week six

Learning Goal: I’m working on a literature question and need an explanation and answer to help me learn.

Argument Essay Let me give some tips for that here: start with these 4 possible templates for an Argument and plug in the variables:

A. Claims may be Facts, such as Fact X is/is not true on Topic Y for Reasons 1, 2, 3, etc.

B. Claims may be Causal, such as X is the cause of Problem Y for Reasons 1, 2, 3, etc.

C. Claims may be Value based, such as X should/should not be of value in our society for Reasons 1, 2, 3, etc.

D. Claims may be Solutions, such as X is/is not the solution to Problem Y for Reasons 1, 2, 3, etc.

Okay, let us take, for instance, the topic of Mass Shooting Events (a topic that has been all over the news with tons of sources available online). The secret to solving any problem is know the cause, so let’s start with a Causal Argument.

What is the Cause (X) of the Problem of Mass Shootings (Y)? Is it a bunch of things? X can be plural. Now, how can you prove that? That is Reasons 1,2,3, which will be sections 1,2,3 of this essay, and to prove each point, you will have at least 3 sources, one for each reason.

Next, can you think of a Solution (X) to the same problem (Y)? What are actions 1,2,3 that can lead to an end of this problem? All problems are ended by reversing or eliminating the cause.

Finally, a Fact argument would be that It is true that Mass Shooters do (or do not) have characteristics that can be identified before a Mass Shooting Event, etc. and it can be proven by sources 1,2,3, etc.

Fill in the blanks here and substitute any topic that you like, and you will have an Argument!

Finally, our weekly journal is an example of a review that will prepare us for the final Major Essay of our class, the Evaluation: Describe and evaluate your mother’s (or someone else’s) cooking.

Let me know what questions you have,

the argument is about (You have your own opinions, but not your own facts.)