Question

Please follow these directions to complete your Portfolio assignment correctly!
How-To Video
In this portfolio, you will write an argumentative text in response to this prompt:
When you hear the word endangered, you most likely think of endangered species;
however, animals and plants are not the only things endangered. Cultures, languages,
traditions, and governments can be endangered too. Write an argumentative essay for or
against making the effort to save something considered endangered.
Write an argumentative essay, of 250-500 words, whether or not you agree
with people making an effort to save something considered endangered.
INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH - At least 3 sentences
1. Talk about the topic, say background info like who, what, when, where, why
2. Create your claim.
a. Similar to a thesis! This is where you will state your side of the argument. Are you for or
against the prompt?
b. Think: how would you summarize what you are going to write about in one general
sentence?
3. Expand on your claim. State at least two reasons why your argument is correct and
can be supported.
1.
a. Remember to use your own words for this part! Do not cite any evidence in your
introduction paragraphs ever.
BODY PARAGRAPH - At least 6 sentences
Topic Sentence for Point #1. What is the first point you want to say to support your
claim?
a. This should be something you can argue well, something you believe to be true.
b. You need to bring in outside evidence or sources to complete this! Use the internet to find
a trusted source tied to the specific topic you chose.
2. Present text evidence for your point. (Don't forget to cite, following MLA or APA
formatting requirements!)
3. How does this evidence support your point?
4. How does this point support your claim?
5. Introduce a counterclaim. What would someone say to argue with your claim?
a. Sentence starters for counterclaim include:
i. One may think that...
ii. An argument against my claim could be...
iii. It may be true that...
iv. Some may say...
6. Rebuttal to counterclaim. Explain and support your claim and how the counterclaim is
incorrect or weaker.
7. Conclude your body paragraph with a final sentence that wraps up your points and
concludes with more support for your claim.
CONCLUSION PARAGRAPH - At least 2 sentences
1. Revisit your claim. Have you supported your claim well enough with the above
information/counterclaim?
2. Call to action - ask your audience to do something about the issue
3. Rewrite your claim in new words, considering the information you have written about
above.
a. Paraphrase your claim! Think of a different way to phrase it.
4. Wrap up your essay with a concluding sentence.
a. This is when you can speak on specific topics you wrote about. Tie up your essay!
CHECK MY WORK
1. Include your Check My Work link into your completed portfolio. Here is a video to help
you do this!
a. You can paste this link under your works cited, once you have the link!
b. Without this link, you will automatically receive a 50% on this assignment.
You are done! Make sure all steps are completed, including the check my work link. Submit
your essay as your completed portfolio.

Answer 1

When we hear the word endangered, most people picture animals like tigers or sea turtles. Yet cultures, languages, and traditions are also at risk as globalization, urban migration, and media dominance push small communities to adopt major languages and lifestyles. I argue that society should make a deliberate effort to save endangered languages and cultural practices. Preserving them protects community identity and unique knowledge systems, and it sustains global diversity that benefits science, history, and mutual understanding.

Saving endangered languages protects irreplaceable knowledge and supports community cohesion. UNESCO reports that thousands of languages are at risk of disappearing and that language loss often means disappearance of traditional ecological knowledge, oral histories, and cultural practices (UNESCO, 2010). This evidence shows that when a language dies, so does local knowledge about medicines, crops, and sustainable land use—information that can be valuable to broader society. By supporting documentation and revitalization programs, we help communities retain their identity and share useful knowledge with the wider world. Some may say that language shift is a natural process or that funding for language programs diverts money from urgent needs like healthcare and infrastructure. However, revitalization programs are often community-driven and relatively low-cost compared with large infrastructure projects, and they can be integrated with education and health initiatives to strengthen overall resilience. Protecting languages is also a matter of human rights: people deserve the opportunity to learn and pass on their mother tongue. Therefore, the cultural and practical losses from inaction outweigh the arguments for ignoring endangered languages, making preservation efforts both morally and practically justified.

In conclusion, the evidence supports active efforts to preserve endangered languages and traditions because these actions safeguard identity and valuable knowledge. I urge readers to support local revitalization projects, fund language documentation, or learn and use endangered words and stories when possible. In short, making a commitment to save endangered cultures and languages is a meaningful investment in human diversity and shared heritage.

Works Cited
UNESCO. (2010). Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger. UNESCO. [Paste your Check My Work link here]