APPENDIX II
ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY
What is an Argumentative Essay?
The argumentative essay is a genre of writing that requires the student to investigate a topic, collect, generate,
and evaluate evidence, and establish a position on the topic in a concise manner. Some confusion may occur
between the argumentative essay and the expository essay. These two genres are similar, but the
argumentative essay differs from the expository essay in the amount of pre-writing (invention) and research
involved. The argumentative essay involves lengthy, detailed research. Expository essays involve less research
and are shorter in length.
Argumentative essay assignments generally call for extensive research of literature or previously published
material. Argumentative assignments may also require empirical research where the student collects data
through interviews, surveys, observations, or experiments. Detailed research allows the student to learn about
the topic and to understand different points of view regarding the topic so that s/he may choose a position and
support it with the evidence collected during research. Regardless of the amount or type of research involved,
argumentative essays must establish a clear thesis and follow sound reasoning.
The structure of the argumentative essay
1- A clear, concise, and defined thesis statement that occurs in the first paragraph of the essay.
In the first paragraph of an argument essay, students should set the context by reviewing the topic in a general
way. Next the author should explain why the topic is important (exigence) or why readers should care about
the issue. Lastly, students should present the thesis statement. It is essential that this thesis statement be
appropriately narrowed to follow the guidelines set forth in the assignment. If the student does not master this
portion of the essay, it will be quite difficult to compose an effective or persuasive essay.
2- Clear and logical transitions between the introduction, body, and conclusion.
Transitions are the mortar that holds the foundation of the essay together. Without logical progression of
thought, the reader is unable to follow the essay’s argument, and the structure will collapse. Transitions should
wrap up the idea from the previous section and introduce the idea that is to follow in the next section.
3- Body paragraphs that include evidential support.
Present both sides of the controversy: The body of your essay will contain the meat of your argument. 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. After describing the "other" side, you will present your own viewpoint and then
provide evidence to show why your position is the correct one. Select your strongest evidence and present your
points one by one. Use a mix of evidence types, from statistics, to other studies and anecdotal stories. This part
of your paper could be any length, from two paragraphs to two hundred pages.
Each paragraph should be limited to the discussion of one general idea. This will allow for clarity and direction
throughout the essay. In addition, such conciseness creates an ease of readability for one’s audience. It is
important to note that each paragraph in the body of the essay must have some logical connection to the thesis
statement in the opening paragraph. Some paragraphs will directly support the thesis statement with evidence
collected during research. It is also important to explain how and why the evidence supports the thesis.
However, argumentative essays should also consider and explain differing points of view regarding the topic.
Depending on the length of the assignment, students should dedicate one or two paragraphs of an
argumentative essay to discussing conflicting opinions on the topic. Rather than explaining how these
differing opinions are wrong outright, students should note how opinions that do not align with their thesis
might not be well informed or how they might be out of date.
4- A conclusion that does not simply restate the thesis, but readdresses it in light of the evidence
provided.
It is at this point of the essay that students may begin to struggle. This is the portion of the essay that will leave
the most immediate impression on the mind of the reader. Therefore, it must be effective and logical. Do not
introduce any new information into the conclusion; rather, synthesize the information presented in the body of
the essay. Restate why the topic is important, review the main points, and review your thesis.
A Complete Argument
Perhaps it is helpful to think of an essay in terms of a conversation or debate with a classmate. If I were to
discuss the cause of World War II and its current effect on those who lived through the tumultuous time, there
would be a beginning, middle, and end to the conversation. In fact, if I were to end the argument in the middle
of my second point, questions would arise concerning the current effects on those who lived through the
conflict. Therefore, the argumentative essay must be complete, and logically so, leaving no doubt as to its intent
or argument.
The Five-Paragraph Essay
A common method for writing an argumentative essay is the five-paragraph approach. This is, however, by no
means the only formula for writing such essays. If it sounds straightforward, that is because it is; in fact, the
method consists of 1) an introductory paragraph 2) three evidentiary body paragraphs that may include
discussion of opposing views and 3) a conclusion.
