A Christmas Carol
- ARGUMENT ESSAY INSTRUCTIONS -

Ebenezer Scrooge has lived most of his life as a mean, selfish, uncaring man. While reading Charles Dickens’ story, A Christmas Carol, readers have witnessed Scrooge change from unfriendly and rude, into a warm, kind and generous person who genuinely enjoys the gift of giving. Create an argumentative essay that makes a judgement (claim)  about Scrooge’s transformation and  provides reasons and evidence to support it. Since this is an argument essay, a counter argument should also be included for the reader to know that you’ve examined both sides and still find your thesis to be the most correct.  

Please choose ONE of the following topics on which to craft your essay:

OPTION A
Write an argument essay that proves which SPIRIT--Past, Present, or Yet to Come--had the greatest effect on instigating Scrooge's transformation.

- OR -

OPTION B
Write an argument essay that proves which EMOTION​--regret, fear, or love-- had the greatest effect on instigating Scrooge's transformation.

- AND -

Choose ONE of the following methods in which to present your argument:

TRADITIONAL ESSAY                                 OR                DECONSTRUCTED PRESENTATION
Write a SIX PARAGRAPH                                         Create a 16 SLIDE Google
argument essay                                                        Presentation                                                                               

Requirements for BOTH the Essay & Presentation

• Your introduction must include a hook, transition, background information, thesis, and reasons that support your thesis.

• Body Paragraphs 1 - 4 must contain reasons, explanations, evidence and citations
  *These are listed as Reasons 1 - 4 on the presentation*
• Body Paragraph 4  must introduce, explain, and refute a counter argument.
  *This is listed as the Counter Argument section on the presentation*
• Support your argument (including your counter argument) with evidence from the text -  
  direct “word for word” quotes that are cited in MLA format - “Evidence” (Dickens 88).

• Close your argument with a RESTATEMENT of your thesis, summary of your main points and how they were proven throughout the essay.
• Your conclusion must also include a statement of verification (statement of truth or belief) about your argument based on your thesis and the lessons Scrooge learns during his Christmas Eve hauntings.
• Your essay or presentation should include at least FOUR quotes/pieces of evidence (“Word for word”  in your essay). That’s ONE piece of evidence per body paragraph MINIMUM.
  *You can have more as long as you prove the evidence with adequate explanation.*
• Include transitions and/or transitional phrases to move your reader from one idea to the next.

Guidelines for the Essay:

MLA

• Title your document ACC Argument Essay - First & Last Name
• Title - centered - on page
• Font Size 12
• Font type: Times New Roman or Arial
• 1.5 or double spaced
• 6 - 10 sentences per paragraph
• All evidence must be cited correctly and properly punctuated.  Ex: “Evidence” (Frances 44).  
• DO NOT use personal pronouns
• Work Cited Page that includes an MLA citation for the novel A Christmas Carol
  

ACC Citation (copy and paste onto Work Cited page - this page should be the last page of the essay)
Dickens, Charles. "A Christmas Carol."

Organization of the Essay

1. Introduction
2. Body Paragraph 1
3. Body Paragraph 2
4. Body Paragraph 3
5. Counterclaim Paragraph
6. Conclusion

Guidelines for the Presentation:

MLA

• Title your presentation ACC Argument Presentation - First & Last Name
• Font Size - no smaller than font size 12 and no larger than 28
• Font type - keep it professional; cursive fonts or others that are highly decorative in nature are not acceptable for this project. You are creating an academic work, not an invite to a party.
• All evidence must be cited correctly and properly punctuated.  Ex: “Evidence” (Frances 44).  
• DO NOT use personal pronouns.
• Work Cited Slide that includes an MLA citation for the novel A Christmas Carol
  
• A Christmas Carol Citation (copy and paste onto Work Cited slide)
  Dickens, Charles. "A Christmas Carol."

Link to presentation template

Grading Rubric