ENGLISH 10

Quarter 3 – Week 1
Compose an Argumentative Essay

Name of Student: _____________________________

Grade 10 Section: _____________________________

MRS. KATHERINE L. PARTOSA and MR. KEVIN DAN A. MATURAN

Subject Teachers

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Lesson 1: Argumentative Essay Writing
EN10WC-III-13: Compose an argumentative essay.
Objectives:
1. Determine the steps of writing an argumentative essay.
2. Analyze the format in writing a good argumentative essay.
3. Write an argumentative essay.

THINK ABOUT IT!

Social media is a very controversial topic of discussion today as it can
be argued to be both a blessing and a curse to our generation. Most people are
of the opinion that the social media has brought down and destroyed every
iota of physical human interaction at a very alarming rate and has changed
how we view human relationships in this modern time. There are a lot of
others with the opinion that social media has help improve and given us better
options and ways of staying connected to those we love wherever they are in
the world and we can disseminate news and information quicker through
social media.

1. What is the topic all about?

2. Which information do you agree with?
3. Which information do you disagree with?
4. What suggestions do you have to improve this text?

WHAT SHOULD YOU KNOW?

KEY CONCEPTS

What Is an Argumentative Essay?

An argumentative essay is a piece of writing that takes a stance on an issue. In a good
argumentative essay, a writer attempts to persuade readers to understand and support
their point of view about a topic by stating their reasoning and providing evidence to
back it up.

Argumentative essay writing is a common assignment for high school and college
students. Generally, argumentative essay topics are related to science, technology,
politics, and health care.

Writing an Argumentative Essay

Writing an argumentative essay requires logical and verifiable support. The content of
an argumentative essay always focuses on a claim that is stated in a thesis statement. A
thesis statement is a statement of a writer's point on a particular issue and is usually
debatable. The primary feature of an argumentative essay is to convince and prove
that the writer's statement warrants a logical and verifiable claim.

How To Outline an Argumentative Essay in 4 Steps

Argumentative essays should have a straightforward structure so they are easy for
readers to follow. The goal of an argumentative essay is to clearly outline a point of
view, reasoning, and evidence. A good argumentative essay should follow this
structure:

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1. Introductory paragraph. The first paragraph of your essay should outline the topic,
provide background information necessary to understand your argument, outline the
evidence you will present and states your thesis.

2. The thesis statement. This is part of your first paragraph. It is a concise, one-sentence
summary of your main point and claim.

3. Body paragraphs. A typical argumentative essay comprises three or more paragraphs

that explain the reasons why you support your thesis. Each body paragraph should cover
a different idea or piece of evidence and contain a topic sentence that clearly and
concisely explains why the reader should agree with your position. Body paragraphs are
where you back up your claims with examples, research, statistics, studies, and text
citations. Address opposing points of view and disprove them or explain why you disagree
with them. Presenting facts and considering a topic from every angle adds credibility and
will help you gain a reader’s trust.

4. Conclusion. One paragraph that restates your thesis and summarizes all of the
arguments made in your body paragraphs. Rather than introducing new facts or more
arguments, a good conclusion will appeal to a reader’s emotions. In some cases, writers
will use a personal anecdote explaining how the topic personally affects them.

How to Write a Thesis Statement in 3 Steps

Your thesis statement is only one sentence long, but it’s the most important part of
your argumentative essay. The thesis appears in your introductory paragraph,
summarizes what your argumentative essay will be about, and primes the reader for
what’s to come. These steps will help you get your point across clearly and concisely:

Turn the topic into a question and answer it. Set up a big question in the title of
your essay or within the first few sentences. Then, build up to answering that question
in your thesis statement.

For example, in your title or introduction, you could pose the question,
“What is the best type of sandwich?” And then answer with your thesis statement:
“The best type of sandwich is peanut butter and jelly.” This method is effective because
intriguing questions draw readers in and encourage them to keep reading to find the
answer.

State an argument—and then refute it. Introduce an idea that contrasts with your
belief, and immediately explain why you disagree with it.

For example:
“While some people believe peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are too simple, they’re
versatile sandwiches that you can easily turn into a gourmet meal.” This method is
effective because it uses evidence and immediately demonstrates your credibility.
Briefly outline your main points. Introduce your main point and explain how you’ll
back it up.

For example:
“You can turn a peanut butter and jelly sandwich into a gourmet meal by using
artisanal bread, toasting the bread, and adding additional toppings.” This
method is effective because it gives readers a clear idea of everything you’ll
discuss in your essay. It also serves as a roadmap to help keep you organized
and on track.

