2. 2
REQUIREMENTS:
● Be in newspaper or magazine format/template
● Word Count: at least 500-700 words
● Include cited textual evidence of (2)
historical/current events using the online school
database
● Include a headline
● Include at least one picture
● Introduce a strong thesis statement/claim, have
TWO arguing points or “body paragraphs,”
multiple well-chosen, relevant, and credible
facts or evidence to support EACH of your
arguing points, a counterclaim, a rebuttal, and a
conclusion.
3. 3
Checkpoint Checklist:
● ✅ Checkpoint #1: - Due Feb 16/17
a. Topic/Thesis (20 points)
● ✅ Checkpoint #2: - Due Feb 22/23
a. Introduction Paragraph (20 points)
● ✅ Checkpoint #3: - Due Feb 24/25
a. 1st Body Paragraph w/ Evidence (20 points)
● ✅ Checkpoint #4: - Due Mar 1/2
a. Counterclaim + Rebuttal Paragraph w/ Evidence (20 points)
● ✅ Checkpoint #5: - Due Mar 3/4
a. Conclusion Paragraph (20 points)
● FINAL DRAFT of Argumentative Newspaper Column - DUE 3/5 at 11:59 PM
(Summative)
Note: I will be checking your
planning slides at the end of each
day and marking off whether you
have passed each checkpoint!
Completion grade for each
checkpoint to total up to a 100.
5. Which
topic will
you
choose?
Topic Ideas:
▫ What is the best way to combat Islamophobia?
▫ What is the best way to create a more anti-racist world?
▫ What is the best way to combat sexism and misogyny?
▫ What is the best way to eliminate our class hierarchy?
▫ What is the best way to solve climate change?
◦ You can choose another topic besides these, just
run them by me first! 5
What is your topic? Think about something in our country
you think must change now. Write 3-4 sentences about
your topic:
● How it is a CURRENT, RELEVANT argument in
American society.?
● Why are you passionate/interested about your
topic? Does it have a personal connection to you? If
not, what made you choose the topic?
Enter your answer here.
6. 1. Part Two
Thesis Statement
This is your claim, what you are arguing for.
6
7. Writing Your Thesis
● Start with your topic
○ Example: Bullying
● What is it that you want to say about your topic?
○ Do you have a strong, clear viewpoint for or stance on the topic?
○ Example: Bullying is getting worse, and stronger action is needed.
● This part is your overall argument.
● NEVER say “I think”, “I feel”, “I believe”, “In my opinion”, etc in your thesis.
● Now that you’ve identified your argument, you need to determine TWO reasons
(subarguments).
● Your reasons should support your claim. Think of them as the main ideas for your body
paragraphs.
○ These can come from your research from the online school database.
● Example reasons:
○ Reason A: Social media allows students other methods of bullying.
○ Reason B: Adults in society set bad examples around bullying.
○ Reason C: School rules around bullying can make the problem worse.
●
7
What we don’t want is a weak
thesis. Here is an example of a
weak thesis:
● Bullying is bad.
● Bullying needs to stop.
8. Example:
● Main Argument Topic: "Genetically modified organisms provide far more benefits than they
do negative side effects, and because of this, should not be placed under strong regulation."
○ Reason A: "The increased yield that comes from genetically modified organisms is
able to sustain a population of people that would be unimaginable with traditional
farming methods."
■ Historical/current event: The production and creation of yellow rice.
○ Reason B: "By modifying plants to resist pests and disease, a larger percent of crops
cultivated actually make it to harvest, and onto your dinner plate."
■ Historical/current event: Root Fungus Outbreak in the 1930's.
○ Reason C: "Genetically modified crops encourage farmers to use environmentally
conservative techniques such as tillage farming, a practice in which farmers do not till
their fields following harvest, instead leaving residue, like stems, from that harvest
and using it as a base to grow the crops for the next planting season and to help
protect the soil."
■ Historical/current event: The Dust Bowl and erosion in farming.
●
8
9. What are
some reasons/
subtopics that
you want to
address with
your topic?
9
What are the (2) subtopics or reasons that support your
thesis? These are your subtopics for your body
paragraphs. These reasons should answer why your
argument is valid.
