Argumentative Essays

Argumentative Essay

• A type of essay that attempts to persuade the reader to your point of view.

• In an argumentative essay you must:– State your view– Give your arguments (reasons)– Support your arguments with evidence, examples,

stories, etc.– Present an opposing view and show why you

disagree with it.

• IELTS Writing Task 2 is an argumentative essay

Five Paragraphs

1. Introduction

2. Argument 1

3. Argument 2 or Counter Argument

4. Counter Argument or Argument 2

5. Conclusion

1. Introduction

• A sentence or two to introduce your topic

• Your thesis statement

Example:It has become fashionable in the world today to condemn

smoking. However, although I feel that smoking can be harmful, I do not think it should be banned completely.

Red = Topic Introduction

Blue = Thesis Statement

Introduction (cont.)

It has become fashionable in the world today to

condemn smoking.

However, although I feel that smoking can be

harmful, I do not think it should be banned

completely.

Introduction: Thesis Statement

The thesis statement gives either your opinion or an overview of your essay.

•Opinion Example: … I do not think it should be banned completely. •Overview Example: This essay will examine some of the reasons for and against banning smoking.

2. Argument 1

• Topic sentence

• Supporting information– Evidence– Examples– Stories– Etc.

Argument 1

Let me deal first with the positive side of smoking.

First, smoking undoubtedly helps many people to relax. For some, it even improves concentration. Many people like to smoke before exams or when they are relaxing with friends.

2. Argument 1

Let me deal first with the positive side of smoking.

First, smoking undoubtedly helps many people to relax.

For some, it even improves concentration.

Many people like to smoke before exams or when they are relaxing with friends.

Orange = Supporting Information

Argument 1: Supporting Information

Let me deal first with the positive side of smoking.

First, smoking undoubtedly helps many people to relax.

For some, it even improves concentration.

Many people like to smoke before exams or

when they are relaxing with friends.

3. Argument 2

A further point is that the tobacco industry also employs tens of thousands of people throughout the world, particularly in poorer countries like Zimbabwe or India.

Without cigarettes, these people would have no jobs.

4. Counter Argument

Presents the other side of the argument•Counter argument: what those who disagree with you say•Refutation: your answer to those who disagree with you

Counter Argument: Example

The arguments against smoking are well known. Smoking has been shown to be dangerous to health. Heart disease, bronchitis and lung cancer have all been linked. But smoking is a personal decision; the government should not be telling people what to do with their lives.

Black = Topic Sentence

Red = Counter Argument

Blue = Refutation

Counter Argument: Example

The arguments against smoking are well known.

Smoking has been shown to be dangerous to health. Heart disease, bronchitis and lung cancer have all been linked.

But smoking is a personal decision; the government should not be telling people what to do with their lives.

Refutation

Gives your answer to the counter argument

Example:

But smoking is a personal decision; the government should not be telling people what to do with their lives.

Writing a conclusion

A conclusion should do some or all of these:• Restate the thesis• Summarize the main ideas • Restate argument or refutation• Look to the future – what will happen if your

argument is accepted or not accepted

Example: if smoking is banned, many people will lose their jobs.

Writing a conclusion (cont.)

• A conclusion must not introduce anything new:– No new arguments– No new examples, evidence or stories– No new refutations

• A conclusion can only restate or summarize what is in the first four paragraphs or look to the future.

5. Conclusion

In general, I think the world would be a better

place without cigarettes.

However, the decision as to whether to smoke or

not should be for each individual to make.

TUST Formatting Standards

• At the top of the page you should have in bold:– Your English name followed by your family name– Number of your class: 41, 42, 43, 44– Date in day, month, year: 21 February 2011– Title of the assignment (centered)

• The body:– Times New Roman 12 point font– Double spaced– First line of each paragraph indented at 1.27 cm or ½ inch– No extra space between paragraphs– Left and right margins at 2.54 cm or one inch

• At the bottom of the page you should have:– The word count of the body. This does not include header information,

title, or the word count.

Example

Argumentative Essay Rubric

• Deadly Sins (-10 pts. each):– Spelling, capitalization, etc., errors ___– TUST standards errors ___– Late: -10 for each day ___

• Contents (60 pts.):– Intro: Intro. topic, Thesis Statement ___– Argument 1: topic, examples, etc. ___– Argument 2: topic, examples, etc. ___– Counter argument & refutation ___– Conclusion ___

• Organization (20 pts.): – Ideas follow logically ___– Statements are relevant to the topic ___

• Mechanics (20 pts.):– Grammar, usage, punctuation: ___

• Comments:

The Assignment

Write you own argumentative essay of at least 250 words on one of these topics:1.Should the wealthier people have to pay more in taxes than the poor? If so, how much? 2.A rich man and a poor man commit the same type of crime. The rich man is fined $10,000 while the poor man is sent to jail for one year. Is this fair?3.A rich man and a poor man commit the same type of crime. They are both fined $10,000. Is this fair?4.Why punish the theft of $1000 more than the theft of $100?5.Should attempted murder be punished the same as murder?