Argumentative Text Samples
HEALTH AND HEALING AT YOUR FINGERTIPS
Throw out the bottles and boxes of drugs in your house. A new theory suggests that medicine could
be bad for your health, which should at least come as good news to people who cannot afford to buy
expensive medicine. However, it is a blow to the medicine industry, and an even bigger blow to our
confidence in the progress of science. This new theory argues that healing is at our fingertips: we can
be healthy by doing Reiki on a regular basis.
Supporters of medical treatment argue that medicine should be trusted since it is effective and
scientifically proven. They say that there is no need for spiritual methods such as Reiki, Yoga, Tai
Chi. These waste our time, something which is quite precious in our material world. There is medicine
that can kill our pain, x-rays that show us our fractured bones or MRI that scans our brain for tumors.
We must admit that these methods are very effective in the examples that they provide. However,
there are some “every day complaints” such as back pains, headaches, insomnia, which are treated
currently with medicine. When you have a headache, you take an Aspirin, or Vermidon, when you
cannot sleep, you take Xanax without thinking of the side effects of these. When you use these pills
for a long period, you become addicted to them; you cannot sleep without them. We pay huge
amounts of money and become addicted instead of getting better. How about a safer and more
economical way of healing? When doing Reiki to yourself, you do not need anything except your
energy so it is very economical. As for its history, it was discovered in Japan in the early 1900s and
its popularity has spread particularly throughout America and Western Europe. In quantum physics,
energy is recognized as the fundamental substance of which the universe is composed. Reiki
depends on the energy within our bodies. It is a simple and effective way of restoring the energy flow.
There are no side effects and it is scientifically explained.
Opponents of alternative healing methods also claim that serious illnesses such as HIV/AIDS and
cancer cannot be treated without drugs. They think so because these patients spend the rest of their
lives in the hospital taking medicine. How can Reiki make these people healthy again? It is very
unfortunate that these patients have to live in the hospital losing their hair because of chemotherapy,
losing weight because of the side effects of the medicine they take. Actually, it is common knowledge
that except for when the cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, drugs also cannot treat AIDS or
cancer. Most of the medicine these patients use are to ease their pain and their sufferings because of
the medical treatment they undergo. Instead of drugs which are expensive and have many side
effects, you can use your energy to overcome the hardships of life, find an emotional balance, leave
the stress of everyday life and let go of the everyday worries. Most of the chronic conditions such as
eczema or migraine are known to have causes such as poor diet and stress. Deep-rooted anger or
other strong emotions can contribute to viral infections as well. Since balancing our emotions and
controlling our thoughts are very important for our well-being, we should definitely start learning Reiki
and avoid illnesses before it is too late.
Some people may still maintain that in our material world, everything depends on time. It is even
“lacking time” that causes much of the stress that leads to the illnesses we mentioned. How would it
be possible to find time to do Reiki to ourselves and the people around us when we cannot even find
time to go to the theater? This is one good thing about Reiki; it does not require more than 15 minutes
of our time. There is no need for changing clothes or special equipment. It is a wonderfully simple
healing art, an effective method of relaxation and stress-relief. Most important of all, it is less time
consuming than medicine if we think of all the time we spend taking medicine for some complaints
and taking some more for the side effects as well.
Having said these, resistance to Reiki would be quite illogical. Reiki is natural and drug-free. What is
more, it is easy to learn by anyone, regardless of age and experience. It can be used anywhere,
anytime. It also enhances physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being and the benefits last a
lifetime. It is definitely high time to get away from the drug boxes we store in our drug cabinet!
http://www.buowl.boun.edu.tr/students/types%20of%20essays/ARGUMENTATIVE%20ESSAY.htm#s
ample_essay
Cell Phones in School
Most adults have a cell phone and even children as young as 8 years of age own one. Cell phones
can be used for a lot more than talking. Cell phones can be used in the classroom to help students
with their academics. Young adults can use the calendars to record due dates for homework and
tests. As Americans we have grown accustomed on relying on our cells for our communication needs.
