Universidad de Puerto Rico Aguadilla

Department of English

Questions about argumentative essay

INGL-3201 LA1

By: Jomara Soto, Layshalee Méndez, Gabriel Ruiz, Ángel Rivera

October 17, 2023
Prof. A. Morgan
1. What is an argumentative essay?

An argumentative essay is a type of writing that relies on strong arguments and evidence
from various sources to convince readers of the validity of a particular position on an
issue or persuade them to take a certain action. Writers of argumentative essays must
consider the needs and knowledge of their readers, as well as recognize and refute
opposing positions effectively. This type of essay can be based on external information
as well as the writer's personal experience.

2. How do advertisements influence our way of thinking? Give 2 examples.

a) This campaign was aimed at college students and young adults between the ages
of eighteen and twenty-five. How are these ads meant to appeal to that
audience? In what ways do the ads reflect the culture and values of their
presumed readers?
b) The "Where Do You Stand?" campaign represents one of many Men Can Stop
Rape initiatives that have sought to encourage awareness and prevention of
sexual assault among men. What assumptions do these particular ads make with
regard to harassment, assault, college-age men, and college-age women?

3. What are 4 ways you can "take a stand"?

a) Present Strong Evidence: Support your argument with factual data, statistics,
and research to make your case more convincing.

b) Address Counterarguments: Acknowledge opposing viewpoints and refute

them to demonstrate the strength of your position.

c) Use Persuasive Language: Employ rhetorical techniques to make your

argument emotionally compelling and engaging for the reader.

d) Provide Real-life Examples: Illustrate your argument with real-world examples

or anecdotes to make it relatable and concrete.
4. What is an editorial?

An editorial article is a written piece that focuses on the author’s opinion of a current
event or social issue. They often appear in newspapers, magazines or journals.

5. Identify the two editorials-title & author.

The two editorials are “Judge Stops NYC Soda Ban but Don’t Celebrate” by Alexandra
Le Tellier, and “Soda’s a Problem, but Bloomberg Doesn’t Have the Solution” by Karin
Klein.

6. What is the main claim of each writer?

Alexandra Le Tellier claims after laying out the definitions of "nutri-tious" and "food”
that “Sugar-sweetened beverages don't meet this description any more than do beer
and tobacco and, for that matter, heroin, and they have more in common with these
things than they do with carrots." Karin Klein’s claims “I don't buy the argument that
people are helpless in the face of sugar and that it's better to have the government
rather than the corporations dictate their behaviors.”

7. Take a stand and choose the editorial you agree with

We agree with Karin Klein and his editorial.