623 We agg WHAT IS AN ARGUMENT? Cambridge dictionary defines it as a reason or reasons why you support or oppose an idea or suggestion, or the process of explaining these reasons. From a simplistic view, it has three essential elements: claim, a reason, and evidence. Considering the level of formality, it may have an opinion expression at the beginning or a conclusion at the end. Personally, | thinkbelieve/reckon, PERSONAL + Speaking for myself, OPINION EXPRESSION ‘© like to point out that. a common expression or phrase to introduce a + Some people say that. personal or general point of view, agree or disagree GENERAL = tis consideredithought that. with an opinion. + Its widely believed tat ‘+ You're absolutely right AGREEING — + That's uefa good point | agree with you entirely & I dont agree with. DISAGREEING + I'm sorry to disagree with you, but. Imatraid I have to disagree. CLAIM or ASSERTION a stance about a problem, a situation, a topic, the world, or a simple statement + Homework should be banned. + Poverty is harmful. + The United Nations should be reformed. REASON the cause of an event or situation or something that provides an excuse or explanation. It is essential to make arguments and itis the “because” part of the argument + Homework should be banned because it interferes with effective learning. + Poverty is harmful because when families are poor, they cannot regularly feed their children. + The United Nations should be reformed because it is not effective now. x EVIDENCE ) provides proof of your reasoning to say if something > is or is not true. The most common type of evidence “ is an example. — + Homework should be banned because it interferes with effective learning. For example, students have to stay up late to finish their homework, and this

makes them tired in class so they can’t pay attention.” CONCLUSION If your argument is long enough, include a conclusion. The purpose of it is to summarise your main points, the last ‘opportunity to bring together what you have been saying, and to make clearly your understanding of the topic. Use these expressions to introduce your conclusion: + Insummary, + Onthe whole, «Inthe end, + Asaresult, + Allinall, + Overall, + Inanutshell, + In brief, + Inconclusion, TYPES OF EVIDENCE Evidence is essential to gain the audience's confidence in the writer's claims. There are different types: Conrirmen facts that have been found 4, a person's observations or FACTS in reliable/credible sources. ‘experiences of the world numbers and percentages —_eyperrg: research done by experts who STATISTICS that are relevant to the topic. RESEARCH have a deep knowledge of topic REFERENCES + University of Pittsburgh. (2022). Argument: The basics [Website]. htips:/www.comm.pitt edu/argument-basics + Wheaton College. (2009). The argument: Types of evidence [Website]. https://wmw.wheaton.edulacademics/services/writing-center/writing-resources/the-argument-types-of-evidence/