Language
Features &
Structures of an
Argumentative
Text
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.
When writing an argumentative
essay, you aim to show your
readers that your argument is
valid and makes sense.
In argumentative essay, you will
both contest the opposing
argument and the support your
position by supplying evidences.
1 Position
2 Argument
Modals
Key 3
structural 4 Conjunctions / Connective words
features: 5 Evaluative Language
6 Rhetorical Questions
7 Passive Voice
1 Position
• one’s opinion or point of view toward an issue
or topic
begin with an introductory (clear and forceful)
statement of position
supported by some background information
about the issue in question
may preview in summary form the arguments
to be presented
2 Argument (Claim)
• a reason or set of reasons given with the aim of
persuading others that an action or idea is right
or wrong
need to be logically developed and supported, and
justified with reasons, examples, expert evidence
and statistical information
begins with background information, followed by
points that relate back to the statement of
position and justify or elaborate on the statement
3 Modals (p.46-47)
• used to express: ability, possibility,
permission or obligation
• express the writer’s attitude to the topic
4 Connective Words & Conjunctions (p.271)
(p.77-82)
• Connective Words are used to link or relate ideas
o introduce, give background, define, enumerate, give
examples, emphasize, clarify, change direction, give
additional info, give contrasting info, digress, refer to
visuals, conclude
• Conjunction is a word used to connect clauses or
sentences or to coordinate words in the same
clause
o additive, adversative, causal, temporal
• They link the flow of the argument
5 Evaluative Language
• describes feelings and opinions using explicit and implicit
language
• used to express positive and negative feelings and judgements
Grammatical Examples of Evaluative Vocabulary
Structures
Adjectives miserable, safe, confident, wary, satisfied, mightiest, evil,
normal, unfriendly, eloquent, dark, grimy, broken-down,
terrible, stuffy
Verbs screaming, crying, grown fond, crave, strike terror, cursed,
(the sky) darkened
Adverbials bitterly, safely, calmly, tenaciously, greedily, graphically
Nouns fear, hope, terror, horror, sadness, honesty, beauty,
destruction
6 Rhetorical Questions
• a question that's asked for effect with no
answer expected
• The answer may be immediately provided by
the questioner or obvious.
Engage the audience
Increase the variety of your presentation
Influence and persuade the audience
Subtly draw attention and emphasise specific points
Introduce topics/ideas
Make the listeners think about certain topics
6 Rhetorical Questions
Who cares?
What's the meaning of life?
How many times do I have to tell you not
to...?
Why me?
Would it be really difficulty if you just follow
the rules?
Have you ever thought of sacrificing your
life your others?
What have you done for your country?
7 Passive Voice
• the subject is acted upon; the subject receives
the action expressed by the verb
• extremely useful in academic writing because it
allows writers to highlight the most important
participants or events within sentences
• Emphasizes the Action
• Creates a Sense of Anonymity
• Fosters Objectivity
• Imbues Authority
