Showing posts with label Argument Writing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Argument Writing. Show all posts

Sunday, April 22, 2018

In this Blog Post I will Explain Why You Should Never Use "I know this because..." and other ideas to strengthen your writing.

Good afternoon, writers!! We're here from lovely West Warwick, Rhode Island with 2 fantastic tips to strengthen your writing today. These teeny-tiny tips are easy to put into action and add a punch to your writing.

Tip #1: Don't write about your writing.

I don't know when this became a fad, but some writers write about their writing instead of just writing it... You've all seen this. Maybe you're even guilty of doing it yourself.
It goes a little like this.
"In this essay, I will talk about why twins are so important to the world."
or
"For my next paragraph, I will say the second reason why twins are important to the world."

Instead of just writing your claim--- Twins are important to the world. The writer chooses to do this, kind of strangish narrator voice-over of their own writing.



The narration might work for documentaries -- the lion will walk over to the pond-- but it doesn't work in writing. We just don't speak like that.

Your reader is smarter than you think.
If your writing is clear, your reader will be able to tell what the essay is about. No need to tell them. If you've done your job, the reader will know what the point of your paragraph is.

Anytime you feel the urge to write about your writing, stop, put your Chromebook down, and walk a lap around the room. When you come back, look at the page with fresh eyes and just write your thoughts. Forget the empty phrases. Get down to business.


Usually, all you need to do is to take out the narration. "This essay will be about the differences between Anne and Peter." can be changed to "There are many differences between Anne and Peter." Then go into your explanation. Simple as that most times.

Tip #2: Do not write "I know this because..."

As a writer, your job is to state your arguments or tell your story with
authority and strength.  
Paying attention to your word choices will help you succeed.
It’s important that your words are varied (different, not repetitive) and sophisticated.



One bad habit that some writers develop is to explain their evidence basically
the
same way...
over and over.
They say, "I know this because..."

"Now, wait a minute, Miss Enos! I thought we were supposed to avoid using the
word "I" in our writing!" You might say.

Well, you'd be right.

Not only do you use the word I when explaining your evidence that way, but when you
repeat similar phrases over and over and over our writing gets boring and
lacks sophistication and energy.

There are so many interesting words and phrases out there that
you could choose instead!



Don’t stick with the same words that you used in your younger days.
Get creative!  Think beyond your writing comfort zone.

Click on this document with some sentence starters
and Try some of these instead!

Sunday, April 24, 2016

Should We Get Pizza or Tacos for Dinner??


Check out this real-world example of how important recognizing counter-arguments and preparing rebuttals are for succeeding in life. I mean, seriously, dinner is at stake here! Never let your twin sister overrule your meal suggestion again! 

#arguesmarter #eatpizza

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Miss Enos: “I want Pizza!”
Mrs. Roberti: “I want Tacos!"

Mrs. Roberti’s Counterarguments (her reasons against my choice)  


1. Tacos are cheaper
2. We go to a Food Truck- It’s Quicker
3.  We have more options.


Miss Enos’ Rebuttals (My Reasons why her counterarguments are totally wrong)


1.  It is true that tacos may be cheaper to buy right away, but pizza is an excellent leftover treat!  You can put it in the fridge and have another meal with it, or you can freeze it and have it later.  Can’t do that with tacos.   Frozen tacos are gross.


2.  Although food trucks may be quicker, it is nice to spend an evening having dinner together.  Why rush it?  We will get a chance to talk about our day together.  


3.  While it may seem that tacos offer more options at first glance, by using the counting principle, I have discovered that you can only get 1,152 possible standard combinations of tacos.  Pizza, on the other hand, offers 54, 880 standard combinations.



Plan your Counterargument/ Rebuttal Paragraph (s):

1. First Sentence: Introduce the Counterargument (the opposing view) and your Rebuttal (why the opposing view is wrong).


2. Sentence 2-5ish:  Add details to strengthen your point.


3. Last Sentence: Summarize your reason.

Paragraph Example


It is true that tacos may be cheaper to buy right away, but pizza is an excellent leftover treat!  You can put it in the fridge and have another meal with it, or you can freeze it and have it later.  You can’t do that with tacos.  Tacos get mushy.  Pizza is excellent heated up in the toaster-oven.  It stays nice and crispy that way.  By spending more money at first, you are able to ultimately save money by eating the pizza for a second (or even third) meal.  Ultimately, the fact that pizza is great leftover makes pizza for dinner the more affordable choice in the long run.  




counterargument/ rebuttal sentence starters!