Summer+Assignment+3

Write a two page essay (500 words) in which you support, refute or modify (agree/disagree with a portion of the argument while also showing how it is limited, only partially true, etc.) a central argument the writer develops in your chosen work from the previous assignment.

Be sure the argument you are exploring is made clear in your thesis and that your response as a whole reflects a thoughtful understanding of the writer’s claim; remember that thinking critically is a key feature of any AP English class—be sure your essay recognizes the complex nature of the argument you’re addressing. Also, be sure your response contains clearly defined reasons supported by concrete examples from your own observations, historical events, current events, etc.

Though there are many ways to organize an effective argument, you may wish to use the classical argument model described on the following page as a reference to help you structure your response.

**//__Classical Argumentative Scheme __//** I. Introduction- In the introduction you urge your audience to consider the case you are about to present. This is the time to capture your readers’ attention and introduce your topic. A good introduction should contain the following components:

a) Hook/ Statement of Background- This is the time to provide information so that your audience will understand the nature of the facts you will present. After including your “hook” to draw the reader’s interest, you should include any relevant background information and define pertinent terms if necessary.

b) Central Claim/Thesis- This part divides the part focused on background information and the part focused on reasoned persuasion. You must state the position you are taking, based on the information you have presented, and outline the lines the rest of your argument will take.

II. Concession and Refutation- In this section, you anticipate and refute opposing views. A writer’s credibility depends on expertise on the subject; hence, to ignore the other side of the controversial issue is dangerous. The concession/refutation first briefly recognizes and then at length argues against opposing viewpoints, perhaps by finding weaknesses within the opposing reasons, facts, testimony, or logical development. In other words, it is the “yes..but” part of the argument. “Yes” is the concession; “but” is the refutation. Concession and refutation allow writers to grant validity to or acknowledge opposing views; however, they must demonstrate that their claims are more valid. Writers may choose to concede and refute within introductory paragraphs or throughout body paragraphs as they introduce each new premise. Ideas of concession often appear as subordinated thoughts in dependent clauses.

III. Proof/Confirmation-Adhering carefully to your central claim, in these paragraphs, you present the heart of your argument to confirm your proposition. You should use ethos, logos, and pathos to make it clear that your central claim is correct; you must also offer concrete evidence and discuss each piece to provide a unified argument. The confirmation is the most important and longest section of the argument for it provides the reasons and evidence of a writer’s claim. Writers should consciously incorporate the other modes of discourse to develop the logic of their argument. (i.e. narration, description, etc.)

IV. Conclusion—Summarize your claim and the main points you made to prove your claim. Provide your reader with one last insight to consider or a call to action.

// **Works Cited** //

Burton, Gideon O. “The Forest of Rhetoric.” Silva Rhetoricae. 2007. Brigham

Young University. 22 May 2008. [|http://rhetoric.byu.edu]

“Glossary of Literary Terms.” Applied Practice: Nonfiction Selections. Dallas:

Applied Practice, Ltd., 1998. 6-13.

Harris, Robert A. “A Handbook of Rhetorical