This document provides guidance on writing argumentative essays. It outlines the key parts of problem-solution and evaluation essays, including presenting the problem clearly, supporting the solution with reasons, and stating a judgment while supporting it with evidence. It also lists the typical parts of an essay and steps for writing, such as identifying the prompt, determining the purpose, audience and context, and developing reasons and examples to support the thesis. Transition words and ways to elaborate on ideas are also included.

1. WRITE! WRITE! WRITE! Getting Ready for the Writing Tests

2. Types of Argumentative Writing Problem Solution OR Evaluation

3. PROBLEM-SOLUTION You must: Present the problem clearly Describe your solution clearly Provide reasons for readers to support your solution

4. EVALUATION You must: State your judgment or choice Support your choice with reasons and evidence Use evidence, examples, and the experience of others

5. PARTS OF A PAPER INTRODUCTION Get the reader’s attention. Identify the choice. Explain your reasons BRIEFLY. BODY Explain and support reasons. Give examples and details. CONCLUSION Repeat choice and why yours is the best.

6. Steps for Writing a Paper STEP 1: Read the prompt. STEP 2: Read the prompt CAREFULLY! Then read it AGAIN!!!! STEP 3: Identify problem or item to be evaluated (chosen). STEP 4: Determine P.A.C. STEP 5: Brainstorm ideas, examples, reasons STEP 6: Write first draft. STEP 7: Read draft carefully and make corrections. STEP 8: Take a break! STEP 9: Read it again after you write your final draft.

7. Steps for Writing a Paper (Evaluation) STEP 1 READ THE PROMPT CAREFULLY

8. EVALUATION PROMPT Movies are an extremely popular for of entertainment for all age groups. Write a movie review for students recommending a movie that you have seen.

9. STEP 2 Read the prompt CAREFULLY! Then read it AGAIN!!!!

10. STEP 3 Identify what you are supposed to evaluate (choose).

11. What Are You Choosing? You are recommending a good movie for other students to watch.

12. STEP 4 Determine what you are choosing, who you’re telling your opinion to, and how you are going to tell them. PURPOSE: Why are you writing? AUDIENCE: Who will be reading this? CONTEXT: What form must you use? (letter, editorial, essay…)

13. P.A.C. Purpose - To recommend a movie Audience - students Context – movie review

14. STEP 5 Brainstorm!!! \

15. MOVIE TITLES Titanic A Cinderella Story Polar Express The Incredibles Ray Scooby Doo Shrek 2

16. Put Your Choice in a Sentence “ Shrek 2” is a movie that I would recommend to people of all ages.

17. Reasons for your choice (multi flow) Support/details/benefits of your choice (tree map) Brainstorm on….

18. Reasons for Your Choice Good Actors Funny Something for everyone Teaches a lesson Recommend “ Shrek 2”

19. Select and Support Reasons Good Actors Teaches lesson Something for all Cameron Diaz *Be happy with *Humor Mike Myers who you are *Animated Eddie Murphy *So many self *Magical Antonio Banderas esteem problems *Fairy tale today

20. STEP 6 WRITE FIRST DRAFT

21. INTRODUCTION Get the reader’s attention. Identify the choice. Explain your reasons BRIEFLY.

22. INTRODUCTION Get the reader’s attention Ask a question Have you ever… What would happen if.. How would you feel if… Put the reader in a hypothetical situation What if… Imagine.. State an alarming fact Nine out of ten… Every year, hundreds of… Did you know that… Dialogue/quotes My mother always said, “….” Other propaganda

23. INTRODUCTION: PARAGRAPH 1 If you are looking for a movie that is actually worth spending $7.50 a ticket, then I recommend “Shrek 2”. Great acting, entertainment for all, and a touching lesson accompany this feel good movie of the year.

24. BODY Write a paragraph for each reason that Explains the reason Elaborates on reason (details!!!) Gives examples to support the reason. Elaborate: DETAILS! DETAILS!! DETAILS!!

25. BODY: PARAGRAPH 2 First of all, “Shrek 2” has all your favorite actors voicing the parts. Shrek, himself, is actually portrayed by none other than Mike Myers. Mr. Myers’ acting ability makes this movie the success it is. If you thought he was good in “The Cat in the Hat”, you are in for an even bigger treat with this movie. He makes the ogre character so real and lovable that you’ll want one for yourself. Then you have Justin Timberlake’s woman, Cameron Diaz, who plays the princess, Fiona. Ms. Diaz brings the same charm to this movie as she does all her others. I can’t think of a better choice of actresses to play Shrek’s love interest. Even better is Eddie Murphy’s portrayal of Donkey which will make you laugh one minute and sympathize with his jealousy the next. This film is overflowing with more voices of phenomenal actors like Antonio Banderas, Julie Andrews, Rupert Everett and many more. If a film can afford so many talented actors, it’s inevitably got to to be good.

