Argumentative Essay

Margarita Espinel VillamizarDaniel Gamarra VargasNancy Páez Mendoza

WHAT IS AN ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY?

The argumentative essay allows

writers to express their opinion on a topic and support that opinion with strong logic and

evidence.

An argumentative essay is a type of

writing that requires a writer to defend a position on a topic using

evidence

Initial Research

When preparing to write an

argumentative essay, it's important to evaluate various sides of the issue.

Writing Format

• Introduction: A hook, what is it?The hook is an

introduction that catches the reader's

attention. Argumentative

essays can start with facts, statistics,

quotes, or anecdotes that reference the topic of the essay.

EXAMPLE• According to the Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention, over 2,700 teen drivers between the ages of 16

and 19 died in 2010 and over 282,000 were injured. Despite their

desire to want to get behind the wheel, teen drivers simply aren't

ready to take on the responsibilities of driving yet.

• Thesis, what is it?

A thesis statement is a sentence that

explains what you are trying to prove

and provides an overview of the

arguments you will make in your body

paragraphs.

EXAMPLE

• The legal driving age should be changed to 20 because teen drivers are more likely

to cause accidents and they are not mature enough to understand the

repercussions of their actions.

Background Information

A background paragraph may be vital to your paper if there is information that your audience needs to be

aware of to understand your topic.

EXAMPLE• Driver's license requirements are set by

each state, not the federal government. Therefore, the legal driving age varies from state to state. All states, with the exception of Maine, allow drivers to have unrestricted licenses at the age of 18. Maine's age is 21. Most states allows teenagers as young as 16 to have restricted licenses, usually meaning they can drive as long as they are with a parent or guardian

PLANNING STAGE

You must take a few minutes to plan and prepare before

you jump into writing an

argument essay.

FIND A GOOD TOPIC

While a strong interest in a topic is important, it's not

enough to be interested. You have

to consider what position you can

back up with reasoning and

evidence.

Consider Both Sides of Your Topic and Take a Position

One of your first objectives in your essay will be to

present both sides of your issue with an assessment of

each.

Gather Evidence

In an argument essay you will have to provide evidence without providing too much drama.

Writing StageIntroduce your topic and assert your side

The first paragraph of your argument essay should contain a brief explanation

of your topic, some background information, and a thesis statement

EXAMPLEINTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH WITH 

THESIS STATEMENT:Since the turn of the new century, a theory has emerged concerning the end of the world, or at least the end of life as we know it. This new theory centers around the year 2012, a date that many claim has mysterious origins in ancient manuscripts from many different cultures.

The most noted characteristic of this date is that it appears to mark the end of the Mayan calendar. But there is no evidence to suggest that the Maya saw any great relevance to this date. In fact, none of the claims surrounding a 2012 doomsday event hold up to scientific inquiry. The year 2012 will pass without a major, life-altering catastrophe.

Present both sides of the controversy

You should go into more detail about the

two sides of your controversy and state the strongest points of

the counter-side of your issue.

TIPS FOR YOUR ESSAY

• Avoid emotional language• Know the difference between a logical

conclusion and an emotional point of view• Don't make up evidence• Cite your sources• Make an outline• Be prepared to defend your side by

knowing the strongest arguments for the other side.

LANGUAGEWHEN POINTING OUT OPPOSING

ARGUMENTS (CONS):•Opponents of this idea claim / maintain that …            •Those who disagree / are against these ideas may say / assert that …•Some people may disagree with this idea. 

When stating specifically why they think like that:

•The put forward this idea because …•They claim that … since …

 Reaching the turning point:•However,•but•On the other hand, 

• When refuting the opposing idea, we may use the following

strategies:

COMPROMISE but prove that their argument is not powerful enough:

• They have a point in thinking like that.

• To a certain extent they are right.

COMPLETELY DISAGREE:•After seeing this evidence, there is no way we can agree with what they say.SAY THAT THEIR ARGUMENT IS IRRELEVANT TO THE TOPIC:•What we are discussing here is not what they are trying to prove.•Their argument is irrelevant.

Types of Papers: Argument/Argumentative

While some teachers consider persuasive

papers and argument papers to be basically the

same thing, it’s usually safe to assume that an

argument paper presents a stronger claim—possibly

to a more resistant audience.

To write an argument essay,

you’ll need to gather evidence

and present a well-reasoned

argument on a debatable issue.

You MUST choose one side or the other when you

write an argument paper!

Do… Don’t…

…use passionate language …use weak qualifiers like “I believe,” “I feel,” or “I think”—just tell us!

…cite experts who agree with you …claim to be an expert if you’re not one

…provide facts, evidence, and statistics to support your position

…use strictly moral or religious claims as support for your argument

…provide reasons to support your claim …assume the audience will agree with you about any aspect of your argument

…address the opposing side’s argument and refute their claims

…attempt to make others look bad (i.e. Mr. Smith is ignorant—don’t listen to him!)

Why do I need to address the opposing side’s

argument?

How do I accomplish

this?

How to write an argumentative essay

UNDERSTANDING THE FORMAT•Understand the purpose of an argumentative essay•Understand the methodology of an argumentative essay•Understand the desired outcome of an argumentative essay. 

SELECTING A TOPIC•Choose something that fits the format•Pick an issue that is interesting to you•Test your argument•Keep your audience in mind•Understand the rhetorical situation

STRUCTURING YOUR ARGUMENT•Create a catchy title•Come up with a thesis statement•Avoid the standard three-part thesis often taught to beginning writers. •Write an introduction•Write the body of the paper.•Write a conclusion

INCLUDING RESEARCH AND SOURCES

•Do your research•Pick sources that are reputable and provide accurate, up-to-date information•Choose quotes that support your points•Cite your sources

EDITING AND APPLYING FINAL TOUCHES

•Take a step back•Look for grammar issues•Check for problems with formatting or quote incorporation

REFERENCES• http://study.com/academy/lesson/

argumentative-essay-definition-format-examples.html

• http://www.buowl.boun.edu.tr/students/types%20of%20essays/ARGUMENTATIVE%20ESSAY.htm#language

• http://www.roanestate.edu/owl/argument.html