ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY Pro – an argument in favor of a claim or

advantage regarding something

● it is an attempt to persuade Con - an argument against a claim or
someone by presenting evidence to disadvantage regarding something
the reader for why it is a more
favorable choice regarding a Why is it important to learn to write an
particular issue argumentative essay?
● We persuade people to agree with Learning how to write an argumentative
our claim using facts. This is called essay will help you to develop critical
argumentation. thinking and research skills along with
● Research and find evidences to developing how to rationally defend a
support our claim. This kind of position. These skills will help you progress
writing is what we call academically and occupationally.
“argumentative essay.”
● An argumentative essay is a written Argumentative essays have the following
form of argumentation elements: claim, arguments,
● An argumentative essay is a piece of evidences, counterargument, rebuttal, and
writing that takes a stance on an conclusion.
issue.
Elements of an Argumentative Essay
The following are terms related to an
argumentative essay: CLAIM - it is the position or assertion in
relation to an issue. A claim cannot be used
Issue – an idea about which the opinions of to support an argument because it is a claim
people are different. that must be defended.
Claim – a statement by an author about an ARGUMENT - statements that support the
issue. A claim has a significant amount of claim
disagreement about it. A claim needs EVIDENCE - the facts or reasons that
supporting arguments. A claim is also called support the arguments.
a position, stand, or point of view. COUNTERARGUMENT - an opposing
Argument – an idea that supports the argument or assertion
claim. An argument needs supporting REBUTTAL - logical arguments for rejecting
evidences. the argument
Evidence – facts in the real world that can CONCLUSION - the conclusion restates the
be used to support an argument. claim, summarizes arguments, restates the
Examples of evidences are statistics, data counterclaim and rebuttal and makes any
from studies, historical events, habitual recommendation
practices, and other facts that can support
an argument.
Counterargument – an idea given by the Components Of Argumentative Essay
opposing side against the claim given in the
argumentative essay. INTRODUCTION - background of the
Rebuttal – the response to the subject/topic or thesis.
counterargument
BODY - present your position with appears somewhere in the introduction
supported evidence and states the writer’s point of view.
REFUTATION - counterclaim and rebuttal 2. Opposing and qualifying ideas
CONCLUSION - summarize key Because an argument implies differing
points of view on the subject, you must be
points
sure to acknowledge those opposing
ideas. Avoiding ideas that conflict with
INTRODUCTION – it is an introductory your own gives the reader the impression
paragraph; it is in the start of the essay. that you may be uncertain, fearful, or
● this is called the “gateway” of an unaware of opposing ideas.
essay. 3. Strong evidence in support of claim
● it is because it attracts the attention information or data that provides
of readers to the essay and gives compelling and convincing support for the
the readers background information assertion being made. It is essential to
about the topic. base arguments on strong evidence to
make them persuasive and credible.
● it also introduces the thesis
4. Style and tone of language
statement of the essay, which is the
An argumentative essay should typically have a
heart of an essay, and tells what to tone that is assertive, persuasive, and rational.
be discussed in the body It's essential to maintain a tone that conveys
paragraphs. confidence in your argument while respecting
BODY – it is the body paragraph where opposing viewpoints. Avoid overly aggressive or
facts of the given thesis statements of the emotional tones
essay are written. 5. A compelling Conclusion
● it is where the arguments are Summarize your point of view convincingly. Try
written to support the statements. to end with a strong, decisive sentence, leaving
the reader with a lingering sense of interest in
REFUTATION/COUNTERARGUMENT – it
your topic
is the argument to refute earlier arguments
and give weight to the actual position.
Formulating Statement of Opinion or
CONCLUSION – it is rephrasing the thesis
Assertion
statement, major points, call attention, or
just having the concluding remarks. It even
OPINION
has some recommendations.
● it pertains to the personal view or
judgment about a subject,
PARTS AND FEATURES OF
● may or may not be substantiated by
ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY
the facts or positive knowledge.
● an inconclusive statement, used in
The Structure of an Argumentative Essay
subjective matters, which cannot be
1. Introduction and thesis
2. Opposing and qualifying ideas
proven true or false.
3. Strong evidence in support of claim ● It is what a person thinks or feels
4. Style and tone of language about something or someone.
5. A compelling conclusion ● Moreover, opinion is highly
1. Creating an Introduction and Thesis influenced by a person’s feelings,
The argumentative essay begins with an thoughts, perspective, desires,
engaging introduction that presents the attitude, experiences,
general topic. The thesis typically understanding, beliefs, values, etc.,
 which cannot be tested by concrete poem, journal article or theatre play. It is
evidence. best to include facts and evidence after
● Therefore, due to individual every assertion. This is done to make a
differences, every person’s opinion strong stand on every claimed assertion.
on a particular matter [may] also [be]
different. Formulating Claims of Fact, Policy and
Value
How to formulate statement of opinion?
you may use introductory words and What is a claim?
phrases and transition words For a Speaker: A claim is the main topic of
an argument where the speaker tries to
assert on his or her beliefs, ideas or actions.
For a Writer: A claim is the central
statement of a text where the writer tries to
prove in the text by providing details,
explanations and other types of evidence.

