Argumentative writing aims to persuade an audience to agree with a writer’s point of view on a topic or issue. In an argumentative essay, a writer develops his or her argument and states a precise and informative claim. Then the writer provides relevant evidence and reasons to support it. Strong argumentative writing effectively uses genre characteristics and craft such as relevant evidence, rhetorical devices, and a clear organizational structure to convince readers to accept and agree with the writer’s claim. The characteristics of argumentative writing include:

• An introduction
• Thesis statement with precise claim
• Relevant evidence and reasons
• Style and rhetorical devices (ethos, pathos, logos)
• Transitions
• Conclusion that leaves the reader with something to think about; a call to action
• Counter arguments and rebuttal 
• A strong, confident tone.  
• A Works Cited page

QA WRITING PROMPT:

Write an argument essay on an issue in our society, community, world, etc. that you feel strongly about, that needs to be fixed or addressed.  Ex.) The water at your local beach is too polluted to swim in and this needs to be fixed. Ex.) Helping the elderly neighbors in the neighborhood needs to be part of the requirements for community service. Write an argument essay with the intent of showing others how much this issue matters and should be addressed or fixed by using evidence, supporting details, ethos pathos and logos. Be sure your argument essay includes the following:

• a thesis statement that makes a claim about the truth of something (what you’re arguing)
• an explanation of how a problem arose and the importance of this issue
• vivid, energetic language that keeps readers involved
• style that can heighten readers’ emotions and make them accept your arguments   
• strong supporting evidence (research, anecdotes, statistics, etc)
• ethos, pathos and logos
• a counter argument and rebuttal that anticipates and defends against what readers opposed to your claim might say
• a strong conclusion that restates your position and gets readers on your side

TOPICS:

If you choose any of these topics you will need to choose a side and convince the audience of what you are arguing!! You should also pose a solution as to what should be done!!! (What changes should be made to fix the issue? Should it be illegal? Banned? Destroyed? Limited? Mandated? Stricter laws? etc.)

• Social media is harmful to teens' mental health and should be banned
• Is technology more harmful or beneficial to society? Choose a side!!
• Is violence or peace the best way to solve problems? 
• School uniforms should be mandatory
• AI is a danger or useful resource to society? 
• There should be more security at school
• Community service: Should be required to help the elderly
• America should have free healthcare? Or no?
• Marijuana should be illegal/legal
• Cigarettes and vaping should be illegal
• There should be requirements that need to be met in order to become a parent
• Contraceptives should be free or less expensive
• The voting age should be changed to 21
• The drinking age should be lowered to 18 or raised to a higher age?
• Feminine menstrual products should be free to all women
• Should social media platforms be held responsible for misinformation?
• Is cancel culture beneficial or harmful to society?
• Should there be stricter regulations on artificial intelligence?
• Should standardized testing be abolished?
• Is homeschooling more effective than traditional schooling?
• Should college be free for all students?
• Is technology making students less intelligent?
• Should schools require uniforms?
• Should genetic engineering be used on humans?
• Is space exploration worth the investment?
• Are self-driving cars a safe alternative to human drivers?
• Is animal testing justified?
• Should the death penalty be abolished?
• Is cloning ethical?
• Should euthanasia for humans be legalized?
• Pro life or pro choice?

Directions for creating a Works Cited page in MyBib

1. Create or log into your account
2. Start New Project
3. Name the Project
4. Add Citations (+Citations)

• Website

• Copy and paste URL
• Click on website result
• Try to find missing or incorrect information in website article
• Click “Save”

• Book with one Author

• Click Book Tab
• Type in ISBN number
• Click on correct title
• Click “Save”

• Chapter in a Book

• Find under “More”
• Choose “Book Chapter”
• Fill in information
• Click "Save"

• Database/E-Book articles

• Copy formatted citation from database
• Find under “More”
• Choose Write/paste
• Paste
• Click “Save”

5. When you are finished adding all citations 
6. “Download Bibliography”
7. Download to Google Drive
8. Copy and paste the Works Cited page into your paper

No login needed from school.

Off campus? Email sevje@cpsed.net for password.

No login needed from school.

Off campus? Click here and scroll down for Points of View Reference Center.

Add site:.gov to the end of your search terms in any Google search box. For example, to find articles about “ethical leadership” published on government websites, enter the terms "ethical leadership" site:.gov, as shown below.

Below is the link to West Library's subscription databases. All off-campus logins are in your Google Classroom.

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