Persuasive Essay: Standardized Testing

Your group essay is due by Monday!
Make sure you make a plan and divide the work effectively and fairly.
I recommend using the ProCon website for initial arguments, but you should look beyond it as well.
Here is the outline you should follow:

ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY OUTLINE

TITLE (Main Idea):

1. PARAGRAPH 1- “THE HOOK”
1. INTRODUCTION: Introduce your topic with a hook.
2. (What are the two sides to the argument?)
1. SIDE 1:
2. SIDE 2:
3. *THESIS STATEMENT (What is your opinion?):
2. PARAGRAPH 2
1. REASON #1 (Why should someone agree with your opinion?):
2. Possible Objection to your argument you’re your response:
3. SOURCE:
3. PARAGRAPH 3
1. REASON #2 (Why should someone agree with your opinion?):
2. Possible Objection to your argument you’re your response:
3. SOURCE:
4. PARAGRAPH 4
1. REASON #3 (Why should someone agree with your opinion?):
2. Possible Objection to your argument you’re your response:
3. SOURCE:
5. PARAGRAPH 5
1. CONCLUSION (Summarize your thoughts):
2. RESTATE SIDE 1:
3. RESTATE SIDE 2:
4. RESTATE THE 3 REASONS TO AGREE WITH YOU:
5. OVERALL, WHY IS YOUR THESIS STATEMENT CORRECT? What impact does your point of view have on the world?

Logical fallacies and the standardized testing debate

You may do this project in groups from last time :

• Create a group document
• Create the same number of arguments against Standardized testing as you have people in your group.
• Read these descriptions of logical fallacies trying to see if you made any of these mistakes:
• Short descriptions: https://carm.org/logical-fallacies-or-fallacies-argumentation
• Detailed descriptions: http://www.nizkor.org/features/fallacies/
• You need to identify one more logical fallacy than the number of people in your group (group of 3 - 4 fallacies, etc.)
• For more arguments, you can go to the Pro/con website: http://standardizedtests.procon.org/
• quote the argument that contains a fallacy.
• explain how the fallacy applies

Comparing Cultural Values

The list of values from the article we read earlier may help you in your presentation.  Choose one or more from this list.  You may discuss other values that are not on the list.

Remember that you can choose any value as long as you give good examples and evidence to support your choice.