2/9: Laying Out Argument & MLA Citation

Laying Out Your Argument Synthesis

• Looking at the essay as an exploration of your argument's main ideas
• Outline of Essay Form: thesis --> arguing thesis sub-topic* 1 --> arguing thesis sub-topic 2 --> arguing thesis sub-topic 3 --> arguing sub-topic 4 --> etc. --> conclusion does not definitively prove but does reiterate importance of your argument

*sub-topic is another term that refers to the thesis statement's associated ideas.

• Outline of Each Body Paragraph: topic sentence that makes a claim on thesis --> supporting sentences that develop claim more and then provide supporting example (textual evidence) --> a few sentences that provide an "assumption" of what claim and support equal, or what the claim and support "mean."
• If a developed body paragraph were a math equation, it would look like this: claim + support of claim = meaning/assumption.

Now, these two above ideas are basic/foundational rhetorical knowledge. The key is to practice. So, we will spend today working on sharpening our use of the basics.

Writing Activity 1: Developing Logical Sub-Topics of Thesis

• Why did you say "that"? Write some sentences that provide reasons why your thesis argument is true. Start off: "Folktales exist to replace verb phrase because..."

• When is your thesis true? Write a few sentences that clarify specific times your folktales have been shown to exist.

• Where are folktales found to be used as you say they are? Write a few sentences that make claims about where a person can see a folktale, for instance, "reinforcing family values." Only replace "reinforcing family values" with your own main argument

• Who is being affected by folktales, and how?

• What characteristics, aspects, smaller parts of the subject (for us, folktales) prove, or reinforce your argument? How do those characteristics do so?

Writing Activity 2: Layering/Building An Argumentative Paragraph

For this activity you will split into groups of 3-4 students and build one Body Paragraph together, using a strong topic sentence.

1. Provide the sub-topics topic sentence.
2. Provide another 2-3 sentences that expand on idea of that topic sentence. You want to lead in to your examples that help prove your point!
3. Transition into source material using transitional devices, such as "For instance,..." or "Take the case of...," and then go into your source material*
4. After doing step #3, which is further described below, try to wrap up the paragraph with some ending thoughts before setting up a new idea. In other words, you want to lead out of the use of source material and back into the idea you are arguing.

*In incorporating source material, I want you to include two examples within your Body Paragraph:

1. A quick summary of a common theme found in the three variations of Cinderella read by the class. Of course, you want it to connect to your topic sentence!
2. Also, provide an appropriate quote from one of the essays that is in Chapter 12, either Stith Thompson's, Bonnie Cullen's or Bruno Bettelheim's essay. Which author makes a statement that reinforces your argument in this paragraph?

• Make sure to use in-text citation rules: include author's name, possibly use the essay title if it adds relevance, and make sure to put page number of quote in parentheses at the end of sentence. Consult the appendix at the back of our textbook if you can't remember!

Homework:

- Have a finished draft of your Midterm Essay, typed and ready at 12pm. Do not come to class late, have your draft printed before. We will Workshop drafts Thursday. Include a Work Cited page with citation of articles and stories used. For help, consult OWL or Diana Hacker's website on MLA citation.

- Critical Thinking/Writing: Order your Sub-Topics in Order of Importance. What are your main Sub-Topics that develop your thesis? In what order did you order your points in the essay? Why is it important that you ordered them this way? --> Hand-write up a 3-4 sentence explanation of why you decided on the order you did. We will discuss this before Workshop!.