Argumentative Writing: Graphic Organizer

 
1. As in any essay, the first paragraph of your argumentative essay should contain a
brief explanation of your topic, some background information, and a thesis statement.
In this case, your thesis will be a statement of your position on the issue. You are
making a claim!

Your city council is considering a curfew that

would make it illegal for teenagers to be out on
the streets after 10 p.m. on weekdays or after
midnight on weekends. What is your position on
this issue? Write an essay that would convince
the city council to agree with you. Be sure to
support your position with detailed reasons.

A curfew is a government order in which a time is decided were a specific group of are not to be
in public places or on roads within a certain time frame, typically in the evening and nighttime
hours. Today, around 51% of teenagers around the world have a curfew of 10PM, during week
days, and 52% of them have a curfew of midnight on weekends; which is either imposed of
them by government laws or even household ones.

2. Support your claim with at least three supporting reasons – in logical order. Next,
give evidence to support your reasons.

R EASONS S UPPORTING D ETAILS  

 
 
unnecessary interactions
between the youth and the
police force will inevitably
cause tension between both
parties

these laws create 59% of arrests in 2010

unnecessary conflicts and impacted the minority
problems with today’s population compared to 16%
generation and police for Caucasian teens.

56% of the curfew charges

brought by police were for
African-American youth.

 
 
  

There is a false premise that

suggests most of the criminal
activity of juveniles occurs
during the overnight hours.

Teens that want to participate

It provides parents and teens in negative activities can do so
with a false sense of security. at school, from home, and at
any other time during the day.

Curfews also limit

teenagers freedom, which
may make them feel
resentful of authority.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
There is research that suggests that
places in San Diego and others that
don’t see regular enforcement of
curfew laws have larger drops in
criminal activity from 2011-2016 than
those who had them regularly.

Neighborhoods underlying assumption is

without curfew that most kids are criminals
sweeps often see less when the opposite is really
crime the reality.

When you combine truancy

laws with a curfew, most kids
can only be outside for a few
hours each day.
 
 
  
 
3. Make at least one (1) counter-claim (the other side of the argument).
4. Next, provide facts or examples to refute it (make a rebuttal).
C OUNTER - CLAIM R EBUTTAL ( FACTS OR EXAMPLES )

some may believe that the consistent

There is a false promise that
imposition of teenage curfew laws
suggests most of the criminal
helps parents know that their child Giving teenagers the knowledge
activity of juveniles occurs
will be home safe by a specific time. and resources they need to make
during the overnight hours; when
Also, they believe that by cutting the responsible decisions and to
in reality most crimes committed
time that a teen can be outside late at ensure their safety is a better way
towards teenagers is during the
night, it will help set boundaries in to help them feel responsible.
broad daylight, specifically after
place for teens that help to keep them
school.
safe.

 
 
5. Provide a concluding statement that calls the audience to take action.

Their report states that the evidence suggests that the laws are
ineffective at reducing crime. The average effect on crime was
slightly positive, which means there were more incidents in
communities with laws than those without. Empty streets are also
an invitation for criminal conduct.