Subtopics (Reason why your argument is valid~ in
other words, these are your subtopics for your
body paragraphs)
Possible historical/current
event that you can use to
support your claim (Use online
school database to find these!)
Reason A: Type here Type here
Reason B: Type here Type here
● When we are looking at composing our speech, we
must remember the research requirements:
○ Must cite (2) historical/current events to
support your argument.
○ What is a historical event? Any event or
situation that has occurred in society related
to your topic. For ex, if I am writing about
climate change reform, I might find a source
talking about the BP oil spills.
10. Writing
your own
thesis/
Claim. Put it
all together!
10
Formula: Claim because Reason A, and Reason B.
Example: Bullying is getting worse, and stronger action is
needed because social media allows students other
methods of bullying, and adults in society set bad
examples around bullying.
Enter your thesis statement here.
12. Introduction: Hooks/Leads
● Our introductions need to start with hooks to grab our reader. Think of DRAPES!
○ DRAPES is an acronym composed of several strategies you can use to hook
your reader in an argumentative speech.
■ Dialogue
■ Rhetorical Question
■ Analogy
■ Personal Experience
■ Example
■ Statistics
● After hooking our reader and introducing our topic, we need to add in our thesis
statement to the introduction paragraph.
●
12
13. Lead/Hook Examples
●
13
Dialogue When discussing the cancellation of student debt, Senator Elizabeth
Warren stated, "it is fundamentally the right thing to do,” (McGrane, par. 4).
Rhetorical Question What would America be like if the government chose to erase the 1.6
trillion dollar student debt?
Analogy For many people in the United States, being in student debt is like
swimming against an ocean current. It makes it impossible to move
forward.
Personal Experience Student debt is an issue that affects millions of Americans, myself and my
family included. A family member of mine graduated from a four-year
college almost twenty-five years ago. She is still thousands of dollars in
debt.
Example There are a couple of loan forgiveness programs available in the U.S.
including the Federal Family Education Loan Program and the Public
Service Loan Forgiveness Program. But there aren’t nearly enough
programs available for all who in debt.
Statistics Nearly 45 million Americans are in student debt, which is almost twenty
percent of the entire countries population. Additionally, most people who
are in debt are young people.
14. Intro Paragraph Template
● Formula: Hook/lead statement (think DRAPES). Background knowledge transition sentence
about Reason A. Background knowledge transition sentence about Reason B. Background
knowledge transition sentence about Reason C. Transition sentence about why topic is
important and is worth arguing about. Thesis statement.
● Example: Did you know that on average 60% of American students aged 14-18 years old get
bullied in high school? A case study from 2016 about a local high school in Arkansas revealed
that many students felt peer pressured, insecure, pushed around, and discriminated against
by their peers for reasons they could not control. In fact, social media, such as Instagram,
Twitter, Snapchat, and Tiktok have made it easier for bullying to take place. Bullying has
become so bad that many high schoolers counselors do not know how to effectively support
their students who endure this type of treatment. However hard it may seem, it is still the
responsibility of adults to protect high schoolers from bullying. Bullying is getting worse, and
stronger action is needed because social media allows students other methods of bullying,
and adults in society set bad examples around bullying.
●
14
15. Remember
DRAPES +
Intro
Template
15
Now that you’ve chosen a topic and constructed your
thesis statement, you will begin to write your argument.
Your introduction should include a hook/lead, additional
explanation of your topic and a thesis statement. Shoot
for 6 sentences.
Enter your introduction paragraph here.
17. Research Before You Write!
A search query is what you type into the research database when you are starting your research.
The easiest way to create search queries is by highlighting key words and phrases in your research
questions. Go back to your research questions above and highlight your key words and phrases.
Then, list your search queries below. You may also be able to search particular historical or current
events that you might research.
Example
Research Questions:
● What are the current regulations on guns in the United States?
● What are the benefits to gun control?
● What are the limitations of gun control?
● How have foreign countries introduced the concept of gun control? Were they successful?
Search Queries:
● Regulations on guns
● Gun control benefits
● Gun control limitations
● Gun control in foreign countries
17
18. What are
some of your
research
questions
and queries?
18
Now that you have written an introduction paragraph, you
will write research questions to help start your inquiries
for your evidence that you will use to support your
argument. Research questions allow you to focus on
specific reasons.
Enter your research questions and queries here.
