ARGUMENTATIVE

TEXT
Key Structural Elements and Language Features

MELC: Identify key structural elements and

language features of an argumentative text

Subject Teacher: ERWIN L. RECTO

OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this lesson, you are expected to:
• identify the structural elements and language
features of an argumentative text;
• value the importance of knowledge of structural
elements and the language features of an
argumentative text;
• organize an argumentative text through an
outline.
 It is a serious mistake to
replace libraries with tablets.
Study shows that using tablets
retains 20% less information
and causes health problems.
Libraries make the community
connected because it can be a
room for quiet interaction. So
don’t close the libraries!
ARGUMENTATIVE TEXT
It is a type of writing that requires a writer to
defend a stand or belief on a topic using
sound reasoning, persuasion, and evidence
(facts and statistics).
 KEY STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS

1. INTRODUCTION/EXPOSITION
• It usually introduces the problem and gives
necessary background information.
• This part also contains the thesis statement or the
claim which states the position of the writer about
a particular topic or issue.
• The thesis statement is usually the last sentence of
the introduction.
 EXAMPLE OF THESIS STATEMENT
TOPIC POSITION

REASONS
2. BODY
• The part of the argumentative text where you work
on your arguments.
• It presents your reasons about your stated position.
Every reason is usually the topic sentence in each
paragraph which is backed up with evidence in the
form of examples, statistics, personal experiences, or
quotations.
• You can have 2-3 strong arguments in your body.
• You may also add a paragraph to discredit opposing
arguments or counterclaims. This part is called
refutation which you also need to back up with
evidence.
 EXAMPLE OF REFUTATION

COUNTERCLAIM TOPIC POSITION

REASONS
3. CONCLUSION
• It is found in the final paragraph of an
argumentative text.
• It restates the position and gives one or
two general statements to summarize
the arguments which support the main
claim.
 It is a serious mistake to
replace libraries with tablets.
Study shows that using tablets
retains 20% less information
and causes health problems.
Libraries make the community
connected because it can be a
room for quiet interaction. So
don’t close the libraries!
LANGUAGE
FEATURES OF
ARGUMENTATIVE TEXT
OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this lesson, you are expected to:
• identify the language features of an
argumentative text;
• value the importance of knowledge of the
language features of an argumentative text;
• Write an argumentative essay based on the
given topic.
LANGUAGE FEATURES OF
ARGUMENTATIVE TEXT
• Modal Verbs, Adverbs, and
emotive words
• Evaluative Language and
Conjunctions
• Declarative Statements, Rhetorical
Questions, and Passive Voice
WHAT ARE MODAL VERBS?
A modal is a type of auxiliary
(helping) verb that is used to
express: permission, ability,
obligation, prohibition, lack of
necessity, advice, possibility, and
probability.
Example of modals used
in argumentative text:
People are encroaching on animals’
territory and soon animals will no longer
have the space they need.

People must work now to protect

animal habitats.
What are Modal Adverbs?
• These are words that describe the modality of the verb
in a sentence.
• Rather than just being descriptive, they also tell the
reader or listener more about the possibility, obligation,
and emphasis of an action.
• Another way to think of this concept is to ask yourself:
How likely is this to occur or to exist?
• Some examples of modal adverbs are: probably,
possibly, evidently, undoubtedly, precisely etc.
EXAMPLES

• Yet the government believes compliance surely

can go higher.
• An information campaign at the grassroots
probably will also help, to promote voluntary
compliance with the rules.
EMOTIVE WORDS
• are used when certain word choices are
made to evoke an emotional response.
• Often aim to persuade the reader or
listener to share the writer or speaker’s
point of view, using language to stimulate
an emotional reaction.
• Examples: agony, blessed, harsh,
magnificent, vulnerable
Marine mammals should not be captured
because they died from pneumonia,
ulcers, and other stress-related diseases.
Most of these helpless creatures suffer from
boredom. Dolphins in the wild can swim up
to 40 to 100 miles per day but in pools, they
go around swimming in repetitive patterns.
Due to boredom and limited space, many
dolphins abuse themselves; they often
bang their heads against the tank and
aquarium wall.
EVALUATIVE LANGUAGE
• A positive or negative language that
judges the worth of something.
• These are words and structures that add
judgment and help develop an argument.
• It can be expressed explicitly (directly) or
implicitly (indirectly).
EXAMPLES
1. He dropped the ball when he was
tackled.
2. Mary put her arm around the child
while she wept.
EXAMPLES

1. He’s an awful man.

2. She’s a lovely girl.
3. How wonderful!
CONJUNCTIONS

Link ideas in an argument and identify

the line of reasoning such as adding
more emphasis, putting the same idea
in a different way, and introducing an
alternative point of view, etc.
SELECTION OF WORDS USED TO LINK IDEAS
DEPENDING ON THE DIRECTION OF YOUR ARGUMENT

• Adding more to a point already made

(Moreover, furthermore, again, further, what is
more, in addition, besides, above all, as well
(as), Either, neither… nor, not only…)
• Writing in lists (First (ly), second(ly), yet another,
in addition, finally, to begin with, in the second
place, moreover, additionally, also, next, then,
lastly, finally).
• Putting the same idea in a different way (In
other words, rather, or, better, in that case,
to put it (more) simply, in view of this, with
this in mind, to look at this another way)
• Introducing examples (that is to say, in
other words, for example, for instance,
namely, as follows, as in the following
examples, such as, particularly, in particular,
notably)
• Introducing an alternative viewpoint (by
contrast, another way of viewing this,
alternatively, again, rather, on the other
hand, in comparison, on the contrary, in
fact, though, although)
• Returning to emphasize your earlier
viewpoint (However, despite x, in spite of x,
though, after all, at the same time, on the
other hand, although x may have a good
point)
• Summing up the idea stated (In brief, on
the whole, to sum up, thus, in conclusion,
as a whole)
DECLARATIVE SENTENCE
• A sentence that makes a statement,
provides a fact, offers an explanation, or
conveys information.
• This kind of sentence ends with a period.
• In argument text, declarative statements
are used in making a claim, enumerating
reasons, and presenting evidence.
Here are some examples:
• Internet should be made free to everyone.
• The government is doing everything to
protect its people against this deadly
Coronavirus.
• Study shows that physical distances slow
down the spread of the virus.
RHETORICAL QUESTION
A type of question that doesn’t need to be
answered.
It is usually used to emphasize a point or idea.
It may end with a question mark but, is technically
not a question at all because the audience is not
expected to actually respond.
It may also have an obvious answer.
Here are some examples:
• Do you want to lose weight without feeling
hungry?
• Is Pope a Catholic?
• What is the meaning of life?
Can you imagine how much a single day
can cost if you live in Shibuya, Tokyo?
People should live in the United States rather
than in Tokyo because the cost of living in
Tokyo is much higher than in the United
States. For instance, a simple outing to the
movies would cost a couple of 46 dollars,
while the same pair of movie tickets would
cost just 26.50 dollars in New York City which
is often considered one of the most
overpriced cities in the United States.
PASSIVE VOICE
• Another language feature present in
argumentative texts.
• It usually comes in the form (verb be + past
participle of the main verb) depending on the
tense, like was formulated, were discussed,
and will be presented, has been raised, etc.
• It is used when the actor is unknown, irrelevant,
or not important; when emphasizing the person
or thing acted on; or when talking about a
general truth.
EXAMPLES
• The artifacts were stolen from the museum.
• An alternative route was opened to the
public.
• Communication has been revolutionized
by the Internet.
• The new product can be bought at any
drugstore.