Also, students need cell phones in case of an emergency. Remember the massacre that happened at
Columbine School? For these reasons, I think cell phones should be allowed in schools.
First of all, cell phones can be very helpful in the classrooms. Students could use their camera on
cell phones to take pictures of school experiments being done by the teacher. This would help
students remember information for an upcoming test. Also, students could perform phone interviews
during class time. Most cell phones have calendars on them, so students can put the due date of a
test that is coming up. In addition, students could record their teacher giving a lecture.
Also, parents and students rely on their cell phones to get in contact with each other. Parents may
need to get in contact with their children because of a family emergency such as, a death in the family
or an accident that has happened. If parents are able to call or text their children at school, then it
would be less likely chance that a mix-up would occur relaying messages. Also, it would save the
office staff time because they would not have to be running around the school all day delivering
messages.
In addition, if there was an emergency students may need to reach their parents. If a gunman came
into a school then students could call 911 and give them information on his whereabouts, what he
looks like, and a description of his clothes. For these reasons, cell phones can become lifesavers in
an emergency. If a student happened to pass out in a classroom, it would be faster to call on a cell
phone versus taking 5 minutes to run down to the office and make the call. Ultimately, this could save
a student's life.
In essence, cell phones are imperative in our lives. In an emergency cell phones could save a
person's life by being able to get in contact with the police. Cells can also help parents know where
their children are after school. Today, cell phones are more like a small hand-held computer. That
could become very useful in schools that don't have a lot of extra computers for the children to use.
http://www.freeessayexample.com/2009/12/argumentative-essay.html
Should Tara Win?
(Define the issue:) Many who watched the figure skating events at the 1998 Winter Olympics insist that Michelle Kwan,
not Tara Lipinski, should have won the ladies' competition. Both Michelle and Tara landed seven triple jumps in the long
program. Tara, though the more proficient jumper of the two, lacked sophistication in her skating, so many believe
Michelle's clean and artistically exquisite program was just as worthy, if not more so, of an Olympic gold medal. (State
your position:) But I think that on the night of the competition, Tara Lipinski deserved to win.
(Support your position with sound arguments:) In any figure skating competition, winning means giving one's very best
in both the short and the free program. Michelle was the odds-on favorite for the ladies' gold, especially after edging out
Tara for first place in the short program. Judges stepped into the White Wing arena on February 16 with very high
expectations for Michelle. But Michelle’s Olympic long program lacked the crispness she once displayed at the Nationals.
She demonstrated superior technique and nailed all her elements; but to avoid mistakes, she skated a little too
cautiously and slowly. In the eyes of experienced judges, Michelle’s performance was a slight letdown. Tara, whom
every onlooker expected to wait for her golden moment in 2002, who had been upstaged by Michelle throughout the
season, and who had received negative media reviews the preceding three months, skated later, and gave it her all. Her
great speed, her energy, and her two triple-triple combinations, wowed the judges into ranking her performance ahead
of Michelle's. By trying her best, she captured the Olympic spirit and the gold.
Not only was Michelle's performance not her best of the season, but her long program, “Lyra Angelica”, also lacked the
ingredients of a winning program. Before 1998, Michelle’s programs were considered to be among the most
sophisticated, filled with connecting elements between her jumps and spins. But “Lyra Angelica” consisted of nothing
but stroking from element to element. More critically, “Lyra” did not include any footwork sequence, a crucial element
in any well-rounded program– a strategic error, considering that footwork is Michelle’s strength. Though Tara's program
was not as elegant, her program did include some semblance of footwork after her combination spin, and compared
favorably to a stripped-down “Lyra” in all technical elements.
