ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY

LESSON OBJECTIVES

By the end of the lesson, you will

be able to:
a) Understand the purpose of
writing an argumentative essay
b) Revise on the features and
format of a type of exposition
text
What is the point of arguing?
• You want to get your point across!
• You want others to believe in what you
have to say.
• An argumentative essay does the same
thing – it tries to convince readers of your
point of view.
What’s the point of an
argumentative essay?
In argumentative writing, a writer takes a
position for or against an issue and writes to
convince the reader to believe or do something.
Argumentative essays are written to get the
reader to accept a point of view. In order to
convince the reader, you need more than an
opinion; you need facts or examples to back up
your opinion.
 FORMAT - INTRODUCTION

• What can you say is special about these

introductions?

I. “Cigarettes are the number onewith

– Opening cause
a of lung
cancer in Canada!”SHOCKING statement.

II. “Elbert Hubbard once

- Opening said,
with a “Truth is stronger
than fiction.”
QUOTATION.
 III. “Have you ever considered how many
books we’d read if it were not for
– Opening with a RHETORIC
television?”
QUESTION.
A question that doesn’t need an
answer – it is used to empahsise a
point to the reader

IV. 65% of road accidents are caused by

drink driving.”

– Opening with a STATISTIC. This

helps to add emphasis or interest to
your topic. It may be wise to include
where you got the statistic from.
 These intros have a “hook” or “grabber”
to attract the reader’s attention.
Besides
(i)an attention-grabbing opening, the
INTRODUCTION should also
include:
(ii)Your opinion – this tells the reader
the
main point of your essay.
 Opening with a
Example introduction: strong statement

Of all the problems facing the environment today,

the one that bothers me the most is global warming
Some scientists say that the earth is getting
warmer because of the greenhouse effect. In this
paper I will describe the greenhouse effect and
whether the earth’s atmosphere is actually getting
warmer.

opinion
BODY
• You must then provide ARGUMENTS to
support your opinion. Each paragraph is
based on a solid reason to back your
opinion.
• Since almost all issues have sound
arguments on both sides of the question,
a good argumentative writer tries to
ANTICIPATE opposing viewpoints.
One of the paragraphs in the body
should be used to discuss OPPOSING
viewpoints and your counter-argument.
To help elaborate each argument, use

• Use examples, real-life

experiences, statistics or
research.
• Give a scenario, especially when
you want the reader to see a
different point of view. Use cues
for the reader eg. suppose if, what
if, imagine.
CONCLUSION

• A piece of argumentative writing usually

ends by SUMMARISING the most
important details of the argument and
stating once again what the reader is to
FOR or AGAINST.
In your conclusion,
• Restate your opinion
• Summarize the main points of your
argument.
•
Write a personal comment of call for
–action. You can do this:
With a Question: Closing with a question lets
your readers make their own predictions, draw
–
their own conclusions.
With Recommendations: Stress or recommend
the action you want the readers to take.
Video: Why school should start later for teens |
Wendy Troxel
 Discussion: Do students
need homework to become
better?
● Choose a side (for or against)
● Look for supporting information (up to 4)
● Think of a good introduction
● Develop your ideas
● Start Writing