ARGUMENTATIVE TEXTS

An argumentative text attempts to be highly persuasive and logical. It usually assumes that the reader
disagrees with the writer, but it should be noted that the reader is no less intelligent than the writer. Hence, an
argumentative text should be written objectively and logically.
An argumentative text has the following characteristics:
 presents and explains the issue or case
 gives reasons and supports these reasons to prove its point
 refutes (proves wrong) opposing arguments

STRUCTURE OF ARGUMENTATIVE TEXTS

Argumentative texts generally begin with an introductory statement of position giving the author’s opinion
or point of view. This previews the argument that will follow. The next section has a series of logical arguments
that convince the audience why this position has been taken. A conclusion ties it all together by reinforcing or
summarizing the author’s point of view.

1. STATEMENT OF POSITION (INTRODUCTION)

It is encouraged to start with a clear and forceful statement of position. This is often supported by some
background information about the issue in question. The stand taken by the writer may preview in summary form
the arguments to be presented. Students need to focus on developing a strong statement of position. They can ask
themselves the following questions:
• Who am I trying to persuade?
• What am I trying to persuade them to think or do?
• What type of arguments will best catch their attention?
• Is the statement hard hitting and does it clearly state the position?

2. ARGUMENT STAGE
A number of points are generally made in the argument stage. The number of arguments is flexible and
varies in each exposition.
Arguments need to be logically developed and supported, and justified with reasons, examples, expert
evidence and statistical information.
Frequently each argument begins with background information, followed by points that relate back to the statement
of position and justify or elaborate on the statement. For arguments to be as effective as possible they should
include supporting facts, examples, tables, visual images, quotes or evidence so that they appear convincing.
An important language feature is the use of connectives and conjunctions as they show the relationship between
parts of the text. These conjunctions can link ideas, contrast concepts, sequence thoughts, add to ideas and
connect cause and effect. Examples of these words are firstly, finally, in addition, because, as a result of, on the
other hand.

3. REINFORCEMENT OF THE STATEMENT OF POSITION (RESTATEMENT OF POSITION)

This is where the argument is emphasized. The summing up of the position in the light of the argument that has
been presented reinforces the statement of position and often calls for some type of action on the part of the
audience.
In order to persuade their audience in oral presentations, students need to focus on reinforcing their statement of
position and emphasizing their main points by varying their voice, tone, volume, pace, body language and gesture.
Students’ arguments should be logically developed and supported and justified with evidence.
Nominalization is a feature of these texts, as is the use of extended noun phrases. . Passive voice can be used so
that the authority is not identified and so that the tone is both formal and strong,
Here are some enrichment activities for you to work on to strengthen the basic concepts you have learned
from our lesson and to validate your observations in the activity part.
Read the sample argumentative essay below and find out what it tries to convince the reader about libraries.

As online learning becomes more common and more resources are converted to digital forms, 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 access the material wherever they may be. They
could also access more materials because libraries won’t have to buy hard copies of books; they can simply
download 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 printed resources. A study done on tablet versus book
reading found that people read 20-30% slower on tablets, retain less information, and understand only 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 and
headaches among others 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 fatigue, 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.
Second, it is incredibly narrow-minded to assume that the only service libraries offer is book lending.
Libraries have a multitude of benefits, and quite a number are only available if the library has a physical location.
Some of these 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 and keeping the community connected. One neighborhood found that,
after a local library instituted 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 get in touch with
others and get their questions answered.
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 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.
-Excerpt from Sarikas’ 3 Strong Argumentative Essay Examples, Analyzed

A. Go back to the essay. In the boxes provided below, identify the main idea (thesis statement), the reasons
and the supporting details presented in the essay.
Counterargument/Opposing idea (What do other people think about the issue?)

Author’s Position/Thesis statement/Main idea (What does the essay try to convince you?)

Reason Supporting Details/Evidence

Reason 1:
 Reason 2:

B. What types of evidence are presented in explaining the reasons? On your worksheet, mark check (/) those
that are found in the essay and mark (x) those that are not.
________ Statistics
________ Scientific studies
________ Personal experience
________ Direct quotations from experts
________ Examples

Activity 1: From the model argumentative essay, identify its parts by rewriting the essential statements in
the box.

Aggressive Driving Should Be Avoided

Introduction:

Arguments:
Restatement of Position:

Activity 2:
Practice Writing:
Choose a topic and develop into a paragraph by arguing for or against it. Before doing so, plan and outline
what you are going to discuss.
 Teenage Marriage
 Curfew for the Youth
 Belief in Superstitions
 Shame Parade
 Restoration of Death Penalty