November 8, 2017 Academic Writing/ 12th Meeting / Argumentative Text

Argumentative Text

A. Common Terms related to Argumentative Text

Argumentative texts can come with different terms or names such as argument texts,
exposition texts, analytical exposition texts, and hortatory exposition texts.

B. Classification of Arguing Genres

Argumentative texts belong to arguing genres.

Genres for Arguing1

No Genre Social Purpose1,2

1 Hortatory exposition/ argumentative/  To take a position on an issue and justify it
argument  To persuade readers to act in a particular way
 To take a position on an issue and justify it
2 Analytical exposition/ argumentative/
 To persuade readers to a particular point of
argument
view
3 Discussion To discuss two or more sides of an issue
4 Challenge To rebut a position on an issue

C. Text Organization2,3

No Section Function
To present:
Introductory section/  background information about the issue
1 Statement of position/  writer’s point of view/position (thesis statement)
Thesis statement  preview of arguments which will follow in the next
section of the text

To present the arguments which justify the writer’s

position

Writing techniques related to this section:

2 Arguments  A new paragraph is usually used for each new
argument.
 Each new paragraph begins with a topic sentence
that introduces the argument.
 Each topic sentence should be followed by detail
supporting sentences. The supporting sentences

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 November 8, 2017 Academic Writing/ 12th Meeting / Argumentative Text

can include factual data as evidence.

 Emotive vocabularies should be used to persuade
the readers to believe the writer.
3 Summary To sum up and reinforce the writer’s position

D. Common Language Features of Argumentative Texts2

- Frequent use of timeless present tense

- Frequent use of passive sentences
- Frequent use of nominalization
- The use of technical terms related to the issue
- The use of emotive vocabularies
Some examples of emotive vocabularies are “reasonable”, “significant”, “should”,
“must”, “deserve”, “believe”, and “strongly believe”.

E. Model of an Argumentative Text

Read an example of argumentative text on page 70 in the following book.

- Derewianka, B. (2004). Exploring how texts work. Sydney, Australia: McPherson's
Printing Group.

F. Common Criteria to Assess the Quality of an Argumentative Text

1. Organization of text 9. The use of passive sentences

2. Presence of topic sentences
3. Effectiveness in stating topic
sentences
4. Logic of the sequence and
connections
5. Effectiveness in stating arguments
6. Consistency of arguments
7. The use of timeless present tense
8. Words structure in clauses and
sentences
10. The use of nominalization
11. The use of emotive vocabularies
12. The use of appropriate diction
13. The use of appropriate
punctuation
14. The use of correct spelling
15. The use of correct capitalization
16. Unity of the paragraphs

1. Derewianka, B & Jones, P. (2012). Teaching language in context. Melbourne,

Australia: Oxford University Press.
2. Derewianka, B. (2004). Exploring how texts work. Sydney, Australia: McPherson's
Printing Group
3. Anderson, M & Anderson, K. (1998). Text types in English. Melbourne, Australia:
Macmillan Education Australia PTY LTD.