Institute of T echnology of

Cambodia (ITC)

English Section

Unit 4: Argumentative Essays

Presenter: Yeat Vanna

Class: I4 I (B2)

Academic Year: 2019 - 2020

 Content
1. What is an Argumentative Essays?
2. Choosing a Topic
3. Convincing the reader
4. Counterargument and refutation
5. Developing Argumentative Essays
6. Language Focus: Controlling Tone with Modals
7. Writer’s note: Using Modals for Assertion and for
Acknowledging an Opposing view
8. Avoiding Faulty Logic
1. What is an Argumentative Essays?
- In an Argumentative Essay, the writer’s purpose is
to persuade the reader of an opinion about
something.
- For example, that female military personnel can
be as effective as males military personnel in
combat missions.
- The writer argues his or her point, gives reasons
to support it, and tries to convince the reader.
 2. Choosing a Topic
- Choosing a topic that is appropriate for an
argumentative essay is especially important because
some things can’t be argued.
- For example, you can’t argue that a rose is more
beautiful than a daisy – this is an opinion that can’t be
supported by facts.
- However, you can argue that roses are more popular
than daisies and support the argument with facts about
florist’s sales of the two kinds of flowers.
 2. Choosing a Topic
- Here is an effective topic and thesis statements for an argumentative essay:

Ex. Marriage under eighteen: People under the age of eighteen should not be
allowed to marry.

- You can argue either for (pro) or against (con).

- If your topic does not have two viewpoints, your essay will not be
effective.

Ex. Jazz music: Jazz music began with African Americans.

- This topic and thesis statement are ineffective.

- You cannot argue against this statement because it is a fact.

 Be sure that the topic you choose for an argumentative essay can be
argued both pro and con.
 3. Convincing the reader
- Your job as the writer of an argumentative essay is to convince
your readers that your opinion about a topic (thesis statement)
if the most valid view point.
- To do this, your essay needs to be balanced.
- It must include an opposing viewpoint, or counterargument.
- Counterargument is a an argument against another argument,
idea or suggestion.
- As soon as you give your opponent’s point of view, you must
offer a refutation of it.
 4. Counterargument and refutation
- The key to persuading the reader that your viewpoint
is valid is to support it in every paragraph.

- Every counterargument that you include in your essay

needs a refutation.

- A refutation is a response to the counterargument that

disprove it.

- See examples on page 110.

 5. Developing Argumentative Essays

5.1 Outlining:

- See the activity 2: (page 111)

5.2 Adding supporting information

- See the activity 3: (page 113)

6. Language Focus: Controlling Tone with Modals
- In argumentative essays, good writers are aware of how
their argument sound.
- Are they strong? Not strong enough?
- Certain words can help control the tone of your argument.
 Asserting a Point
- Strong modals such as must, had batter, and should help
writers to assert their main points.
- When you use these words, readers know where you stand
on an issue.
6. Language Focus: Controlling Tone with Modals

 Acknowledging an Opposing Point

- Weaker modals such as may, might, could, can,

and would help writers make an opposing opinion
sound weak.

- You acknowledge an opposing point when you

use may, for example, but this weak modal shows
that the statement is not strong and can be refuted.
7. Writer’s note: Using Modals for Assertion and for
Acknowledging an Opposing view

- You are probably already familiar with most of the

modals in English – may, might, can, could, would,
must, should, had better, ought to.
- Modals can be useful in argumentative essays for two
reasons:
1. Strong modals help writers make their opinions sound
stronger.
2. Weak modals make opposing views sound weaker.
 8. Avoiding Faulty Logic
- Good writers want to convince readers to agree with their
argument – their reasons and conclusions.
- If your argument are not logical, readers won’t be
convinced.
- Logic can help prove your point and disprove your
opponent’s point – and perhaps change a reader’s mind
about an issue.
- If you use faulty logic (logic not based on fact), readers will
not believe you or take your position seriously.
 8. Avoiding Faulty Logic
 Try to avoid these errors in your writing: (page. 118)
- Sweeping Generalizations: words such as all, always, and
never are too broad and can’t be supported.
- Events related Only by Sequence: When one event happens,
it doesn’t necessarily cause a second event to happen, even
if one follows the other in time.
- Inappropriate Authority Figure: Using famous names may
often help you prove or disprove your point. However, be
sure to use the name logically and in the proper context.
 8. Avoiding Faulty Logic
 Try to avoid these errors in your writing: (page. 118)
- Hasty Generalizations: are just what they sound like – making quick
judgments based on inadequate information. This kind of logical
fallacy is a common error in argumentative writing.
- Loaded Words: Some words contain positive or negative
connotations. Try to avoid them when you make an argument.
- Either/ or Arguments: When you argue a point, be careful not to
limit the choices to only two or three.