Composing An
Argumentative
Essay
Jessica V. Ibarra
Agenda
Game
Argumentative Essay
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Parts
Elements of Argument
Features
Examples
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Complete the sentences with how you felt then or now.
Choose your emotion and give your reason.
I am hurt because…
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Introduction
The goal of an argumentative essay is to change the reader’s point of view, to
bring about some action on the reader’s part, or to ask the reader to accept the
writer’s explanation of an issue.
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Introduction
In these global times, students like you must be equipped with critical thinking and
analytical skills in order for you to weigh the reliability and credibility of the information
you get from people or on the internet.
Through argumentative writing, the said skills can be developed. By means of writing
arguments, you will get to examine your own ideas in order to arrive to a fair and sound
judgement on conflicting claims and disputes about relevant and timely issues in the
community.
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Parts of an
Argumentative
Essay
(outline)
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1. Introduction
2. Lead-in/Hook
3. Background Information
4. Thesis Statement
5. Body Paragraphs
6. 1st Reason supporting claim
7. 2nd Reason supporting claim
**Sample
8. 3rd Reason supporting
claim*optional/need for Exemplary
9. Counterargument**brief paragraph
10.Conclusion
11.Restate thesis in different terms
12.Call to action/closing insight
Structure of AE
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**Lead/Attention- Getter
The lead/attention –getter should “hook” the reader.
You want him/her to be interested in what you are
writing.
An interesting question
A quote
A shocking statistic
Example:
1. “Push-ups, jumping jacks, and
jogging…oh my!”
2. “Heart disease is the leading cause of
death in the United States.”
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Elements of an
Argument
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Elements of an Argument
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Claim
Textual
Evidence
Counterarguments
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A claim is an opinion that can be supported by textual
evidence.
Example: “Exercise leads to a healthier lifestyle.”
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Textual evidence is evidence taken directly or indirectly
from an article, textbook, or other source. Your evidence
must come from the assigned articles.
Example: "Min Lee’s team discovered that ‘people who engaged in 15 minutes a
day of moderate physical activity minimized their risk of heart disease by 14% as
compared to inactive people’.”
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When you counter-argue, you consider a possible
argument against your opinion or some aspect of your
reasoning. * Your essay must include the counterargument.
You will have one brief body paragraph that will state your
counter-argument.
Example: “Some argue that eating a healthy, balanced diet has a greater impact
on health than physical activity. While a healthy diet is essential, increasing
physical activity will be more beneficial for overall health.”
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Features of an
Argumentative
Essay
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Features of an AE
1. presents and explains the issue or case through the claim
or argument;
2. gives reasons and supports these reasons with facts,
proof or evidences; and,
3. refutes or proves wrong the opposing arguments
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**Objective Tone in AE
In formal writing, you need to avoid using
first-person and second-person personal
pronouns. In more simple terms, no “I”,
“me”, “my”, “you”, or “your”.
The reader already knows that this is your
writing. Therefore, you do not need to use
statements such as “in my opinion”, “I
think”, “I believe”, or “according to what I
have read”.
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**Examples of Objective Tone
1.Wrong – In my opinion, physical
activity is necessary for good
health.
2.Right – Physical activity is
necessary for good health.
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**Examples of Objective Tone
1.Wrong – You need to exercise.
2.Right – People need to exercise.
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**Examples of Objective Tone
1.Wrong – You might think that
eating well is enough, but I think
that you have to exercise.
2.Right – Some may think that
eating well is enough, but
exercise is also necessary.
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Example
“We are Failing Mother Nature”
“It is clear as day as to the environmental problems we are facing
nowadays. On the internet, we can see the impacts of human greed to
the environment from rivers and seas being littered with our garbage,
wildlife going extinct, increasing temperature, massive wildfires, and
melting ice caps, among many others.”
“Our human greed is putting the only livable planet in our solar system
in danger. It is sad to note that the future generation will not be able to
enjoy the beauty of earth because we have been careless and greedy.”
“We are Failing Mother Nature”
Questions
: 1. What is the main claim or argument of the excerpt?
________________________________________________
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2. Do you agree with the claim or argument expressed by
the writer? Why or why not?
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Remember:
An argumentative essay is a kind of writing that aims to
make the reader agree with the writer’s opinion about a
controversial or a debatable issue. An argument in academic
writing is usually a main idea, often called a claim or thesis
statement, backed up with evidence that supports the idea.
Remember:
A claim is the main argument of an essay and the writer’s
position on a problem or issue
Examples.
1. “Filipino should be the medium of instruction in Philippine
schools because it is the national language and it is
already developed yet the students have not mastered it.”
2. “Education is the key that balances the opportunities
between the rich and the poor.”
QUIZ
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PART 1
1.
The goal of an argumentative essay is to change the reader’s _____of______.
2-3. In formal writing, you need to avoid using _____ -person and _____ -person
personal pronouns.
4. This is evidence taken directly or indirectly from an article, textbook, or other source.
5. When you _____ -argue, you consider a possible argument against your opinion or
some aspect of your reasoning.
6. It is an opinion that can be supported by textual evidence.
7. This is a part of introduction wherein a writer gives lines for his readers to be
interested in his write-up.
8. It is the main argument of an essay and the writer’s position on a problem or issue.
9. It is a kind of writing that aims to make the reader agree with the writer’s opinion
about a controversial or a debatable issue.
10. An argument in academic writing is usually a main idea, often called a claim or
__________, backed up with evidence that supports the idea.
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PART 2- Complete the Structure of AE
1. _______
2. Lead-in/_______
3. _______ Information
4. _______ Statement
5. Body Paragraphs
6. _______ Reason supporting claim
7. _______ Reason supporting claim
8. _______ Reason supporting
claim*optional/need for Exemplary
9. _______ **brief paragraph
10.Conclusion
11.Restate _______ in different terms
12.Call to _______ /closing insight
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PART 3- What element of EA is it?
1. “Exercise leads to a healthier lifestyle.”
2. “Some argue that eating a healthy, balanced diet has a greater
impact on health than physical activity. While a healthy diet is
essential, increasing physical activity will be more beneficial for
overall health.”
3. "Min Lee’s team discovered that ‘people who engaged in 15
minutes a day of moderate physical activity minimized their risk
of heart disease by 14% as compared to inactive people’.”
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Thank you!