Other characteristics of a good claim:

● A claim should be argumentative
ASSERTION and debatable.
● is a statement used to make a ● A claim should be specific and
declaration or to express strong focused.
belief on a particular topic, often ● A claim should be interesting and
without evidence. engaging.
● can be formulated after reading a ● A claim should be logical.
story or a poem, and even after
watching a play. Three types of Claims
● to convey directly an idea or feeling
and to convince the reader to accept 1. CLAIM OF FACT
the writer’s interpretation of a ● A claim whether something is true or
particular literary work. untrue but there must always be
● Before writing an assertion, the potential for controversy, conflict and
author must comprehensively read change.
or watch the literary work. ● A claim that reports, describes,
predicts and shows cause and
How to formulate statement of effect.
assertion? ● A claim that something has existed
Two (2) factors that must be (past), exists (present) or will exist
considered before formulating assertion (future).
1. Determine the type of paper you are Question: Can you investigate through
going to write – can either be formal or research or interviews?
informal paper.
2. Determine the type of literary work you 2. CLAIM OF POLICY
are going to examine including novel,
 ● A claim that urges that an action be compassionate. She is someone I deeply
taken or discontinued in specific love and cherish.
policies.
● A claim that shows that a problem 2. Cause and Effect is about how the
exists and it’s good to solve it in a important issue happens and what the
certain way. ensuing result is.
Question: What should be done? Example: One of the most common reasons
for a decreased feeling of self- worth as an
3. CLAIM OF VALUE adult is bullying that occurred in the
● A claim that gives judgment about person's past. When a child experienced a
morality, beauty, merit or wisdom. wide range of negative physical and
● A claim that compares and contrasts emotional influences it will lead to low
a problem with a similar one in selfesteem.
another time and/or place
● A claim that is based on preference 3. Compare and Contrast takes
such as likes or dislikes, good or comparison between two subjects
bad. explaining their similarities and differences.
Question: Is it good or bad? Example: Computers can be used to
communicate easily likewise with a mobile
Writing an Exposition or Discussion on a phone. However, mobile phones can be
Familiar Issue to Include Key Structural operated from anywhere but in computer,
Elements and Language Features you can't.