(To accommodate readers with different views, include a counter-argument and refute it:) A lot of folks who joined in
the debate ended up being split between Michelle's artistry and Tara's athleticism. Michelle’s artistry should have won
the day, experts say. (counter-argument:) However, let’s remind ourselves that this is, after all, a sport. Artistry was
nowhere in the judging criteria; presentation was – and that was used to reward technical prowess displayed
effortlessly. Six out of nine judges believed Tara presented the program well enough to win. The majority won.
(Conclusion: Restate your position, and if possible, add a new and arresting perspective:)
I, who was born in China, would love to see a Chinese face on top of the podium. (Conclusion restated with a new
perspective) But let us not get into the debate of who is a better skater, or what it was the skaters did that made them
the greatest. Even though your favorite skater will remain the greatest in your eyes, Tara Lipinski was the best
competitor the night she won.
http://www.englishforums.com/English/ArgumentativeWriting/vhcdd/post.htm
http://www.jamesabela.co.uk/exams/dogsvscats.pdf
Fixing What Isn't Broken
Every pet owner knows that there are enormous responsibilities that go along with having a cat or dog. You must
feed and exercise your pet, to keep it physically healthy; you must play with it, and keep it emotionally healthy too. You
have to keep it safe from cars, people, or other animals, and you ought to protect other people, property, or pets from your
own animal. There’s another responsibility that not all pet owners think about, however: spaying or neutering, or “fixing.”
What does “fixing” you pet mean? Simply put, it means taking your pet to the vet for a quick, cheap surgery that will
prevent your pet from ever becoming a mother or father. This surgery solves problems that pet owners know about, and
some that they might not have considered before. In fact, I believe that all pet owners should be required to have their
pets fixed.
Everybody loves a cute new puppy or kitten. But those cute babies soon get bigger, and right now, there simply
aren’t enough homes for them all. Some unwanted animals go to shelters, or “dog pounds.” These shelters are like
prisons for animals, but with one important difference: many of the prisoners will never get out. Shelters have limited funds
and limited space, and they cannot keep all the animals they collect. If a cat or dog is not adopted within a certain time
period, that animal is killed. On the other hand, not all unwanted animals go to a shelter. What happens to a homeless
animal left out on the street? Remember, our pets are exactly that - pets. They aren’t wild animals. They cannot find fresh
water or hunt their own food (especially in a city). They cannot understand traffic laws, so they often get struck by cars.
They are susceptible to common illnesses - illnesses that they can then spread to other animals, including pets. They are
not tame, so they may attack other animals or people. In either case, the life of most unwanted animals is not long, but it
is full of misery and pain, and it’s also a life that’s dangerous to pets (or people) who they meet. By not “fixing” your own
animal, you will almost certainly be adding to this problem.
Another thing to consider is the health of your pet itself. Animals, especially pets who eat processed foods just like
we do, are prone to the same illnesses as we are, like heart disease and cancer. An animal who has been spayed or
neutered is at less risk from certain kinds of cancer. Furthermore, animals who are not fixed can sometimes go crazy
trying to find mates. They can injure themselves trying to escape from their homes, or they may fight with other animals
when they have escaped. Of course, while running free, they are in danger from cars. And finally, for females who
become mothers, we must remember that giving birth is not a safe process. For the ordinary pet owner, all these reasons
should be strong enough to convince them to “fix” their dear pet.
Of course, some people will not agree with me. “I don’t want to give my animal an unnecessary surgery,” they will
say. “Surgery is risky, too, and it’s certainly expensive.” That idea shows ignorance. Spaying or neutering should be done
as soon as you get your pet - when he or she is young and healthy - and it is almost 100% safe. Your animal is in much
more danger if not fixed, for the urge to run away from home will put your pet in extremely dangerous situations. And
almost all cities have a fund to help pay for the surgery. Just ask at your vet or the local S.P.C.A. (Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). The cost can be as low as $10.
