Argumentative Essay
Opening Paragraph
o The first sentence has the lead
o Second and maybe third sentences explain the book
o The last sentence contains your opinion statement
Opening Paragraph: Outline
Argumentative Essay Outline:
Does chicken soup truly soothe your soul? Is this a book you would recommend to others?
Introduction
• “Finally, a book for you” (Canfield xi) -lead
• book about teaching teens lessons
• Written by teens…for teens
Opinion/Thesis Statement:
Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul is soothing for the soul because it has stories that teach
teenagers important life lessons, are extremely interesting, and talk in language that is easy to
understand.
Opening Paragraph Example
– Lead (or hook)
“Finally, a book for you” (Canfield xi).
Opening Paragraph Example
– Summary
“Finally, a book for you” (Canfield xi). Those
words could not be truer. The stories in
Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul are written
for teenagers, in many cases, by teenagers.
Opening Paragraph Example
– Opinion Statement
“Finally, a book for you” (Canfield xi).
Those words could not be truer. The stories in
Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul are written
for teenagers, in many cases, by teenagers.
Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul is soothing
for the soul because it has stories that teach
teenagers important life lessons, are
extremely interesting, and talk in language
that is easy to understand.
Body Paragraphs
o The topic sentence will be the first reason that
supports your opinion.
o To make the first paragraph, write a topic sentence
and four details that support the reason you believe
what you believe.
o Repeat the process until you have three paragraphs
with four different reasons and four details to
support those reasons.
Remember Your Big Three Organizer?
Top 3 Reasons Frame
Topic: Does chicken soup really soothe the soul?
Would you recommend this book to others?
My Opinion: Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul is soothing for the soul
because it has stories that teach teenagers important life lessons, are extremely
interesting, and talks in language that is easy to understand.
Reason # 1
Important
lessons
Cited Evidence
“Good friends do not throw themselves at
your boyfriend when you’re not around.
Obviously, she should pay” (36)
Revenge ends badly (Egg Lessons)
Kim gets grounded for two weeks (Egg Lessons)
Kim takes revenge on a friend because her boyfriend cheats
with her. (Egg Lessons)
Body Paragraph: Outline
II. (REASON #1) - Body Paragraph One:
Topic Sentence: First, the stories teach important life lessons.
_________________________________________________________
Supporting Ideas or Examples:
A. Kim takes revenge on best friend, and it ends badly. _________
B. “Good friends do not throw themselves at your boyfriend when you’re
not around. Obviously, she should pay” (Kirberger 36)
C. Kim gets in trouble for mistake_______________________________
D. Kim gets grounded for two weeks._____________________________
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Body Paragraph Example
- Reason 1
First, the stories teach important life lessons.
Body Paragraph Example
- Supporting Details
First, the stories teach important life lessons. In
“Egg Lessons,” a girl, Kim, takes revenge out on her best
friend for stealing her boyfriend, and it turns out badly.
Kim writes before she takes the revenge, “Good friends
do not throw themselves at your boyfriend when you’re
not around. Obviously, she should pay” (Kirberger 36).
Many teenagers who read this story will agree with this
statement, but the important part of this to remember
is that the girl gets in trouble for her mistake. Kim gets
grounded for two weeks and has to pay for damaging
her best friend’s home. The idea of getting in trouble
will probably persuade many teenagers to not take
revenge on their friends.
Counter Argument-Rebuttals
o Think of one argument people might have against your point of
view (remember the debate)
o Now, think of a way to argue against that point of view
What doesn’t work?:
 Saying the opposing viewpoint is “stupid.”
 Good essays are clear, calm and factual. Prove it instead.
 Saying negative things about groups or individuals that have
different view points.
 This does not support your position, but makes you seem petty instead.
Counter Argument-Rebuttal: Outline
V. (Counterargument) - Body Paragraph Four:
Topic Sentence: While most of the stories are easy to read, “After
Twenty Years” is difficult to read because the vocabulary is really high.
Supporting Ideas/Examples:
A. Shocking ending
B. “When you struck the match to light your cigar I saw the face
of a man wanted in Chicago” (Henry 2).
C. The fugitive realized that his good friend had him arrested.
D. The cop had to have someone else arrest him
Counter Argument Example
While most of the stories are easy to read, “After
Twenty Years” is difficult to read because the
vocabulary is really high.
Counter Argument with Rebuttal Example
While most of the stories are easy to read, “After
Twenty Years” is difficult to read because the
vocabulary is really high. However, the story is one of
the most interesting stories in the entire book. The
ending of the book is shocking for the reader. Henry
writes, “When you struck the match to light your cigar
I saw the face of a man wanted in Chicago” (Henry 2).
The fugitive realized that his good friend had him
arrested. The police officer still felt a connection to his
old friend, and he had someone else arrest the
fugitive. The story line of “After Twenty Years” is
worth the struggles with the vocabulary.
Conclusion
o Restate the opinion statement.
o Has powerful ending relating to introduction.
o No new information (Do not introduce a completely
new reason for to support your opinion)
o Have a call to action.
Conclusion Paragraph: Outline
VI. Conclusion with a Call-to-Action (What do you want the
reader to do?)
o Thesis – restate it
o Briefly remind what book is about
o Leave the reader with a call to action:
Instead of reading a book that will not teach you clear
life lessons, ladle a warm cup of Chicken Soup for the
Teenage Soul because it will help with the things you are
going through, soothing an aching soul.
Conclusion Paragraph Example
- Restate Opinion Statement
Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul is soothing
for the soul because it has stories that teach teenagers
important life lessons, are extremely interesting, and
talk in language that is easy to understand.
Conclusion Paragraph Example
- Reminder of topic
Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul is soothing for
the soul because it has stories that teach teenagers
important life lessons, are extremely interesting, and
talk in language that is easy to understand. The
editors created a book that teaches interesting and
valuable lessons for teenagers.
Conclusion Paragraph Example
- Call to action
Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul is soothing for
the soul because it has stories that teach teenagers
important life lessons, are extremely interesting, and
talk in language that is easy to understand. The
editors created a book that teaches interesting and
valuable lessons for teenagers. Instead of reading a
book that will not teach you clear life lessons, ladle a
warm cup of Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul
because it will help with the things you are going
through, soothing an aching soul.