English for Academic and Professional Purposes

1
The Argumentative Text

Week 007: The Argumentative Text

This module discusses the features of argumentative text and word

formation. An argument paper presents a strong claim to an issue . This
kind of discourse is commonly used in writing and speaking. As
students learning the language for academic and professional purposes,
exposure to varied writing activities will prepare them for a more
advanced academic writing. On the other hand, understanding origins
of words expands vocabulary knowledge.

Objectives:
At the end of this module, you will be able to:

a. define an argumentative text.

b. analyze the textual features of argumentative text;
c. classify the argument.
d. differentiate the type of argumentative text.
e. identify the type of word formation;
f. differentiate the type of argumentative text.
g. define words using word formation technique;
h. compose a well-written argumentative essay .

Features of Argumentative Text

Argumentative style is not just a matter of linguistic ability ; on the
contrary, it means ability to defend our personal point of view about an
issue , by being aware of the social issues which enables us carry out
everyday tasks.

On defining Argumentation:

In terms of communicative function, the term “argumentation” is used to

define the operation of justifying an opinion or thesis through reasoning
or argument with the aim of changing the views of other person.

Argumentative Text – defined as a type of discourse concerned with

presentation and evaluation of arguments to persuade and convince the
audience.

Course Module
 Arguments are classified into:

1. Positive Arguments – aimed to reinforce the truth of the thesis based

on relevant authors, personal experience or analogy.

2. Negative Argument – aimed to refute the arguments or ideas against

the main thesis to be developed.

TYPES OF ARGUMENTATIVE TEXT

1. Subjective – the speaker or writer desire to communicate certain ideas

to provoke the audience. The speaker or writer starts by presenting
an argument either explicit or implicit before arriving at a conclusion.

This type of argumentative text are found in the following:

a. Speeches : political speeches, debates, interviews, radio and T.V
reports, and informal conversations
b. Written discourse: letters, press articles, opinion columns, business
letters

2. Objective – also called scientific type, the speaker or writer speaks in an

objective point of view based on a given data from bibliographic
references of relevant authors, from author’s personal experience and
by analogy. It involves exposition, explanation, definition or
interpretation of a given issue.

This type of argumentative text are found in the following:

Research documents
Experiments
Direct observations
Field reports
Analysis reflecting statistics, tables diagram, illustrations photos, maps

There Are 6 Main Steps in Developing Argumentative Text

1. Choosing an issue
2. Seeking an information
3. Planning
4. Writing down an argument
5. Presentation
6. Convince the audience in a reasonable way, a universal
truth or idea.
 English for Academic and Professional Purposes
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The Argumentative Text

Structure of Argumentative Text

I - Introduction : the proposition is presented in the thesis statement.

The author can present the main argument in two ways:

a. thesis statement – a problem to be solved

b. by means of a suggestive and entertaining introduction to the theme
through examples or references with the goal of getting the
reader’s/ listener’s attention.

II- Developmental Paragraphs

a. Explanation of the Issue– the author can modify the opinions of the
audience by making effective discourse when introducing the different
approaches to the issue.
b. Outline of argument – difficult points of the argument which must be
presented in a concise, organized and coherent way. The argument is
more effective in this part because the audience is better informed.

c. Proofs/ evidences – supports main arguments with contributions from

literary authorities and references ( uses cues such as “ as a matter of
fact” , “ historically”, “what’s more”) , the purpose of which is to invite
the audience or readers to reflect on them and consider the references to
strengthen the arguments.

d. Refutation – opposite thoughts of the argument are presented.

Presenting the other side of the issue will establish more interest on the
part of the audience.

III – Conclusion - end the argument with a good summary of the

opposite arguments, positive and negative which reflects the author’s
position of an issue. The concluding statement will either present a
universal truth or additional contribution to the issue.

In writing an argumentative text, you

must choose one side and you’ll need to
gather evidence and present a well-
reasoned argument on a debatable issue.

Course Module
Textual Features of Argumentative Text

1. Cohesion - concerns unity of all sentences in a paragraph. A piece of

writing has unity when all the ideas and information relate to the topic
sentence or the thesis statement.

In the example below, notice that the sentences relate to the topic
sentence.

Summertime is the best time of all. The weather is warm and many
people can participate in outdoor activities such as swimming, biking
,and hiking. Colorful trees and flowers are everywhere. The sounds of
nature are good to hear, too. What’s more? There’s lot of activities to use
the long days. Indeed, many will also enjoy summer time

In the next paragraph, notice that the topic sentence is never developed:

Interviewers judge a job applicant on the basis of two chief factors: the
person’s achievements and the person’s personality. Of course, some
interviewers consider other factors as well. It’s also wise to learn as much
as possible about a job before an interview.

Guidelines to achieve unity or cohesion in writing:

a. Circle any sentence that do not relate to the topic sentence or the thesis
statement.
b. Rephrase those sentences – if possible – so that they fit with the topic
sentence or thesis statement.
c. Remove any sentences that you can not rephrase.

2. Coherence –It is presenting the ideas and sentences in a logical way.

The text is semantically connected when ideas are related to each
other, thus, the reader understands the concept.

