Argumentative Essay Notes - Videos 6-8 PDF

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Notes on how to write an argumentative essay....

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11/15/21 - MISC Argumentative Note: Bad habits: no introductions- if not purposeful/ relevant/ magical, DO NOT INCLUDE. Video 6 - Multiple perspectives black, white, and shades of greys. - Multiple perspectives: see see black and white - Ted Talk Chimamanda Adichie - Dangers of absolutism - Social media -

Understanding multiple perspectives (delving into complexity) - Looking at it through other lenses (politics, econ, society, ethics, science, corporations, science, socio-economic status, environment, politics, small businesses, etc.)

Colonizing Mars: - No, we shouldn’t colonize Mars. There are already other problems on earth that need solving, and a Mars colonial settlement isn’t something we should be prioritizing - Analyze through multiple perspectives/lenses: ethics, history, economics, science, politics, environment - Science - We can’t get Mars colonists back to Earth - Colonists’ life spans wouldn’t be as long as if they were on earth - Do we have the technological capabilities to create an atmosphere there, get colonists there, and sustain life? - History - Cold War Space Race - inspired Americans and STEM learning - Economics - The technology to build an atmosphere and sustain life there is expensive - Environmental - We need to colonize Mars in case Earth cannot sustain life any longer (read: global warming/climate change/ozone layer destruction) - Politics - Differing political affiliations will have different stances on colonizing - Type of gov’t/who would run the gov’t on Mars? - Is the recognition of an established government on Mars worth the expense? - Would voters say “not worth the expense” because they'd prefer that money go to debt relief or public education?

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Ethics - Save humans-kind/life if something bad happens to Earth - Colonists can’t return to Earth - Colonists’ life spans are shorter on Mars’ Shades of Grey: the implications of the different lenses help you understand what you want your stance to be.

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What’s your decision? Are we colonizing Mars? - Write down your position. - No, we are not colonizing Mars. Yes, we are colonizing Mars. - Write down three reasons explaining why you made the decision you made. - Too risky - ethically. Colonists might lose their lives, especially since technology isn’t advanced enough to sustain life there. Once we get the technology we need, there shouldn’t be a reason that we can’t sustain life (and maintain the colonists’ life spans) on Mars. - Financially - the money could go to issues that voters care more about. N/A, no opposing argument. - Other issues on Earth: poverty, child hunger, homelessness, etc. These problems will always exist in the world - let’s not wait until they’re solved to view colonial settlements on Mars as a worthy endeavor.

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Argument - Black and White example: - We should colonize Mars - We should not colonize Mars. - Complex argument (shades of grey/has other implications): - Although we have the technology to colonize Mars, the money would be better spent investing in improving environmental issues on Earth.

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Exploring complexities gets you the extra sophistication point.

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MCQ practice: - Answer: C (because it provides reasoning as to why wolves would follow the hunters in question, and how they would eventually become domesticated. It strengthens the author’s attempt to refute the claim that domestication of wolves was when humans captured wolf pups and raised them as domesticated animals).

Video 7

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The highest-scoring essays tend to have nuanced positions that address the prompt’s complexity. They also tend to use a variety of sources, knowledge of history, and personal observations to create a balanced argument. - See here for the rubric.

Argument Prompt: Annual Buy Nothing Day Exam 2010 Form B - Counterargument, refutation, rebuttal, concession - Counter Argument - considering the possible arguments against your thesis - Refutation - shows why the other side is wrong with specific evidence - Rebuttal - presenting your side of an issue (you may not be proving someone else wrong but you are presenting your perspective and why it’s relevant - Concession - acknowledging other points of view of an issue - gives credibility because it shows you understand the complexities of the issue. - Tensions within the argument prompt -

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Cats vs. Dogs: Which is the better pet? - example argument outlined below - Thesis: Dogs are better companions and help us stay healthier better than cats can. - Possible Counterargument: Cat owners are healthier than dog owners. - Refutation: Although both dogs and cats can help protect against allergies, children who own dogs have fewer infections and are prescribed antibiotics less often than children who don’t (University of Melbourne). - Dog owners are more physically active than people who do not own a dog, including cat owners (University of Melbourne). - Possible counterargument: Cats are better companions than dogs - Dogs are better companies because no one is more excited about your presence than a dog. Plus, they’re great company on a walk, while most cats don’t tolerate being leashed to go on a walk. - Possible counterargument: Cats are easier to care for than dogs. - If a cat has a litter box and plenty of food, it can probably take care of itself for days. Dogs, however, require more attention. Still, dogs are worth the investment because they make such great pets. Shades of Gray - multiple perspectives, not black/grey - example perspectives: politics, economics, society culture, art, history, science, environment, ethics, race, gender, age, corporations, small businesses

Argument Prompt: Annual Buy Nothing Day Exam (2010 Form B)

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Important lenses to look at (+ Check for Understanding - considering the various perspectives within two of the lenses + look at tensions within perspectives) - Politics (example) - The impact on the stock market could anger voters - This would be more up to a state government than a federal one and is not enforceable - Lending support for this may illustrate to voters that politicians care about the environment. - Economics - The stock market/economy will become more volatile in the days before/during the new “Buy Nothing” day. This could have negative impacts on the economy every year (-). - Any changes in the stock market/economy on the “Buy Nothing” day would serve as reminders of the effects of extreme consumerism, thereby accomplishing the events’ goal (even if there is a negative impact on the economy) (+). - Society/Culture - Socio-economic Status - Corporations - Small businesses - Environment - This event would raise awareness about the environmental impacts of consumerism (+). - Even though this one event raises awareness about the environmental impacts of consumerism on this one day, people are going to resume their regular lives with no-real lifestyle changes/the economy, and other businesses will go back to regular operations (-). It may not be as effective as it’s painted to be. - Ethics - Link to prompt: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CQZAQKgYxIFLRzVZOmoPvf9gBQUOcRwXHasamwGNqo/edit?usp=sharing