There are three possible organization patterns:
Pattern 1:
Thesis statement:
PRO idea 1
PRO idea 2
CON(s) + Refutation(s)
Conclusion
Pattern 2:
Thesis statement:
CON(s) + Refutation(s)
PRO idea 1
PRO idea 2
Conclusion
Pattern 3:
Thesis statement:
CON idea 1
CON idea 2
CON idea 3
Conclusion
----->
----->
----->
Refutation
Refutation
Refutation
Appropriate Language
When writing, it is very important to use language that fits your audience and matches purpose. Inappropriate
language uses can damage your credibility, undermine your argument, or alienate your audience. This handout
will cover some of the major issues with appropriate language use: levels of language formality, deceitful
language and Euphemisms, slang and idiomatic expressions; using group-specific jargon; and
biased/stereotypical language.
The following is a short overview of the different aspects of using appropriate language. Review the other
sections of this handout for a more complete discussion.
1. Levels of Formality: Write in a style that your audience expects and that fits your purpose is key to
successful writing.
2. In-Group Jargon: Jargon refers to specialized language used by groups of like-minded individuals. Only
use in-group jargon when you are writing for members of that group. You should never use jargon for a
general audience without first explaining it.
3. Slang and idiomatic expressions: Avoid using slang or idiomatic expressions in general academic
writing.
4. Deceitful language and Euphemisms: Avoid using euphemisms (words that veil the truth, such as
"collateral damage" for the unintended destruction of civilians and their property) and other deceitful
language.
5. Biased language: Avoid using any biased language including language with a racial, ethnic, group, or
gender bias or language that is stereotypical.
On Paragraphs
What is a paragraph?
A paragraph is a collection of related sentences dealing with a single topic. Learning to write good paragraphs
will help you as a writer stay on track during your drafting and revision stages. Good paragraphing also greatly
assists your readers in following a piece of writing. You can have fantastic ideas, but if those ideas aren't
presented in an organized fashion, you will lose your readers (and fail to achieve your goals in writing).
The Basic Rule: Keep One Idea to One Paragraph
The basic rule is to keep one idea to one paragraph. If you begin to transition into a new idea, it should be
written in a new paragraph. There are some simple ways to tell if you are on the same topic or a new one. You
can have one idea and several bits of supporting evidence within a single paragraph. You can also have several
points in a single paragraph as long as they relate to the overall topic of the paragraph. If the single points start
to get long, then perhaps elaborating on each of them and placing them in their own paragraphs is the route to
go.
Elements of a Paragraph
To be as effective as possible, a paragraph should contain each of the following: Unity, Coherence, A Topic
Sentence, and Adequate Development. As you will see, all of these traits overlap. Using and adapting them to
your individual purposes will help you construct effective paragraphs.
Unity
The entire paragraph should concern itself with a single focus. If it begins with a one focus or major point of
discussion, it should not end with another or wander within different ideas.
Coherence
Coherence is the trait that makes the paragraph easily understandable to a reader. You can help create
coherence in your paragraphs by creating logical bridges and verbal bridges.
Logical bridges
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The same idea of a topic is carried over from sentence to sentence
Successive sentences can be constructed in parallel form
Verbal bridges
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Key words can be repeated in several sentences
Synonymous words can be repeated in several sentences
Pronouns can refer to nouns in previous sentences
Transition words can be used to link ideas from different sentences
A topic sentence
A topic sentence is a sentence that indicates in a general way what idea or thesis the paragraph is going to deal
with. Although not all paragraphs have clear-cut topic sentences, and despite the fact that topic sentences can
occur anywhere in the paragraph (as the first sentence, the last sentence, or somewhere in the middle), an easy
way to make sure your reader understands the topic of the paragraph is to put your topic sentence near the
beginning of the paragraph.
Adequate development
The topic (which is introduced by the topic sentence) should be discussed fully and adequately. Again, this
varies from paragraph to paragraph, depending on the author's purpose, but writers should beware of
paragraphs that only have two or three sentences. It's a pretty good bet that the paragraph is not fully
developed if it is that short.
Transitions
Two very important elements of paragraphing are transitions. They are internal aids to assist readers; they
usually consist of several sentences or a paragraph outlining what the article has covered and where the article
will be going. Transitions are usually one or several sentences that "transition" from one idea to the next.
Transitions can be used at the end of most paragraphs to help the paragraphs flow one into the next.
Examples:
When 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.