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Transcript

Structuring Arguments

Welcome!

  • Attendance
  • QuickWrite
  • Structuring
  • Fragments
  • Rough Drafts

QuickWrite

What is one thing you’ve learned about your own writing process? What part of the writing process has been the most difficult for you so far?

Structuring Arguments

Rogerian/Invitational Arguments

  • a willingness to think about opposing positions and describe them fairly
  • addressing the counter-argument WITHOUT necessarily agreeing
  • helps persuade an audience using principles of equity, understanding, listening, benefits
  • "rhetorical listening"
  • disagree with respect
  • imagine writing a two-way conversation

Rogerian Structure

Rogerian Structure

Introduction: You describe an issue, a problem, or a conflict in terms rich enough to show that you fully understand and respect any alternative position

Contexts: You describe the conetexts in which alternative positions may be valid.

Writer's position: You state your position on the issue and present the circumstances in which that opinion would be valid.

Benefits: You explain to opponents how they would benefit from adopting your position.

Example

"Every day, you have the same power to choose our better history - by opening your hearts and minds, by speaking up for what you know is right, by sharing the lessons of Brown v. Board of Education, the lessons you learned right here in Topeka, wherever you go for the rest of our lives. I know you all can do it. I am so proud of all of you, and I cannot wait to see everything you achieve in the years ahead." --Michelle Obama

Where do we see the Rogerian structure at work?

(Intro, Context, Position, Benefits)

Grammar 2.0

Fragments: when a subject and/or verb is missing from the sentence.

These often occur in casual language and informal writing.

If you start senetences with...

although, as, because, before, how, if, since, that, though, unless, when, where, whether, which who, or --ing endings, you still need to include a subject and verb!

Grammar 2.0

Revising Fragments

Revising Fragments

A fragment is simply a phrase that needs an independent clause (i.e. subject/verb). To revise, attach the phrase to an independent clause.

EX: NBC is broadcasting the debates. With discussions afterward.

EX: The town's growth is controlled by zoning laws. A strict set of regulations for builders and corporations.

Fragments & Transitions

If you introduce an example or explanation with a transition (e.g. also, as a result, besides, for example, for instance, instead, like, such as, that is, etc.).

EX: Joan Didion has written on many subjects. Such as the Hoover Dam and migraine headaches.

OR Separated compound sentences

EX: They sold their house. And moved into an apartment

Dependent Clauses (most common)

Dependent Clauses when left alone are fragmented sentences. They must be joined to an independent clause to form a complete sentence. DCs usually begin with: after, because, before, if, since, though, unless, until, when, wehre, while, who, which, and that.

EX: When I decided to work part-time. I gave up a lot of my earning potential.

EX: The majority of injuries in automobile accients occur in two ways. When an occupant either is hurt by something inside the car or is thrown from the car.

Rough Drafts

  • Highlight/underline/box your own thesis statement
  • Find a partner
  • Swap Rough Drafts and read
  • Note main ideas/evidence
  • Ask 2 primary questions during your reading
  • Give helpful feedback

Helpful vs. Unhelpful Feedback

HELPFUL

  • Pointing out specific main ideas
  • Identifying where they strayed from the thesis
  • Pointing out confusing sentences
  • Asking a clarifying question

UNHELPFUL

  • saying you "liked it"
  • not saying anything
  • being mean
  • being overly critical
  • inserting your own ideas into their paper

Rubric

Rubric

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