Occc Writing Program Outline For Classical Argument
Occc Writing Program 1outline For Classical Argument
The Classical Argument essay will have the following general outline: I. Introduction II. Narration III. Confirmation (three paragraphs in this section) IV. Refutation V. Conclusion
See pages in The Writer’s Mindset Creating Your Outline • Do not skip sections or re-order sections. • The items listed under the headings are suggestions for what to include in the paragraph. Your paragraphs might differ a little bit from these suggestions but the structure should stay similar. • You can type into this document or copy/paste the outline into a fresh document.
Paper For Above instruction
I. Introduction
a. Hook: “The most common causes of death in Western countries are non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which can be mainly attributed to daily lifestyle behaviors. Up to 71% of the world's deaths per year (41 million) are caused by NCDs†(Tanous).
b. Purpose for writing the paper – why this issue is important: Many schools in the US have been cutting funding from physical education. Physical education is important for children. It helps them stay physically active and teaches them important life skills.
c. Create interest by providing information your audience may want to know right away: Children today face major health issues. One of the biggest being obesity, which health experts have established as a crisis (Tanous). If these trends continue it could spell trouble for future generations.
d. Claim Statement (use the one you wrote in lesson 2): Physical education should be required in public schools because it can prevent diseases, decrease hazing and improve academic success.
II. Narration
a. Topic sentence: According to Allison McFarland and Rhonda McDaniel, physical education can be traced back to the ancient Greeks.
b. Sentence setting context: Schools have taken physical education seriously until this century.
c. Sentence setting context: where it is happening: In 2001, the US Congress passed the No Child Left Behind Act, which held schools responsible for students’ academic achievements and penalized schools that didn’t show improvement (Halas).
d. Sentence setting context: why it is happening: The No Child Left Behind Act also causes schools to focus more on “preparing students for standardized testing causing PE’s funding to be cut†(McCoy).
e. Additional information: What is physical education? According to Merriam-Webster, physical education or PE is a class where students learn about teamwork and how to take care of their physical health. It is also where students get most of their physical activity. Physical activity can help prevent non-communicable diseases (NCDs). According to the CDC, NCDs are chronic diseases that do not come from infections, such as cardiovascular diseases, cancers, and diabetes.
III. Confirmation
a. Confirmation Paragraph I
i. Topic sentence: The first reason physical education should be required is because it can help prevent diseases now and in the future.
ii. Supporting information: Evidence observed in children and adolescents who are overweight or obese have increased danger of developing a variety of diseases over their lifetime (Tanous).
iii. Supporting information with a quote: Derek Tanous states that obesity is caused not only by “biological and genetic aspects, it is likely related to the individual’s physical activity levelâ€. He states, “increasing daily PA levels can result in slowing, stopping, or reversing the accumulation of excess body fatâ€.
iv. Explanation: This quote supports the reason by showing that increasing children’s physical activity can help prevent obesity, and schools are an ideal place to encourage this since kids are less likely to participate regularly at home.
v. Conclusion sentence: It is clear from this evidence that maintaining a healthy lifestyle through physical activity can lead to a longer, healthier life.
vi. Additional information: Tanous adds that “patterns of behavior and lifestyles are established during childhood and adolescence, affecting health for good or based on personal choices immediately and in the futureâ€. He emphasizes that “healthy behaviors are learned during childhood, and the window for adopting new healthy behaviors diminishes as people grow olderâ€.
b. Confirmation II
i. Topic sentence: The second reason is that physical education promotes mental focus and academic success.
ii. Supporting information: Research shows that physical activity increases blood flow to the brain, which can enhance concentration and memory.
iii. Supporting information with a quote: According to a study cited by the CDC, "Students engaging in regular physical activity perform better academically and exhibit improved behavior in the classroom."
iv. Explanation: This supports the claim because better focus and behavior in school can lead to higher grades and overall academic achievement.
v. Conclusion sentence: Thus, physical education not only benefits physical health but also academic performance.
c. Confirmation III
i. Topic sentence: The third reason is that physical education helps reduce social issues such as hazing and bullying.
ii. Supporting information: Structured team activities foster cooperation and friendships among students.
iii. Supporting information with a quote: As noted by the National Association of Physical Education Teachers, “Participation in team sports reduces the likelihood of hazing by promoting inclusivity and mutual respect.”
iv. Explanation: This shows that PE can improve social dynamics and reduce negative behaviors like hazing.
iv. Conclusion sentence: Therefore, physical education contributes to a safer, more inclusive school environment.
IV. Refutation
a. Topic sentence: Many opponents believe that physical education should be optional or reduced to prioritize academic subjects.
b. Explanation of counterargument: Some argue that schools should cut PE to increase time for core academic instruction to meet standards (Wilmore). They claim PE detracts from academic learning and does not provide enough benefit.
c. Concession: It is true that schools are under pressure to improve academic results and that time is limited.
d. Rebuttal: However, evidence indicates that physical activity enhances concentration and academic achievement, thereby supporting rather than hindering academic success.
e. Supporting evidence: Studies show that children with regular physical activity perform better academically, and physical activity can improve attention spans during school hours.
f. Final statement: Clearly, the benefits of PE outweigh the perceived drawbacks, and eliminating it undermines students’ overall development.
V. Conclusion
a. Restate thesis: In conclusion, physical education should remain a mandatory part of the school curriculum.
b. Summary of reasons: It helps combat obesity and chronic diseases, boosts academic performance, and fosters social skills, thereby promoting healthier, more successful students.
c. Call to action: Educational policymakers must recognize the long-term benefits of physical education and ensure it is preserved and prioritized for the health of future generations.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Noncommunicable Diseases. CDC.gov.
- Halas, J. (2019). The Impact of No Child Left Behind on Physical Education. Journal of Education Policy.
- McCoy, D. (2018). The Decline of Physical Education in Schools. Education Weekly.
- McFarland, A., & McDaniel, R. (2021). The History and Importance of Physical Education. Journal of Physical Education.
- Tanous, D. (2022). Childhood Obesity and Physical Activity. Public Health Journal.
- Wilmore, J. (2017). The Case Against Cutting Physical Education. Educational Research.
- National Association of Physical Education Teachers. (2016). Promoting Safe and Inclusive School Environments. NAPET Publications.
- Merriam-Webster. (2023). Physical Education. Merriam-Webster Dictionary.
- U.S. Congress. (2001). No Child Left Behind Act. Congress.gov.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2018). Physical Activity and Academic Performance. CDC.gov.