Outlining Your Argument

Aim: What is supporting evidence and why do we need it?

Quick Write (emphasis on QUICK): Give two reasons you are taking the position you chose for your argument essay.

Today's Task: Draft your outline. (The graphic organizer counts.)This is where you give two reasons to support your position and dismiss one or more counterclaims that you anticipate. It is crucial to provide evidence to support your reasons.

Remember: Your opinion is gold if it can be supported. If you have no evidence to support your opinion, it's just cheap aluminum.

In addition, you will need to anticipate any counterclaims that might be made against your argument. How will you dismiss (disprove) these claims?

Yesterday, we collaboratively wrote introductory paragraphs. If you were not here, email me for access to your class' paragraph.

For your convenience, the challenge is re-posted below. You may tweak the question if you want. Just make sure that you take a strong position. Don't sit on the fence!

Question: Do you believe "smart" kids should have their own schools such as Stuyvesant and Bronx Science?

Take a position and support it with evidence from the facts and studies about mindset that we have read and discussed in class. You of course may use your own independent research as well. Use the claims-counterclaims graphic organizer and/or post-its to take notes on the relevant evidence and facts you will use to support your claims.

Here are some critical questions you should think about as you plan your essay:

• Would money spent on public selective high schools be better spent on programs for struggling students?
• How might segregating "smart" students benefit their intellectual growth?
• How might segregating all students between "smart" and "dumb" harm their intellectual growth?
• What is a "smart" student anyway?
• How do you evaluate the strength of supporting evidence?
• How do you effectively dismiss a counterclaim?

Argument Essay Guidelines

Write a 750 word essay in which you:

•  Explain what's at stake. Why is this question important?
•  Develop and state your own position.
•  Defend your position with a range of different types of evidence, facts, and information from       the first three chapters of Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, articles, and videos we  watched and discussed in class.
•  Include any other research that you may have conducted independently.
•  ADDRESS AND RESPOND TO COUNTERCLAIMS TO YOUR POSITION.
•  Draw your own conclusions.

Start with an outline. You may choose to use this graphic organizer to outline your essay.

Here is the rubric by which it will be graded.

You will be expected to complete final drafts, including peer editing, by Friday. The essay should be uploaded to Google Drive and linked to your blog. Essays also should be emailed to msbecker4@gmail.com