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Lecture 8 Argumentative Essay

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THE ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY
Transcript

THE ARGUMENTATIVE

ESSAY

To develop an arguable thesis To argue both sides of an issue To support and explain arguments To refute opposing arguments To review cohesion To organize and write an 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

You have to take a stand on an issue & support it with solid reasons/ evidence

1. An explanation of the issue2. A clear thesis statement3. A summary of the opposing arguments4. Rebuttals/refutations to the opposing

arguments5. Your own argument

The structure of an argumentative essay is reflected in the way the facts and opinions are organized.

There are 3 possible structures

Strongest argument that supports your opinion

Concession and refutation

Present argument from the weakest to the strongest

Show that you are aware of arguments on the other side of the debate. Than, refute by showing that their arguments are not as strong /valid as your arguments

Restate your standGive comment (s)Make predictions (s)Give recommendationsSummarize

Conclusion

Weakest argument that supports your opinion

Introduction Background information.Thesis: Take a stand

Introduction

Stronger argument that supports your opinion

Show that you are aware of arguments on the other side of the debate. Than, refute by showing that their arguments are not as strong as your arguments.

Restate your standGive commentsMake predictionGive recommendationsSummarize

Conclusion

Concession and Refutation

Strongest argument that supports your opinion

Present the arguments, from the weakest to the strongest to support your opinion

Clearly state your point of view. Introduce the topic by defining relevant key terms

Weakest argument that supports your opinion

Introduction Clearly state your point of view. Introduce the topic by defining relevant key terms

Concession II and Refutation II

Concession III and Refutation III

Show that you are aware of arguments on the other side of the debate. Than, refute by showing that their arguments are not as strong /valid as your arguments.

Restate your standGive comments)Make predictions)Give recommendationsSummarize

Conclusion

Concession I and Refutation I

Introduce the topic by giving background information

Define the issues clearly Example

Thesis: “Minors who break the law should get the same treatment as adults”

Does minors mean anyone from age 3 to 17? What exactly does” get the same treatment as

adult” mean? Also important to limit the issue to be

discussed

THESIS STATEMENT-You have to take a stand/position or choose a side

on an issue.Example:

1. Doctors should be allowed to assist patients who are terminally ill and in pain to commit suicide.

2. University students should be required to take a year off to pursue community service projects in order to increase their maturity and global awareness.

Present reasons to support your position.

Example:

Topic: Fireworks should be prohibited in this

country

Reasons:1. Fireworks hurt people2. It can cause property damage3. Annoy many people

Some form of Evidence

1. Facts/statistics2. Authorities (experts in their field)3. Examples4. Anecdotes5. Logical interpretation

Thesis: Fireworks should be prohibited in this country.

Reason: Many children are injured each year.

Types of evidence that can be used to support your position.

1. Fact Last year there were 2,000 injuries

during Hari Raya.2. Authority

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 Even relatively harmless fireworks like sparklers can cause severe burns when children grab the glowing wires in their hands or step on them with their bare feet.

4. Anecdote When my younger brother was 7 years old, he threw a fire cracker at my face. Since then I have not been able to see clearly with my right eye.

5. Logical interpretation Because children get caught up in the moment and so often don’t think of the consequences, they will continue to be injured by fireworks.

1.Violence in video games, movies and television programs 1.Violence in video games, movies and television programs should be censored.should be censored.a…………………………………………………………………………a…………………………………………………………………………b………………………………………………………………………..b………………………………………………………………………..c………………………………………………………………………..c………………………………………………………………………..

2.Engaged couples should be required to take marriage 2.Engaged couples should be required to take marriage preparation classes for one full year before the wedding.preparation classes for one full year before the wedding.a…………………………………………………………………………a…………………………………………………………………………b…..…………………………………………………………………..b…..…………………………………………………………………..c…………………………………………………………………………c…………………………………………………………………………

Give reasons for your opinion and support them with evidence or facts

Each body paragraph relate back to a point of the argument stated in the thesis

Body paragraphs should be ordered so that the strongest reason is last.

Recognize the opposing view and prove it wrong, or refute it.

Generally, the refuting occurs in the last paragraph

Argument paragraphTopic sentence stating the argument…………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………..

Support point 1 …………………………………………………………..

