Mrs.

Patterson AP English III

ARGUMENTATION CHEAT SHEET
OVERVIEW
The argument question presents you with several challenges:
Determining what you are actually being asked to write about (reading the question)
Thinking through what you position is, based on the examples you can muster (unlike the other two
questions, what you say and how you defend your claim has to come entirely from your own head)
Writing a response that recognizes and addresses the complexity of the question.
The following cheat sheet will help you ensure that you tackle each of the challenges thoroughly and
appropriately.

PREWRITING AND DRAFTING STEPS

Step #1: Read the prompt and passage. Underline key words.

Step #2: Write the following under the prompt:

I Issue: What is the position you are being asked to respond to? Why is it important?

Complexity: List reasons why this issue is complicated. Why do people disagree? Follow
this form: On one hand _________, but on the other hand, _________________
C (or, OOH, ____, OOH_________).
You want at least three of these and more is better.

Position: In the end, how do you feel about this issue? What will you argue? This will not
P be a simple "yes" or "no".

Step #3: Write your introduction. Begin with two or three sentences (total) describing the ISSUE. End with
your thesis. You thesis needs to be certain, but should not be simple. DO NOT, under any
circumstance, use an I statement in your thesis or ask a question.
POSSIBLE THESIS STEMS
Good Theses Bad Theses
In some ways the speaker is correct, but in others he is
It is clear that _______________________.
wrong.
_______ is a very important issue that will not be
Under most circumstances ____________________.
resolved quickly.
As the speaker says . . . ./Despite what the speaker says
_______ is never a good idea.
...
In most cases, _______is true, but one important
Everyone needs to _______.
exception is _______.
The speaker is correct that _______, but he overlooks
What would you think if _______?
_______.
_______ is true, but only when the word _______
I think _______.
means _______.
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Mrs. Patterson AP English III

Step #4: Predict the rhetorical challenges you will face. What possible objections will your audience raise?
Why would any rational human being disagree with you? What is the other side to this issue that you
need to overcome?

Step #5: Analyze your thesis. What separate ideas, facts, or interpretations will you have to prove in order to
prove that the thesis as a whole is true?

Step #6: Plan your body paragraphs. Each paragraph has a sub-purpose that relates to your overall thesis:
Overcome a rhetorical challenge
1) Respond to, refute or attack some other argument
2) Concede a point to the opposition and explain why your overall thesis is still correct.
Prove an idea, fact, or interpretation
1) Illustrate or demonstrate an idea
2) Distinguish between two related ideas
3) Establish credibility; justify an action/ decision
4) Create an emotional response
5) Establish a fact
For each purpose you hope to accomplish, you need to come up with a method. Avoid the
shoulds dont tell people what they should think or feelshow them. For each sub-purpose:
ASK YOURSELF . . . METHOD YOU CAN USE
What is this like? Analogy
What is really meant by this? Define your terms
When has this happened to me? Anecdote
When have I read/heard about this sort of thing? Examples/facts
What would happen if a person did this? Hypothetical
What would happen if everyone did this? Universal imperative
Why am I qualified to speak about this? Credentials
Who else has spoken about this? Appeal to authority

Step #7: Write your body paragraphs. Each paragraph MUST have a clear topic sentence that establishes the
goal of that paragraph. Useful phrases for topic sentences:
See refutation and concession signals (essay word bank)!
One important consideration . . .
There is an important difference between . . .
It is important to define the term . . .
This is comparable to/can be compared to/For comparison . . .
This is illustrated by . . .
Examples of this can be found . . .
If everyone were to . . .
If a person . . .
If, hypothetically,

Step #8: Write your conclusion. Begin by confirming your position. Then write 2-3 sentences discussing how
this position might also apply to other things and circumstances.
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