LFCS001

English & Communication Skills

Writing an Argumentative Essay

LFCS001 English & Communication Skills

Writing an Argumentative Essay
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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Writing an Argumentative Essay
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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Writing an Argumentative Essay
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, therefore readers are
more likely to listen to our point of view.

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Writing an Argumentative Essay
Voice
 Definition:
 The ways in which the writer’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.

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Writing an Argumentative Essay
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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Writing an Argumentative Essay
Organisation of Argumentative Essays
 Block Pattern
 Plan A (Con arguments first, followed by Pro arguments)
 Plan B (Pro arguments first, followed by Con arguments)

 Point-by-point Pattern

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Block Pattern
I. Introduction
I. Explanation of the issue
II. Thesis statement of intent and opinion
III. Background Paragraph

II. Body
I. Block 1 (Pro / Con arguments )
II. Block 2 (Con / Pro arguments)

III. Conclusion
I. Summary of main points
II. Recommendation(s), solution or prediction

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Writing an Argumentative Essay
Block Pattern Body Plan A
I. Block 1 (Pro arguments)
I. Pro argument #1 (your weakest argument that supports your
opinion)
II. Pro argument #2 (stronger argument that supports your opinion)
III. Pro argument #3 (strongest argument that supports your
opinion)
II. Block 2 (Con arguments)
I. Summary of other side’s arguments
II. Con argument #1 + rebuttal / refutation of the counter-argument
III. Con argument #2 + rebuttal / refutation of the counter-argument
IV. Con argument #3 + rebuttal / refutation of the counter-argument

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Block Pattern Body Plan B
I. Block 1 (Con arguments)
I. Summary of other side’s arguments
II. Con argument #1 + rebuttal / refutation of the counter-argument
III. Con argument #2 + rebuttal / refutation of the counter-argument
IV. Con argument #3 + rebuttal / refutation of the counter-argument
II. 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. Pro argument #3 (strongest argument that supports your
opinion)

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Writing an Argumentative Essay
Point-by-point Pattern
I. Introduction
I. Explanation of the issue including a summary of the other side’s
arguments
II. Thesis statement of intent and opinion
III. Background Paragraph

II. Body
I. Point-by-point arguments and counter-arguments

III. Conclusion
I. Summary of your point of view.

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Writing an Argumentative Essay
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:
I. Counter-argument #1+ Pro argument #1 to refute it
II. Counter-argument #2 + Pro argument #2 to refute it
III. Counter-argument #3 + Pro argument #3 to refute it

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Writing an Argumentative Essay
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 □ Mind-mapping
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)
 Authorities (interviews)

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More on Step 3
3. From the material you research,
 summarise
 quote
 paraphrase
4. 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

1. Introduction
2. Body
3. 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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Writing an Argumentative Essay
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 administered; how an authority about the topic was
selected and interviewed.)

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Writing an Argumentative Essay
More about the Background Paragraph
 allows the writer 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 highly motivated to
achieve the best they can (1997, p.69).
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Writing an Argumentative Essay
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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Writing an Argumentative Essay
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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Writing an Argumentative Essay