CEL 2103 WRITING ACADEMIC TEXTS

SEMESTER 2, 2020/2021

CLASS MATERIAL WEEK 6

Writing an Effective Topic Sentence for an Argumentative Essay

A body paragraph is a group of related sentences about a particular topic or idea directly
relating to the thesis. All body paragraphs have a topic sentence and supporting sentences.
In an argumentative essay, the topic sentence serves a number of functions.

Activity 1
Answer the questions below.
1. What is the function of a topic sentence in a body paragraph of argumentative essays?
The function of topic sentence is to substantiates or supports the thesis statements and it
also defines the subject to be discussed in the paragraph.________________________
2. Where is the position of a topic sentence in a body paragraph of argumentative essays?
In the middle of the body paragraph and comes after the opposing view and its
supporting points.________________________________________________________

Activity 2
Read the body paragraphs below, underline the topic sentence and answer the following
questions.
Body paragraph 1
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One of the strongest supporting claims is the physical harms of marijuana. 2Bierson (2000)
stated that Heath's tests of the monkey's brain seemed to show conclusive evidence of brain
damage. 3Current studies, however, show no evidence of brain damage caused by
marijuana. 4In fact, Bierson’s findings were discredited as the monkeys used in the study
were given extremely high doses, exponentially higher than that of the average recreational
or medical marijuana user. 5Several other studies on the effects of marijuana on the human
reproductive and immune systems have also failed to demonstrate any adverse effects. 6As
a result, the claims of physical damage to both the reproductive and immune system are
invalid.

1. Which sentence(s) contain the opposing view?

Sentence number: 1 & 2
2. Highlight the topic and the controlling idea. (Topic: marijuana, Controlling idea: brain
damage)
3. Circle the transition signal of contrast.
Body paragraph 2

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Until now, many say that it is morally wrong to replace human beings with robots. 2The
arguments stated that it is unethical to deprive real people of their job, merely for the sake of
efficiency. 3If efficiency was the only concern, the arguments might be accurate.
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Nevertheless, these arguments do not take into account the consequences of human
failings in the workplace. 5In surgery for example, a doctor’s arm may shake. 6A minimally
invasive surgical robot, on the other hand, will always make the right cut (Manjoo, 2011). 7It
would be truly immoral for society to be concerned about the doctor’s job at the expense of
the patient’s health.

1. Which sentence(s) contain the opposing view?

Sentence number: 1 & 2
2. Highlight the topic and the controlling idea. (Topic: Replacing human beings with robots,
Controlling idea: Morally wrong)
3. Circle the transition signal of contrast.

A. What is the difference between the way the topic sentences are written in paragraph 1
and paragraph 2?
Topic sentence in paragraph 1 is denying the opposing view of the paragraph, while
topic sentence in paragraph 2 starts by somewhat agreeing with the opposing view
before giving its own opinion._______________________________________________

B. Which is the most effective in indicating the main idea of the body paragraph?
Topic sentence in paragraph 2.______________________________________________

Activity 3
Besides the transition signals of contrast found in Activity 2, complete the topic sentences
below with other suitable transition signals of contrast.

1. On the contrary, there are many schools that have lessened the issues of bullying
without implementing a school uniform policy.

2. Despite the different views provided, it is important to acknowledge the reasons for the
introduction of laws which prohibit these unnecessary and cruel institutions.

3. _________________________, the extreme exposure of adolescents to television,

specifically to commercials shown in television has become a growing concern.

4. Some parents, educators, and civil liberties groups continue to oppose single-sex
classes; however, there is some evidence that separating boys and girls in middle school
produces positive results.

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5. Supporters say that smokers should have a right to smoke despite, the fact that smoking
will most likely kill those who do it.

Activity 4
Complete the brainstorm forms below by adding the rebuttal arguments. Use the information
to construct the topic sentences for each body paragraph.

1.

Topic
Smoking

Debatable Issue
Smoking should be banned in all public places.

Stance
For

Opposing View Opposing View

Certain areas have already been allocated

Violation of a smoker’s right
for smoking

Rebuttal Argument Rebuttal Argument

Violation of the rights of the surrounding non-

smokers.
Designated areas that are allocated for
smoking are still built in public places.

Topic sentence for body paragraph 1

While it is true that it is their right to smoke whenever they pleases, but it seems to be a self
– centered point of view, as it does not take into account the rights and welfare of the people
besides them, which are the non-smokers._______________________________________

Topic sentence for body paragraph 2

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However, these designated areas are still located in the open public for anyone such as
young adults to be easily influenced by what they see, causing smoking to still be a
normalized behavior.

2.

Topic
Examinations

Debatable Issue
Formal examinations at public universities should be abolished.

Stance
For

Opposing View Opposing View

An established method to assess students’ Motivate students to take their learning

performance seriously

Rebuttal Argument Rebuttal Argument

An outdated method that only assess

student’s academic performance.
Demotivating and can be a burden for the
students to continue their studies.

