How to write an argument

1. Bullying
Notecard Essay
Remember the 3 Ps of persuasion
Proof
Power
Pizzazz

5. Argue for adopting an anti-bullying
program

6. Step 1: Write your hook
NAME__________________ PERIOD___________
❶Hook – how will you get your
principal’s attention?
Possible strategies:
- Surprising true fact
- Rhetorical question
- Personal connection
- Statistic
- Anecdote
- Start with a metaphor- “bullying
is a _______ because…
- Definition of “bullying”
- Onomatopoeia

7. Step 2: Write your thesis
❶Hook
❷Thesis / Claim
• I contend that…
• I would argue that…
• I claim that…

8. Step 3: Write 2 pieces of evidence using the
sentence stems. You can use one more than once.
❶Hook
❷Thesis / Claim
❸TEXT EVIDENCE (2 minimum)
• Most will agree that…
• I agree with [name of an expert from the article]
who suggest that…[cite word for word or
paraphrase what that expert says that supports
your argument]
• The fact that [write a fact from the article that
supports your answer] happened proves that….
• The article gives many reasons why….

9. Step 4: Write 2-3 possible responses to your
opposition’s argument. Use the sentence stems to help.
❶Hook
❷Thesis / Claim
❸EVIDENCE
❹Possible Responses
• While [fact that does not support your position]
is true, I would argue …… because….
• [so-and-so] claims [fact that does not support
your position] which I disagree with because….
• While I agree that_____, you could also say…
• While many suggest ….., others say ….

10. Step 5: Write your closing argument. Use the
sentence stems to help you.
❶Hook
❷Thesis / Claim
❸EVIDENCE
❹Possible Responses
❺CLOSING ARGUMENT: Restate your position using the three Ps:
PROOF, POWER, PIZZAZZ
• If you consider the facts…. you will see that …
• Although the other side made some good points... my
overwhelming evidence proves…
• In summary, “For Love of the Game” provides more good
reasons that…