Discussion

You should have already chosen a topic for your final essay. Now, you need to explore the multiple viewpoints associated with that topic. Go to the discussion board and write a brief essay (300 words minimum) summarizing some of the multiple viewpoints associated with that topic (for and against, pro and con). At the end of your essay, present your own opinion on the topic in the form of a thesis statement or arguable claim. Refer to the previous video lesson on constructing an arguable thesis to help you.

As you respond to your peers (2 replies, 100 words each), try to fill in any gaps you see in their understanding of the pros and cons of the issue. In addition, evaluate the thesis statement. Does it make a limited and arguable claim about the topic or issue? If not, suggest ways to improve the thesis.

These are the vocabulary words for Unit 5. Remember to incorporate them into your Discussion Board in this unit.

Plausible     Objectivity     Substantiated
Integrity     Effusive         Superfluous
Sanction     Fabricated     Ambiguous
Ambivalent

Writer's Notebook 1

For this Writer's Notebook assignment, you will be practicing paraphrasing, summarizing, and quoting. First, you should choose an article that you will be using as a source for your Argument essay. Then, you should find three different pieces of evidence that you might use in your essay as support material. Complete the Writer's Notebook in 4 steps as explained below:

1. Create a "quotation sandwich" out of one of the pieces of evidence.
2. Paraphrase a different piece of evidence. Include both the original and your paraphrase for comparison.
3. Summarize another piece of evidence. Again, include the original and your summary.
4. Include an in-text citation for each! At the end, be sure to include a Works Cited entry for each source.

Writer's Notebook 2

USE THIS LINK FOR THIS NOTEBOOK AND READ THE ASSIGNMENT CAREFULLY

For your final Writer's notebook in this course, you will create an outline for the argument essay. Use one of the outline templates provided in the previous lesson "Basic Argument Essay Structure." You can then use the outline to help you focus and organize the first draft of your argument.

Reasons Followed By Counterarguments

I. Introduction

Necessary Background
Thesis

II. First Reason

Topic Sentence
Evidence & Explanation
Wrap-up / connect to the thesis

III. Second Reason (same as above)

IV. Continue with more reasons

V. Refute Counterarguments (Counterargument paragraphs can go anywhere, but they often go toward the end)

VI. Conclusion

Might include a call to action Or a statement of the implications

Reason/Counterargument

I. Introduction

Necessary Background
Thesis

II. First Reason

Topic Sentence
Evidence
Wrap-up

III. Refute counterarguments (if necessary)

IV. Second reason (same as II.)

V. Refute counterarguments (if necessary)

VI. Continue with this pattern

VII. Conclusion

Might include a call to action Or a statement of implications.