A Case-Based Approach to Argumentative Writing

Learning to write arguments in college Composition classrooms can sometimes seem artificial, pointless, or even contrived, which leads to disengaged students--and disengaged writing. A Case-Based Approach to Argumentative Writing teaches argument within the context of case studies, allowing greater opportunity for student engagement. A typical case includes a "scenario" or narrative, background readings, prompts for in-class and online discussion, at-home and in-class exercises, short writing assignments, and a longer, argument-based essay assignment. Part I contains foundational chapters on argument, critical thinking, reading, and writing. The interplay between instructional information in Part I and cases in Part II helps students convert the abstract concepts they read about into concrete action and writing.

Sonja Launspach is Associate Professor of English at Idaho State University.

Laura Aull is Associate Professor of English and directs the writing program at the University of Michigan.

Overview and Rationale
A Proven Approach, A New Textbook
New Application for Common Goals
Student Responses and the Value of the Case Study Textbook
Table of Contents in Brief
Table of Contents in More Detail

Part One: Instructional Chapters

Chapter 1: Understanding Academic Arguments
Introduction
Learning to Argue
Academic arguments
Academic argument as inquiry
--Observing
--Asking questions
--Examining alternatives
--Evaluating, Analyzing, Reflecting
--Writing
What isn't an argument
Basic argument structure

Chapter 2: Working with Case Studies
Introduction
Learning Goals for Case Studies
How to Do a Case Study
Five basic steps to writing about a case study
--Step One: Read the Case Scenario
--Step Two: Discuss the Case Scenario
--Step Three: Research the Case Issues
--Step Four: Analyze and Engage in Decision Making
--Step Five: Draft Your Paper
Modeling the Case Study Process: A Sample Case
Analyzing the Case
Researching the Case
Drafting the Case

Chapter 3: Critical Reading and Critical Thinking
Introduction
Critical Thinking
Components of critical thinking
--Questions of procedure
--Questions of preference
--Questions of reason
Critical Reading
Reading strategies
--Ascertain your Purpose
--Pre-reading Strategies
--Reading strategies
--Reading and annotating like a reader (or, reading for information)
--Reading and annotating like a writer (or, reading for strategies and structure)
Summarizing
--Concept Maps
Making Connections
Reading scholarly sources

Chapter 4: Discussing arguments and cases
Key concepts addressed in this chapter
Introduction
Goals for discussion
Preparation
Steps for preparation
Discussion contributions
Participation
Guidelines for Respectful Discussion
Guidelines for Effective Participation
Characteristics of Ineffective Participation
Listening
Ways to convey engaged listening
Non-verbal cues:
Group Discussion Settings
Small Group Discussion
Large group discussion
Reflecting on discussion

Chapter 5: Conducting Research and Evaluating Sources
Introduction
Critical thinking and research preparation: Asking questions when you research
Time
Preparation
Formulating a research question
Note-taking about evidence
Thinking critically about evidence
Evaluating sources
Evaluating for credibility:
--Authority
--Currency
--Accuracy
--Objectivity
--Coverage
--Stability
Evaluating for relevance:
Types of sources
Primary and secondary sources
Primary Sources
Secondary Sources
Search strategies
Finding sources
--The Worldwide Web (WWW)
--Google scholar
--Wikipedia
Documenting sources
Annotated Bibliography
--APA annotated bibliography example
--MLA annotated example
--Integrating sources

Chapter 6: The Writing-Thinking Process-Engaging with Your Writing Task
Introduction
The Writing-Thinking Process
Academic writing as a process
Engaging with your writing task
Prewriting
Planning and goal setting
Idea generation
Reading and Research
Drafting and Organizing
--Using Rhetorical Moves
--Audience Awareness: Engaging with Readers and Other Writers
Collaborating
Rewriting
--Copy-Editing
--Publishing
Engaging with your peers
Collaboration
What is collaboration, and why collaborate?
Collaborating on a case
Peer review
Working alone vs. working in teams
Collaboration do's
Collaboration don'ts

Chapter 7: The Writing-Thinking Process-Engaging with Readers and Other Writers
Introduction
Engaging with readers
Rhetorical strategies
Rhetorical appeals
Engaging with other writers
Integrating sources
Introducing and contextualizing source material
Quotes
Paraphrase

Chapter 8: Analyzing arguments
Introduction
Context analysis: analyzing purpose and audience
Rhetorical analysis: analyzing moves, appeals, language
Information analysis: analyzing evidence and conclusions
Context analysis
Context analysis of a written argument
Context analysis of a visual argument
Rhetorical analysis of written argument
Rhetorical analysis of visual argument
Information analysis of written argument
Information analysis of writing in different disciplines
Information analysis of visual argument

Chapter 9: Avoiding Plagiarism
Introduction
Defining Plagiarism
Tips for preventing plagiarism

Chapter 10: Reflection
Introduction
Check in or Monitoring stage
Evaluating stage
Adjusting stage

Part Two: Case Studies

Case One: Censorship in the Public Schools
Case Scenario, Option One: The Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling
The Setting
The Characters
The Issue
Case Scenario, Option Two: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian
The Setting
The Characters
The Issue
Exploring the case: Prewriting
Arguing the case: Writing assignments
Reflecting on the case: Looking back

Case Two: Violence and Video Games
The Setting
The Characters
The Issue
Exploring the case: Prewriting
Arguing the case: Writing Assignments
Reflecting on the case: Looking back

Case Three: Student Health Care
The Setting
The Characters
The Issue
Exploring the case: Prewriting
Arguing the case: Writing assignments
Reflecting on the case: Looking back

Case Four: Privacy and the Internet
The Setting
The Characters
The Issue
Exploring the case: Prewriting
Arguing the case: Writing assignments
Reflecting on the case: Looking back

Case Five: Climate change and communities at risk
Case Scenario, Option One: Alaska
The Setting
The People's Voices
The Issue
Case Scenario, Option Two: The Pacific
The Setting
The People's Voices
The Issue
Background information on climate change
Exploring the case: Prewriting
Arguing the case: Writing assignments
Reflecting on the case: Looking back

Case Six: Campus Speech codes
The Setting
The Characters
The Issue
Exploring the case: Prewriting
Arguing the case: Writing assignments
Reflecting on the case: Looking back

Case Seven: Student Loan Debt
The Setting
The Characters
The Issue
Background information on student loan debt
Exploring the case: Prewriting
Arguing the case: Writing assignments
Reflecting on the case: Looking back

Case Eight: Salmon versus Dams
The Setting
The Characters
The Issue
Background information on Snake River Dams
Exploring the case: Prewriting
Arguing the case: Writing assignments
Reflecting on the case: Looking back

Common Assignments
Writing Goals checklist
Interview your stakeholder
Interview your audience
Self-assessment for Writing Assignments