

1. What did you learn about how an argument essay should be structured?
2. Do you have any questions on essay structure that I can answer before we begin writing next week?
3. Do you have any questions on Essay 2 prompt that I can answer before we begin writing next week?

Grading:

By responding to the questions above to the best of your ability, you will receive a “Complete” on this assignment.

Remember that this is an informal response! I just want to see that you read the lecture and help you if anything seemed confusing. No pressure!

Need Help?

As you write, it may also help to review Understanding Your Assignment.

If you need further assistance, please consider taking advantage of our Online Tutoring with the Writing Center.

Also, don’t hesitate to email me with questions or concerns (kim.bailey@gcccd.edu or Canvas Inbox) or post questions to our Class Q&A Discussion.

Argument Essay Structure

To-Do Date: Oct 5 at 11:59pm

Overview:

Next week, we will write Essay 2 Free vs. Hate Speech, which will be a fully argumentative essay (a little bit different that Essay 1 was).

In our class, we will be working with a very specific essay structure. The point of that is to make sure our essays are easy to follow by our readers and include all of the important parts. Eventually, as we become more confident writers, we might be able to break some of these rules, but for now, I ask that we stick to them.

Please carefully review the lecture below. I would like for your essays to follow this structure, and we will start practicing in Essay 2.

Introduction:

• The introduction should include:
  • An attention grabber/Hook: something that catches the reader’s attention. That can be a quote from a famous person, a question, a short story, a shocking statistic or fact and so on.
  • Background: You should assume that the reader has not read any of the articles we have read as a class. With that, give the reader background into the issue at hand (social media and the way it affects social justice). Make sure the reader understands what is happening.
  • Thesis: It should be the last sentence of your introductory paragraph, and it should directly and clearly answer the question from your prompt (check out the focusing questions)

Body Paragraphs:

• A Minimum of Three Body Paragraphs (all structured the same way using the PIE formula we learned about a couple of weeks ago).
  • Point: Make a sub-claim/Give a reason for your thesis/tell the reader what the paragraph will be about
  • Information #1: Give examples, from the readings you read or from your personal experiences
  • Explanation #1: Explain your information. How does it connect to your thesis? How does it answer the question from the prompt?
    • Eventually, we will do PIEIE, meaning you will still have one point, but you will provide two pieces of information along with their explanations.
  • Body Paragraph 1PIEIEBody Paragraph 2PIEIEBody Paragraph 3PIEIE

Conclusion:

• • • Restate your thesis
    • Provide a final thought

MLA:

• An MLA style Works Cited page should be the last page of your essay.