EXPOSITION: Arguing FOR a particular interpretation
STRUCTURE
Background: Providing a context for the
historical issue
Thesis: Putting forth the main argument,
the overall position
Argument for: elaborating evidence that
supports thesis
(Concession) qualifying the argument
Argument for: elaborating evidence
+ Concession
Argument for: elaborating evidence
Argument for: elaborating evidence
Concession +
Argument for: elaborating evidence
Reinforcement of thesis: reaffirming and
strengthening the thesis
POSSIBLE SENTENCE STEMS
During the ___________ ,...
It can be argued, therefore, that despite
____________ , _____________was ...
The evidence includes...
Evidence of _____________ was displayed
when ______________
This was ____________ because, although it
could not prevent _______________, it
meant that ________________.
Further evidence of ________________ was
provided when _________________. Even
though there was ____________________, the
___________ was a clear sign that ___________.
The ________________ also supports the idea
that ______________.
The ____________________ was particularly
well demonstrated in ___________________.
Finally, although it can be argued that
there was evidence to suggest
___________ , there was at the same time a
significant _______________________... This,
then, is another argument for ___________.
Although there was certainly evidence to
show that ________________ , it is clear from
the analysis above that, to a large extent,
_________________. ____________, _____________,
and _______________ are strong evidence of
this.
DISCUSSION: Considering different interpretations before reaching a conclusion
STRUCTURE
Background: Providing a context for the
historical issue
Issue: stating alternative interpretations
of the past
Perspective 1: elaborating evidence
Perspective 2: elaborating evidence
Perspective 3: elaborating evidence
Position: the overall interpretation or
the thesis
POSSIBLE SENTENCE STEMS
The main effects of _____________ , were
significant factors in determining
In discussing the question as to what
extent _________________ , it is necessary to
examine the perspectives of ___________ ,
______________ , and _________________ in
relation to _______________ and _____________.
Firstly, from the perspective of _________ ,
it can be argued that ________________.
... Thus it can be seen from the evidence
above that despite ________________,
____________.
From the ____________________perspective,
it can also be argued that although
__________, it was also _________________. For
example ...
Thirdly, from the _____________perspective,
the _______________ were __________________...
In conclusion it is clear that the extent to
which _____________________ depends on the
perspective taken. Thus, from the
perspective of ________________and
___________, it can be argued that although
_________________, there was _____________. In
contrast, the analysis above shows that
from ___________________ viewpoint there
was _____________ despite ______________.
CHALLENGE: Arguing AGAINST a particular interpretation
STRUCTURE
Position challenged: outlining
interpretation to be argued against
Rebuttal argument 1: elaborating
evidence countering position
Rebuttal argument 2: elaborating
evidence countering position
Rebuttal argument 3: elaborating
evidence countering position
Rebuttal argument 4: elaborating
evidence countering position
Antithesis: articulating alternative
interpretation.
POSSIBLE SENTENCE STEMS
The ____________________ argues that
_______________. It argues that _____________.
However the critical issue is _____________.
The main argument that is used to
support the position that ___________ is
______________... This argument, however,
does not take into account
_______________...
In addition, the ___________does not
necessarily gain _________________...
It is not only _____________ and ____________;
______________also needs to be considered.
particularly _____________________.
Finally, another argument that is often
raised in order to support the claim that
____________________ is _________________. In
______________ however, an analysis of
___________ shows that ________________.
There has been ____________, including
_________________. In particular,
_______________is ... Clearly from the
viewpoint of _____________, that claim that
______________is contestable.
In conclusion, it can be seen from both
____________________ and ___________________
that ________________ is negative rather
than positive. A critical analysis of the
_______________ and _____________arguments
that are generally put forward to affirm
the position that ______________ is positive
affirm this.