Others might feel that this surgery will change their pet’s personality. They might think that a “fixed” dog might not
be a good watchdog, for example. Or they may simply say “I like my pet the way he/she is.” This shows a basic
misunderstanding of what the effects of spaying or neutering are. Your pet’s personality, like a human’s personality, is his
or her own, and it won’t change after “fixing”. However, it’s true that some behaviors will change. Your pet won’t want to
“mark” with urine as much, for example, and females won’t “go into heat” and tear up the house every few months. Your
watchdog will still be a good watchdog, but probably won’t want to fight with other dogs as much. This simple surgery
solves many behavior problems that can make an otherwise loveable pet into a monster. The best solution is simply to get
your pet “fixed” as soon as you get it home, as young as possible. That way, fewer bad habits will form.
No matter how you look at it, there’s really no valid reason not to spay or neuter your pet. Whether you consider
the potential suffering of unborn animals, the health and comfort of your own pet, or your own convenience as a pet
owner, you must agree that the facts all show that spaying or neutering is the way to go. It’s not only the convenient
choice, but also the morally right choice, and one that all pet owners should make.
http://spot.pcc.edu/~dramirez/GreatEssays/argumentessay.html
Time for an Anthem the Country Can Sing
by Shelby Wilson
The music was composed as a drinking song for an 18th-century London social club. The words were
written in 1814 by Francis Scott Key to commemorate a battle. And on March 3, 1931, "The StarSpangled Banner" officially became the national anthem of the United States. Ever since then, people
have been complaining that the tune is unsingable and the lyrics are offensive. In response to these
complaints, a bill was recently filed in Congress to replace "The Star-Spangled Banner" with "America
the Beautiful" as our national anthem. For a number of reasons, this bill deserves wide support.
"The Star-Spangled Banner" can be as painful to listen to as it is difficult to sing. Even professional
singers have difficulty with its 12-note span, rumbling at "Oh! say, can you see" and screeching at
"the rockets' red glare." In a way, however, such rumbles and screeches are fitting, for the lyrics are
bloody, confusing, and war-stained. Does anyone really believe that red rockets and bursting bombs
express the true spirit of America? And all that talk of "the foe's haughty host," 'the gloom of the
grave," and "the war's desolation" is far from being rousing and inspirational.
Over the years, other songs have been recommended as replacements, but most of these are just as
inappropriate as the present anthem. "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," for instance, is also a war
tune, and John Philip Sousa's stirring march "The Stars and Stripes Forever" has no lyrics at all. "My
Country 'Tis of Thee" is sweet and dignified, but the music belongs to the British national anthem,
"God Save the Queen." And finally, among recent contenders, Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the
U.S.A." has a terrific beat, but its lyrics are better suited to a requiem than to an anthem. Just imagine
how disconcerting it would be to start a ball game with the line, "You end up like a dog that's been
beat too much."
Clearly, "America the Beautiful" deserves to be our national anthem. For years now, it has been
gaining popularity in school assemblies, at official state functions, and even in our ball parks. The
music is simple, dignified, and--most important--easy to sing. The lyrics celebrate our history ("O
beautiful for pilgrim feet . . ."), our land ("For purple mountain majesties above the fruited plain"), our
heroes ("Who more than self their country loved"), and our future ("That sees beyond the years"). It is
proud but not warlike, idealistic without sounding silly.
Oh! say, it's time "The Star-Spangled Banner" was put to rest. Surely our flag will continue to wave
"O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave" without benefit of this windy tune. Let us have a
national anthem that the whole country can sing. Let us sing, with pride, "America the Beautiful."
http://grammar.about.com/od/essayassignments/a/anthemargumentessay.htm
Common Core Standards ELA – Appendix C has the following samples:
The Reading and Writing Project site provides a continuum for assessing Opinion/Argument
writing:
http://tc.readingandwritingproject.com/public/themes/rwproject/resources/workshop_materials/09-232011/ehrenworth/Continuum_for_Assessing_Opinion_Writing_Draft_9.23.11doc.pdf