………. detail from experience or facts from trusted sources Support point 2

……………………………………………………………..... …….detail from experience or facts from trusted sourcesSupport point 3

…………………………………………………………….... …detail from experience or facts from trusted sources

DEVELOP SPECIFIC DETAILSDEVELOP SPECIFIC DETAILS

i) make your side stronger -with descriptions i) make your side stronger -with descriptions of events in your life accounts of events in other of events in your life accounts of events in other people’s life, facts you have heard or readpeople’s life, facts you have heard or read

ii) make the other side weakerii) make the other side weaker

•by finding incorrect information in the by finding incorrect information in the opposing argument opposing argument • looking for unsupported claims in the looking for unsupported claims in the opposing argument opposing argument

Because issues have at least 2 side, there is more to argument than presenting reason.

First acknowledge opposing reasons, in some cases conceding points that are true, and then refuting them, showing how they are wrong.

Refuting often involves giving more evidence (facts and examples), further clarifying your 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.

Do not attack the character of the opposition.

Example: ”All lawyers are liars.”

Reasons favoring Assertion

Reasons OpposingAssertion

1.Patient’s free will2.Compassion for patient3.Compassion for family

1.Sanctity of life2.Possibility of cure3.Depressed patients

making bad decisions.

Example Example Thesis: Doctors should be allowed to Thesis: Doctors should be allowed to assist patients who are terminally ill assist patients who are terminally ill and and in great pain to commit suicide.in great pain to commit suicide.

Thesis: The benefits of eating only organically grown food outweighed the drawbacks

Reasons favoring assertionReasons favoring assertion Reasons Opposing Reasons Opposing assertionassertion

A.A. Organic food has fewer health hazards A…………………………..Organic food has fewer health hazards A…………………………..

B. Organic food is more nutritious B……………………………B. Organic food is more nutritious B……………………………C Organic food often taste better C…………………………..C Organic food often taste better C…………………………..

Refuting opposing reasonsRefuting opposing reasons ………………………………………… …………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

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.

1. OvergeneralizationExample Vegetarian diets must be bad for people because

one of my friends got sick when she tried to go vegan.

All teachers’ children excel in examinations.

Be specific with your statement and support it with valid reasons.

2. Sterotyping

Only young people use the Facebook to socialize.

.

3. Jumping to unwarranted conclusion

The little boy’s face is dirty, and his clothes are old; his parents must not care much about him.

Ban all carbonated drinks before we all die of diabetics.

Going on holidays is a sure way of wasting money and time.

4. False cause-and-effect relationship

Example Sheila scored straight A’s because she drinks

Milo every night.

Jason was chatting late last night, so he failed to finish the road race

5. Attacking a person not an argument

How can anyone want to elect a governor like Samuel, who has been divorced three times and still sees a therapist three times a month?

INTRODUCING AN ARGUMENTFirst similarlyNext moreoverAgain above allHence in additionFinally in other wordsAs such furthermoreBesides to begin withLike wise equally important

Making a concessionCertainly indeedIt must be stressed In factIt may be argued it has been

arguedit may be objected It has been assertedit has been contended It is claimedIt has been maintainedAt this point one may wonder ifA question comes to mind as to whetherCertain reservations must be considered about

whether

Making a refutationYet converselyInstead even thoughEven so neverthelessHowever on the contraryIn contrast at the same timeDespite… on the other hand

To Propose urge

recommend that killing of whales be stopped because..

insists

To cite a source or statistics According to Based on information from the United

Nations…..

argueassert

The opponents of this proposal declare that….Those who disagree claim

say take the

position

To summarizeessentialimportant

It is necessary that the killing of whales be stopped.

vitalurgent

Introductory paragraph-are there general statements about the topic?-Does the thesis statement express your stand on the

issue clearly?

Body Paragraphs-Is your essay logically organized?-Is there clear topic sentences with controlling ideas?-Do all the specific details offer logical reasons and

support for your opinion.-Are there concluding sentences?-Does your essay attempt to refute opposing

arguments?

Concluding paragraphs-Have you concluded your essay well?

1.Pre-writing

- brainstorm the topic. - Write 3 reasons for and 3 against some aspect of the topic

- select the strongest points.- Which side do you support?- Work on the thesis statement.

2. Develop An Outline

a. Organize your ideasStep 1:Write your thesis statement, including the 3 reasons for and againstStep 2:Order your reason.

Choose the opponents' argument that you will refute.Step 3: decide what kind of support would be relevant. Look up relevant facts in the library and internetb. Make a detailed outline

3. Write a rough Draft

4. Revise and edit your rough draft

5. Write your final copy

Write an essay on one of the following Write an essay on one of the following topics:topics:

1.Should the internet be monitored or 1.Should the internet be monitored or censored?censored?

2.Rapist should be sentenced to death. 2.Rapist should be sentenced to death. Do you agree?Do you agree?

3.People under 30 should not be 3.People under 30 should not be allowed allowed to marry.to marry.


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