Your Argument Essay

Body Paragraphs ACQC

Assertion

Context

Quote

Commentary

ELA 3 Writing Arguments

ELA 3.1 Introduce claims

ELA 3.2 Use evidence to develop claims and counterclaims

ELA 3.3 Use words and transitions to create cohesion

ELA 3.4 Use a formal style, objective tone, and advanced vocabulary

ELA 3.5 Provide a compelling conclusion

ELA 3.6 Strengthen writing through revision

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Components of Your Argumentative Essay

Paragraphs

1. Introduction (State Your Thesis & Preview your essay)
2. Body Paragraph #1 (ACQC)
3. Body Paragraph #2 (ACQC)
4. Body Paragraph #3 (ACQC and Counterclaim)
5. Conclusion (Restatement of thesis and main ideas, call to action)

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What is an Assertion?

• The first sentence in your body paragraph (like the topic sentence).
• States your claim for that paragraph, should be one of your thesis points, and helps to answer the research question.
• Is clear and concise for the reader

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Example:

Research Question: Is using humans for cell scientific research moral?

Using human cells for scientific research is moral when research focuses on prolonging the lifespan of the human race, which has been lessened due to diseases.

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What is Context?

• Comes after your assertion
• Time to embed your quotations!
• Include a transition word and/or phrase that links to the quote
• Set up the quote by providing background information that is needed to understand the quote.
• Introduce the speaker of the quote, or cite the author's last name
• ex: According to Smith, OR (Smith).

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Example:

Research Question: Is using humans for cell scientific research moral?

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Using human cells for scientific research is moral when research focuses on prolonging the lifespan of the human race, which has been lessened due to diseases. For example, the maximum lifespan for humans is between 120 and 150 years, yet deaths from diseases such as diabetes and heart disease have led to earlier deaths, confirms Jennifer Huizen,

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What is a Quote?

• The evidence you are using to support your assertion
• Use quotation marks correctly
• Avoid over quoting- one sentence is plenty.
• Skip over unnecessary words with ellipsis …
• Cite the source at the end

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Example:

Prompt: Is using humans for cell scientific research moral?

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Using human cells for scientific research is just when research focuses on prolonging the lifespan of the human race, which has been lessened due to diseases. For example the maximum lifespan for humans is between 120 and 150 years, yet deaths from diseases such as diabetes and heart disease has led to earlier deaths, confirms Jennifer Huizen, “In addition, the longer a person has diabetes, the more likely it is to reduce life expectancy. Likewise, the younger a person is when they receive the diagnosis, the higher the risk that diabetes-linked complications will shorten their lifespan” (Medical News Today).

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What is Commentary?

• Follows your quote
• Includes transition words and/or phrases
• Explains what your quote means-expand on your quote in your own words
• Connects back to and supports your assertion
• Can include a counterclaim

Example:

Prompt: Is using humans for cell scientific research just?

Using human cells for scientific research is just when research focuses on prolonging the lifespan of the human race, which has been lessened due to diseases. For example the maximum lifespan for humans is between 120 and 150 years, yet deaths from diseases such as diabetes and heart disease has led to earlier deaths, confirms Jennifer Huizen, “In addition, the longer a person has diabetes, the more likely it is to reduce life expectancy. Likewise, the younger a person is when they receive the diagnosis, the higher the risk that diabetes-linked complications will shorten their lifespan” (Medical News Today). Huizen highlights how diseases such as diabetes presents life altering effects not only on the elderly, but those who have been diagnosed at an earlier age. This takes decades off an already short lived life, not to mention the traumatic impact this has on families. There is a way to combat this challenge and it is by investing humans in scientific research. If humans agreed to the responsible and humane use of their cells, studies would be more accurate and people would have more time to spend with their loved ones.

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How to include a counterclaim

The commentary section of your paragraph can include and disprove a counterclaim. A counterclaim is the opposing side of the argument. It is what someone who disagrees with you would say.

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Let’s look at commentary with a counterclaim from our example:

Huizen highlights how diseases such as diabetes presents life altering effects not only on the elderly, but those who have been diagnosed at an earlier age. This takes decades off an already short lived life, not to mention the traumatic impact this has on families. Some scholars believe that there are alternatives to performing research on humans such as animal testing. According to Peters, “ The innovations associated with animal testing has led to breakthroughs in the medical field through the development of vaccines and medical treatments.” Although some progress has been made in the medical field, there are still great challenges. According to PETA, “Most experiments on animals are not relevant to human health, they do not contribute meaningfully to medical advances, and many are undertaken simply out of curiosity and do not even pretend to hold promise for curing illnesses.” There is a way to combat this challenge and it is by investing humans in scientific research. If humans agreed to the responsible and humane use of their cells, studies would be more accurate and people would have more time to spend with their loved ones.

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Intro and Conclusion

ELA 3.5 Use a formal style, objective tone, and advanced vocabulary

• All names of people and places, and first words of sentences, are capitalized
• No punctuation or grammatical errors
• No spelling errors
• No slang or contractions (can’t, won’t, don’t, etc.) outside of quotes.
• Avoid first or second person language (I, we, my, mine or any reference to yourself)
• No “I thinks”
• Use of relevant topic specific vocabulary
• At least 5 paragraphs
• At least 3 sources
• MLA Format
• Spacing: Double-spaced
• Left aligned w/ first sentence of each paragraph indented.
• Proper heading (Name, Date, Name of Teacher, Name of Class, Title of Paper
• Header with page number and last name on right side

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The Introduction ELA 3.1

What should be included in a high quality introduction?

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• Hook
• Thesis
• Context (why we care)
• Transition into your body paragraphs

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What is a thesis and how does one create a thesis statement?

• A thesis is the central argument for your essay.
• It contains your main idea (an arguable claim) and previews your reasons.
• Ex Police should have body cameras recording at all times because it reduces violence, provides evidence for court, and makes people feel safer.

The Conclusion ELA 3.5

• Restate your thesis
• Synthesize (don’t summarize) your body paragraphs
• Don’t just restate your points. Put them together to prove your thesis.
• Can include and disprove a counterclaim in your conclusion
• Why is your topic relevant/important?
• One last key fact or quote
• Propose a solution to the issue or call to action

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First, try this edpuzzle!

Body Paragraphs edpuzzle

ACQC Video and Example