AWA

Issue
Focus on:
• Clear thesis (main idea - expressed clearly)
• Persuasive examples
• Logical structure (distinct paragraphs)
• Transitional words and structure (while, for example, however, in addition)

Strategy:
1. Read the prompt
    - Summarize the main idea and write it down in the prompt
2. Examples + Thesis = Outline
    - Figure out and type up the examples before you decide to agree or disagree (strong points first)
    - Agree or disagree based on how many and how good your arguments are to support that side
3. Write the intro
    - Summarize the issue (what you wrote down earlier, now just use more sophisticated language) (some.. believe, many.. must decide)
    - State your thesis from the outline
4. Write the body
    - One paragraph per example, three examples is optimal
    - Write with purpose - describe examples with supporting details
    - Tie each example to the thesis (restate it) (This shows the folly of, Clearly, the decision.. is the right choice)
    - Conclusion can be a separate paragraph or at the end of the last body paragraph. Clearly restate your argument by looping back to the thesis. Don't summarize the examples.
    - Use transitional words
5. Proofread
    - Add transitional words
    - Make sure examples are tied to the thesis

Argument
• Argument is always flawed.
• Dedicate more time to outlining than you do on issue essays
• Don't develop a separate argument of your own!
• Statements presented as aevidence can themselves depend on questionable assumptions. Look for logical leaps in every sentence. 

Strategy:
1. Read the argument, identify the conclusion
    - Summary is not so important as it is on issue essays, just give it a read - pay attention to recommendations which are common conclusions
2. Identify assumptions
    - Write down counterexamples or alternative causes (same as prephrasing weakeners for assumptions) - this will be the outline 
3. Write the introduction
    - describe the argument from the prompt, state that it is flawed (the argument rests on a questionable chain of logic; without additional evidence this argument cannot stand up to scrutiny), use the word assumption (the author relies on an assumption), briefly state one or two assumptions
4. Write the body paragraphs 
    - use the outline
    - one paragraph per assumption, describe the assumption, cite alternative causes and/or counter examples
    - show insight - conclude by noting info that might support the argument
5. Proofread 
    - logic - make sure you have identified assumptions, alternative causes/counterexamples
    - structure - paragraph breaks, transition
    - grammar - erros, vary syntax (long sentence followed by a shorter sentece)

Common assumptions:

Generalizations - True in one case, so true in general

Questionable analogies - True in one case, so true in a "similar case"

Past vs Present - Something true in the past is still true today

Correlation vs Causation - Events occur together, so one caused the other

Trends - What has been happening recently will continue

Advanced strategies:

• Don't change ideas halfway
• Strengthens can be positioned at the end of the assumption paragraph or at the end of the essay
• Issue essays - discredit opposing evidence