ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY

Before you start

1. Read the essay and match the headings below with the paragraphs (A-D). Then
write them into the bubbles.
 conclusion
 arguments against the title
 introduction
 arguments for the title

introduction
Exams are a fair way of testing students
A Every year thousands of students take important exams which can
decide their future. For example, students have to pass exams with
satisfactory grades in order to get a place in a university. However,
are exams a fair way of judging a student’s ability?
arguments for the title
B On the one hand, exams seem fair. The questions are the
same for all students. Also, the exams are marked according to a
strict scheme and usually by more than one examiner.
Furthermore, students do the same exams at the same time and
under the same conditions.
arguments against the title
C On the other hand, there are some drawbacks with exams.
Despite some students deserving to pass, they might be so
nervous on the big day that they make a mess of the exam.
Moreover, there may be other reasons, such as illness, which affect
a student’s performance in an exam. An alternative to exams
conclusion would be a system of conscious assessment of course work by
teachers during the year although this would mean more regular
testing and more work for the teachers. There would be a greater
opportunity for students to copy work, too.

D To sum up, exams are not the ideal way of testing students
and the idea of assessing students’ work over a longer period is
becoming more popular. In my opinion, the best system would be
2. Which of the underlined linking words:
a mixture of the two – 50% exams and 50% course work.

contrast ideas list ideas summarise give examples

On the one hand To sum up such as
However, On the other hand
On the other hand Furthermore
Despite Moreover
although too

Why do we write an Argumentative Essay?

1. It develops your logical thinking skills PROBLEMS students have when writing this type of essay!
2. Entrance exams 1. Having something to say (thinking of ideas)
(university, scholarships: studying abroad) 2. Becoming illogical (your ideas and arguments have to flow
 logically from one to another)

What’s the GOAL of the essay?

CLARITY
How do we achieve clarity?
By ORGANIZATION & COHESION (“povezanost”) Writing time: 75min
CLARITY But you need 15-20min to copy it!

COHESIONORGANISATION

How will your essay be evaluated?

1. TASK COMPLETION = 5 points
- relevance (did you go off topic)
- are all parts of your essay developed or are any missing
 one part not developed = -2 points
 inadequate introduction or conclusion = -1 point
 undeveloped introduction or conclusion = -2 points
 there should be the same number of arguments in each paragraph
- how well you support your arguments
- word count: 200 – 250 words
 160 -190 = -1 point
 130 -159 = - 2 points
 100 – 129 = - 3 points
 50 – 99 = - 4 points
2. COHERENCE & COHESION = 5 points
- paragraphing – there HAVE TO be 4 paragraphs
 less paragraphs = -3 points
- how well the reader can follow your thoughts, how clear your ideas are, do they flow naturally
- use of cohesive devices/linking words and paraphrases
3. VOCABULARY = 5 points
- range (how many different nouns, adjectives, etc.)
- accuracy (wrong use, spelling)
 lower band!
range = 2
accuracy = 5
= 2!
4. GRAMMAR = 5 points
- range (different structures) = 20 points = 1/3 of the final result on the matura exam
- accuracy (wrong use)
 lower band!
range = 2
accuracy = 5
= 2!

STEPS TO MAKE YOUR WRITING EASIER

STEP 1
 On a piece of paper write two colons (for & against) and brainstorm as many ideas as you can. Write every idea
that comes to mind, you can cross them out later or it may lead you to something interesting.
Example: Students in Schools Should Wear Uniforms
FOR / ONE THESIS AGAINST / SECOND THESIS
- uniforms will reduce teasing & bullying - uniforms in the end cost more
- schools will be safe from outsiders - uniforms don’t teach children how to deal with people
- uniforms will separate one school from another who are different
- parents won’t have to buy designer labels - there will still be teasing
- save money on clothing - children will still ask for designer labels
- uniforms teach children that in order to get along
everyone must be identical and conform to the same
standards
STEP 2
Organize your ideas and structure your essay.

STRUCTURE OF YOUR ESSAY:

1. INTRODUCTION:
1. GENERAL STATEMENT: gives background information, introduces the topic
 it should basically be a definition 1 POINT
 tells the reader what the essay is going to be about
2. THESIS STATEMENT: announces what the issue/problem is 1 POINT
has to show both sides (good and bad) of the topic

2. 2nd PARAGRAPH:
1. TOPIC SENTENCE: announces what this paragraph is going to be about (i.e. advantages) 1 POINT
2. ARGUMENT (for) + SUPPORT
3. ARGUMENT (for) + SUPPORT

3. 3rd PARAGRAPH:
1. TOPIC SENTENCE: announces what this paragraph is going to be about (i.e. disadvantages) 1 POINT
2. ARGUMENT (against) + SUPPORT
3. ARGUMENT (against) + SUPPORT
* There has to be the same number of arguments (2) in each paragraph, otherwise you lose your objectiveness

4. CONCLUSION:
1. SUMMARY OF YOUR ARGUMENTS: Restate/rewrite/paraphrase the main points written in the essay.
(A good conclusion ends only your essay, not any other essay on the same
topic.) 1 POINT
2. PERSONAL OPINION: End with your opinion, recommendation, prediction or solution (in 1 sentence).
1 POINT

EXTRA TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL WRITING:

- write in formal style (even though you may use short forms, i.e. I’ve)
  I have = 2 words; I’ve = 1 word
- Present Simple is always a better option than Present Continuous!
- use linking words for smooth transitions
- check your spelling and mind your handwriting!
- don’t use general phrases like: There are advantages and disadvantages/pros and cons/good sides and bad sides…

