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Lesson 1

Based on the planning we have done, we will draft paragraphs that present and explain the positions of our arguments. Then, we will determine where to best place these paragraphs within our arguments.

Lesson Goals

  • Can I draft a paragraph that clearly presents and explains the position I am taking in my argument, considering the purpose and audience I have specified?

Texts

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Materials

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Reference Guides

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Activity 1: Read – Discuss

Considering the purpose and audience we identified for our arguments in sections 3 and 4, we will review and revise the position statements we have written and determine how to introduce and explain the positions we will take in our arguments.

Review, and revise, if necessary, the position statement you previously developed.

With a partner, explain the purpose of your argument and describe its intended audience. Summarize what you hope to communicate in your argument.

Discuss what you need to include in your argument so that your audience will understand your position, how it relates to the issue and question it addresses, and how it arose from your reading and thinking.

Activity 2: Write – Discuss

We will draft clear paragraphs that present and explain our positions as responses to the questions we have previously articulated and in a way that considers our purposes and the intended audiences of our arguments.

Step 1

Draft a paragraph that introduces and explains your position. Consider your purpose and intended audience as you determine the tone and language you will use.

Note: Your statement of position, or thesis, can be presented as a topic sentence at the start of your paragraph, but could also come in the middle or at the end of your position paragraph.

Step 2

Work with a writing partner to review your position paragraph, using questions or criteria to determine how well the paragraph works and in what ways it might be improved.

Activity 3: Write – Discuss

We will determine where and how to incorporate the position paragraph within our overall argument.

Based on your argumentation plan and approach to reasoning, as developed in your Delineating Arguments Tool and Organizing Evidence Tool, determine where in your argument you want to place your position paragraph: near the start, somewhere in the middle, or near the end.

Discuss the options with a writing partner.