● Exposition is a type or kind of writing 4. Problem and Solution talks about a

that defines, interprets, explains, and relevant problem and analyzes the solution
exposes. for it.
● To distinguish it from the other Example: There has been a surge in teen
forms, exposition is all writing that pregnancies these days. Teen pregnancies
does not tell a story of fiction and make it hard for mothers to pursue their
poetry or maintain a position. dreams. However, this can be prevented
● Expository writings are writings from through abstinence,
textbooks, news, magazines, articles
or any other type of publication. 5. Sequence or Process answers the
● Writing an essay test is also an question "How to....?" It teaches and
example of expository writing. explains the process.
Example: To make a paper airplane, the
There are 5 types of exposition: first thing you need to do is to take out a
1. Descriptive essay describes a person, plain sheet of paper. Next fold the paper
place or some interesting, and unusual down the center. Then, fold the top corners
experiences. down to meet the center line…
Example: A person who has influenced me
most is my grandmother. My grandmother An expository writing, regardless of its
raised me to be sensitive, cheerful, and purpose, should have at least 5
paragraphs:
 2. Connectives adding information; also,
● the first paragraph is the for example, such as, besides, further,
introduction; the next three moreover
paragraphs is the body; and the last 3. Connectives for succession; first,
paragraph is the conclusion. second, third, after that, finally
● The introduction should state the 4. Connectives showing comparison and
topic of the essay. This is the contrast; but, however, although, on the
substance of the entire writing which other hand, instead
points the main idea. 5. Connectives summarizing essay; to
○ It should give a brief sign sum up, in conclusion, in short
posts of what the information 6. Pronouns also act as connectives. (he,
the essay will include. she, it, they, etc.)
● The body section should focus on
main points, supported by Steps in writing an expository essay
evidences. These supporting
evidences may include reasons, 1. Choose a topic: The topic should meet
facts, statistics, quotations, the writer's level of interest. It should give
examples or a mix of these. an ease in finding sources. The writer
○ Transitional markers or should have the ability to explain the issues
connectives are used in to the readers.
these paragraphs to connect
one idea to the next. 2. Do research: After choosing the topic,
● The concluding paragraph gives a it's time to do a research. Read broadly a
concise summary of the body variety of articles about the topic. Take
paragraph. It should tie the ideas, notes on the possible point that could be
transitions and examples together to covered in the essay.
give the reader something to think
about. 3. Choose examples: The best way to
○ Connectives are also used in choose examples is to mix the most
essay. These are words or common issues discussed about the topic
phrases that show the logical along with some rarely discussed.
relationship between the
points. They help to achieve 4. Write an outline: It may start with an
a smooth essay flow. They interesting introduction by telling a story or
are carefully assembled and citing a statistic. The succeeding
creatively applied to ensure paragraphs should cite examples based on
that sentences in the the topic. The last paragraph is the
paragraph make sense. conclusion which drives home the
Here are some connectives used in significance of the topic.
essay:
1. Connectives showing cause and 5. Craft thesis statement: It should lean on
effect; as a result, thus, hence, due to, what the writer is going to convey to the
consequently readers.
6. Write the essay: After the outline, put the language, visual (still and moving
research into writing the essay. Use image), audio, gestural and spatial
transitional words to reinforce supporting modes.
facts. ● Live multimodal texts, for example,
dance, performance, and oral
7. Proofread and edit. storytelling, convey meaning through
combinations of modes such as
Check your work for any grammatical and gestural, spatial, spoken language,
spelling mistakes and check if the and audio.
information is presented in a proper logical ● In a visual text, for example,
sequence. representation of people, objects,
and places can be conveyed using
Writing several drafts and editing your choices of visual semiotic resources
essay as many times as possible and as such as line, shape, size, line and
required to make sure that it is free from any symbols, while written language
lapses or errors is advisable. would convey this meaning through
sentences using noun groups and
Multimodal and Its Elements adjectives which are written or typed
Communication is not only relaying on paper or a screen.
messages through voice and letters. It does
not limit its purpose to written and verbal Elements of Multimodal Text
text. Communication uses multimodal. A text may be defined as multimodal when
When technology came into this world, it combines two or more semiotic systems.
different modes of communication came to ● Linguistic: vocabulary, structure,
existence. They are called multimodal. grammar of oral/written language
● Many texts are multimodal where ● Visual: color, vectors and viewpoint
meaning is communicated through in still and moving images
combinations of two or more modes. ● Audio or Aural: volume, pitch and
Modes include written language, rhythm of music and sound effects
spoken language, and patterns of ● Gestural: movement, facial
meaning that are visual, audio, expression and body language
gestural, tactile and spatial. ● Spatial: proximity, direction, position
● Multimodal texts include picture of layout, organization of objects in
books, text books, graphic novels, space.
comics, and posters, where meaning
is conveyed to the reader through
varying combinations of visual (still
image), written language, and spatial
modes.
● Digital multimodal texts, such as The Five Modes
film, animation, slide shows, e-
posters, digital stories, and web Visual
pages, convey meaning through
combinations of written and spoken
 ● The visual mode refers to the Linguistic (or Alphabetic)
images and characters that people ● The linguistic mode refers to written
see. or spoken words. The mode includes
● It is sometimes possible to find word choice, the delivery of written
compositions that almost, if not or spoken text, the organization of
completely, rely on a single mode. words into sentences and
○ For instance, the “No Guns” paragraphs, and the development
symbol has no alphabetic and coherence of words and ideas.
text and no sound. Like many ● Linguistic is not always the most
signs, it relies for its meaning important mode; this depends on the
on visual information. other modes at play in the text, the
However, we might be able type of text, and other factors.
to say that the sign uses the ● Linguistic is probably the most
spatial mode as well, since widely used mode because it can be
the gun appears behind the both read and heard on both paper
red bar that signals “no” or or audio.
“not allowed.” So while the ● The linguistic mode is the best way
visual dominates in signs, to express details and list.
even this composition is not Spatial
“purely” visual. ● The spatial mode, as the name
Aural or Audio implies, refers to the arrangement of
● The aural mode is focused on sound elements in space.
including, but not limited to, music, ● It involves the organization of items
sound effects, ambient noises, and the physical closeness between
silence, tone of voice in spoken people and objects.
language, volume of sound, ● A good example of the spatial mode
emphasis, and accent. might be the different ways in which
Gestural chairs and desks are arranged in a
● The gestural mode “refers to the way classroom.
movement is interpreted. Facial
expressions, hand gestures, body Language of Research, Campaigns and
language, and interaction between Advocacies
people are all gestural modes.
● This has always been important in RESEARCH – is an imperative area in not
face-to-face conversations and in just the field of education, but in other
theater, but it has become more fields as well.
apparent on the web lately with the ● it primarily focuses upon improving
wide use of YouTube and other quality and is a research for
video players. knowledge (Kapur, 2018)
● The gestural mode works with ● It shows how to make provisions of
linguistic, visual, aural, and solutions to a problem in a scientific
sometimes even spatial modes in and methodical manner.
order to create more detail and
convey it better to the consumer
 ● Learning the language of research ● it provides a framework in which
can help you understand research processes of advocacy that can be
answers to important problems. easily developed and enclosed.
● It can also help you read academic ● it has varying purposes, they are
texts (and tests) more easily. created using similar structures, as
well as through the use of
You will be encountering these words in a persuasive language in order to
research, like design, data, significance, convince audiences to perform a
evidence, treatment, experiment, certain function.
conclusions, observations and statistics.
5 Dimensions of a Campaign

