Writing and Composition

Julianna Borbély

12/4/2021

Argumentative Paragraph
• You have to convince someone of something.

Compare/Contrast Paragraph
• There are two items that you compare and contrast.

Definition Paragraph
• It’s a more interesting type of development.
• This is where terms are presented.
• The topic sentence presents the term and explains it.

Explanation Paragraph
• “How to” paragraph.
• Describes a process.

Illustration Paragraph
• Examples are used to clarify any general statement.

Our topic: The Argumentative Paragraph

• Presents one single view and provides evidence to support that view.
• Write an opinion in connection with your chosen topic.
• Either the title, the author, the author crated the film, the plot.
• Drive the reader to accept that point of yours, as in: make him/her want to watch
the film.
• Make the reader be aware of a problem, situation.
• e.g. The city must expand in roads, new sewers, and water lines if it wants to expand.
• If you concentrate on a literary topic: primary documents, secondary documents.
• If you concentrate on a non-literary topic:
– Primary documents
– Testimony
– Facts and statistics
– Polls, surveys
– Media reports
Tips for using evidence
• Verifiable data: Wikipedia.
• Reliable sources: recognized authorities etc.
• Evidence should suit the topic sentence.
• Acceptable sources unknown people & co.

Examples
1. Avoid generalized statements: state your topic clearly.
Reel Steel is a great movie.
Reel Steel shows how a … turns from … to … .
2. Avoid emotionally charged or insulting statements.
Aurora Rising is an awesome piece of art.
Aurora Rising is a complex piece of art … .
3. Create a topic sentence that can supported with evidence.
Robinson Crusoe was written a long time ago.
Although Robinson Crusoe was written in 1719, it tackles universal issues that always
preoccupy man.

Referencing
• Refer to the following website:
– Purdue Writing Lab -> MLA Formatting and Style Guide.
– “Avoiding Plagiarism” under “Research and Citation”.
– Refer to the “MLA General Format” under MLA formatting and style guide.
• The evidence you will use will either be put into quotation marks or paraphrased,
either way, you will have to use parentheses.
• If you are using films, use the timestamps for the quotation that you use from the
movie.
• In the parentheses include the name of the director.
• Include Works Cited.

Formulating my opinion on Ready Player One

Ready Player One is an action sci-fi movie that follows the protagonist, Wade Watts, through
a series of clichés that ultimately leads to the main character reaching his goal. It is also
worth noting that the protagonist, is wearing plot armor the whole time, as he is pretty
much unstoppable in any obstacle he faces.
• Opinion Paragraph.
• Between 150-250 words.
• Times New Roman 12pt, 1.5 line spacing, justified layout.
• Try to focus on the topic sentence and supporting detail like:
– Topic sentence must be something that you can write about.
– Use evidence from the film/book you are writing about.
– Check the MLA Stylesheet Guidelines