The Argumentative Essay

Anargument involves the

process of establishing a claim
and then proving it with the
use of logical reasoning,
examples, and research.
What is The aim of writing
argumentative essays?

To convince or persuade the

reader.
One attempts to change the
reader’s mind and convince the
reader to agree with the point of
view or claim of the writer.
 Elements of Argumentation

 Argument/Claim
 Marine mammals are a part of nature and should not
be bought, sold or thrown in an aquarium

 An argument states a claim and supports it with reasons and evidence from sources.
 Arguing your side makes you the proponent
 Elements of Argumentation

 Counterargument/Counterclaim
Some people think that holding animals in captivity helps in
study and research.
 The counterargument/counterclaim is an argument that stands in opposition to your
argument/claim.
 The counterargument/counterclaim is your opponent’s (the other side’s) argument that tries to
explain why you are wrong.
 Model

Captivity of Marine
Mammals
The Question
Marine mammals should
not be kept in captivity.
Do you agree?
Introduction 1st paragraph.
 How does it feel to be sentenced for life? Life for captive
whales and dolphins is nothing like a life in the wild sea.
Marine mammals are a part of nature and should not be
bought, sold or thrown in an aquarium. Those poor creatures
face brutality and unhealthy living conditions, that makes them
sick and shorten their lives span. Moreover, the rate of their
breeding remarkably decreases.

State your thesis in the

introductory paragraph!
 Body – 2nd para: Argument 1
 I have many convincing reasons to support my opinion. Captivity causes
Argument 1 topic many health problems in marine mammals. Many tanks have water full of
sentence chemicals and bacteria; this results in blindness and many skin problems in
dolphins and other marine mammals. Marine mammals in captivity die from
pneumonia, ulcers and other stress-related diseases. Most of these helpless
creatures suffer from boredom. Dolphins in the wild can swim up to 40-100
miles per day but in pools they go around swimming repetitive patterns. Due
to boredom and limited space many dolphins abuse themselves; they often
bang their heads against tank and aquarium walls.

Evidence/
Explanation /
Examples to
support Topic Sentence: basically tells what the rest of the paragraph is about. All
Argument 1 sentences after it have to give more information about the sentence, prove it by
offering facts about it, or describe it.
Body – 3rd para: Argument 2

 Some of these poor innocent creatures face

Argument 2 Topic
sentence abusive treatment by their caretakers, thus
shortening their life span. In fact, Keiko, the
killer whale, the star of Free Willy, was a
victim of this type of abuse. It was known to
be said that he was 1000 pounds underweight
Example to support
Argument 2 and developed a wart like disease. His teeth
were ground down from chewing the sides of
the pool due to boredom and he had a
problem with his dorsal fin.
Body – 4th para: Argument 3
 Marine mammals breed very poorly in captivity with very high
Argument 3 Topic sentence infant death rates. For this reason, when a baby dolphin is born
into captivity, its birth is usually kept a secret from its mother
until it shows signs of survival. Marine mammals do breed in
captivity, but the birth rate in captivity is not as successful as in
the wild.

Supporting evidence to support

Argument 3
Body – 5th para: Counter-Argument
 Many people think that marine mammals should remain
Opposing
Argument
What is the point of an
“opposing argument”? Why
oppose your own opinion?
To show that you do have a
balanced view of the issue.
in captivity. I realise that some people may believe that
captivity increases the life span of certain animals, but
the truth is if these creatures are so happy in captivity,
why do they die so fast? Captivity shortens animal life
spans, not increases them. Wild dolphins can live 40
years in the wild and orcas can live 90 years, but when
held in captivity they rarely survive their teens. Twenty-
three out of 25 orcas have died in captivity. Some
people think that holding animals in captivity helps in
study and research. But the truth is scientists prefer to
learn about animals in their natural environment so they
get firsthand knowledge.
Body – 5th para: Counter-Argument

 Many people think that marine mammals should remain in

Counter argument to
the opposing
argument
Counter argument = facts
you use to show that the
opposing argument is not
valid
Rebuttal = refutation
captivity. I realise that some people may believe that
captivity increases the life span of certain animals, but the
truth is; if these creatures are so happy in captivity, why do
they die so fast? Captivity shortens animal life spans, not
increases them. Wild dolphins can live 40 years in the wild
and orcas can live 90 years, but when held in captivity they
rarely survive their teens. Twenty- three out of 25 orcas have
died in captivity. Some people think that holding animals in
captivity helps in study and research. But the truth is
scientists prefer to learn about animals in their natural
environment so they get firsthand knowledge.
Conclusion – Final para.

 In conclusion, I think marine mammals should definitely

Restate your opinion
not be held in captivity. I think Ghandi said it best when
he mentioned, “The greatness of a nation and its moral
process can be measured by the way its animals are
treated.” In a world where much of nature and the wild
has already been lost to us, it is up to us to let these
beautiful marine mammals free.

Call for action by readers

 LANGUAGE
What TENSE is used through
out the essay?
Present simple

Past tense is used because the writer is

Are there any other
writing about an incident that is already over
tenses used in the essay?
 LANGUAGE
The underlined phrases are known as…….

 In my opinion there is no doubt that marine

Words of belief- mammals should not be held in captivity.
Words to show Marine mammals are a part of nature and
that you believe in should not be bought, sold or thrown in an
what you are aquarium. I believe that they have the
writing right to be kept in their natural
environment. …

… Other examples of words of belief: I am convinced, definitely,

certainly, I am certain, surely, I strongly believe, etc
 LANGUAGE
What effect do these underlined words have on you?

 I have many convincing reasons to support my opinion.

These are known as
emotive words
– they bring out some
feelings in the readers.
Purpose – to cause
readers to feel strongly
for what the writer is
arguing about.
Captivity causes many health problems in marine
mammals. Many tanks have water full of chemicals and
bacteria; this results in blindness and many skin problems
in dolphins and other marine mammals. Marine mammals
in captivity die from pneumonia, ulcers and other stress-
related diseases. Most of these helpless creatures suffer
from boredom. Dolphins in the wild can swim up to 40-
100 miles per day but in pools they go around swimming
repetitive patterns. Due to boredom and limited space
many dolphins abuse themselves; they often bang their
heads against tank and aquarium walls.