online unit 4 opinion essays slides

Writing Unit 4: Opinion Essays Unit 5: Comparison and Contrast Essays Unit 6: Cause and Effect Essays WRITING UNIT 4: OPINION ESSAYS OPINION ESSAYS: Purpose • To persuade the reader of a point of view on a controversial issue OPINION ESSAYS: Three-paragraph Format paragraph • Introduction paragraph • Body paragraph • Conclusion INTRODUCTION: Structure INTRODUCTION introduces the issue = telling short story/asking question/giving surprising fact to attract reader’s gives more details : why the issue is important presents writer’s point of view interest HOOK BACKGROUND INFORMATION THESIS STATEMENT INTRODUCTION: Example (Savage & Mayer, 2006) Last week, I noticed that my son had a bad cold I took him to the pediatrician, and she told me he had an infection Then she gave me a prescription for antibiotics After two days, my son was happy and healthy thanks to this important medicine (hook: telling a short story) Every day doctors prescribe antibiotics to help thousands of patients around the world fight infections (background information: explaining why antibiotics are important) I not like to think about what might happen if we did not have antibiotics (thesis statement: supporting the use of antibiotics) BODY PARAGRAPH: Structure Topic sentence conveys main idea that supports point of view in thesis statement Following sentences support topic sentence = reasons; facts; examples; explanations Counter argument describes opposing opinion Refutation points out weaknesses in counter-argument & shows strengths of writer’s argument BODY PARAGRAPH: Example (Savage & Mayer, 2006) Antibiotics are one of the greatest medical inventions in human history for several reasons (topic sentence) First, infections are frequent Almost everyone has experienced an ear infection or a sinus infection These common illnesses cause pain and discomfort to millions of people around the world every year In addition, infections can be life-threatening For example, sepsis, a dangerous infection of the blood, is responsible for one out of every one hundred hospitalizations The victims are usually very young, old, or weak Another reason why antibiotics are important is that they stop an infection from spreading to others Infectious diseases can quickly travel from person to person if they are not treated right away Antibiotics are the most effective way to control the spread of these serious illnesses Recently, many people have argued that doctors prescribe antibiotics too often and that the bacteria that cause infections are becoming stronger as a result (counter-argument) This may be true; however, this evidence does not mean that antibiotics are not important It simply shows that we must learn to use them wisely (refutation) CONCLUSION: Structure • Conclusion = writer’s opinion + warning/prediction/advice CONCLUSION: Example (Savage & Mayer, 2006) Infections can attack anyone at any time They can also attack entire populations While many infections create minor discomfort and suffering, some are quite dangerous (summary of reasons) Antibiotics are the most effective way to treat infections (thesis restatement) Without antibiotics, many more people would get seriously ill, and others would die (a warning) OPINION ESSAYS: Writing task Write a three-paragraph essay to show your opinions on the following comment: “Attendance at college classes should be optional.” STEP 1: Brainstorming ideas Agree Opinion “Attendance at college classes should be optional.” Disagree STEP 2: Outlining Introduction Body Conclusion Hook: Topic sentence: _ Summary and comment: _ Examples/reasons: _ _ _ Background information: _ _ Counter-argument: _ _ Thesis statement: _ _ Refutation: _ _ _ STEP 3: Writing the first draft STEP 4: Editing your writing Editor’s Checklist Put a check () in the box as appropriate  Does your essay have three paragraphs?  Does your introduction include a hook and a thesis statement?  Does your body paragraph have a topic sentence?  Does your body paragraph give reasons that support the topic sentence?  Does your body paragraph give a counter-argument and refutation?  Did you use quantity expressions to avoid overgeneralizations?  Did you use connectors to show support or opposition between ideas? STEP 4: Editing your writing Peer Editor’s Checklist Put a check () in the box as appropriate  Does the essay have three paragraphs?  Does the introduction include a hook to attract the reader’s interest along with background information?  Does the introduction include a thesis statement that clearly states the writer’s opinion?  Does the body paragraph have a topic sentence?  Does the body paragraph give reasons that support the topic sentence?  Does the body paragraph give a counter-argument and refutation?  Did the writer use quantity expressions to avoid overgeneralizations?  Did the writer use connectors to show support or opposition between ideas? Reference Savage, A., & Mayer, P (2006) Effective academic writing 2: The short essay New York, NY: Oxford University Press THE END ...WRITING UNIT 4: OPINION ESSAYS OPINION ESSAYS: Purpose • To persuade the reader of a point of view on a controversial issue OPINION ESSAYS: Three-paragraph Format paragraph... would get seriously ill, and others would die (a warning) OPINION ESSAYS: Writing task Write a three-paragraph essay to show your opinions on the following comment: “Attendance at college classes... that we must learn to use them wisely (refutation) CONCLUSION: Structure • Conclusion = writer’s opinion + warning/prediction/advice CONCLUSION: Example (Savage & Mayer, 2006) Infections can attack