08 Aug What is the definition/importance of claims, reasons/evidence, warrants, acknowledgment/responses?
Part 1:
Some options to consider for discussion:
- What is the definition/importance of claims, reasons/evidence, warrants, acknowledgment/responses?
- How can these help your own writing?
- Which of these different argumentative writing aspects (claim, reasons, etc.) do you feel solid about and which do you feel you struggle with?
Part 2:
Use the Dr. King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” (see attached file) to answer these discussion questions:
- What is your overall response to “Letter from Birmingham Jail”? Your big takeaways? Parts that stood out to you? Refer to specific quotes/passages.
- What seems to be King’s main claim? What might be his reasons/evidence for this?
- What does the opposing side say of Dr. King’s actions aka what is the “acknowledgment”? What accusations does MLK mention?
- How does Dr. King defend himself aka what is his “response”? What do you think is his most powerful response? Find specific quotes.
- As a writer, what tactics can you use from King in your own argument writing?
Part 3:
write a short personal piece on your feelings and experiences regarding conflict (which is a big part of argumentative writing), persuasive/argumentative writing (persuasive is similar to argumentative, but might not require research or the same rigorous process), and just writing in general.
Some thoughts to consider discussing:
- What has been your experience with persuasive or argumentative writing? How do you feel about this genre? Do you have a favorite or least favorite assignment you completed? Why?
- How do you feel about writing in general?
- How do you feel about conflict in general? Do you shy away from it? Love it? A mixture?
