Getting Ready to Write an Argument Essay

Name: _____________________________________  Class: _______ Writing an Argument Essay

Inquiry question: Should particular texts be taken out of our middle school classroom and school library because of objectionable content?

The purpose of this essay is to convince the reader to agree with your opinion by providing a clear and logical argument supported by reasonable, trustworthy evidence. Before you write the essay, you will investigate the issue by reading a variety of texts with various perspectives. You have already done a book club on a challenged and/or banned book so you have already begun to develop knowledge and experience. Now it is time to delve into research. You will want to find sources that may be about censoring the text you read in book clubs, about how the author has been challenged or banned, studies on how young people are affected by books,

I. Important terms (write a synonym or brief definition next to each word):

Censor Challenge Ban Limit access Controversial Objectionable 1st Amendment Defend Promote Appropriate / appropriateness

Research Claim / argument Debate Side / stance / perspective Reason / reasoning / reasonable Logic Evidence Counterargument Refute Quote / quotation Paraphrase

II. Researching and Collecting Evidence: Researchers read across texts to compose evidence-based arguments.

Essential question: How can I approach reading with an open mind, form and revise preliminary positions on subjects, develop research questions, and read to become more expert?

As you read and collect sources:

1. Organize your research

• Keep a folder for research and/or keep articles together with a large paper clip
• For digital sources, note author/authors (sometimes the author is a group or organization), date of access, URL, source of digital text: name of website or database.

2. Take careful, accurate notes (do not misspell; accurately write down facts) in notebook or separate sheets of paper:

• Write title and author on the printed source if it is not already there
• Use the process for close reading nonfiction; highlight evidence that best supports your side and shows the opposing viewpoints
• On post-its or index cards, write individual evidence (direct quotations or paraphrases) that support and oppose your claim.

Links to Databases:
http://ars.sirs.com/denied?sks.sirs.com/%3F
Username and password: ms51khome

http://www.bklynlibrary.org/eresources#O
Sign in with your library card barcode or username and password.

Use the search engine, google.com, after you have read through sources on these databases.

HOMEWORK:
Collect, read, and annotate at least 2 sources for your essay. Due Friday. Make sure to bring in the sources.