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Once you decide what you’re arguing and know your thesis statement, consider how
you’ll present your argument. There are 3 types of argument claims that can drive your
essay.

Claim
• is a statement, not a question.
• is against the status quo.
• Is the focus of the argument.

3 Types of Argument Claims

Claim of Fact:
• asserts that something has existed, does exist, or will exist.
• debates whether it is true or false.
• It can be an assertion of the past, present, or future.

For example:
1. Republican economic policies cause the Great Depression. (Past)
2. Teens who engage in promiscuous, unprotected sex will develop STDs, become
pregnant, and/or contract AIDS. (Present)
3. The Lakers will win the championship this year. (Future)

Claim of Value:
• asserts judgement whether it is a good or bad, more or less desirable.
• it is claiming whether something is good or bad or the other thing is better than
the other one.

For example:
1. Homosexuality is immoral because it violates religious, societal, and biological
standards.
2. Monet's art is more beautiful than Picasso's because of its use of soft color,
uplifting the subject matter, and unique technique.

Policy: why the reader should care and what they should do about it after
reading.
• argues that something SHOULD / SHOULD NOT be done
• argues for a course of action
• it is also called as the problem-solution technique

For example:
1. Uniforms SHOULD be required at all public high schools. (First show the reader
how awful the schools are now, and then explain how your policy would be
implemented and how it would work.

3 Main Types of Arguments and How to Use Them

There are three main ways to structure an argumentative essay. Choose one of the
following or combine them to write your persuasive paper:

Classical. Present the main argument, state your opinion, and do your best to convince
the reader why your stance is the right one. Also called Aristotelian, this is the most
popular strategy for making an argument because it’s the most simple line of thinking to
follow. It’s effective when your audience doesn’t have a lot of information or a strong
opinion about your topic, as it outlines the facts clearly and concisely.

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2. Rogerian. Present the problem, acknowledge the opposing side of the argument, state
your point of view, and explain why yours is the most beneficial to the reader. This type
of argument is effective for polarizing topics, as it acknowledges both sides and presents
the middle ground.

3. Toulmin. Present your claim, present grounds to back up that claim, and then justify
that the grounds are linked to the claim. This type of argument is also

effective for polarizing topics, but rather than present both sides, it presents one, hinging
particularly on facts presented in a way that makes the claim difficult to argue with.

Whether you’re writing an essay as an artistic exercise or trying to get the attention
of a top publication, knowing how to correctly structure your point of view is the key to a
good argumentative essay.

Retrieved from: https://www.unr.edu/writing-speaking-center/student-resources/writing-

speaking-resources/different-types-of-arguments

COLLABORATIVE PRACTICE (Triad)

Directions: Read the sample argumentative essay. Answer

the questions given on any clean sheet of paper.

As online learning becomes more common and more and more resources are
converted to digital form, some people have suggested that public libraries should be shut
down and, in their place, everyone should be given an iPad with an e-reader subscription.
Proponents of this idea state that it will save local cities and towns money because
libraries are expensive to maintain. They also believe it will encourage more people to
read because they won’t have to travel to a library to get a book; they can simply click on
what they want to read and read it from wherever they are. They could also access more
materials because libraries won’t have to buy physical copies of books; they can simply
rent out as many digital copies as they need.
However, it would be a serious mistake to replace libraries with tablets. First, digital
books and resources are associated with less learning and more problems than print
resources. A study done on tablet versus book reading found that people read 20-30%
slower on tablets, retain 20% less information, and understand 10% less of what they
read compared to people who read the same information in print.
Additionally, staring too long at a screen has been shown to cause numerous health
problems, including blurred vision, dizziness, dry eyes, headaches, and eye strain, at
much higher instances than reading print does. People who use tablets and mobile
devices excessively also have a higher incidence of more serious health issues such as
fibromyalgia, shoulder and back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and muscle strain. I know
that whenever I read from my e-reader for too long, my eyes begin to feel tired and my
neck hurts. We should not add to these problems by giving people, especially young
people, more reasons to look at screens.
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 Second, it is incredibly narrow-minded to assume that the only service libraries
offer is book lending. Libraries have a multitude of benefits, and many are only available
if the library has a physical location. Some of these benefits include acting as a quiet
study space, giving people a way to converse with their neighbors, holding classes on a
variety of topics, providing jobs, answering patron questions, and keeping the community
connected. One neighborhood found that, after a local library instituted community events
such as play times for toddlers and parents, job fairs for teenagers, and meeting spaces
for senior citizens, over a third of residents reported feeling more connected to their
community. Similarly, a Pew survey conducted in 2015 found that nearly two-thirds of
American adults feel that closing their local library would have a major impact on their
community. People see libraries as a way to connect with others and get their questions
answered, benefits tablets can’t offer nearly as well or as easily.
While replacing libraries with tablets may seem like a simple solution, it would
encourage people to spend even more time looking at digital screens, despite the myriad
issues surrounding them. It would also end access to many of the benefits of libraries that
people have come to rely on. In many areas, libraries are such an important part of the
community network that they could never be replaced by a simple object.
Retrieved from:https://blog.prepscholar.com/argumentative-essay-examples