Guidelines in a coherent paragraph:

a. Check for smooth flow from one sentence to another in a paragraph

and from the paragraph to another in a longer piece of writing.

b. Make sure each detail fits logically into your method of organization.

c. Use transitions to show the relationship between sentences and

between paragraphs.
 English for Academic and Professional Purposes
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The Argumentative Text

Argumentative text and persuasive writing are sometimes

considered the same thing. However, an argument paper
presents a stronger claim, suggesting specific ways, grounded
on reasons supported and validated by facts. While a
persuasive paper presents reasons and facts in a general way.

In presenting your argument, REMEMBER the guidelines

below:
1. Avoid offending the readers with insults and abusive
language.
2. Use facts to support your opinion. Facts are the
most convincing evidence.
3. Organize your argument from the least important
facts to the most important facts. If you do, you will
end with your most convincing evidence.
4. Summarize your argument at the end by stating
the course of action you feel the readers should
take.

Understanding a Word through Word Formation

English language has many words formed from other languages, historical
facts or phenomena. It is advantageous in understanding academic texts
when a learner has knowledge of how English words are formed.
This lesson will discuss the different types of word formation, the meaning
of each type and
examples.

1. CLIPPING – a very common process in word formation. It is a

shortened form of a word. To clip means to cut off the beginning or last
part of the word. It may means cutting from both ends and leaving a part
to stand for the whole.

Examples:
Course Module
 Phone – is a clipped form of telephone.
Psycho – a clip form of psychology, the study of human behavior.
Tarp – tarpaulin
Net - from internet
2. BLENDING - fusing of two words together into one. Usually the first
part of the word is blended with the last part of another word. The
newly formed combined word then gets its meaning from the two
words put together. Also called portmanteau, a combination of two
words blended into one. First used by Lewis Caroll in “Through the
Looking Glass”.
Examples:
Eurasian – either parents come from European and Asian
Medicare – medical care
Cosmonaut - cosmos ( meaning universe) and astronaut ( person
who explore the outer space)
Brunch - breakfast and lunch
3. COMPOUNDING – two or three words put together to make a full
form. These two words are often written as separate words. It is also
separated by a hyphen.

Example:
Runner –up – the second winner
Pick up – a small truck used for transportation
Walk out
Self-service
Trigger-happy

4. ACRONYMY - Words formed from initial letter or syllables of several

words in succession

Example:
AWOL - Absence without leave
LASER – Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation
SCUBA – Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus
UNESCO – United Nations Educational , Scientific and Cultural
Organization

5 . FOLK OR POPULAR ETYMOLOGY – a change of word in part or in

whole to make it more like a familiar word. This process is actually a
misunderstanding of a word which later accepted as the correct
meaning.
 English for Academic and Professional Purposes
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The Argumentative Text

Example:
Bachelor – comes from the word baccalaria , meaning a grazing farm. A
baccalarius was a person employed on a grazing farm. Later it came to
mean a simple young knight who followed the banner of another.. Later
in 1809, it refers to a man or woman taking a first degree at a university.
The name was changed to baccalareaus which means an unmarried
man.
Caesarean – a birth delivery by surgical incision in the abdominal wall.
The term is derived from the name Julius Caesar, a great Roman Emperor
believed as the first to have been delivered in this manner.
Achilles’ heel – from the story of Achilles, a Greek warrior, whose heel
remained vulnerable . It means vulnerable point.
Waterloo - means place of defeat. From Waterloo, Belgium – Napoleon
Bonaparte’s Place of defeat.

Glossary:
Argumentative Text - A kind of writing that involves presentation and
evaluation of arguments to persuade and convince the audience.
Acronymy – A process by which a new word is formed from the initial letters
of several words in succession.
Blending – Fussing or putting two words or parts of two words together to
form a new word.
Clipping – Cutting off the beginning or end of a word, leaving a part to stand
for the whole.
Coherence –A Systematic or logical connection of ideas and paragraphs
within a piece of writing.
Cohesion – Unity within the sentences and paragraphs of a piece of writing.
Ideas and information are related to the topic sentences and thesis
statement.
Compounding – Forming a new word (with a possible new meaning) by
putting two or more words together.
Folk or Popular Etymology – A change in a word, either in part or in whole,
to make it more like a familiar word or words.

Course Module
References:
Books and Journals
Brantley, C. and Miller, M. ( 2007) Effective Communication for Colleges.
Singapore. Thomson South Western

Villamin, A.M. et al (1994) Innovative Strategies in Communication Arts.

Quezon City, Phoenix Publishing, Inc.
Online Supplementary Reading Materials
Argumentative Texts: Structures and Characteristics. Retrieved from
https://oposinet.cvexpres.com/temario-de-ingles-secundaria/temario-2-
ingles-secundaria/topic-34-argumentative-texts-structure-and-
characteristics/ Retrieved on July 21, 2016.
Online Video Resources
Argument Essay
https://www.coursera.org/learn/advanced-writing/lecture/K2pRt/writing-
longer-essays-video-lecture