2. AGENDA
Essay #2 Introduction: The Argument Essay
Reading: Basic Features of an argument
Lecture:
The Introduction: Presentation of the issue
The Thesis: A Clear Position
Research: Using Google
Video: Digital Media
Lecture: Getting Started with Sources
Video: Works Cited page
Quiz 3 (Five Questions)
4. Essay #2: The Argument Essay Revisited: (three to five
pages) 150 points
Please see the assignment for the complete prompt.
Please see the calendar for the due date.
Prompt Introduction
Using both your in-class essay and the basic features of an argument
essay, write an essay arguing for the supplies you have chosen to
take with you into the wild. Present the issue to readers, and
develop an argument for the purpose of confirming, challenging, or
changing your readers’ views on which supplies are the most
important for survival. You will use at least two outside sources to
help convince your readers that the supplies you have chosen are the
most efficient for the job. This is not a minor revision, but rather an
entirely new essay. Do not rely on your in-class essay for more than
a brainstorming document.
5. Reading
For your homework for Class 4, you read
Chapter 6 “Arguing a Position” on pages 276-
287. This reading covered essays by Statsky,
Estrada, and Etzioni. If you haven’t yet read
these essays, read them before you go any
further!
6. Now Read
Basic Features: Arguing Positions
Pp 294-95
1. A Focused Presentation
of the Issue
2. A Clear Position
3. Plausible Reasons and
Convincing Support
4. Anticipating Opposing
Positions and Objections
11. The Introduction: Presentation of the issue
• If you are going with the original assignment,
you will want to start with a scenario about how
you ended up in a position to make your
argument. Where are you? How did you get
there? How were you faced with your choices?
• If you are going to use a different approach,
consider who or how you might offer and
opinion on wilderness survival. Why are you
submitting this argument?
12. Write your introduction now
You can use the same idea as in your in-class essay, but I expect that
your introduction will be both more developed and more refined.
13. The Thesis: A Clear Position
Write a few sentences that could serve as a thesis—that is, a statement
that tells your readers simply and directly what you want them to think
about the issue and why. You might also forecast your reasons, mentioning
them in the order in which you will take them up in your argument.
As you draft your own thesis, pay attention to the language you use. It
should be clear and unambiguous, emphatic but appropriately qualified.
Although you will probably refine your thesis as you draft and revise your
essay, trying now to articulate it will help give your planning and drafting
direction and impetus.
15. Research: Using Digital Media
Exploring Websites can can enrich your understanding of an
issue and help you find statistics, authorities, or other
evidence to support your position. Here are some
suggestions:
Look for sites related wilderness survival. See what experts say about
essential supplies.
Enter keywords — words or brief phrases related to the issue or your
position —into a search tool such as Google. For example, Statsky could
have tried keywords such as children’s competitive sports, or she could
have tried the question Should children participate in competitive
sports? You could also try Googling your keywords plus statistics,
anecdotes, or facts.
Bookmark or keep a record of the URLs of promising sites. You may
want to download or copy information you could use in your essay,
including visuals; if so, remember to record source information.
16. Watch the video on the next page
for more help searching online
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNxcyJkva2I&t=88s
17. Lecture: Getting Started
with Sources
There are three main ways to uses sources in your research
paper. You may quote. You may paraphrase. Or you may
summarize. All three require an in-text (parenthetical) citation!
Make sure you bookmark or keep a record of the URLs of
promising sites. You may want to download or copy
information you might use in your essay, including visuals; if
so, remember to record source information
18. Watch the video on the next page
for more help with using and citing
resources
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pTrU_YyjxI
20. 1” Margins all around
Alphabetical Order Title
Centered
Five
spaces
Works Cited
Last Name 1
Bagchi, Alaknanda. "Conflicting Nationalisms: The Voice of the Subaltern in
Mahasweta Devi's Bashai Tudu." Tulsa Studies in Women's Literature, vol.
15, no. 1, 1996, pp. 41-50.
The Bible. Authorized King James Version, Oxford UP, 1998.
Collins, Suzanne. The Hunger Games. Scholastic, 2008.
Zinkievich, Craig. Interview by Gareth Von Kallenbach. Skewed & Reviewed,
27 Apr. 2009, www.arcgames.com/en/games/star-trek-
online/news/detail/1056940-skewed-%2526-reviewed-interviews-craig.
Accessed 15 Mar. 2009.
Website
Book
Periodical
Specific version
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28. Homework
Read: HG through chapter 14.
Post # 4: Two potential sources
in an MLA formatted Works
Cited page
Post: #5: Your introduction and
thesis. This should be at least
one well-developed paragraph
with a clear thesis at the end.
Make sure you take Quiz #3