1. Awareness Raising – this is intended to

make the problem to beaddressed
known by the general public.

2. Research – another dimension that is

based on research, since it provides
the necessary knowledge to take action.
● many stakeholders are involved here
● There are several reasons research for the complexity of the topics.
results can be misleading. There Example: Experimenting to come up with a
may be flaws in the research design. vaccine to cure COVID 19.
● Researchers may make mistakes
during the experiment or when 3. Social Mobilization – these are used by
analyzing the data. grassroots-based social movements, but
● They may even be biased: wanting also as a tool for the elite and the state
certain results so much that they itself.
influence the results. ● involves a lot of different groups
● Sometimes groups that might profit like, civic organizations, religions,
from the results pay for the research and actions of members of
but only report it if they get the institutions like, mass meetings,
results they want. processions, and demonstrations.
● Well, we have more research Example: EDSA revolution, Human Rights
languages. You can read more on or rally
from the internet to expand your 4. Training – it is the process focused on a
learnings about research. clear and specific target.
● it further develops the contents, but
Campaign – this can be a single ad or a also the scope and the vision.
series of ads. ● it runs in a mid-term and long-term
● it has ads that revolve around a scenario to get in-depth into the
single idea. topic.
● it completes the information-
understanding cycle.
Example: Training police for proper actions
on crime, training for teachers to update
them on teaching strategies, trainings for
nurses for new practices in caring for
patients.
5. Lobbying – it is an act to influence
decisions made by officials in the
government.
● it is very effective since it points
directly to the legislator and
regulatory agencies.
Example: POLITICS OF COALITION-
BUILDING FOR DEMOCRATIC REFORM:
A PHILIPPINE EXPERIENCE

ADVOCACY – it is an action for a cause or

purpose such as a media campaign of an
non-government organization or NGO that
works for human rights to find shareholders
and partners to sustain its activity.
● Advocacy and Campaign are
sometimes seen as synonymous
terms, both are terms for all forms of
influencing or convincing others.

Example of Advocacy: SELF-ADVOCACY

SELF – ADVOCACY
● To speak up and ask for what you
need.
● Self-advocacy helps you take charge
of your life and be more independent
ACCOMMODATIONS
● Changes that can be made that will
help you succeed or reach your
goals
STEPS IN REQUESTING FOR
ACCOMMODATIONS
● F – face the person in-charge
● E – maintain eye-contact
● S – state the accommodation and
the reason
● T – thank the person
● A – accommodation is used