Argumentative

Paragraph
Topic Sentence
• What is the topic sentence?
The topic sentence is the first sentence in a
paragraph.
• What does it do?
It introduces the main idea of the paragraph.
• How do I write one?
Summarize the main idea of your paragraph.
Indicate to the reader what your paragraph will
be about.
Topic Sentence
Turning Topics into Topic
Sentences
• My home town
• My hometown is famous for several amazing natural features.
• Graduation from high school
• Graduating from high school is important for many different reasons.
• Cooking
• Cooking requires a number of different skills.
• Global warming
• There are several possible contributing factors to global warming.
• Dogs
• Dogs make wonderful pets.
• The first day at University.
• The first day at university was a disaster for many different reasons.
• Cell phones
• There are three reasons why cellphones should be banned from classrooms.
 How do I write strong
topic sentences?
• Topic sentence: Online learning is great.

• There are many reasons why online learning is the worst thing
ever.
• There are several reasons why online learning is the worst
thing ever.
• There are many advantages/benefits to online learning.
• There are many disadvantages to online learning.
• Online learning is the best thing ever for several reasons.
• Online learning is the worst thing ever for three reasons.
• Online learning is the worst thing ever for many reasons.
Example:
• There are three reasons why Canada is one of the best
countries in the world. First, Canada has an excellent
health care system. All Canadians have access to medical
services at a reasonable price. Second, Canada has a high
standard of education. Students are taught by well-
trained teachers and are encouraged to continue
studying at university. Finally, Canada's cities are clean
and efficiently managed. Canadian cities have many
parks and lots of space for people to live. As a result,
Canada is a desirable place to live.

6
Supporting Sentence
• What are supporting sentences?
They come after the topic sentence, making up the body of a
paragraph.
• What do they do?
They give details to develop and support the main idea of the
paragraph.
• How do I write them?
You should give supporting facts, details, and examples.
Example:
• There are three reasons why Canada is one of the best
countries in the world. First, Canada has an excellent
health care system. All Canadians have access to
medical services at a reasonable price. Second, Canada
has a high standard of education. Students are taught
by well-trained teachers and are encouraged to
continue studying at university. Finally, Canada's cities
are clean and efficiently managed. Canadian cities have
many parks and lots of space for people to live. As a
result, Canada is a desirable place to live.
Closing Sentence
• What is the closing sentence?
The closing sentence is the last sentence in a paragraph.
• What does it do?
It restates the main idea of your paragraph.
Example:
• There are three reasons why Canada is one of the best
countries in the world. First, Canada has an excellent
health care system. All Canadians have access to medical
services at a reasonable price. Second, Canada has a high
standard of education. Students are taught by well-
trained teachers and are encouraged to continue
studying at university. Finally, Canada's cities are clean
and efficiently managed. Canadian cities have many
parks and lots of space for people to live. As a result,
Canada is a desirable place to live.
What Is an Argumentative
Paragraph?
• An argumentative paragraph is a paragraph that uses evidence
and facts to support the claim it’s making. 
• Its purpose: is to persuade the reader to agree with the
argument being made.
• It takes a position for or against something.
Pick a side!
• The writer must clearly state his/her position and stay with that
position. Pick a side!

• Generally, the position is stated in the opening paragraph or

introduction. (This is your thesis statement/topic sentence)
Defend your “stand”
•  Your “stand” is your position that you must defend. This
opinion becomes your thesis statement.
Example: Mukhmas fun land,
Ramallah
You can’t just say that it’s a great place because you took your
family there and enjoyed it. 
 
You need to have facts to support your argument, such as:
• The number of child-friendly attractions in Mukhmas 
• Special deals you can get with kids
• Surveys/Questionnaires of people who visited Mukhmas as a
family and enjoyed it.
Thesis Statement Examples:
• Studying abroad (outside the country) has many benefits for
university students. 
• University education is more beneficial than technical training for
many reasons.
• There are many benefits to implementing mandatory school
uniforms.
• Time travelling is not a risk worth taking due to many
complications.
• The Bethlehem University Market is an event that everyone should
attend.
• Donald Trump is amazing and must not be removed from office for
three main reasons.
• Donald Trump is a horrible president and a terrible leader, and he
should be immediately impeached for three main reasons.
ARGUING: THIS IS NOT AN
EMOTIONAL PARAGRAPH
• A good argumentative essay will use facts and evidence to
support the argument, rather than just the author’s thoughts
and opinions.
• Do not write about what you love or hate:
“I love to drink coffee more than tea. Here are the reasons.”
• Write WITHOUT emotion your factual stand for or against
something:
“Coffee is a more energizing drink than tea. Here are the reasons
why.”
Organizing your paragraph
I. Thesis Statement/Topic sentence
Clear position/stand on one topic.
II. Supporting sentence #1: Topic sentence of the first reason
B. Evidence/Detail 1
C. Evidence/Detail 2
III. Subtopic #2 (same as above)
IV. Subtopic #3 (same as above)
V. One concluding sentence
The 11 sentence paragraph:
1. Topic Sentence
2. Argument 1 with 2 supporting sentences
3. Argument 2 with 2 supporting sentences
4. Argument 3 with 2 supporting sentences
5. Conclusion
Writing catchy concluding sentences

· End using one of the following strategies:

• Restate the main idea
• Offer a suggestion
• Give your opinion
• Make a prediction
• Call to Action
• Provide a solution
Restates the Main Idea:
Perhaps the easiest concluding sentence to write is one that simply restates the
main idea or summarizes the main points of the paragraph with different words.

