1. ASManager2.zip Driver
2. L_ARGUE.txt File Contents

L_ARGUE.txt Driver File Contents (ASManager2.zip)

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Argument Type Essay Questions

Often an essay question will ask you to argue, prove, or justify a particular idea or situation. You must then show your position is right, positive, valid, proper, and reasonable. You must stress the advantages over the disadvantages.

You may be asked to convince the reader that you are deserving of a million dollars, of a passing grade, of a job, or of another chance at doing something. You may be asked to convince Congress to let sixteen-year-olds vote, to let fourteen-year-olds drive, or to have Coke instead of water in the faucets of America.

In each case you must persuade the reader by presenting a logical and passionate argument for what you want. You must show that what you want makes sense and that you want it very much.

When you are presenting an argument or a persuasive viewpoint, you should follow the same rules you applied in answering other essay questions. However, there is an additional rule (note number 5 below).

1. Restate the question so as to include as many aspects of the question in your topic sentence as you can.

2. Be orderly and sequential in presenting your arguments.

3. Provide concrete examples.

4. Make sure the examples relate to the main topic.

5. Think about the opinion, attitude, or viewpoint you need to change in your reader.

6. Conclude with a clear summary.

Writing Down Key Ideas Before You Begin Writing

Take a few minutes to organize your thoughts. Then write them as notes that you can use as you write your answer.

Essay Question

Persuade your parents that they should let you come home at whatever hour you wish.

My Notes

Earlier not safer, later not more dangerous
I deserve trust
Bad things happen any time
I need to learn to take care of myself

Essay Answer

I think that my parents should let me come home at whatever hour I wish because I've proven that I'm responsible. Mostly I get good grades. I keep my room cleared of junk and debris. I help with chores. I don't get in fights or trouble. So I think this shows that I'm responsible.

My parents say that it's dangerous to be out late, but I disagree. Really, there are fewer cars out on the highway and fewer people out, too. Sometimes, late at night is the only time that is really peaceful.

I understand that my parents feel they are taking care of me and protecting me by requiring me to be in by a certain time, but I don't think this is good for me because it tells me they don't trust me. It is also a mistake because bad things can happen any time, and as I said, it's most peaceful late at night. Finally, how am I going to learn to be responsible for myself if I can't make my own decisions?

Below are five persuasive argument essay questions. Write notes on three of them. Then choose one to write an essay answer for. Remember to be aware of the person to whom you are addressing your argument.

1. Argue that a day should be provided when students can choose to come or not to come to school.

Audience: school principal

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2. Argue that nuclear war is not a sane or safe alternative.

Audience: President of the U.S.

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3. Argue that you should be given a job as a complaint-counter clerk at a local department store.

Audience: personnel officer

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4. Argue that a police officer should not give you a ticket even though you both know that your are guilty of going through a red light.

Audience: police officer

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5. Argue that a friend whom you didn't pay back the last time they loaned you money should loan you some more money.

Audience: your friend

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6. Argue that a fly swatter works much better than a hand for swatting flies.

Audience: your brother

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Name and save this file now. (Press ctrl+S, type a name for the file, and press enter.)

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Choose the question you wish to write about. Retype or copy your argument notes from above in the space below. Then write your essay.

Note: When you begin a persuasive argument essay, you probably do not want to declare that you are going to persuade a person or that you are going to argue a certain viewpoint. To do so may put the reader on the defensive. Better openings might be to simply state, "I think that..." or "There are good arguments in favor of..."

My Persuasive Essay Answer

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Retype or copy your essay answer in the space below. Then share your answer with a friend or with your writing support group and make revisions. Think about these questions.

1. How clearly do you state the purpose of your essay?

2. How orderly is your presentation?

3. Do you present interesting examples?

4. Do the examples relate to the topic?

5. Do you keep in mind the viewpoint of the person whose mind you are trying to change?

6. Is your closing statement a good summary?

Revised Persuasive Essay

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If you haven't done so already, name and save this file now. (Press ctrl+S, type a name for the file, and press enter.)

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