Topic sentence for body paragraph 1

It is true that formal examinations can be used to assess the students’ performance;
however, it is only from the academic perspective, which nowadays is thought to be only one
of the many vital characteristics that future employers are looking from a fresh graduate.___

Topic sentence for body paragraph 2

While examinations can definitely motivate the students to take their learning seriously, it is
also worth to note that due to some students that might take their learning too seriously, it
can be seen as a burden and exhausting the student’s mental health, consequently leading
to demotivation of continuing their studies.________________________________________

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3.

Topic
Dietary habits

Debatable Issue
Restricting food consumption is the most effective way to lose weight

Stance
Against

Opposing View Opposing View

Restricting the number of meals will Snacking should be avoided altogether as it

drastically decrease the intake of calories. will only lead to excessive energy intake.

Rebuttal Argument Rebuttal Argument

Restricting number of meals will also

decrease vital nutritional intake of the body. Snacks can be consumed conservatively as
a way of self-reward which fuels motivation
to continue the diet

Topic sentence for body paragraph 1

If calorie intake is the only factor of creating a losing weight diet, the arguments might be
accurate; however, it does not take into account the other effect that takes place in our
bodies such as taking less meals per day can also consequently leads to lower nutritional
intake per day._____________________________________________________________

Topic sentence for body paragraph 2

While it may seem obvious that avoiding snacking completely can help with losing weight, on
the other hand, if snacking is done conservatively as a method of self – rewarding one’s
behavior of dieting throughout the week, it can be thought as motivating the person to
continue their diet on the following weeks.________________________________________

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 Constructing Effective Supporting Sentences and Supporting Details for the Body
Paragraphs
In constructing body paragraphs for argumentative essays, supporting points and supporting
details are used to support the opposing view and rebuttal arguments.

Activity 5
Write the purpose of supporting points and details in the space provided.

● Supporting points function to give an explanation that justifies the main point of the
topic sentence._______________________________________________________
● Supporting details function to give further elaboration to strengthen the supporting
points.______________________________________________________________

Activity 6
Complete the tables below by writing the supporting points for the opposing views and
rebuttal arguments. Use the information from Excerpt 1 and 2 for the supporting details.

Excerpt 1

School uniforms emphasise the socio-economic divisions they are supposed to eliminate.
Most public schools with uniform policies are in poor neighborhoods, emphasising the class
distinctions that uniforms were supposed to eliminate. According to the National Center for
Education Statistics, 47% of high-poverty public schools required school uniforms, while only
6% of low-poverty public schools required them. On the issue of bullying, however,
opponents have said that school uniforms have no positive effect on behavior. No evidence
in bullying literature that supports a reduction in violence due to school uniforms, instead
bullies will simply find another way to judge status. According to the Miami-Dade County
Public Schools Office of Education Evaluation and Management, fights in middle schools
nearly doubled within one year of introducing mandatory uniforms.

Excerpt 2

Traditionally favored by private and conservative institutions, school uniforms are being
adopted by US public schools in increasing numbers. About one in five US public schools
(21%) required students to wear uniforms during the 2015-2016 school year, up from one in
eight in 2003-2004. Mandatory uniform policies in public schools are found more commonly
in high-poverty areas. The Children's Commission on Poverty (UK) found that over "95% of
parents on low incomes reported difficulties in meeting school-related costs," including
uniforms, despite their children attending tuition-free schools. In York County, it is reported

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that some children were missing class because their families couldn't afford to purchase the
required uniforms.

Opposing view
School uniforms reduce peer pressure and are effective in eliminating incidences of
bullying.

Supporting Point

Students that wear school uniforms will not be driven by popularity that is based on socio-
economic class division, which tends to lead into a “best dressed and worst dressed”
ranking system that could lead to peer pressure among the students and consequently
bullying.

Topic sentence (Rebuttal Argument)

However, there is no evidence that school uniforms reduce the statistics of bullying.

Supporting Point

School uniforms is said to not have any improvements on the issue of school bullying
because there are no studies that prove school uniforms can reduce school violence
among the students.

Supporting Detail

In addition to that, school bullies will most often find other reasons or characteristics to
look down upon other students such as introvert behavior, body sizes and academic
performance which none of them have anything to do with school uniforms.

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Opposing view
School uniforms can save parents’ money.

Supporting Point
Parents do not have to comply with their children’s demands of constantly buying brand
new and flashy clothes every year just so that their children can impress their friends in
school.

Topic sentence (Rebuttal Argument)

Rather than saving parents’ money, the annual cost of buying school uniforms imposes an
extra expense on families.

Supporting Point

Schools that tend to adopt the uniform policy are usually the ones that are located in the
high-poverty areas where there are low income families that already have to deal with
other school related cost such as foods, students’ school stationeries and more.

Supporting Detail

Adding more expenses to the low income families such as school uniforms will only
increase the financial burden of the families and also cause the students to skip school
because of not being able to acquire and adhere to the compulsory school uniform policy.

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