Questions:

1. Which information in the essay do you agree with?

2. Which information in the essay do you disagree with?
3. What is the stand of the author regarding replacement of libraries?
4. List the statements that support author’s stand?
5. Why does the author need evidence/fact in an argumentative essay?
6. How can you make this essay better?

DEPENDENT PRACTICE

Direction: Choose the correct answer to each question.

1. Facts and data that support reasons in an argumentative essay are called
______.
A. Counter B. Evidence C. Hook D. Position

2. Which of the following is false about the nature of argumentative essays?

A. Argumentative essays change the perception of readers regarding a specific issue.
B. Argumentative essays do not present empirical data.
C. Argumentative essays should always present debatable claims.
D. Argumentative essays should contain logical and verifiable claims.

3. Choose the best opening statement to introduce the topic?

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Topic: Every Citizen Should Vote
A. Voting is not a right; it is a duty of every citizen.
B. Voting has been expanded to include almost all adults.
C. Some people don’t believe in voting.
D. A citizen has the choice to abstain from voting.

4. Which of the thesis statement below is considered debatable?

A. Although eco-friendly cars are polluting the air less than traditional engines,
they do not have the potential to decrease the levels of air pollution.
B. Limiting the number of vehicles in the street will help solve the problem of air
pollution.
C. Traffic is contributing towards greater pollution.

5. Jake believes that the minimum wage should be higher. In his argumentative essay,
he addresses the view of opponents who claim that a higher wage will cause companies
to hire fewer workers with this statement:

Though some think that a higher minimum wage will cut down on company hiring, a
2016 study of retail stores in Canada has shown otherwise, demonstrating hiring levels
that remained the same in the wake of rising wages.

In this instance, Jared is using what is known as a/an _____.

A. Counter B. Evidence C. Position D. Reason

INDEPENDENT PRACTICE
Directions: Using your knowledge, WRITE your own five paragraph
argumentative essay. Be guided by the following rubric. USE THE ANSWER
SHEET PROVIDED.

Output Specifications:
1. Write your output on the answer sheet provided.
2. Create your own title.
3. Observe proper margin and make your work clean free from erasures.

Topic Choices:
1. Child Behavior: Better or Worse over the Years
2. Technology: Improves or Limits Creativity
3. Social Network: Effective or Ineffective Platform for Communication

Criteria 5 4 3 2 1 Total
Focus/Content (states clear position at the beginning until the
end of the work)

Argumentative Techniques used (uses strong and effective

argumentative techniques and details that support the thesis)

Organization ( presence of logically arranged statements

that provide supporting details)

Clarity of Ideas ( presents clear and sound arguments and

evidences are present)

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Emphasis ( has thought-provoking introduction and the
presence of a strong conclusion)

Language Mechanics and Convention (displays minor error

in spelling, punctuation, grammar and variation in
structure)

TOTAL

Legend: Rating Description

5—Excellent

4—Very Impressive

3—Impressive

2—Convincing

1—Beginning

Source:

https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-a-
good-argumentative-essay#3-main-types-of-arguments-
and-how-to-use-them

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Name: ________________________________ Grade & Section: __________________

ENGLISH 10
ANSWER SHEET FOR QUARTER 3 WEEK 1

General Instructions:
1. Find an old notebook. Use it in answering the Collaborative and
Dependent Tasks. Notebook will be submitted at the end of the 3rd Quarter.

2. Perform Independent Task on this answer sheet. Pass this next week.

INDEPENDENT PRACTICE

Directions: Using your knowledge, WRITE your own five paragraph argumentative
essay. Be guided by the given rubric. USE THIS ANSWER SHEET.

My Argumentative Essay

Title

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