Lesson 3
We will complete the initial draft of our final argument, developing an introduction that will move readers from the topic and position to a conclusion that will summarize our final thoughts or suggest a response to our issues.
Lesson Goals
Can I draft an introductory paragraph that introduces my topic and issue, draws my audience in, and states my position?
Can I draft a concluding paragraph that restates my position and ends with a strong statement, suggested response, or call to action?
Texts
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Activity 1: Discuss
We will reread the draft of the body of our argument and consider what also needs to be done to introduce our topics, issues, and positions to the audience we have designated.
Participate in a class discussion about ways to introduce and conclude an argumentative essay, including the idea of completing the circle, or linking an opening question, example, or quotation to a final set of thoughts.
Determine if your position or paragraph effectively opens your argumentative essay, or if you need to add something to get your readers’ attention and welcome them into your essay.
Consider models from arguments read in this unit.
Activity 2: Write
We will redraft a first paragraph of the argument to effectively move our intended readers into the topic and position.
Step 1
As a class, discuss what components should be in an effective introduction.
How do you introduce your intended audience to your issue and position in a compelling or interesting way? What unique ways can you use to get your reader’s attention right away?
What background information about the topic will your reader need in order to understand your argument?
How will you preview what is to come in your argument in order to further hook and inform the reader?
What organizational structure are you using to compose your argument and how does that impact what you will include in your introduction?
Step 2
Based on the previous discussion, look at your Section 4 Diagnostic. What information have you already included in this synopsis that could help you write your introduction?
Using the Section 4 Diagnostic, outline ideas for your introduction based on the necessary components of an introduction. Consider looking at arguments studied throughout the unit to gather ideas for how to organize your own introduction if additional support is needed.
Step 3
Write or revise an effective introduction for your argumentative essay.
Based on the discussion, examples, and your own analysis, revise an effective introduction for your argumentative essay.
Activity 3: Discuss – Write
We will reread our new draft, thinking about how to conclude it in a way that will leave our intended readers with final thoughts, calls to responsive action, or that complete the circle with our introductory ideas and paragraphs.
Participate in a class discussion about ways to conclude an argumentative essay, including the following options:
using the final paragraph as the argument’s position paragraph in an inductive reasoning approach in which the position is finally fully expressed as the end point of the claims that have preceded it
moving from a restatement of the position to a suggested response or call to action related to the issue, problem, or controversy that the argument has addressed
directly linking the conclusion to the introduction to complete the circle and increase the argument’s sense of unity
using a final example, story, or quotation to add a dramatic finish to the essay
other options suggested by your teacher or classmates
Consider models from arguments read in this unit. Write or revise an effective concluding paragraph for your argumentative essay.
Activity 4: Write
We will complete a full review draft for our argument.
Finalize the content of your draft essay, so that it can be reviewed for key writing issues as you progress to a final draft.
Review your Vocabulary Journal. Ensure you use at least five terms from your journal in your final essay.