INSTI 3 – COMMUNICATION

ENHANCEMENT 3
WRITING AN ARGUMENTATIVE
ESSAY
 KEY TERMS

1. The hook- an opening statement (which is usually the first sentence) in

an essay that attempts to grab the reader's attention so that they want to
read on.
2. Thesis Statement - is the main idea of an essay. It consists of the topic
of the essay and the writer's claim about the topic that will be proven
throughout the essay.
3. Pro Argument (PRO) - point or statement that supports one’s ideas
and/or thesis.
4. Counter Argument (CON) - point or statement in opposition to the
argument being made in a written document or speech
5. Refutation - the process of discrediting the arguments that oppose
your thesis statement.
WHAT IS AN ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY?

• Is a genre of writing that requires the student to investigate a

topic; collect, generate, and evaluate evidence; and establish a
position on the topic in a concise manner.
• Is a genre of essay in which the writer takes a strong stance on
an issue to convince the reader and win them over to their
ideology.
• Overall, you must convince the audience that your side of the
argument is correct.
WHAT IS AN ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY?

The argumentative essay is a genre of writing

that requires the writer to:
1) Develop a topic via researching credible sources
2) Create a clear, concise, and defined thesis statement that
occurs in the first paragraph of the essay
3) Construct body paragraphs that include evidential support
(whether factual, logical, statistical, or anecdotal)
4) Write in proper argumentative style; i.e. logical transitions
and a firm and concise tone
5) Develop a conclusion that does not simply restate the thesis,
but readdresses it in light of the evidence provided
 CHOOSING A TOPIC FOR AN
ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY:

• Debatable
• Arguable
• Researchable
• Controversial
• Current
• Does the topic have two sides?
• How much do you know about the topic?
WHAT IS A GOOD ARGUMENT?

Consider an argument that:

• Can be support with factual evidence

• Is specific enough to hold a focus
• Has multiple perspectives and stances
• You are passionate about
 TOPICS FOR ARGUMENT

• Banning cigarettes
• Requiring school uniforms
• Mandating military service
• Banning violent video games
• Requiring high academic credentials for running a President.
STRUCTURE
PLANNING YOUR ESSAY
FOLLOW THE STEPS BELOW TO DEVELOP
IDEAS FOR AN ARGUMENT ESSAY

1. First, choose any other topic and thesis statement that you
want to write about. Remember that the topic must have more
than one point of view to qualify as an argument.
Essay topic: Banning cell phones in schools
Thesis Statement: Cell phones should not be allowed in
university classrooms.
 2. PRO & CON T-CHART

PRO CON
Topic: Banning cell phones in schools
1. Cell phones distract students from 1. Cell phones can easily be turned off
learning if they send messages or play and kept out of sight.
games in class. 2. University students are not children and
2. Cell phones might ring in class and cellphones are important in an emergency.
disturb the teacher. 3. Cell phones can be useful tools for
3. Students could use cell phones to cheat education
on tests. such a being used as a dictionary or to
4. make
5. memos.
4.
5.
FOLLOW THE STEPS BELOW TO DEVELOP
IDEAS FOR AN ARGUMENT ESSAY

3. Look at your Pro & Con T-chart again. Choose three reasons
from your PRO list that support your thesis most effectively and
circle them. You now know what your major supporting
information will be.
4. Now give attention to opposing points of view. In the box
below, choose two counterarguments from your CON list and
write a refutation for each.
 Counterargument (from CON list) Refutation (ATTACK - Why is it wrong?)
1.

2.
 REFERENCES

https://
www.matthewbarbee.com/uploads/1/6/8/9/16895428/argumentativ
e_essay_worksheets_5.pdf
https://www.georgebrown.ca/sites/default/files/uploadedfiles/tlc/_
documents/argumentative_essays.pdf
https://
www.ccsoh.us/cms/lib/OH01913306/Centricity/Domain/207/Argu
mentative%20Essay%20Outline.pdf