2. WHAT IS AN
ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY?
The argumentative
essay allows writers to
express their opinion on
a topic and support
that opinion with
strong logic and
evidence.
3. An argumentative
essay is a type of
writing that requires a
writer to defend a
position on a topic
using evidence
5. Writing Format
• Introduction: A hook, what is it?
The hook is an
introduction that catches
the reader's attention.
Argumentative essays
can start with facts,
statistics, quotes, or
anecdotes that reference
the topic of the essay.
6. EXAMPLE
• According to the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, over 2,700 teen drivers
between the ages of 16 and 19 died in 2010
and over 282,000 were injured. Despite their
desire to want to get behind the wheel, teen
drivers simply aren't ready to take on the
responsibilities of driving yet.
7. • Thesis, what is it?
A thesis statement is a
sentence that explains
what you are trying to
prove and provides an
overview of the
arguments you will
make in your body
paragraphs.
8. EXAMPLE
• The legal driving age should be changed
to 20 because teen drivers are more likely
to cause accidents and they are not
mature enough to understand the
repercussions of their actions.
10. EXAMPLE
• Driver's license requirements are set by each state,
not the federal government. Therefore, the legal
driving age varies from state to state. All states,
with the exception of Maine, allow drivers to have
unrestricted licenses at the age of 18. Maine's age is
21. Most states allows teenagers as young as 16 to
have restricted licenses, usually meaning they can
drive as long as they are with a parent or guardian
11. PLANNING STAGE
You must take a few
minutes to plan and
prepare before you jump
into writing an
argument essay.
12. FIND A GOOD TOPIC
While a strong interest
in a topic is important,
it's not enough to be
interested. You have to
consider what position
you can back up with
reasoning and evidence.
13. Consider Both Sides of Your
Topic and Take a Position
One of your first
objectives in your
essay will be to present
both sides of your
issue with an
assessment of each.
14. Gather Evidence
In an argument essay
you will have to provide
evidence without
providing too much
drama.
15. Writing Stage
Introduce your topic and assert your
side
The first paragraph of your argument essay should
contain a brief explanation of your topic, some
background information, and a thesis statement
16. EXAMPLE
INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH WITH
THESIS STATEMENT:
Since the turn of the new century, a theory has
emerged concerning the end of the world, or at
least the end of life as we know it. This new
theory centers around the year 2012, a date
that many claim has mysterious origins in
ancient manuscripts from many different
cultures.
17. The most noted characteristic of this date is
that it appears to mark the end of the Mayan
calendar. But there is no evidence to suggest
that the Maya saw any great relevance to this
date. In fact, none of the claims surrounding a
2012 doomsday event hold up to scientific
inquiry. The year 2012 will pass without a
major, life-altering catastrophe.
18. Present both sides of the controversy
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.
19. TIPS FOR YOUR ESSAY
• Avoid emotional language
• Know the difference between a logical
conclusion and an emotional point of view
• Don't make up evidence
• Cite your sources
• Make an outline
• Be prepared to defend your side by knowing
the strongest arguments for the other side.
20. LANGUAGE
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.
21. 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,
22. • 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.
23. 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.
24. Types of Papers:
Argument/Argumentative
While some teachers consider
persuasive papers and argument
papers to be basically the same
thing, it’s usually safe to
assume that an argument paper
presents a stronger claim—
possibly to a more resistant
audience.
25. To write an argument
essay, you’ll need to
gather evidence and
present a well-reasoned
argument on a
debatable issue.
26. You MUST choose one
side or the other when
you write an argument
paper!
27. Do… Don’t…
…use passionate language …use weak qualifiers like “I believe,” “I feel,” or “I think”—just tell
us!
…cite experts who agree with you …claim to be an expert if you’re not one
…provide facts, evidence, and statistics to support your
position
…use strictly moral or religious claims as support for your
argument
…provide reasons to support your claim …assume the audience will agree with you about any aspect of
your argument
…address the opposing side’s argument and refute their
claims
…attempt to make others look bad (i.e. Mr. Smith is ignorant—
don’t listen to him!)
28. Why do I need to
address the
opposing side’s
argument?
How do I
accomplish this?
29. How to write an
argumentative essay
UNDERSTANDING THE FORMAT
•Understand the purpose of an argumentative
essay
•Understand the methodology of an
argumentative essay
•Understand the desired outcome of an
argumentative essay.
30. SELECTING A TOPIC
•Choose something that fits the format
•Pick an issue that is interesting to you
•Test your argument
•Keep your audience in mind
•Understand the rhetorical situation
31. STRUCTURING YOUR ARGUMENT
•Create a catchy title
•Come up with a thesis statement
•Avoid the standard three-part thesis often
taught to beginning writers.
•Write an introduction
•Write the body of the paper.
•Write a conclusion
32. INCLUDING RESEARCH AND
SOURCES
•Do your research
•Pick sources that are reputable and provide
accurate, up-to-date information
•Choose quotes that support your points
•Cite your sources
33. EDITING AND APPLYING FINAL
TOUCHES
•Take a step back
•Look for grammar issues
•Check for problems with formatting or quote
incorporation
