Skip to Main Content

Lesson 3

We will complete the initial drafts of our final arguments, developing introductions that will pique readers’ interest in our topics and positions, as well as conclusions that will leave those readers with final thoughts about our presented issues or calls to action.

Lesson Goals

  • Can I draft introductory and concluding paragraphs that introduce my topic and issue, draw my audience in, lead to or restate my position, and end my argument with a strong statement, suggested response, or call to action?

Texts

There are no texts for this Lesson.

Materials

Tools

Editable Google Docs

Activity 1: Discuss

We will reread the drafts of our body paragraphs and consider what we need to do to introduce our topics, issues, and positions to our designated audience.

Participate in a class discussion about how to introduce and conclude an argumentative essay.

Determine if one of your paragraphs could be used as an effective opener for your argumentative essay, or if you need to add components to get your readers’ attention and welcome them to your essay.

Consider models from arguments presented in this unit.

Activity 2: Write

We will draft or 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.

  1. 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?

  2. What background information about the topic will your reader need in order to understand your argument?

  3. How will you preview what is to come in your argument in order to further hook and inform the reader?

  4. 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.

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 action, or that complete the circle with our introductory ideas and paragraphs.

Participate in a class discussion about ways to conclude an argumentative essay, considering the following options:

  • using the final paragraph as the argument’s position paragraph in which the position is fully expressed as the endpoint of the claims that have preceded it, usually found in an inductive reasoning approach

  • moving from a restatement of the position to a suggested response or call to action related to the issue that the argument 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 presented in this unit.

Write or revise an effective concluding paragraph for your argumentative essay. If needed, write more than more paragraph to conclude your essay.

Activity 4: Write

For homework, we will complete a full review draft of our argument.

For homework, finalize the content of your draft essay, so that it can be reviewed and you can progress to a final draft.

Review your Vocabulary Journal. Ensure you use at least five concepts or terms from your journal in your final essay.