Reading an

Argumentative
Essay
GETTING STARTED

Have you experienced engaging in a debate with a friend? If so,

how did you try to convince him/her to agree with you? Were you
succesful in winning your friend over to your view? Why or why
not?
 GETTING DEEPER

In writing an argumetative essay, you need to have a motion. A

motion refers to your main proposal or argument. You need to defend
your motion using facts. In doing this, it is necessary that you look for
credible sources like scholarly journalsand books in order to
substantiate your position.

Moreover, in presenting your arguments, you must be careful not to

include fallacies. A fallacy in an error in reasoning, and this usually
happens when our faulty assumptions taint our line of reasoning. Some
committed fallacies include:
• Sweeping Generalization - This happens when you come up with a
conclusion based on a limited number of example. For example, you
cannot conclude that all the members of a family are academically
gefted if you have only seen two of their five members graduate with
honor.
• Post hoc, ergo propter hoc - Remember that two things that
happened one after the after are not necessarily related. If you saw
your classmate crying after talking to your teacher, it does not
necessarily that she was reprimanded for an error. There might be
other reasons why she cried.
• Poisoning the well/Ad hominem - an argument does not become
invalid by virtue of the person stating. For instance, a professor’s
lecture cannot be considered as faulty just because he got a failing
mark at one point in the past.
• Appeal to authority - an argument does not necessarily become correct if
a popular or highly esteemed person is the one saying it. it has to be
evaluated based on its own merits.
• Ad populum - In logical reasoning, majority DOES NOT always win. The
majority of the population’s believing in an argument does not make it
correct.
• False analogy - this happens when two unlike concepts or things are
compared as if they were just similar to one another. For example, if a
presidential candidate makes the analogy that running a country is similar
to playing a basketball gaem, he or she may be guilty of committing this
fallacy because governance is much more complex than a sport match.
• False dichotomy - This happens whe two choices are presented as if they
were the only choices available. If group of lobbyists, for instance, does
not agree with a governmen policy, it would not mean that they are not
nationalistic right away. Perhaps they have another take on the issue
which may even be better than the proposed one.
 Moreover, when arguing for position, it is highly advisable for you to
consider a position’s necessity, practicality, and beneficiality.

Let us now take a closer look at the argumentative essay done

once more by Camille Anjela Curitana. Try to identify the main
point she is arguing for and manner by which she defend her
proposition.
The Title of the writer’s composition already
communicates her stand on the issue of including
more good news in news outlets.
The first paragraph discusses the article’s main premise. The importance
and function of news in our everyday lives serves as the springboard for
arguing why more good news should come our way.
Notice in the second paragraph, the author begins to critique the current state of
affairs in the news industry. By pointing ou some alleged flaws, she makes way for
te prsentation of her argument, which is the need of nes oulets to include more
good news in their roster.
The third paragraph presents the motion the writer pushing for.
Observe that all the succeding argument in this essay will be
anchored on this statement.
The writerinvokes a theory formulated by a communications scholar to give
more credibilityto her views. Note that her reference has been published in a
double blind, peer reviewed journal. this means that her support has already
been scrutinize by expert in the field before it was published, thus making it
a credible source.
Paragraph five anticipates a possible counter-argument, explains
it, and then begins to refute it. This techniqueis effective in
convincing the readers to take the stance the author has.
Paragraph six continues refuting the argument the writer
identified.
 In paragraph seven, the author starts arguing her point on the ground of
necessity. She argues that continued exposure to bad news may yield
bad effects to the society, and for this reason, we badly need good news.

The second part of paragraph seven argues on the grounds of

practicality. It is not practical for us to have bad news all the time because
it well affect the way society functions. furthermore, it also makes use of
an illustration to make the argument sound more convincing.
Paragraph eight and nine argue on the grounds of beneficiality. they show the
benefits of being exposed to more good news to individuals. This is the second
author major point in her paper, To further subtantiate her claims, the author ones
again cites authoritative sources.
The author paints a positive scenario that may happen as a result
of having more good news. She makes strategic use of an
illustration in building up her argument
This is the third of the author’s major arhument. She also argue s both on
the grounds of necessity and beneficiality. Moreover, she also makes use
once more of academic sources to fortify her arguments.
The twelfth paragraph synthesizes the arguments presented
throughout the essay and reinforces the motion the author is
fighting for.
The essay ends with a bibliography. this is standard practice in
writing academic essay.
FAN FACT
• Aside from George Gerbner’s Cultivation Theory, another
popular mass communication theory that attempts to explain
media influence is called Agenda Setting. This idea was
developed by Max McCombs and David Shaw, and it posits
that the news media is responsible for placing certain issues as
a society’s priority.
A few last word on the Argumentative Essay

• Both the academe and the professional world, as they have always
been, are comprised of several opposing ideas. In order for you to
navigate through them smoothly, you will have to learn how to
articulate your ideas as convincingly as possible. With the use sound,
logical arguments grounded on necessity, practicality, and
beneficiality, you might just be able to win others to your view of
things. Remember that your main goal for writing an argumentative
essay is to move others to action so that we can enjoy a wonderful
tomorrow.
THANK YOU
FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Answer the following question in 1/4 sheet of paper.

1. In writing an argumentative essay, you need to have a ______.

2. This happens when two unlikes concepts or things are compared
as if they were just similar to one another.
3. This happens when two choicesare present as if they were the only
choices available.
4. This happens when you come up with a conclusion based on a
limited number of example.
5-6. What are the 3 highly a adisable for you to consider a position?
7-10. What is the title of our topic?