In-Class Essay Challenge

1. In-Class Essay Challenge Learning to argue.

2. The Challenge • Tuesday, we heard from James “Jaime” Baine from the Innocence Project. He spoke to us about his wrongful conviction and the consequent 35 year prison sentence he served before the FIP stepped in and helped secure him a DNA test to prove his innocence. We’re going to write an in-class essay together that explores one of the ideas brought up during the presentation: whether a DNA testing should be mandatory for all capital crimes if DNA evidence exists. • Specifically, I’m interested in modeling how to integrate good quotes, paraphrases and summaries and how to write strong topic sentences and argue a point.

3. 10 minutes = Pre-Writing • We’re going to put what we’ve learned so far together. So, let’s start in the narrative mode. Based on your own opinions, beliefs and values, complete the following exercise. You will have 15 minutes to complete this. • B: (what are your beliefs about this issue?) • V: (what values drive these beliefs; is there a “narrative” or story behind the value?) • K: (what do you know about the topic? What do you need to know about this topic?)

4. 15 minutes = Research • Next, based on what we don’t know, we need to do some research. • Type this search term into Google:mandatory dna testing criminals. • Select source #8. • In your own words summarize the ABA article entitled “An Arresting Development” in no more than one paragraph. • You don’t even have to write in complete sentences: just pull out and bullet what you think are the main points of information or argument.

5. 15 minutes = Citations • Select one quote you think is particularly compelling, edgy, or provocative. When you pick a quote, you want a quote that works for you. Don’t pick quotes that merely detail facts you can summarize or paraphrase. • Next, select key points to summarize and summarize them in no more than a sentence or two. • Correctly add the in-text citation next to the summary, quote, or paraphrase. • Log on to EasyBib.com and add the citation information. Export the citation. Add the complete source information to your Reference (APA) or Works Cited page (MLA).

6. 10 minutes = Topic Sentences • While you can use virtually any of the modes of exposition (definition, classification, comparison, etc), we’re going to use the argumentation essay as both a mode and an aim. Meaning, our goal is to persuade the reader using the elements of rhetoric: logos, pathos, and ethos (remember Aristotle: the ability to see what is persuasive in any given case). • Based on your values, beliefs, known-knowledge and researched knowledge, pick three points you want to argue/explore and write them out. • Turn these facts/beliefs/statements into topic sentences by adding an opinion to the basic subject you’re covering. Add a because statement if you need help in doing this. Explainwhy. • It’s not enough to argue DNA testing should be mandatory for all capital offenses. You want to argue: DNA testing should be mandatory for all capital offenses because it’s easy to take a saliva sample as part of the intake process and it will increase the number of unsolved crimes.

7. 15 minutes = Adding support • Next, select a piece of outside evidence (paraphrase, summary, quote) that corresponds to one of your topic sentences—that helps to argue the point or opinion in the topic sentence. • Add it to the paragraph. • Add the in-text citation. • Now do this for two more points.

8. 3 minutes = Claim/Thesis • Based on your values, beliefs, knowledge and research, can you make a general claim about the topic at hand? Write this at the top of your paper. • Restate or extend this sentence and type it to the end of your paper.

9. 10 minutes = What does the audience need to know? • There are many “modes” of writing: description, narration, explanation, summary/response, which help to organize your essay but at the heart of these modes is the need to give the reader just enough detail that they understand the issue. • Consider what your reader needs to know to understand this issue and then write a paragraph detailing that information. • You may want to set up your essay using the summary/response mode or the compare/contrast mode or simply the explanatory mode. Whichever you choose, you’ll want to make sure you’ve told the reader key facts and implications so they can follow your argument.

10. 5 minutes = Hook the Reader • Now, can you think of some way to shock the reader into reading your essay? Can you think of a good hook; some interesting story or detail or description? • Freewrite for ten minutes. What comes to mind? Shape this into your introduction.

11. Due Tuesday as Google Doc • Your homework then is to refine, finesse, and “tweak” this skeleton essay. Put skin on the bones, as they say. Add your introduction, your conclusion. Think of this essay like a piece of art: you have to get the first layer of paint down and then you add the embellishments. • High edits: go over each topic sentence, highlighting them if it helps. Is there an opinion in the topic sentence or is it just fact? Do each of your support sentences lend credibility to the argument you’re making in that paragraph? Have you had someone else read it to make sure you’re argument is clear and compelling? Is your introduction arresting? • Low edits: have you used the right word to add finesse (like the use of scourge instead of a bad thing). Have you read your paper aloud and made notations where you get tripped up on typos and poor grammar? Are all the periods, commas and dashes in the right place?