THE ARGUMENTATIVE

ESSAY
 Is an essay in which you agree or disagree with
an issue

Your aim is to convince your reader that you are

right / that your point of view is to be taken
seriously

You have to take a stand on an issue & support it

with solid reasons/ evidence
1. An brief description of the issue

2. A clear thesis statement

3. Your own argument

4. A summary of an opposing argument

5. Rebuttal/refutation to the opposing

argument

6. Reaffirmation of your stand

Introduction segment
Opening statement + Development
Introduce the topic by giving background
information
Define the issues clearly
Example

Your thesis statement is going to be:

Minors who break the law should
get the same treatment as adults
Does minors mean anyone from age 3 to
17? 18? 21?
What exactly does get the same treatment
as adults mean? Punishment?
Introduction segment THESIS STATEMENT
Make your stand/position clear
Example:
1. University students should be required to take
a year off (rather general)
2. University students should be required to take
a gap-year in their academics to pursue
community service projects in order to
increase their maturity, and increase their
global awareness. (more specific touches
on the 2 main points)
DO NOT use I agree, I disagree, In my
opinion etc.
NO 1st person and 2nd person point of view.
 Present 2 arguments (reasons) to
support your stand.
Body segment

Example:
Topic: Fireworks should be
prohibited in this country

2 Arguments (Reasons why you take your stand):

1. Fireworks hurt people
2. It can cause property damage
 In each body paragraph, present
evidence to support the Argument
Body segment

(Reason or Point)

1. Facts/statistics
2. Authorities (experts in their field)
3. Examples
4. Logical interpretation
 Topic sentence stating the argument
Body segment

Support point 1
detail from experience or facts from trusted sources

Support point 2
detail from experience or facts from trusted sources

Support point 3
detail from experience or facts from trusted sources
 Types of evidence that can be used to support your
position.
Body segment

1. Fact (Mainly relevant to assignments)

Last year there were 2,000 injuries
during
Hari Raya.
2. Authority (Mainly relevant to assignments)
Dr. Radin, director of the University Hospital
Trauma Centre, had stated that the bamboo
canon alone is responsible for hundreds of
injuries every year
 3. Example (Suitable for exam essays)
Even relatively harmless fireworks like
sparklers can cause severe burns when
children grab the glowing wires in their hands
Body segment

or step on them with their bare feet.

4. Logical explanation (Suitable for exam

essays)
Because children get caught up in the
moment and so often do not think of the
consequences, they will continue to be
injured by fireworks.
 Because issues have at least 2 sides, there is more to
Body segment

an argument than presenting your own reasons.

FIRST, acknowledge an opposing argument

SECOND, in some cases it may be necessary to

concede (very briefly) that the opposing point may
be valid

THEN, within the same paragraph, refute the

opposing argument showing how it is flawed
 Refuting often involves giving more evidence
(facts and examples), further clarifying your
Body segment

reasons, showing how opposing reasons

/objections are poorly defined, incomplete, or
illogical.

Refuting should be tactful, aimed at persuading,

not forcing agreement from the audience.
CONCLUDING SEGMENT

Summarize the main points of your

argument or restate the thesis
End your conclusion with a strong
statement, such as a demand for action or
an alternative solution.
 The structure of an argumentative essay is reflected in
the way the facts and opinions are organized.

2 possible structures are suggested below:

Introduction
One main argument that
supports your stand
Another significant
argument that supports your
stand
Concession of an opposing
argument + refutation of it
Conclusion
Background information.
Thesis: State your stand
Present your argument based on fact or
evidence as far as possible
Show that you are aware of an argument
on the opposite side.
Then, refute by showing that this
opposing argument is not as strong/valid
as your arguments
Restate your stand
Give comment (s)
Make predictions (s)
Give recommendations
Summarize
Introduction Background information.
Thesis: State your stand
Concession I and
Refutation I Show that you are aware of
arguments on the opposite side.
Concession II and Then, refute each, one by one
Refutation II
(show that these opposing
arguments are not as strong /valid
Concession III and as your arguments.
Refutation III

Restate your stand

Conclusion Give comments)
Make predictions)
Give recommendations
Summarize
 INTRODUCING AN ARGUMENT
First similarly
Next moreover
Again above all
Hence in addition
Finally in other words
As such furthermore
Besides to begin with
Likewise equally important
 INTRODUCING AN OPPOSING ARGUMENT

However/ On the other hand, opponents may

argue that
However/ On the other hand, there are those
who insist that
However/ On the other hand, an opposing
viewpoint claims that

etc
 CONCEDING TO AN OPPOSING ARGUMENT

While this point of view has some merit, (+ your

refutation goes here)

This opposing argument may hold some value, but

(+ your refutation here)

Although there is some truth to this claim, (+ your

refutation here)

etc
Even though an argumentative essay presents
a stand that YOU take on an issue, it is STILL
IMPORTANT to eliminate all personal voice
indicators (eg. I think In my opinion
I still stick to my stand etc)

(This is one clear area of difference between

the argumentative writing that you do in the
Critical Thinking course and the kind that
you need to do in this Academic English
course.)
Here are some alternatives to using personal
voice in argumentative writing: