LESSON 1: Exploring the Structure and Features of

Argumentative Writing

Looking Back
Task 1: Identify the following items based on the type of multimodal
text
1. picture books -Multimodal
2. animations -Digital multimodal
3. Posters -Multimodal
4. stage play -Live multimodal
5. concerts -Live multimodal

Brief Introduction
A - What is an Argumentative Essay?
Complete the definition of Argumentative Essay by arranging the jumbled words in
each box to form meaningful sentences.
An ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY is a genre of writing that …
1. aims issue an investigating
2. a stand an issue on taking
3. a and of in a to the claim multitude evaluating generating
evidence logical manner support overall
investigating claim multitude
a stand an issue on evaluating generating
at aims issue an taking evidence logical manner
a and of in a to the support overall
An argumentative essay is an essay that uses evidence and facts to support the
claim. Its purpose is to persuade the reader to agree with the argument being
made.
Writing an argumentative essay requires the following steps:
➢ Make your thesis clear.
➢ Show why the other side is weak.
o
➢ Use evidence to support your claim.
i

s
Activities
Read the essay then make an outline of the structural elements of an
argumentative essay. Use the activity sheet provided.
Death Penalty Should be Re-Established in the Philippines
Hana Rellosa
Death penalty should be reinstated in the constitution of the
Philippines. Death penalty is the punishment by execution of someone who
committed a capital crime. Crimes that will merit death penalty are heinous
crimes or the worst of the worst crimes. Crimes such as treason, murder,
large scale drug trafficking, and rape. Death penalty is needed because
crime rates are rising and imprisonment and rehabilitation is no longer
solving or decreasing the growing number of crimes, the country needs to
defend itself from the criminals that hinder the growth of the nation and the
safety of its people, and it is to ensure the prevention of repetition of crimes
by the same criminals.
The crime rates in the Philippines is increasing year per year. In 2011,
the total reported crimes was at 217, 812 cases. During the year of 2013
however the crime rate spiked up from January to May from 245,347 to
289,189 cases. In just those months, crime rate increased by 17.86% and
that was just it less than half a year. Crimes are increasing and it is
happening quickly (Philippine Statistics Authority). Even if prisoners are
being punished through imprisonment, crimes are still being committed.
Crimes are happening inside the prison cells. Imprisonment is a form
of punishing criminals for their crimes. It is meant for them to change and
reflect on their actions yet in even inside the prison cells, the criminals are
still committing heinous crimes. It was reported that in Bilibid prison, a
young girl who was visiting her father was found without her underwear, a
rope around her neck, and with bruises (PhilStar). Another report was on
Herbert Colanggo. He was a crime lord that enjoyed luxury inside the Bilibid
prison. He had weapons, drugs, prostitutions, and even a Jacuzzi (Daily
Mail). There were even grenades, air-condition, refrigerator, and
condominium like rooms, in the Bilibid prison. This displays that they are
still criminals who have not learned their lessons and some are even living in
luxury while imprisoned. Imprisonment is no longer working as a punishing
tool for the criminals. Death penalty will address as a solution for criminals
who are still committing heinous crimes.

Death penalty is needed because the country needs to defend itself from the
criminals that hinder the growth of the nation and the safety of its people.
Government is meant to protect its citizens. The purpose of government is to
protect the individual rights of its citizens. The police system is to protect the
individual citizens from other individuals within the country. According to Thomas
Jefferson, “when one of its citizens commits a crime, he or she is committing a
crime against the nation.” The government’s job is to ensure that the criminal will
 receive justice for his or her crimes. Death penalty will cater as the punishment
for heinous crimes. Criminals who conducted such crimes must receive such
punishment. It is retribution for their crimes. It is said that in every execution of a
murderer, 7 lives are saved (Isaac Ehrlich).
The main purpose of death penalty is to fulfill the common good. It is to save
as much lives as it could. It is to provide safety and assurance for the citizens so
that criminals who committed heinous crimes will not harm them. Death penalty
is self-defense against those that are inflicting chaos within the nation. The nation
has the right to defend itself from criminals that threaten its existence. It is a form
of protecting itself so it will have justice for itself and its people. Just like a women
who is being abused or raped, she has the right to defend herself against her
attacker. She has the right because it is her right to survive and live.
Human rights advocates argue that punishment should lead to “reformative
or rehabilitative effects on the offender” (Ten, 1987). For them, offenders should be
treated as individuals who have the chance to change their thinking and behavior.
Their behavior can be corrected through rehabilitation programs. Long term
imprisonment can bring reformation because the result of punishment is a change
in the offender’s values so that he or she will refrain from committing further
offenses. However, Martinson ( 1974) in his article argued that “nothing works”
and that no treatment program works very successfully because there are still
many criminal cases when the offender committed the same crime worst that
before. In fact, a study conducted by Co, Estel, Portes and Rondina (2016) stated
that a statistics from Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) show that 20% of those
re-admitted to the penal colony were recidivists or ex-offenders who were
previously released but were convicted again for the same or a different crime.
Death penalty is needed because it will ensure the prevention of repetition of
crimes by the same criminals. It will guarantee total prevention of criminals
committing their crimes again. By executing a murderer, he or she will no longer
be able to commit crimes anymore. Criminals will not have another chance to
commit another crime. In 2009, a report in the UK said that there were 510,000
crime cases and criminals who already served their time in prison and have other
criminal offenses committed more than half of these crimes.
Rehabilitation and imprisonment is no longer working (telegraph). Criminals
are repeating their crimes even though they receive a punishment of
imprisonment. Criminals are not changing their ways and so crimes are
repeating. Death penalty will deny the possibility of the criminals to repeat any
crimes.

