How many subtopics/ specific arguments do you need for your topic?
Three steps for Research part of paper:
I) One approved thesis
(Narrowed to 6th level and argumentative form)
II) Gather list of potential subtopics/arguments that will become
topic sentences (one per paragraph)
III) Details/Quotes: one or two pieces of evidence from a
source, usually quotes, with citation [credit to where you got it from]
*Then you try to figure out which subtopics/arguments you will
keep, which details/quotes can go under each.
· SUBTOPICS/ topic sentences – need 1 for each
argumentative para (or per 2 para)
NUMBERS
In a double spaced page, typically 3-4 para per page.
3-4 Subtopics/specific arguments x 4 pgs
= 9 – 16 subtopics/topic sentences
Subtract intro (1-2 short para) and conclusion (1 para)= -3
6-13
subtopics/topic sentence required
YOU
SHOULD have an idea of at least HALF of the subtopics before attempting a paper
topic
Example Thesis:
The military draft should be brought back in the United States
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WHAT IS AN ArgumentativeTHESIS? A single sentence summary of an
argument you are going to make or point of view you are going to take.
1)NOT
A QUESTION / DOES NOT END IN QUESTION MARK.
BAD: Could drinking tap water in former
BETTER:Drinking tap water from former
2)SOMEONE
CAN DISAGREE WITH YOU/ TAKE THE OPPOSITE SIDE, otherwise it’s not argumentative.
BAD: Plastic Surgery in teenagers.
BETTER:Plastic surgery in teenagers is a growing
trend caused by peer and media image pressure
BAD:
Preparing a car to win a street race.
BETTER:Chip modification is the most important
way to prepare a car for a street race.
BAD:
Misdiagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder
BETTER:
Misdiagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder is leading to overmedication of
school age children.
3)NARROWED
TO MATCH AUDIENCE (See narrowing lesson)
4)
TAKES A
BAD: Video games might increase violence in
pre-teens.
BETTER:
Video games increase violence in pre-teens.
BAD:
Sometimes it is possible to use supplements to win bodybuilding contests.
BETTER:
Supplements are now a necessity in order to win bodybuilding contests.
5)
EVERYTHING YOU SAY YOU ARE GOING TO COVER IN YOUR APPROVED THESIS,
MUST BE COVERED IN YOUR PAPER.
For
example: If your approved thesis is:
Grappling
is the most effective mixed martial arts technique in Ultimate Fighting competitions
THEN….
You must compare it to all other
major techniques, and discuss it for defense, offense and counter moves….
MORE
SPECIFIC: Grappling is the most
effective mixed martial arts technique for dealing with reach-based attack
styles in Ultimate
Fighting competitions
Thesis: your paper’s topic, as a sentence. NEVER A QU
*Each content
paragraph in an argumentative paper is TPEO or TPEOEO or TPEOEOEO
Topic Sentence: one sentence in EACH paragraph – what the
paragraph is about or subtopic
Point: In your own words, how the topic
sentence/subtopic/this paragraph is important to, argues for the paper’s thesis
Evidence or Example: the quote or paraphrased details and
expert knowledge from an outside source that supports your paragraph’s topic
sentences. ALWAYS with a citation
Optional explanation of Evidence: in your own words, commentary or how the evidence you quoted is important or supports your topic sentence and/or your paper thesis. Not always required if your evidence (quote) is straightforward.