26. BODY: PARAGRAPH 3 How many times today can you find a movie that not only you will love, but so will your parents, grandparents, and younger siblings. “Shrek 2” is such an entertaining movie that it appeals to the young and old. It’s full of intrigue for the adults with it’s jokes, satire, and play on words. It’s setting is so full of spoofs from other movies that it will keep them and you busy looking for all its creativity. For example, “Olde Knavery” is the film’s version of our Old Navy while the entrance to the kingdom resembles the actual Paramount Movie studio.The animation and fairy tale characters keep the young children excited as they watch Pinocchio dance like Michael Jackson or Hansel (from Hansel and Gretel) as the owner of a hotel made out of cookies and candy. “Shrek 2” definitely has something for all. It’s packed with so much symbolism that you’ll want to see it more than once to catch it all!

27. BODY: PARAGRAPH 4 Best of all, “Shrek 2” is a movie that will have everyone feeling good as they leave. This movie teaches the ultimate lesson that everyone can relate to. Shrek and his bride Fiona try to make each other happy through appearances, but learn that true happiness and beauty is found within, a lesson that many people both young and old today have a hard time understanding. Television media seems to push beauty through extreme and costly measures such as plastic surgery. Sure they look good after it’s done, but are they truly beautiful or even more importantly, are they happy? Shrek and Fiona teach us that beauty is only skin deep and that they are happiest as ogres on the outside, but “Swans” inside. “Shrek 2” is a celebration of life that everyone will enjoy.

28. CONCLUSION Restate your choice. Restate your reasons in a new way, but be brief. END WITH A CLINCHER (GET THEIR ATTENTION or MAKE A DEMAND).

29. CONCLUSION: PARAGRAPH 5 How many times have you wasted $7.50 on a ticket for a movie that was about as interesting as reading the dictionary? If you want quality acting, pure entertainment, and a burst of self esteem, “Shrek 2” is the movie for you. Now, a more important question is… would you like butter on your popcorn?

30. STEP 7 READ AND EDIT YOUR DRAFT FOR: Completeness (Did you answer the prompt? Leave out or misspell any words?) Grammatical errors (sentence fragments or run-ons, punctuation, capitalization, spelling) Overuse of words Subject-verb agreement Choppy sentences Good word choice

31. STEP 8 TAKE A BREAK!!

32. STEP 9 READ IT AGAIN!!

33. What do these words mean? Dilemma Conflict Catastrophe Trouble Disaster Dispute Puzzle Difficulty Complication Situation Setback Riddle Concern Crisis Misunderstanding Disturbance Challenge Predicament Issue Obstacle Question All these words can refer to a problem to solve or a choice to make.

34. What do these words mean? Answer Mend Satisfy Key Fix Correct Resolve Help Idea Way out Aid Means to an end Repair Settle Unwrinkle Recipe Improve Scheme Decipher Resolve End Discovery Answer Fix Response Unravel Iron out All these words can refer to your solution or choice.

35. Reason Why Motive Judgment Cause Target Goal Objective Aim Consideration Influence Basis Argument Explanation Understanding Rationale/Rationalization All these words can be used to explain the reason for something.

36. Transition Words First of all To begin with Even though As a matter of fact More importantly In addition Furthermore As well as Not only Equally important In conclusion Finally As a result For this reason In order to In fact For example Still While

37. Other Ways to say “Good” Great Best Wonderful Marvelous Phenomenal Extraordinary Exquisite Fine Fantastic Superb Unique Splendid Remarkable Unbelievable Perfect Amazing

38. Ways to say “Recommend” Suggest Offer Favor Urge Vouch for Propose

39. HINTS Recognize your audience and use appropriate language. ELABORATE! Give details and examples. Show your style. Choose your words carefully. Use similes/metaphors/imagery. Use transition words. Make it so the reader is convinced that your way is the ONLY way.

40. DON’TS Don’t abbreviate words. Don’t use slang or profanity. Don’t repeat or overuse words. Don’t use these phrases: “ This is my paper..” “ I hope you liked my paper.” “ I am going to write about…”

41. Example Prompts Evaluation Write an editorial to evaluate the most effective teacher you ever had. Write a book review recommending a book you’ve read to another student. Write an essay on the most desirable vacation spot to visit. Identify someone you know to be a hero. Write an essay on what makes this person a hero. Write a letter to your school’s new principal recommending a restaurant for him to take his family.