Expanding into EOC B

EOC B asks you to look at 4 stimulus materials and write an argumentative essay. When you begin your IWA for Performance Task 2 you'll notice some similarities. Both are essentially the same task. Once you master your IWA, you'll have mastered your EOC B component.

For now, let's focus on the EOC B and take a closer look at it's requirements and structure.

What Do You Need to Do?

Read all 4 sources and consider their lenses, perspectives, arguments & claims
What theme do the sources have in common? What's a question you can develop with that theme in mind?
Consider what lens, perspective or solution you can use to answer that question.
Use at least 2 of the sources as context and evidence to support your argument

As you read and annotate the sources, ask yourself: what theme or issue connects the sources? Once you figure that out, you can create an argument using the stimulus materials. Your thesis statement should highlight the argument you are making and you need to use the sources to help prove that argument. You won't need to quote directly from the sources - remember you can paraphrase or discuss them in a way that clearly indicates you have read and understood them verses quoting them directly.

Typical EOC B Structure

Introduction - typically 3-4 sentences, make sure to include your thesis!
- Consider including a "hook" - Why do we care about this topic?
- Find a theme or issue connecting at least two of the sources.
- Don't forget context! Use your sources to help create your context.
First body paragraph/first part of your argument
- Back up your argument with evidence from the sources. Try to utilize 1-2 sources in each of your body paragraphs.
- Incorporate at least one piece of applicable, additional/"outside" evidence (this is information not provided in the stimulus materials)
- Don't forget to establish source credibility if you can and be sure to explain your source vs. describing your source (USE it in an argument vs. describing what it says.)
Second body paragraph/first part of your argument
- Repeat the structure of the first body paragraph
- Keep an eye on your line of reasoning, as you develop your paragraphs you'll want to be certain you have a clear line of reasoning throughout
- REPEAT this paragraph structure for any additional claims you may have.
Counterargument and Rebuttal
- Acknowledge the opposite viewpoint, What are some arguments the opposing side may argue?
- Use the sources or applicable outside knowledge to provide a bit of evidence for the opposition
- Create a rebuttal to those arguments. Why are the counterarguments invalid?
- Be sure to use evidence from sources if possible
Solution(s)
- Suggest a solution to your argument. if you can find evidence that supports your solution, great! Use it! Otherwise make a valid argument.
- Be persuasive.
Conclusion

Don't Forget icon You want your argument to be related to the sources, but not taken directly from the sources. Your response should express an original point of view. Since you are expected to incorporate some outside information, see if you can tweak your theme so that it reflects an area you are knowledgeable of and interested in. You are allowed to take different approaches to the sources - if you can do this in an organic way, go for it! Just make sure you aren't twisting the material to fit your new narrative in a way that prevents you from utilizing the sources correctly. (Don't cherry-pick!)

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