What is Arguments ?
Argument is defined as "a reason or reasons why you support or oppose
an idea or suggestion, or the process of explaining these reasons" in
Cambridge dictionary. In our daily life, we try to solve our problems by
discussing about various issues or clarify our views about any lssue by
observing arguments.
What is Argumentative Essay?
Argumentative essay is a kind of text in which an author supports his so
like ve and try to refute counterview about an issue. The author aims to lead
readers to think just like himself in this kind of texts. It is not easy to change
readers' view or make them question. The author is expected to explain why
he supports these views and why counterview is invalid so as to achieve his
goal. The author is supposed not only to have a strong idea about the issue
discussed but also to be wise for a successful argumentative essay (Knudson,
1992).
A Brief Guide to Writing Argumentative Essays
A. Parts
I. Introduction
A. Hook
The hook is an introduction that catches the reader's attention.
Argumentation essays can start with facts, statistics, quotes, or
anecdotes that reference the topic of the essay.
Make sure the introduction is interesting enough to "hook" your readers'
into wanting to read more. Once you have written the first sentence, you
want to connect the information to what you ultimately try to prove by
leading into your thesis statement.
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.
B. Thesis
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. The thesis acts as a roadmap for the rest of your paper.
Do not worry about going into too much detail about what your
arguments will be: instead, focus on writing a clear, concise statement
that hints at the topics you plan to discuss.
Example:
The legal driving age should be changed to 20 because teen drivers are
more likely to cause accident and they are not mature enough to
understand the repercussions of their actions.
C. Background Information
Though not always required in an argumentative essay, a background
paragraph may be vital to your paper if there is information that your
audience needs to be aware of to understand your topic. This might
include important historical dates, an explanation of who the subject
affects, or current laws. This paragraph is not trying to prove a point. It is
simply providing information to help the audience understand the topic.
Driver's license requirements are set by government of every country.
Therefore, the legal driving age varies from country to country. All
countries allow drivers to have unrestricted licenses at the age of 18.
Most countries allow teenagers as young as 16 to have restricted license,
meaning they can drive as long as they are with a parent or guardian.
Il. Body Paragraphs
The body paragraphs are where you will explain the evidence you have
to support your thesis statement. Your body paragraph should start with
a topic sentence written in your own words. You should then include
some form of rhetoric (such as a fact or statistics, an emotional anecdote,
or a law) that provides support for your topic sentence. Finally, the body
paragraphs should contain a sentence that explains how the evidence
you have provided proves your overall point.
III. Refutation
The writer acknowledges the opposition to not do so, me be considered
cowardice, dishonesty, or weakness. However, acknowledgement does not
imply agreement. In this portion of the essay, the writer needs to "refute"
or disagree intelligently with the opposition. - A Gentle Reminder from
Lester Faigley and Jack Selzers' Good Reasons:
a. "Try to think of yourself as engaged not so much in winning over your
audience as in courting your audience's cooperation."
b. "Show that you understand and genuinely respect your listener's or
reader's position even if you think the position is ultimately wrong."
IV. Conclusion
The writer restates, in general terms, the major arguments he has
marshaled in defense of his thesis.
- The writer may summarize key points, restate his thesis, reinforce the
weakness of his opposition, underscore the logic of his presentation, re-
emphasize this debate is important, suggest a course of action, or
challenge the reader to apply the paper's argument to his own life.
B. Purpose
Purpose of Argumentative Essays
An argument follows when two groups disagree about something.
An argumentative essay is also one that attempts/tries to change the
reader's mind, to convince the reader to agree with the point of view of
the writer.
Argumentative essays attempt to be highly persuasive and logical.
When writing an argumentative essay, assume that your reader
disagrees with you, but remember your reader is no less intelligent
than you.
Write objectively, logically, and respectfully.
Some Useful Transitional Expressions
If you want to: Use these transitional expressions:
Add then, as well, besides, beyond that, first
(second, third, last, and so on), for one thing,
furthermore, in addition, in fact, moreover,
next, what is more
Compare also, as well, both (neither), in the same way,
in like manner, likewise, similarty
Contrast although, be that as it may, but, even though,
however, in contrast, instead, nevertheless,
on the contrary, on the other hand, still, yet,
whereas
Concede (a point) although, be that as it may, but, even though,
however, in contrast, instead, nevertheless,
on the contrary, on the other hand, still, yet,
whereas
Emphasize above all, especially, in fact, in particular,
indeed, most important, surely
Illustrate as a case in point, as an illustration, for
example, for instance, in particular, one such,
yet another
Place above, besides, below, beyond, further, here,
inside, nearby, next to, on the far side,
outside, to the East (North, South, and so on)
Qualify perhaps
Give a reason as, because, for, since
Show a result and so, because of this, as a consequence, as
a result, consequently, incidentally, for this
reason, hence, so, therefore, thus
Summarize all in all, finally, in any event, in brief, in
conclusion, in other words, lastly, on the
whole, to sum up
Place in time after a while, afterward, as last, at present,
briefly, currently, during, eventually, finally,
first (second, and so on), gradually,
immediately, in the future, later, meanwnile,
now, recently, soon, suddenly, then
