English

Argument Essay Instructions

 

You will write a 400-word essay, constructed to convince a specific audience of your chosen point. (You must choose your topic from those provided in the Argument Essay Topic Choices document.) The essay must include an introduction paragraph, at least 3 well-developed supporting paragraphs, and a concluding paragraph. All paragraphs should flow well together, using smooth transitions between each reason and a piece of evidence chosen for your argument. 

 

You will complete your progress incrementally using the Argument Essay Draft Template. You will submit your work as follows:

Only the Thesis Statement and Prewriting

                                         Prewriting Example

 

My Topic:

Home schooling

 

My Attitude:

It is the best educational choice.

 

My Purpose:

To present the benefits of home schooling and persuade parents to consider and choose it for their children.

 

My Thesis Statement:

Home schooling is the best educational option academically, socially, and spiritually for young children of concerned Christian parents in these uncertain times.

 

My Audience:

Christian parents of young children in the U.S.A.

 

How much does my audience know about my subject? They know a little bit, but only what they have “heard.”

1. Age? Gender? Race? Social Status? Location? Religion?

Parents between the ages of 25 and 35 with young children, of any race, middle-class, in the USA, who are Christians.

1. Where does my audience stand on the issue; are they Opposed or Neutral?

They are neutral.

Sample Outline

 

NOTE: You may use any method we have practiced during this course, which means that your outline may not look like the essay outline below; thus all my arguments are reasons why I think home schooling is a good option. You may choose to use some compare/contrast, classification, etc., depending on your topic. Also remember to include an answer to your opposition and support opinions with facts.

 

My

Outline:

 

I. Introduction

A.        Declining national averages, recent school violence, and God taken out of schools

B.        Thesis statement

 

II. Academic Benefit: Home-schooled children advance faster due to one-on-one attention

A.      Personal stories of both experiences

B.           Examples of people I know

 

III. Social Benefits

A.      Not overly exposed to violence or negative peer-pressure

B.      Can still be involved in school and church activities

 

IV. Spiritual Benefits

A.      Not exposed to false doctrine

B.      Grounded in Christian doctrine (Bible verses)

 

V. Conclusion

A.      Parents can take back a large part of the responsibility of raising their children

If it is possible for a couple to home school their young children, it is the best choice academically, socially, and spiritually.

******************************************************************************

    

Argument Essay Thesis & Prewriting Template

 

Step 1: Argument Essay Thesis Statement & Prewriting

 

Directions: Complete all of the elements of the prewriting; otherwise, the content of your piece will not be accurate.

   My Topic:    My Attitude:    My Purpose:    My Thesis Statement:    My Audience:    

1. How much does my audience know about my subject? 

Age? Gender? Race? Social Status? Location? Religion? Where does my audience stand on the issue; are they Opposed or Neutral?

     Outline: