Argumentative Essay
When we hear the word “argument,” we
know this as a heated conversation.
However, academically speaking, it is an
attempt to persuade someone by
presenting evidence to the reader for why
it is a more favorable choice regarding a
particular issue. We persuade people to
agree with our claim using facts. This is
called argumentation.
In order to do that, we need to do research
and find evidences to support our claim.
This kind of writing is what we call
“argumentative essay.” An
argumentative essay is a written form of
argumentation.
Argumentative Essay
• is a piece of writing that takes a stance
on an issue.
- In a good argumentative essay, a
writer attempts to persuade readers
to understand and support their
point of view about an issue by
stating their reasoning and providing
evidence to support it.
• presents evidences for a claim in order
to let the reader know why it is more
favorable.
- It also shows why the other side of
an issue is unfavorable or less
favorable. It also includes, like any
other essay, an introduction and
conclusion.
TERMS IN ARGUMENTATIVE
WRITING
1. Issue - an idea about which the
opinions of people are different.
- Something that has two sides,
an idea that can be debated
- e.g., use of cellphones in
classroom
- Internet- has it made society
better?
2. Claim - a statement by an author
about an issue.
- The author’s central argument
that they are trying to persuade
the audience to believe.
- A claim needs supporting
arguments. A claim is also
called a position, stand, or
point of view.
TYPES OF CLAIMS
CLAIM OF FACT
- Asserts that something quantifiable
has existed, does exist or will exist.
- In other words, it debates whether
the statement of the claim is correct
or incorrect, valid or invalid and true
or false.
CLAIM OF VALUE
- Asserts qualitative judgments along
a good-to-bad continuum relating to
persons, events and thing’s in one
environment.
- If you construct a position claiming
that something is good or bad or
one thing is better than another, that
is claim of value.
CLAIM OF POLICY
- Asserts that something should or
should not be done by someone
about something.
- It proposes that some specific
course of action should, but not
necessary will, be taken.
- The key word in a claim of policy is
the conditional verb “should” which
implies that some action ought to be
taken, but not that it must or will be
done.
Fact, quantifiable statements; focuses on the
accuracy, correctness or validity of such
statements: verified using some objective
evidence.
Value qualitative statements; focus on
judgments made about the environment and
invites comparison.
Policy statements that focus on actions that
should be taken to change the status qou.
 3. Argument – an idea that supports services of a mechanic who would
the claim. An argument needs charge an expensive amount for
supporting evidences. labor. On the other hand, many
4. Evidence – facts in the real world bicycles can be fixed by the owners
that can be used to support an themselves.
argument.  3. Cars require expensive yearly
- Examples of evidences are registration.
statistics, data from studies,
• COUNTERARGUMENT: Some say that
historical events, habitual
riding a bicycle would increase travel
practices, and other facts that time and decrease productivity.
can support an argument. • REBUTTAL: Traveling by bicycle would
5. Counterargument – an idea given actually mean avoiding rush hour traffic
by the opposing side against the jams.
claim given in the argumentative • CONCLUSION: So, we encourage
essay. people to travel by bicycle rather than
- The response of the by car to avoid traffic jams during rush
opposing side when they hours to keep and it does not make
disagree with the claim. people from being late to their
6. Rebuttal – the response to the appointments.
counterargument
7. Pro - an argument in favor of a
claim or advantage regarding
something. COMPONENTS OF
8. Con – an argument against a claim ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY
or disadvantage regarding
something • Introduction
• Body
ELEMENTS IN ARGUMENTATIVE • Refutation
WRITING
• Conclusion
• Claim;
INTRODUCTION
• Arguments; • it is an introductory paragraph;
• this is called the “gateway” of an
• Evidences; essay.
• Counterargument; • it also introduces the thesis
statement of the essay, which is the
• Rebuttal; and heart of an essay, and tells what to
be discussed in the body
• Conclusion paragraphs.
• it is in the start of the essay.
• ISSUE: Should people be encouraged
• it is because it attracts the attention
to travel by bicycle rather than by car?
of readers to the essay and gives
• CLAIM: People should be encouraged the readers background information
to travel by bicycle rather than by car. about the topic.
• ARGUMENT: Maintaining a bicycle is • background of the subject/topic or
less expensive than a car. thesis.
• EVIDENCE/s: BODY
 1. The parts of a bicycle are much • it is the body paragraph where facts
cheaper than the parts of a car. of the given thesis statements of the
 2. Fixing a car may require the essay are written.
 • it is where the arguments are written
to support the statements.
REFUTATION/COUNTERARGUMENT
• it is the argument to refute earlier
arguments and give weight to the
actual position.
CONCLUSION
• it is rephrasing the thesis statement,
major points, call attention, or just
having the concluding remarks.
• It even has some
recommendations.