Analytical Writing
ARGUMENT TASK
Parts of an Argument
Conclusion Words
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So
Therefore
Thus
Hence
Showed That
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Clearly
Then
Consequently
As a result
Concluded that
The Conclusion is an opinion and recommendation for action
Premise Words
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Because
Since
Assume
If
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Given That
In View Of
In Light Of
Premises are the facts used to back up an opinion.
Assumptions
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Assumptions are the unstated premises that support the
author’s conclusion.
Analyzing Argument
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Brainstorming for the Argument essay consists primarily
of coming up with a list of assumptions.
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The most common mistake is your own opinion
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DO NOT DO THIS
You are only being asked to critique someone else’s opinion.
How to Use Your Time
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Take the Argument Apart
 2 Minutes
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Select The Points You’ll Make
 4 Minutes
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Organize Your Thoughts
 2 Minutes
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Write Your Essay
 20 Minutes
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Proofread
 2 Minutes
Components to Incorporate In Your Essay
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Always include the following elements:
o
First Paragraph
o
Sum up the argument’s conclusion
oSecond, Third, and
oAttack
oLast
Fourth Paragraphs
the argument and the supporting evidence
paragraph
oSummarize
what you’ve said and state how the argument could be
strengthened
The argument that (restatement of the conclusion) is not entirely logically convincing, since it
ignores certain crucial assumptions.
First, the argument assumes that _________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________.
Second, the argument never addresses ____________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________.
Finally, the argument omits _____________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________.
Thus, the argument is not completely sound. The evidence in support of the conclusion
___________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________.
Ultimately, the argument might have been strengthened by ___________________
___________________________________________________________________.
Alternative Template
1st Paragraph
Restate the argument and say it has three flaws
2nd Paragraph:
Point out a flaw and show how it could be plugged up by
explicitly stating the missing assumption
3rd Paragraph:
Point out a second flaw and show how it could be plugged up by
explicitly stating the missing assumption
4th Paragraph:
Point out a third flaw and show how it could be plugged up by
explicitly stating the missing assumption
5th Paragraph:
Summarize and conclude that because of these three flaws, the
argument is weak.
Let’s Practice!
The Argument Issue
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An argument task will always begin with a passage
containing an author’s argument or position that she or
he is advocating.
You will be asked to write a response in which you
describe what specific examples or evidence are needed
to evaluate the argument and how those examples or
evidence would weaken or strengthen the argument.
An Argument essay will always begin with a passage
containing an author’s argument or position that she or
he is advocating. It will look something like this:
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The problem of poor teaching performance that has
plagued the sate public school system is bound to
become a good deal less serious in the future. The state
has initiated comprehensive guidelines that oblige state
teachers to complete a number of required credits in
education and educational psychology at the graduate
level before being certified.
Step 1.
Take The Argument Apart
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What is the Conclusion?
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What is the Evidence?
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Conclusion: The point the argument is trying to make
Evidence: Basis offered to support the conclusion
What are the assumptions?
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Assumptions: The unspoken conditions or beliefs necessary for
the conclusion to make sense in light of the evidence
The Conclusion
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The problem of poorly trained teachers that has plagued
the state public school system is bound to become a
good deal less serious in the future
The Evidence
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The state has initiated comprehensive guidelines that
oblige state teachers to complete a number of required
credits in education and education psychology at the
graduate level before being certified
The Assumptions
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Credits in education will improve teacher’s classroom
performance
Current bad teachers haven’t already met this standard of
training
Current bad teachers will not still be in teaching in the
future, or will have to be trained as well
Step 2. Select The Points You Will
Make
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Analyze the evidence in the argument. Determine
whether there’s anything relevant that’s not discussed
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Whether the training will actually address the cause of the
problems
What “poorly performing” means
How to either improve or remove the bad teachers now
teaching
Step 2. Continuation
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Also determine what types of evidence would make the
argument stronger or more logically sound. In this case,
we need some new evidence to support the assumptions.
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Evidence verifying that this training will make better teachers
Evidence making it clear those current bad teachers haven’t
already had this training
Evidence suggesting why all or many bad teachers won’t still be
teaching in the future (or why they’ll be better trained)
Step 3 Organize, Using Kaplan’s Essay
Templates
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Paragraph 1: The argument is that improved academic training,
ensured by requiring credits in education and psychology will
substantially alleviate the current problem of poorly trained
teachers
Paragraph 2: Will training address the cause of the problem?
Paragraph 3: “Poorly performing” is not precisely defined
Paragraph 4: Has a similar state instituted similar guidelines and seen
results?
Paragraph 5: The author has not presented well-defined terms and
relies upon unproven assumptions, for these reasons it is not
convincing.
Steps 4 and 5
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Type Your Essay
Proofread Your Work
In-Class Activity
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Turn to Page 385 to see a Sample Issue Essay with an
“outstanding” score of 6
Then, turn to Page 392 (Argument Essay Practice Set) and
do Argument Essay 1