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My stance/thesis: Even though the “Annual Buy Nothing Day” may raise some awareness of consumerism and environmental issues, it shouldn’t be established because of its detrimental impact on businesses and its ineffectiveness to create longterm change. - Examples are given in video (go beyond pro/con; explore the complexities of the issue): - Although it may be a short-term loss for businesses, an Annual Buy Nothing Day should be established worldwidethe to help consumers focus on what’s important in life and minimize the impact of consumerism on the environment - Although it may raise awareness of environmental issues, an Annual Buy

Nothing Day should not be established because of its negative impact on businesses and the workers who depend on them. -

Video 8

Homework: write a revised version of your thesis/stance, think about the important lenses in your argument and create a list of reasons why your argument is valid, and then think of the lenses/perspectives again to create a list of potential counterarguments. (see above for revised thesis, see below for a list of reasons). - Lists of reasons why my argument is valid: - Economics: The stock market/economy will become more volatile in the days before/during the new “Buy Nothing” day. This could have negative impacts on the economy every year (-). - Small Businesses: lose customers/businesses (and they NEED this business to survive). They’re not like corporations, where a day of “no buying” wouldn’t hurt them as much. - Environmental (effectiveness?): Even though this one event raises awareness about the environmental impacts of consumerism on this one day, people are going to resume their regular lives with no-real lifestyle changes/the economy, and other businesses will go back to regular operations (-). It may not be as effective as it’s painted to be. - List of potential counterarguments: - Economics: Even though the “Annual No Buying Day” is only a single-day event (and shouldn’t cause small businesses to fold), it’s still not conducive to their regular day-to-day operations. Besides, the point of the event is to target consumerism—we should be targeting corporations, not small businesses (who will be impacted by such an event). - Environmental: See above point about environmental impacts.

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Example Thesis: Establishing an annual Buy Nothing Day should be established to help educate consumers on more responsible buying habits and remind them to prioritize their time on relationships than things. - Reasons: - It would help save the environment People would re-prioritize their lives, focusing less on wants and more on needs - It would save people money - Counter Arguments - Small businesses may tack substantial losses - If it works, it could have an impact on consumer-driven economies like the U.S. - It could impact some countries more than others

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Black and White (avoid referring to arguments as simple pros/cons). - Make sure to talk about issues in shades of grey (delve into counterarguments, complexities, etc).

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Reminders about arguing: - Writing an argument is about persuading the audience, not winning - It means understanding the complexities of hesitation, acknowledging the multiple perspectives on the issue, and understanding the shades of gray - Acknowledging perspectives that differ from your own gives your argument credibility - it illustrates that you’ve researched the issue.

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Limitations: - Conceding your argument (acknowledging that it is not perfect) - Understanding where the argument has weaknesses

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Implications: - What your argument means, what effects it would have, its conclusions, and the “so what?” of the argument. - Highlight huge implications, concessions, etc (those are important!) -

Example Thesis: Dogs make better companions and can help keep us healthier than cats can. - Limitations: dogs are expensive, a time-investment, more space, different breeds have different needs (some people might not be able to satisfy all those needs), peoples’ allergies to certain breeds, and cats may be a better choice for those who don’t have the time or space for a dog. - Implications: owning a dog can lead to better physical and emotional wellbeing. Check for Understanding (homework; do limitations/implications of your thesis):

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Revised Thesis: Even though the “Annual Buy Nothing Day” may raise some awareness of consumerism and environmental issues, it shouldn’t be established because of its detrimental impact on businesses and its ineffectiveness to create longterm change. - Limitations: the general public might be excited for an initiative like the “Annual Buy Nothing Day” - regardless of whether or not it’s effective at making a longterm change in the consumerism mindset. - Implications: a one-day event won’t change peoples’ mindsets about consumerism (after the day is over, they’ll go back to their regular lifestyles of consumerism), people will order necessities/products ahead of time (rendering the idea that the event discourages consumption invalid). - Even though the “Annual No Buying Day” is only a single-day event (and shouldn’t cause small businesses to fold), it’s still not conducive to their regular day-to-day operations. Besides, the point of the event is to target consumerism—we should be targeting corporations, not small businesses (who will be impacted by such an event).

Example Limitations/Implications Chart for example thesis: - Example Thesis: “An Annual Buy Nothing Day should be established worldwide to help consumers focus on what’s important in life and to minimize the impact of consumerism on the environment” - Limitations: small businesses may tack substantial losses, workers may be laid off, and the US economy is dependent upon buying and selling goods. - Implications: People will become more aware of how their buying habits impact the environment (leads to more environmentally responsible purchasing habits), and people may be reminded that relationships, not things, are worth investing in and they’ll prioritize their lives to focus on what matters most. Debrief: - Looked at implications and limitations - Practiced with the HW prompt. AP Practice (passage below)

Your stance: Although this plan seems beneficial because it forces students to get off their

phones and socialize, it contradicts its goals because it prevents students from connecting via text message or social media while on site (which is arguably as important as in-person socializing). Your reason: Contradicts its goals because it prevents students from connecting via text message or social media while on site (which is arguably as important as in-person socializing). Each student can’t be socializing with all of the others at the same time, so the use of technology (phones) and social media would help the students integrate into campus/meet friends more easily. Potential Counterarguments: Social media isn’t a substitute for in-person interactions and socialization? Also, phones can be distracting and distract students from actually meeting new people/integrating on-campus culture (which would be detrimental to making friends on campus)....