WRITING ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAYS

INTRODUCTION:

- Start with background information on the topic.

- After the background information, write your thesis statement i.e. what your essay will be

about/the main idea of your essay. This is usually whatever standpoint you have taken on

the issue provided. This must be the last line of the introduction.

BODY: for each point you write one paragraph, ensuring each point supports the main idea of

your essay. To efficiently flesh out each point, make use the following guide…

- Topic sentence: state the point you are trying to make.

- Counter argument: state the opposing view to the point you have made.

- Rebuttal: re-affirm the point made in the topic sentence, using examples and facts.

- Write a sentence Summarizing the point and linking it to the thesis, to show how the

point supports the thesis statement.

CONCLUSION: summarize your main ideas, and then re-state your thesis in a new way.

REMEMBER…arguments are logic based; facts, statistics, or examples must be used. Also try to
incorporate at least one different language technique in each body paragraph. These include:
rhetorical question, hyperbole, sarcasm, innuendo, irony, litotes, pun, oxymoron and contrast.

JUNE 2011 QUESTION #7- “The government should ban the importation of all fruits and
vegetables in support of local production” as an essay:
 The aim of every nation is to become sustainable, and as independent as possible. The
ability to feed itself is one element that intersects both these goals. Hence, the government of
Trinidad and Tobago should ban the importation of all fruits and vegetables in support of local
production.
Supporting local production will lower our food bill. Some may argue that importation is
necessary to sustain trade and diplomatic ties with other nations. However, if our import
expenditure is greatly reduced, some of this revenue can be funnelled into the agriculture sector,
boosting local supplies, and increasing domestic profits by opening up the avenue of exporting
our excess crops. Why spend valuable currency when it can easily be saved?
In addition, banning the importation of all fruits and vegetables will increase local
revenue. Many believe that a greater variety of these items is provided through importation, and
this variety is necessary to our diets. However, our local produce is exotic, healthy, and more
affordable. It also creates employment. If we buy local produce, our farmers will earn a greater
income, which will be circulated locally. Thus, banning foreign produce will increase local
revenue.
Further, this country can become truly self-sufficient if we ban foreign fruits and
vegetables in favour of local production. While some may assert that only through importation
can we supply enough produce for local demand, we can expand our production locally to supply
all the food we need. First world countries like the USA and Canada are able to do this. Thus, in
order for the nation to become self-sufficient, we must support local production.
In summation, banning the importation of fruits and vegetables provides many benefits
for local production. Among them are: the lowering of the nation’s food bill, the increasing of
local revenue, and the progress towards self-sufficiency.
(302 words)

LETTER

The argumentative letter combines the formal letter format with the structure for an argument.
The addresses, open and closure are those used in a formal letter. In the introduction, the reason
for writing is stated, then background information given, then the thesis statement provided. The
body follows the TCRS format, as in the essay. The conclusion recaps the topic sentences and
thesis statement before including a complimentary close.

June 2011 Question #7 as a letter:

#245 Eccles Street

Roberts Village
Carenage
12th April, 2016

Dr. C. Rambharat
Honourable Minister of Agriculture
MoA Building
Divali Nagar Street
Chaguanas

Dear Honourable Minister

Re: The importation of fruits and vegetables

The aim of every nation is to become sustainable, and as independent as possible. The ability to
feed itself is one element that intersects both these goals. Hence, I am writing to you to propose
that the government of Trinidad and Tobago should ban the importation of all fruits and
vegetables in support of local production.

Supporting local production will lower our food bill. Some may argue that importation is
necessary to sustain trade and diplomatic ties with other nations. However, if our import
expenditure is greatly reduced, some of this revenue can be funnelled into the agriculture sector,
boosting local supplies, and increasing domestic profits by opening up the avenue of exporting
our excess crops. Why spend valuable currency when it can easily be saved?
In addition, banning the importation of all fruits and vegetables will increase local revenue.
Many believe that a greater variety of these items is provided through importation, and this
variety is necessary to our diets. However, our local produce is exotic, healthy, and more
affordable. It also creates employment. If we buy local produce, our farmers will earn a greater
income, which will be circulated locally.

Further, this country can become truly self-sufficient if we ban foreign fruits and vegetables in
favour of local production. While some may assert that only through importation can we supply
enough produce for local demand, we can expand our production locally to supply all the food
we need. First world countries like the USA and Canada are able to do this. Thus, in order for the
nation to become self-sufficient, we must support local production.

I thank you for your time an consideration of my proposal, and do hope to receive a favourable
response from you.

Yours respectfully,
K. M. Farmerman
(325 words)

SPEECH

When writing an argument as a speech, keep in mind you have an audience. The introduction
must begin with a greeting to the audience, the body follows the TCRS format for argument
writing but includes references to the audience throughout. In the conclusion, the argument is
summed up and the audience thanked for their time.

June 2011 Question #7 as a speech:

Good day, ladies and gentlemen. I thank you for your presence here today. As we are
well aware, the aim of every nation is to become sustainable, and as independent as possible. The
ability to feed itself is one element that intersects both these goals. Hence, I put to you, that the
government of Trinidad and Tobago should ban the importation of all fruits and vegetables in
support of local production.
Supporting local production will lower our food bill. Ladies and gentlemen, some may
argue that importation is necessary to sustain trade and diplomatic ties with other nations.
However, if our import expenditure is greatly reduced, some of this revenue can be funnelled
into the agriculture sector, boosting local supplies, and increasing domestic profits by opening up
the avenue of exporting our excess crops. Why spend valuable currency when it can easily be
saved?
In addition, esteemed audience, banning the importation of all fruits and vegetables will
increase local revenue. Many believe that a greater variety of these items is provided through
importation, and this variety is necessary to our diets. However, our local produce is exotic,
healthy, and more affordable. It also creates employment. If we buy local produce, our farmers
will earn a greater income, which will be circulated locally. Thus, banning foreign produce will
increase local revenue.
Further, this country can become truly self-sufficient if we ban foreign fruits and
vegetables in favour of local production. While some may assert that only through importation
can we supply enough produce for local demand, we can expand our production locally to supply
all the food we need. First world countries like the USA and Canada are able to do this, my
friends!
I reiterate ladies and gentlemen, that banning the importation of fruits and vegetables
provides many benefits for local production. I thank you very much for your time and attention,
and do hope you stand with me in this cause.

(322 words)