ACTIVITY SHEET 1: Outlining the essay.

Student name: Transona, Mary Gerrich Giulia C. Date: March 16, 2022

I – INTRODUCTION

1.Hook: Death penalty should be rain stated in the constitution of the Philippines.
2.Background: Death penalty is the punishment the execution of someone who commits a
capital crime. Trends that will teri merit death penalty heinous crimes are the worst of the
worst crimes. Crimes such as treason, murder, large-scale drug trafficking, and rape.
3.Thesis Statement: Death penalty is needed to because crime rates are rising and
imprisonment and rehabilitation is no longer solving or decreasing the growing number of
crimes the country needs to defend itself from the criminals that hinder the growth of the
nation and the safety of its people and it is to ensure the prevention of repetition of crimes by
the same criminals.

II - BODY
A- Paragraph 2 — Claim / Argument 1
-The crime rate in the Philippines is increasing year per year.

Reasons/evidences

1. In 2011 the total reported crimes was at 217, 812 cases.

2. In 2013 the crime rate spiked up from January to May from 245,347 to 289,189 cases in
just those months. The crime rate increased by 76% and that was just it less than half a
year. (Philippine statistics authority).

B - Paragraph 3 — Claim/ Argument 2

- Crimes are happening inside the prison cells.

Reasons/evidences:

1. (Evidence) It was Reported that in bilibid prison a young girl who was visiting her
father was found without her underwear, a rope around her neck and with bruises .
2. (Evidence) Herbert Colanggo was a crime lord that enjoyed luxury inside the bilibid
prison. he had weapons, drugs, prostitution, and even a Jacuzzi.
3. There were even grenades, air-conditioned, refrigerator, and condominium-like rooms in
the bilibid prison.
C - Paragraph 4 — Claim/ Argument 3
- Death penalty is needed to get the country needs to defend itself from the criminals
that hinder the growth of the nation and the safety of its people.
Reasons/evidences:
1. Government is meant to protect its citizens.
2. The purpose of the government is to protect the individual rights of its citizens.
3. the police system to protect the individual citizens from other individuals within the
country.
4. The government's job is to ensure the criminal will receive justice for his or her crime.
5. Death penalty will cater as the punishment for heinous crimes.
6. Criminals who conduct such crimes must receive such punishment.It is retribution for
their crimes.(Evidence) it is said that in every execution of a murderer seven lives are
saved.
7. The main purpose of death penalty is to preserve the common good.

D –Paragraph 7 – Argument 4

- Death penalty is needed because it will ensure the prevention of Repetition of crimes
 by the same criminals.
Reasons/Evidences:
1. It will guarantee total prevention of criminals committing their crimes again
2. By executing a murderer he or she will no longer be able to commit crimes anymore .
3. Criminals will not have another chance to commit another crime .
4. (Evidence) In 2009 a report in the uk said that there were 510,000 crimes cases and
criminals who already served their time in prison and have other criminal offenses
committed more than half of these crimes.

E - Paragraph 6 - Opposing view /Counterclaim

- Human rights advocates argue that punishment should lead to reformative or
rehabilitative effects on the offender’’(Ten, 1987). For them offenders should be treated
as individuals who have the chance to change their thinking and behavior. Their
behavior can be corrected through rehabilitation programs long-term imprisonment
membrane formation because their salt of the punishment is a change in the offender's
values so that he or she will refrain from committing further offenses .

E - Paragraph 7- Refutation
- However, Matinson (1974) in his article argued that ‘’nothing works”And that no
treatment program works very successfully because there are still many criminal
cases when the offender committed the same crime worse than before. In fact, a
study conducted by Co, Estel, Portesand Rondina (2016) stated that statistics from
Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Show that 20% of those admitted to the penal colony
were convicted again for the same or different crime.
III - CONCLUSION
- Do you have a location and imprisonment is longer ? Criminals are repeating their
crimes even though they receive a punishment of imprisonment. criminals are not
changing their ways and so crimes are repeating. death penalty will deny the
possibility of the criminal to repeat any crimes.

Remember
Task 5: It’s a Wrap
What did you learn in this module? It’s time to summarize the key concepts you
studied in this lesson. Fill out the call outs with ideas that define argumentative
writing. Use the phrases from the box.

1.about emotions. 2. one-sided. 3. about what you can prove. 4.

opinion 5. looking at both sides of the issue.
6. about facts and evidence. 7. written in academic language
 Argumentative Writing

IS NOT IS

1.about emotions. 3. about what you can prove.

2. one-sided. 5. looking at both sides of the issue.

4. opinion 6. about facts and evidence.

7. written in academic language

❖A good argumentative essay is not just based on your thoughts or opinions but
about research. Remember to support your thesis / claim with reporting from
scientific journals, newspapers, or other forms of research. This will establish your
argument with well –reasoned evidences. It will make your point has its basis on
solid arguments through facts. Thus, avoiding hearsay or assumptions.

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Checking your Understanding

Task 6: Writer’s Craft
It’s time to apply what you learned from this lesson. Write an
argumentative essay from the topic you choose from the list below:
1. Do Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) beneficial or harmful to people?
2. Should vaccinations be required for students?
3. Has the internet positively or negatively impacted human society? 4.
Is face to face learning better than online learning?
➢ Before
writing your essay, organize your thoughts or ideas by completing
the worksheets below.
Worksheet 2: For and Against
Student name: Transona, Mary Gerrich Giulia C. Date: March 16,2022
-Face to face learning, in my opinion, is better than online learning since
students have access to more learning resources in school than they do off.
Face-to-face interaction allows students to receive immediate feedback and
assistance. When a student is in class, they can raise questions or seek
assistance with a specific topic while it is still fresh in their minds. If the
student was studying from home, they would have to wait for an email from
the teacher. Is that actually better for someone's education and learning?
Review your research and create a list of arguments for and arguments
against your issue. Brainstorm as many examples as possible.
You will be choosing the three best arguments to include in your writing.
Arguments that Support Arguments that Oppose Your Position
Your Position
- Face to face students also gain from - Yes, and in many ways online learning is
socialization with peers and interaction more effective than face to face learning.
with teachers. According to As research shows 80% of organizations
Association for Talent development, believe their use of digital learning will
(2016). remain the same, increase or decrease
- “According to results of a new national only slightly as restrictions on live
research study, 78% of more than 1,000 training ease.
students surveyed still believe it is - research shows that the modern learner
easier to learn in a classroom”. spends 33% of their time in meetings
- Face-to-face communication allows the already. They want to learn as needed,
entire experience to not only be heard any time and anywhere. Not be
but also seen and felt. Face-to-face constrained with a date and time.
training also adds a personal element to - Many organizations are starting to
a workshop as opposed to incorporate the positive lessons from
computer-based education. face-to-face into their digital strategy and
creating online blended learning that tick
all the boxes.

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 Worksheet 3: Planning Sheet

Student name: Transona, Mary Gerrich Giulia C. Date: March 16,2022

Introduction
Introduce your readers to the topic and give a little background
information. State your position on the issue within the last sentence of
the paragraph.
_____________________________________________________________________
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Body
The body of your essay should contain at least three paragraphs. Each
paragraph must state a different viewpoint on your topic, examine the
opposition to that viewpoint and provide a defense of that viewpoint.
Paragraph 1 — Claim/ argument 1
_______________________________________________________________________
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_______________________________________________________________________
_
_______________________________________________________________________
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_______________________________________________________________________
_ Discussion and defense of your argument:
_______________________________________________________________________
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_______________________________________________________________________
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_______________________________________________________________________
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_______________________________________________________________________
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Paragraph 2 — Claim/ argument 2
______________________________________________________________________
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______________________________________________________________________
__ Discussion and defense of your argument:
______________________________________________________________________
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______________________________________________________________________
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Paragraph 3 — Counterclaim/ counter argument 3
Opposing viewpoint:
______________________________________________________________________
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______________________________________________________________________
__ Paragraph 4: Refutation/ Your viewpoint:
______________________________________________________________________
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______________________________________________________________________
__ Discussion and defense of your viewpoint:
______________________________________________________________________
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______________________________________________________________________
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Closing/Conclusion
Summarize the arguments and then close with a powerful
statement relating to your originally stated issue.
______________________________________________________________________
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 ______________________________________________________________________
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______________________________________________________________________
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Post Test

Choose the correct letter that best fit the statement.

1. Which is not a description of an argumentative writing?

a. aims at investigating an issue
b. presents both sides of an issue
c. uses facts, reasons and evidence
d. uses personal thoughts and feelings to persuade the reader

2. The claim or position of an argumentative essay refers to –

a. thesis statement b. counter claim c. conclusion d. hook

3. The following features are found in the introductory part of an argumentative essay EXCEPT –
a. hook b. refutation c. background d. thesis statement

4. Why is it important to use evidence and facts in an argumentative writing?

a. to provide assumptions
b. to weaken your argument
c. To persuade the readers to take action.
d. It will make your point has its basis on solid arguments.

5. A claim or argument of the other side.

a. counter claim b. refutation c. claim d. hook

6. A language feature that characterizes an argumentative writing.

a. use of first - person pronoun c. academic language

b. uses idiomatic language d. informal in tone

7. Which is NOT included in the body of argumentative essay?

a. hook b. claim c. refutation d. counterclaim

8. The following choices are steps in developing your arguments EXCEPT -

a. use opinions c. use levels of evidence

b. use logical appeals d. avoid appeals to fear or ignorance

9. Logical appeals refer to the use of –

a. facts b. reasons c. statistics d. all of the above

10. It is the backbone of your argument.

a. evidence b. thoughts c. feelings d. introduction