• Example:
• Topic Sentence: eBooks web sites are convenient and helpful resources for
students.
• Concluding Sentence: eBook web sites have made students’ lives much easier.
• Explanation: The topic sentence in the paragraph says that eBook websites are
very helpful for students, and the concluding sentence emphasizes a similar point.

• Another example:
• Topic sentence: There are three reasons why cellphones should be banned from
classrooms.
• several reasons / phones / should not be allowed / classes
• Concluding sentence: To conclude, phones should not be allowed in the class for
these several reasons.
Offers a Suggestion
• Topic Sentence: Visiting Puerto Rico can be an amazing
experience.
• Concluding Sentence: If you want to have an unforgettable
travelling experience, you should visit Puerto Rico one day.
Gives an Opinion
• Topic Sentence: There are three reasons why Palestine is one
of the best countries in the world.

• Concluding Sentence: To conclude, I think most of the people

would love to come and visit Palestine.
• In my opinion, I think…..
Makes a Prediction
• Topic sentence: The menu at Abu Alees is simple but very
delicious.
• Concluding Sentence: If you decide to have a meal at Abu
Alees, I am sure you will eat there again.
Call to Action
• Ask the reader to do something or to make something
happen
• “I challenge you to watch what you eat and to avoid
fast food.”
• “I highly recommend you consider your options the
next time you are faced with a decision about what to
eat.”
Provide a solution
• Provide an answer to the problem “Fast food doesn’t
have to be “bad food.” Make better choices like salads,
fruit and low fat treats.”
Clear and logical transitions
between the introduction,
body, and conclusion is very
important.
Transitions
• To show addition:
again, and, also, besides, equally important, first (second, etc., finally.),
further, furthermore, in addition, in the first place, moreover, next, too
• To give examples:
for example, for instance, in fact, specifically, that is, to illustrate
• To compare:
also, in the same manner, likewise, similarly
• To contrast:
although, and yet, at the same time, but, despite, even though,
however, in contrast, in spite of, nevertheless, on the contrary, on the
other hand, still, though, yet
• To summarize or conclude:
in conclusion, to sum up, to conclude
• To indicate logical relationship:
accordingly, as a result, because, consequently, for this reason, hence,
if, otherwise, since, so, then, therefore, thus
• Transitions to support reasons or add details: - for instance, -for
example, - in addition, - additionally, - besides, - furthermore, -
likewise, - also,
• Continuing with the same line of reasoning: - consequently -
clearly, then - furthermore - additionally - and - in addition -
moreover - because - besides that - in the same way - following
this further - also
• Changing your line of reasoning (contrasting): - however - on
the other hand - but - yet - nevertheless - on the contrary
• Transitions to support reasons or add details: - for instance, -for
example, - in addition, - additionally, - besides, - furthermore, -
likewise, - also,
• Cause/Effect: so, thus, therefore, hence, consequently, due to, as
a result
Summary Transitions
• Supporting sentences:
• First, second, third/finally
• Firstly, secondly, thirdly/lastly

• Addition: Furthermore, moreover, in addition, Besides,

• Examples: For example, for instance

• Result: Therefore, as a result, hence, thus

• Conclusion: To conclude, to sum up, in conclusion
Checklist:
1. Is there a capturing title?
2. Is there an interesting topic sentence that states clearly what the
paragraph is about?
3. Is the topic sentence followed by a sentence that states the first
reason?
4. Is there a clear signal or transition that this is the first reason?
5. Is the sentence containing the first reason followed by one or two
sentences giving support for the first reason?
6. Are the sentences supporting the first reason followed by a sentence
that states the second reason?
7. Is there a clear signal or transition that this is the second reason?
8. Is the sentence containing the second reason followed by one or two
sentences giving support for the second reason?
9. Are the sentences supporting the second reason followed by a
sentence that states the third reason?
10. Is there a clear signal or transition that this is the third reason?
11. Is the sentence containing the third reason followed by one or two
sentences giving support for the third reason?
12. Is there a closing sentence?
13. Does the closing have a clear signal or transition?
14. Is the paragraph focused; that is, does it present a clear main idea
and stay on the topic of that main idea?
15. Are there fragments or run-ons? Correct them.
16. Are there spelling mistakes?
17. Are there punctuation mistakes?