Writing an Argumentative Essay

LFCS001 English & Communication Skills

Writing an Argumentative Argumentative Essay

LFCS001 English & Communication Skills

An Argumentative Essay 

is an essay in which you agree or disagree with an issue,



Using reasons to support your argument.

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 Your goal 

is to convince your reader that you are right.

 You need to



 take

a stand on an issue;

 support

your stand with solid reasons;

 support

your reasons with solid evidence.

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In an Argumentative Essay,   You must give reasons to support 





your stand

 You must also discuss the opposing stand 

this is done by discussing the other side’s reasons and



then rebutting or refuting them.

We do this to show the readers we 

have considered all sides of an issue;



are reasonable and open-minded, LFCS001 English & 4 thereforeCommunication readers are Skills more Writing anlikely to listen

Voice 

Definition:  The

ways in which the writer’s w riter’s personality and attitude toward the topic are revealed to the reader.



Depends on the audience (reader).



In academic writing, the voice should be formal, objective and reasonable.



It is sometimes acceptable to have a more personal, conversational voice, but the objective approach is preferred. LFCS001 English & Communication Skills

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For this assignment  The argumentative essay should



 be

written using formal language;

 use

an objective and reasonable tone with

 Support

for arguments and

 Substantiated

refutation of counter-arguments

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Organisation of  Argumentative Essays  Block Pattern  Plan

A (Con arguments first, followed by arguments)

Pro

 Plan

Con

B (Pro arguments first, followed by arguments)



Point-by-point Pattern

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Block Pattern I.

Introduction   

II.

III.

Explanation of the issue  Thesis statement of intent and opinion Background Paragraph

Body 

Block 1 (Pro / Con arguments )



Block 2 (Con / Pro arguments)

Conclusion 

Summary of main points



Recommendation(s), solution or prediction LFCS001 English & Communication Skills Writing an Argumentative Essay

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Block Pattern Body Plan A 



Block 1 (Pro arguments) 

Pro argument #1 (your weakest argument that supports your opinion)



Pro argument #2 (stronger argument that supports your opinion)



Pro argument #3 (strongest argument that supports your opinion)

Block 2 (Con arguments) 

Summary of other side’s arguments



Con argument #1 + rebuttal / refutation of  the counter-argument



Con argument #2 + rebuttal / refutation of  the counter-argument



LFCS001 English & Communication Skills Writing an Argumentative Essay / refutation Con argument #3 + rebuttal

of 

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Block Pattern Body Plan B 



Block 1 (Con arguments) 

Summary of other side’s arguments



Con argument #1 + rebuttal / refutation of  the counter-argument



Con argument #2 + rebuttal / refutation of  the counter-argument



Con argument #3 + rebuttal / refutation of  the counter-argument

Block 2 (Pro arguments) I.

Pro argument #1 (your weakest argument that supports your opinion)

II.

Pro argument #2 (stronger argument that supports your opinion)

III.

LFCS001 English & Communication Skills Pro argument (strongest argument Writing an #3 Argumentative Essay

that

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Point-by-point Pattern I.

Introduction 

 

II.

 Thesis statement of intent and opinion Background Paragraph

Body 

III.

Explanation of the issue including a summary of the other side’s arguments

Point-by-point Point-by-point arguments and counterco unterarguments

Conclusion 

Summary of your point of view.

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Body of Point-by-Point Pattern Organisation of Body Paragraphs: I.

Statement of the other side’s first argument and rebuttal with your own counterargument

II.

Statement of the other side’s second argument and rebuttal with your own counterargument

III.

Statement of the other side’s third argument and rebuttal with your own counterargument

In other words: 

Counter-argument #1+ refute it



Counter-argument #2 + refute it



Pro argument #3 to Counter-argument #3 + Essay Writing an Argumentative

Pro

Pro

argument #1 to argument #2 to

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Step 1 

Clarify in your mind what the two sides of the argument are.



Decide which side you agree with.

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Step 2 

Write a thesis statement



Either include just your point of view, or



Include both points of view.

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Step 3 1.

Generate ideas and details about your topic by: 

Brainstorming □ Listing

□ Outlining



Flow-charting □ Free-writing mapping

□ Mind-

2.

Research the topic to get ideas and supporting reasons for both sides of the argument

3.

Collect ideas and details about the topic from various sources and resources: 

Library research (magazines, books)



Internet (World Wide Web)



Others (survey)

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More on Step 3 1.

2.

From the material you research, 

summarise



quote



paraphrase

Consider using non-text material 

Diagrams



Photographs



Flow charts

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Step 4: Organisation of  Essay 1. Decide whether you will use the block pattern or the point-by-point organisation. 2.

Develop an outline for your essay

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Step 5: First Draft 1.

Follow the outline you have drafted.

2.

Be sure to include an explanatory or attention-getting introduction.

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Step 6: Self-Edit 1.

Use the Self-Editing Worksheet provided.

2.

Revise the essay by 

Adding or removing facts



Providing more support to your arguments



Correcting the grammar

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Step 7 1.

Exchange papers with a classmate.

2.

Review each other’s essays by using the Peer-Editing Worksheet provided.

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Step 8 

Make changes if necessary.



Print out the final copy, and proof-read it once more before handing it in.

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Review 

 The different parts of an argumentative essay

2.

Introduction

3.

Body

4.

Conclusion

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The Introductory Paragraph  Start with





an explanation of issue or



dramatic story or



surprising statistics

 The thesis statement 

clearly states which side you are for.



often mentions the opposing point of view.

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The Background Paragraph is the second paragraph (after the 

Introduction) 



should be as objective as possible. Its aim is to inform, not persuade.  This can consist of: 

definitions of key terms



a brief history of the issue or problem (depending on the audience)



political or social background essential for reader understanding



current relevant information about the topic from books, magazines, websites, interviews, surveys



information about the way(s) information was gathered (e.g. how and to whom a survey was LFCS001 English & administered; how an authority about the topic was24 Communication Skills Writing

More about the Background  allows the writerParagraph to show how s/he has researched the topic 

should include citations (references)



Example:  Researchers

have studied birth order to discover whether or not the sequence in which children are born affects their personalities and their lives (Kinsmen, 1990). According to this research…. Paul Mussen, professor of child psychology, states that “First-born children tend to have very high standards for themselves and are LFCS001 English & 25 Communication Skills Writing highly motivated to achieve the best they

The Body 

Contains the opposing stand or point of view;



 The refutation of this stand;



 Your own arguments; and



Solid evidence to support your arguments.

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Some expressions 



to introduce opposing points of view:  Some

people feel that…

 Many

think that….

 It

is believed that….

 It

maybe true that….

Use contrast transition signals to connect opposing arguments and your counter-arguments, e.g.  However,

□ Although / Even though,

 In

spite of the fact that, / Despite the fact that,

 While

/ Whereas

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The Conclusion 

should summarise the main points of  the essay;



wrap up with a concluding sentence to reiterate your stand and include 

a recommendation,



solution or



prediction

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