Module 5 Page 1
Lesson 5.01 Prepare Your Speech- Argumentative
You have learned that argumentative writing and speech giving is designed to take a stance on a controversial issue. You have read and watched argumentative speeches. You will now plan to write and present an argumentative speech of your own.
How do you plan? You need research and organization, just like you did when you composed your informational speech in semester 1.
In this case, you will use a graphic organizer called an Argumentative Research Chart to plan it. You will focus on writing an argumentative speech. It will entail:
Introduction with Claim
Reasons and evidence, Counterclaim, Rebuttal and evidence
Conclusion
Review the controversial issues in the lesson assessment. The topic is: Resolved Civil Disobedience in a Democracy is Morally Justified. Remember that you will Write for the Pro Side now. In 5.3 you will write about the negative side.
You may already have a clear opinion on the issue you choose. If not, you will have to conduct research before you decide which side to take.
Remember as you research to avoid Wikipedia, blog sites, non-experts, and out of date information. Only use valid and reliable sources and information to support your claim.
Once you have your claim, reasons, and evidence; you'll need to come up with a valid counterclaim.
Consider the information you have prepared so far. Think of some arguments that could be made by someone who believes differently.
Choose a counterclaim that is logical but that you can refute with additional research. Make sure it directly challenges your claim.
Review these examples of valid and invalid counterclaims based on this claim.
Storm chasing is dangerous and should be outlawed in disaster situations.
Valid Counterclaims
Storm chasing provides important scientific data to help humans understand storms.
Storm chasers have the right to risk their own lives to pursue their passion.
Invalid Counterclaims
Storm chasing is the coolest job in science.
(This counterclaim expresses an opinion.)
Storm chasers earn good money for their photographs and films.
(This counterclaim shares facts but does not address the claim that storm chasing is dangerous.)
Once you have selected the best counterclaim, plan your best rebuttal. The rebuttal will present research to show why the counterclaim is incorrect, incomplete, or less important than your original claim.
Live Lesson Recoding Link - Click Here
Module 5 Page 2
Lesson 5.02 Prepare Your Speech- Argumentative
In semester 1, you learned the importance of a good hook. If you don't hook your audience, they aren't going to be paying attention to the rest of your speech. In argumentative writing, the hook looks a bit different. The hook here gives an overview and general information about the topic. After that hook, you have your personal introduction and then you'll give an explanation on why the topic is controversial. Finally, you'll have the claim. You don't want to take your stance until you get to the claim.
Check out this example:
Question: Should students be required to wear uniforms in public school?
Introduction example:
Overview- Uniforms by definition are exactly that, uniform. There is nothing unique about a uniform.
Explanation on why it is controversial- Some school districts think requiring uniforms will allow students to focus less on what they wear and more on academics.
Claim- Students should be allowed to express their individuality and should not be required to wear uniforms in public school.
The body of your speech will have 3 paragraph portions or 3 talking points.
1) Body #1 -Reason #1 to agree with your claim and researched evidence
2) Body #2-Reason #2 to agree with your claim and researched evidence
3) Body #3- Counterclaim, rebuttal and researched evidence that supports the rebuttal
Remember in the body to include transitions.
Transitions can connect:
Thoughts within a sentence
Earthquakes are always dangerous, especially those along the San Andreas Fault.
One sentence to the next
The blizzard was remembered for its unusually strong winds. Another key factor was its sub-freezing temperatures.
Ideas between paragraphs
… and scientists continue to look for solutions.
In the long run, droughts affect the environment, the economy, and the health of humans.
Transitions may be used to:
Emphasize
There are several things to do in case of a flood. Most important, seek higher ground immediately.
Indicate examples
There are several safety tips that will improve your odds of survival. For one thing, it is wise to have a disaster kit nearby at all times.
Show contrast
While sleet is certainly dangerous, statistics prove that hail is responsible for more damage.
Summarize
All things considered, tornadoes are nature’s most destructive and unpredictable storms.
Click the Transitions Reference Sheet for more examples .
You'll want to use signal phrases in the body to credit your sources.
A signal phrase may be placed:
before the fact or quote
A graph in the June 2013 issue of Living Nature Magazine reveals that wildfires kill more Americans than all other natural disasters combined.
in the middle of the fact or quote
“A tidal wave and a tsunami are entirely different things,” the Weatherfact.com video clarifies. “One is created by gravity. The other is caused by underwater disturbances.”
after the fact or quote
“Flash floods often occur in mountain areas when an upstream storm causes downstream water levels to rise too swiftly,” explains meteorologist Ursula Street.
Reminder: Use quotation marks whenever you use the specific words of another writer or speaker.
Click the Signal Phrase Verbs for more examples to use in your writing.
Create your Works Cited page as you write your body.
A "Works Cited" page is a page you add at the end of your informational article. It lists all the sources you used to find your information. Each source is formatted in a specific way depending on its type.
You'll use MLA Format to cite your sources.
MLA is the acronym for the Modern Language Association. This association has created guidelines for citing sources in all scholarly work. These guidelines are part of the MLA Formatting and Style Guide. When you use the MLA citing format, the validity of your work will be clearly understood and appreciated.
Example:
View these "Works Cited" Page formats for various types of resources.
View this example "Works Cited" page to see how your "Works Cited" page will look.
As you know from semester 1, conclusions are difficult and important. Don't rush them and make sure you end strong.
There are 4 parts of a strong conclusion:
1) Use a transition
There are several transitional phrases that work well at the beginning of your final paragraph. A transition helps your writing flow smoothly from the body into your conclusion. Review the Transition Reference Sheet for suggestions.
2) Restate your claim in a new way
Remind the reader about the perspective you have argued. Do not repeat it exactly as you did in your introduction, but restate it.
3) Remind readers of your topic and its importance
Keep your readers focused. Do not introduce any new arguments, but find a new way to make sure your readers fully understand how much the issue should matter to them.
4) Briefly summarize your argument
Highlight your strongest points. Do not quote exactly what you have already said.
4) Include a clincher
Make a point that creates a lasting impression. Deliver a final statement that leaves your readers thinking and makes it truly difficult to argue against your point of view.
Clinchers can be:
1) Showing positive effects if your claim is followed
2) Showing negative effects if your claim is not followed
3) A call to action
4) Discuss future research that could be done on the topic
Live Lesson Recoding Link - Click Here
Module 5 Lesson(s) 3 AND 4
I the previous 2 lessons you argued the pro argument, in other words you argued why Civil Disobedience in a Democracy IS morally justified. In the next two lessons you will argue the negative, the opposite argument. You will argue why Civil Disobedience in a Democracy IS NOT morally justified.
We will be using the same forms so you should be familiar with the assignment.
I know the negative (neg) is a little more complicated but we will be discussing this at the live lesson this week, so come and join.
Assignment 5.5 DBA
Please join me in a live lesson so you can participate in a Lincoln Douglas debate for your DBA. Remember you just need to show me what you have learned and try.
If you are unable to complete the DBA in the live lesson please call me so we can complete your DBA