● Example: Topic: Gun Control
○ Research Questions:
■ What are the current regulations on
guns in the United States?
■ What are the benefits to gun control?
■ What are the limitations of gun
control?
■ How have other countries introduced
the concept of gun control? Were
they successful?
19. Finding Credible Sources Pt 1
When you are doing research, it is important to find information from credible sources, meaning that
the information can be trusted.
How to decide if a source is credible:
● Who is the author? Credible sources are written by authors respected in their fields of study.
Responsible, credible authors will cite their sources so that you can check the accuracy of
and support for what they've written. (This is also a good way to find more sources for your
own research.)
● How recent is the source? The choice to seek recent sources depends on your topic. While
sources on the American Civil War may be decades old and still contain accurate
information, sources on information technologies, or other areas that are experiencing rapid
changes, need to be much more current.
19
20. Finding Credible Sources Pt 2
● What is the author's purpose? When deciding which sources to use, you should take the
purpose or point of view of the author into consideration. Is the author presenting a neutral,
objective view of a topic? Or is the author advocating one specific view of a topic? A source
written from a particular point of view may be credible; however, you need to be careful that
your sources don't limit your coverage of a topic to one side of a debate. Click here to view a
Media Bias chart that can help you identify credible sources.
● Be especially careful when evaluating Internet sources! Never use Web sites where an
author cannot be determined, unless the site is associated with a reputable institution such
as a respected university, a credible media outlet, government program or department, or
well-known non-governmental organizations. Beware of using sites like Wikipedia, which are
collaboratively developed by users. Because anyone can add or change content, the validity
of information on such sites may not meet the standards for academic research. Look for
sites that end in .gov, .org, .edu to help identify credible online sources.
20
21. How credible
are your
school
database
sources?
21
When you are doing research, it is
important to find information from
credible sources, meaning that the
information can be trusted. Credible
sources include peer-reviewed
journals, books, certain magazine
articles, and more. A great place to
start is through the Online Research
Library in your portal.
Instructions (video instructions here)
● To start, go to your portal and
click on Online Research
Library (on the right-hand
side).
● Go to the search bar and type
in “SIRS Discoverer”
● Click on “Open Now”
● Use the search bar in the
database to start your
research using your search
queries
To find credible online sources in
general, use this interactive media
bias chart to help you: Interactive
Media Bias Chart
1. CREDIBLE School database source title:
Author:
Textual evidence (direct quotes you can use
in your argumentative column):
Notes (summarize the source in your own
words):
2. CREDIBLE School database source title:
Author:
Textual evidence (direct quotes you can use
in your argumentative column):
Notes (summarize the source in your own
words):
22. Body Paragraph
● Remember CER (Claim + Evidence + Reasoning)
● First sentence should be the first reason/subtopic stated in your thesis
● Use another sentence to go into a bit more detail
● Then, introduce evidence
○ Make sure evidence is cited!
○ You should be using 1-2 pieces of evidence (historical/current event) in your
paragraph!
● Explain your evidence and tie it back to your main argument (this is your reasoning).
● Provide a transition to your next body paragraph (for the counterclaim and rebuttal
paragraph that you’ll do later).
22
23. Body Paragraph Building
● Formula: Topic sentence with reason + introduction to evidence + evidence +
explanation + reasoning + transition
● Example:
To begin, student loan debt should be forgiven so that debt does not continue to
financially impede young lives. Many students enter college unfamiliar with how to
handle finances and loans. Before they know it, they accumulate a mountain of debt
from student loans before they graduate. Authors Goldrick-Rab and McCluskey write
“students from middle-class families are leaving college without a degree, often with
loans they cannot repay” (par. 7). This is just one example of how student debt can
affect all students. Some students leave college without graduating after maxing out
loans, others end up repaying loans for decades. Students would be able to journey
through college and the rest of their lives a little easier without the burden of paying
back loans. This is just one of the reasons why the United States needs loan
forgiveness.
23
24. Building
your own
body
paragraphs
24
Now that you’ve constructed your introduction it’s time to start
on your body paragraphs. Remember the formula:
Topic sentence with reason + introduction to evidence +
evidence + explanation + reasoning + transition
Enter body paragraph one here.
25. 4.