3. Complete the list of linking words by writing them into the correct column:
also although despite for example furthermore however I believe moreover
on the one hand on the other hand such as in conclusion too to sum up finally
first of all even though thus firstly…, secondly…, thirdly… nevertheless as a result in addition
another (dis)advantage it seems to me consequently in my view therefore I think

contrast listing ideas / summarize give examples show cause and effect saying your
giving additional ideas opinion
despite also to sum up for example thus it seems to me
on the other hand on the one hand … … consequently …
even though first of all in conclusion such as … I believe
nevertheless moreover as a result in my view
… … therefore I think
although furthermore
however too
finally
firstly..., secondly...,
in addition
another (dis)advatage

4. Complete the essay with the linking words below. 5. Write an argumentative essay of 200-250 word.

although, on the one hand, such as, to sum up,

because, despite, moreover, on the other hand
Private Schools Harm the Development of State Schools
A lot of people in England think that if we didn’t have private
schools we would have better state schools, (1) although
these people usually don’t say how you can stop private
schools from opening.

(2) On the one hand, some of these private schools have very
good facilities, (3) such as gymnasiums and swimming
pools. (4) Moreover, they often have good teachers and
get good exam results.

(5) On the other hand, you can argue that it is not fair and not
right that people should get better schools for their
children (6) because they have more money.
(7) Despite the good teachers and the good exam
results, these people say, we should close these schools
down.

(8) To sum up, nobody is saying the system is fair but

nobody wants to close good schools either.

6. Here’s another essay, just so you have another example of how it’s supposed to be done:
 Childhood – the best time of your life?

Childhood is the period in a person’s life before they become adults and completely responsible for themselves.
Childhood and the years spent at school seem to be the happiest time in a person’s life, according to the majority
of people, but, it also has many restrictions and boundaries and not everyone agrees with this statement.

On the plus side, this period really is a happy and care-free time. There are very few responsibilities. For example,
minors don’t have to go to work, pay bills, or do the shopping, cooking, or cleaning. This means they have plenty of
free time to do whatever they want – watch TV, play on the computer, go out with friends, play sports, or pursue
other hobbies. On top of that, children have some payment benefits, as well. Public transport, cinema and sports
centers cost much less for children.

However, for every plus there is a minus. For one thing, childhood is not completely without responsibilities.
Children have to spend all day, Monday to Friday, at school. Studying usually means one has to do homework, and
take exams. What is more, kids may have a lot of free time, but they are rarely allowed to do whatever they want.
They have to ask their parents whether they may do things, from going shopping in town to staying out late or
going to a party. Lastly, although there are often cheaper prices for children, things are still expensive – and
parents are not always generous with pocket money.

All things considered, it is true that children have no real choice, independence or money. Nevertheless, choice,
money and independence all bring responsibilities and restrictions which only increase with age. Therefore, I
believe that childhood is the best time in life, because children don’t share the obligations and burdens adults bear
on a daily basis.

Some people say advertising has a negative influence on our lifestyle .

Others say advertising is a useful service
TOPIC: Advertising
1st THESIS : Advertising has a negative influence on our lifestyle.
2nd THESIS: Advertising is a useful service.

INTRODUCTION:
GENERAL STATEMENT: Advertising is the act of letting people know about the existence of a product in
the hopes that they purchase it.
THESIS STATEMENT: It is believed that advertising negatively impacts the way we live while some find it
an excellent tool.

2ND PARAGRAPH:
On the one hand, TOPIC SENTENCE: advertising negatively impacts our society.
ARGUMENT: First of all, it encourages us to spend money on things we might not necessarily need
SUPPORT: whichbecomes a big issue with children because of how easily influenced they are.
ARGUMENT: Second of all, it is very intrusive these days.
SUPPORT: Companies can track our internet history and place targeted ads depending on what types of
topic we were looking up.

3RD PARAGRAPH:
On the other hand, TOPIC SENTENCE: advertisements have plenty of characteristics that make them
useful. ARGUMENT: To begin with, they could easily enlighten us about the existance of a product which
we were in a dire need of, SUPPORT thus facilitating our search. ARGUMENT: Furthermore it has an
excellent effect on the economy. SUPPORT: The more we spend the better, economically speaking. It
helps out the government which indirectly helps out its people by making both the state and its citizens
wealthier.

CONCLUSION:
All in all, SUMMARY: Advertising products is bad because it can violate our privacy and make us more
materialistic, but at the same time it can be helpful by letting us know about items we want and if we happen
to buy them we would be doing our state's economy a favour. PERSONAL OPINION: In my honest opinion,
ads are good but too many of them can be obnoxious.

WHOLE ESSAY:

Advertising is the act of letting people know about the existence of a product in the hopes that
they purchase it. It is believed that advertising negatively impacts the way we live while some find it an
excellent tool.
On the one hand, advertising negatively impacts our society.First of all, it encourages us to spend
money on things we might not necessarily need which becomes a big issue with children because of how
easily influenced they are. Second of all, it is very intrusive these days. Companies can track our internet
history and place targeted ads depending on what types of topic we were looking up.
On the other hand, advertisements have plenty of characteristics that make them useful. To
begin with, they could easily enlighten us about the existance of a product which we were in a dire need of,
thus facilitating our search. Furthermore it has an excellent effect on the economy. The more we spend the
better, economically speaking. It helps out the government which indirectly helps out its people by making
both the state and its citizens wealthier.
All in all, advertising products is bad because it can violate our privacy and make us more
materialistic, but at the same time it can be helpful by letting us know about items we want and if we happen
to buy them we would be doing our state's economy a favour. In my honest opinion, ads are good but too
many of them can be obnoxious.