1. ARGUMENTATIVE
ESSAYS
G1469 – AICLE – Prof. Isadora Norman

2. Argumentative Essay
 Purpose: persuade your
audience
 Structure: five paragraphs
 Audience: fellow teachers
and teachers in training

3. Purpose
 Argumentative essays are the
presentation of two sides to an argument
 Example: Advantages of switching to a
compressed school day rather than the
traditional split schedule.
 Provide arguments for and against your
position
 Remember: You need to inform AND
convince

4. Structure
 Normal Essay Structure:
 Introduction
 Body
 Conclusion

5. Structure
 Five paragraphs:
 1. Introduction
 2. Statement of your position
 3. Counter-arguments
 4. Reply
5. Conclusion

6. Structure
 Five paragraphs:
1. Introduction
2. Statement of your position
3. Counter-arguments
4. Reply
5. Conclusion

7. 1. Introduction
Brief description of the
situation
Background information and
definitions.

8. 2. Position Statement
 This paragraph begins with your Thesis
Statement, a sentence which sums up your
perspective on the question being debated.
 The other sentences provide support for
your argument with examples and evidence
 Often, we cite experts to support our
argument

9. 3. Counter-argument
 We must address arguments against
our position in order to make our own
argument stronger.
 Outline 2-3 counter-arguments,
using examples and evidence

10. 4. Reply
Answer the counter-arguments
Provide more evidence or
examples supporting your
thesis

11. 5. Conclusion
 Readdress your thesis, keeping in
mind the counter-argument and reply.
 Close with a recommendation in line
with your perspective on the topic.

12. Your Assignment:
 Write an argumentative essay to persuade
your peers of the benefits of using CLIL to
teach language and content
 The background information you need is
found in chapter 1 of Uncovering CLIL (pages
9-24)
 Choose FOUR possible topics from pages 20-
23
 Select ONE topic for your thesis statement
 We will discuss these topics on Monday