Counterclaim &
Rebuttal
This your second body paragraph, which will help to
further support your argument by acknowledging the
other side/opinion opposite to your claim and
including more evidence to support your argument.
25
26. Counterclaim & Rebuttal Rules
● Don’t agree (avoid saying this is true)
● Use evidence both sides
● Within the 3rd body paragraph
● Start with “some people think/argue/believe”
26
27. Successful Counterclaim & Rebuttal
Though free college could provide many benefits for students, some have doubts. Some of the
pushback against free college includes the argument that it will not fix all financial problems for
students. In the article, “Free College Won’t Fix College Access,” Jeff Abernathy argues, “college
costs include much more than tuition: Room and board, books, computers, transportation, and
other living expenses are often higher than the original tuition price” (par. 5.) Abernathy continues
to discuss how middle-income students can easily afford these costs more than low-income
students. Although there are additional finances, removing the cost of tuition increases the
likelihood for all students to gain access to college. There is proof of this easier access all
throughout America. States like Tennessee, New York, and Georgia have implemented free
college programs. Max Page and Dan Clawson (2019), writers for the National Education
Association, explain that “in Tennessee, which recently instituted free community college, they
are busy hiring more faculty to teach the classes to all the new students thrilled about the
opportunity to get a higher education” (par. 7). Tennessee is experiencing an increase in students
who attend college and so much so that they have to hire more staff. This discredits any argument
that free tuition does not provide easier access.
27
Set up of
counterclaim,
identifies other
side without
agreeing with it.
Use of
evidence from
the otherside.
Rebuttal. Note the
use of the
transition word
“although”.
Evidence that
helps refute the
otherside.
Explanation and
reasoning.
28. Identify a
counterclaim
and refute it
with a
rebuttal!
28
What is a counterclaim to your argument? Type Here
Research for counterclaim (find a piece of
evidence that supports the other side of
your argument using the online school
database)
CREDIBLE online source title:
Author:
Textual evidence (direct quotes you can use
in your speech)
Notes (summarize the source in your own
words)
How will you refute the counterclaim?
What is your rebuttal? Can you utilize one
of your sources to support your rebuttal?
Type Here
29. Building your
own
counterclaim
& rebuttal
paragraph
29
Now that you’ve constructed your other body paragraphs it’s
time to write your counterclaim and rebuttal. You can refer to
the previous slide to help you construct your paragraph. Write
your 3rd body paragraph below.
Remember:
● Don’t agree (avoid saying this is true)
● Use evidence from both sides.
● Start with “some people think/argue/claim”
Enter body paragraph two here.
30. 5.
Conclusion
You want to leave your reader with a strong lasting
impression. Why should they advocate for the
solution you’re arguing for?
30
31. Conclusions
● Conclusions are very important for the cohesiveness and organization of an
academic paper. You want to be able to finish strong.
● Rephrase your thesis statement, but not word for word.
● Reread your body paragraphs. Usually, it is best to briefly summarize the important
parts of your body paragraphs in a general way. Don’t use the same wording.
● Reread your introduction. Can you “tieback” to the introduction in some way? If so,
this is almost always a good idea.
● Somewhere in this paragraph explain the significance of the thesis. Why is this
issue something people should know and care about?
● End with a call to action
○ Call to action is a statement that invites your audience to take action or do
something
31
32. Building your
own
conclusion
paragraph
32
You’re nearing the end! You can refer to the previous slide to
help you construct your conclusion paragraph. Write your last
paragraph below.
Remember:
● Address all parts of your argument: Thesis and main
arguing body paragraphs. Don’t use the same words.
● Tie back to introduction paragraph. Don’t use the same
words.
● Why should people care? And call people to action!
Enter conclusion paragraph here.
33. 6.
Final Draft
Now transfer your (5) paragraphs over to your Canva
project where you are creating your Argumentative
Newspaper Column!
33
34. 34
REQUIREMENTS:
● Be in newspaper or magazine format/template
● Word Count: at least 500-700 words
● Include cited textual evidence of (2)
historical/current events using the online school
database
● Include a headline
● Include at least one picture
● Introduce a strong thesis statement/claim, have
TWO arguing points or “body paragraphs,”
multiple well-chosen, relevant, and credible
facts or evidence to support EACH of your
arguing points, a counterclaim, a rebuttal, and a
conclusion.