Argumentative
Writing
Techniques
MODULE 2 LESSON 3
2
Argumentative
Essay
Presentation Title
An argumentative essay is one
that makes a clear assertion or
argument about some topics or
issues. When you’re writing an
argumentative essay, it’s
important to remember that an
academic argument is quite
different from a regular,
emotional argument.
Argumentative
Essay
Argumentative essays are quite
common in academic writing and
are often an important part of
writing in all disciplines. You may be
asked to take a stand on a social
issue in your introduction to writing
course, you could also be asked to
take a stand on an issue related to
health care in a nursing course or
make a case for solving a local
environmental problem in your
biology class.
Whatever the case, having some
knowledge of some basic
argumentative techniques or
strategies will be helpful as you
write.
Presentation Title
ARGUMENTATIVE
WRITING
TECHNIQUES
In this type of argument,
you argue that
something has caused
something else.
1. Causal
Arguments
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For example, you might
explore the causes of the
decline of large
mammals in the world’s
ocean and make a case
for your cause.
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In this type of argument,
you make an
argumentative evaluation
of something as “good” or
“bad,” but you need to
establish the criteria for
“good” or “bad.”
2. Evaluation
Arguments
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For example, you might
evaluate a children’s book
for your education class,
but you would need to
establish clear criteria for
your evaluation for your
audience.
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In this type of argument,
you must propose a
solution to a problem.
First, you must establish a
clear problem and then
propose a specific
solution to that problem.
3. Proposal
Arguments
For example, you might
argue for a proposal that
would increase retention
rates at your college.
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In this type of argument,
you make your case by
telling a story with a clear
point related to your
argument.
4. Narrative
Arguments
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For example, you might
write a narrative about
your experiences with
standardized testing in
order to make a case for
reform.
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In a rebuttal argument,
you build your case
around refuting an idea
or ideas that have come
before.
5. Rebuttal
Arguments
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In other words, your
starting point is to
challenge the ideas of
the past.
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In this type of argument,
you use a definition as
the starting point for
making your case.
6. Definition
Arguments
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For example, in a
definition argument, you
might argue that NCAA
basketball players should
be defined as
professional players and,
therefore, should be paid
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Let’s try!
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1.What is an argument?
A. a claim that has logic and facts
B. a claim that has feelings in it
C. a claim that tells one’s opinion
D. a claim that tells a story
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2. What is a hook or lead?
A. a sentence that has the main idea of an
essay
B. a sentence that ends the paper
C. a sentence that gets the reader's
attention
D. a sentence that explains the point of an
essay
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3. What is a claim?
A. It is an attention getter sentence.
B. It is the main idea of an essay.
C. It is the counterargument.
D. It is your view on a topic
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4. What is a counterclaim?
A. It’s the opponent's claim.
B. It’s the refutation / rebuttal.
C. It’s the ending of an essay.
D. It’s the author’s position.
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5. What is a rebuttal?
A. It is the evidence against the
counterclaim.
B. It is author’s position.
C. It is the return to your claim
D. It is the conclusion.
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6. What are the three main parts of an
argumentative essay?
A. introduction, body, conclusion
B. lead, thesis, conclusion
C. claim, counterclaim, rebuttal
D. beginning, middle, end
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7. What argumentative writing technique
argues that something has caused / led
something else to a particular problem?
A. causal argument
B. evaluation argument
C. proposal argument
D. rebuttal argument
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8. What argumentative writing technique is used
when you make your case by telling a story with
a clear point related to your argument?
A.
proposal argument
B. rebuttal argument
C. narrative argument
D. definition argument
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9. When an author recognizes ideas from
those who may oppose, what
argumentative writing technique is used?
A. evaluation argument
B. rebuttal argument
C. proposal argument
D. causal argument
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10.What argumentative writing technique is used in this
statement: Although the Hercules Shoe Company is
nonpolluting and provides a socially useful product, it is
not a socially responsible company because it treats its
workers unjustly?
A. causal argument
B. definition argument
C. evaluation argument
D. narrative argument
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Activity
Give your
argument on the
following through
different
argumentative
writing techniques.
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Create a thesis
statement based
on the sketch.
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Create a thesis
statement based
on the sketch.
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Create a thesis
statement based
on the sketch and
based on the idea
presented by
Plato.
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Create a thesis
statement based
on the
illustration.
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Create a thesis
statement based
on the
illustration.
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Create a thesis
statement based
on the line from
the song
“Kaleidoscope”.
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Create a thesis
statement based
on the line from
the song
“Kaleidoscope”.
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QUIZ
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The way to get started
is to quit talking and
begin doing.
Walt Disney
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