Argument Reasons (topic sentence)
1. Emotional: you try to make the reader agree with you by making them feel
sympathetic to your cause (sadness, fear, anger, shock, joy...)
2. Logical: make the reader agree with you by having logical reasons
(if _____happens then _____happens,
_______ happens because _____ happens)
3. Experts: make the reader agree with you by giving reasons from experts; they say
it's true and you agree—these are often ideas you find from research that you don’t think of yourself
(researcher, experienced professional, respected professional...)
Task 1: Label each of your reasons with one of the types above.
1. Does the reason support your thesis?
2. Is it convincing? Why or why not?
Reason 1:
1. Does it support the thesis?
2. Is it convincing?
Reason 2:
1. Does it support the thesis?
2. Is it convincing?
Reason 3:
1. Does it support the thesis?
2. Is it convincing?
Counter Arguments
1. It's still like the "example" in the body paragraph, but it's an example AGAINST the
criticism to show the other side is wrong. (You will still have to explain how the
example makes the other side wrong.)
2. Be polite: It's true that...however, Although .... the truth is..., It may seem that....
however, Even though ... _____ is the better option because....
3. They can be put in your essay in three ways:
the first body paragraph, the last body paragraph, or in each paragraph as they relate to
your arguments
4. Why do you use them? To prove your credibility. If your don't show you have
thought of the other side, the reader will have less respect for you. A smart person will
be able to see more than one side AND be able to still defend their side.
Task 2: Practice making counter arguments
Example: Topic: Population control
Topic Sentence: A common argument against population control is that it takes away people's rights and
freedoms to make choices.
Counter argument: It may seem they are losing something important, however the bigger loss will be the
future of those children when there are no resources left for them to survive and they die anyway.
1. Topic: school should start later
Topic Sentence: Some people might say that most professionals have to start their
mornings around 8am, so students should get used to that schedule now.
Counter Argument:
2. Topic: Computers vs Textbooks
Topic Sentence: It's true that computers are fairly expensive to buy.
Counter Argument:
3. Topic: Boys and girls in different classes
Topic Sentence: A common argument is that girls aren't dominated by boys if they are in
their own classes.
Counter argument:
4. Topic: Lowering the drinking age
Topic sentence: Many parents seem to think that teenagers aren't responsible enough to
make good decisions when they drink alcohol.
Counter argument: