Writing the Argumentative

Essay
 CHOOSING A TOPIC
To begin an argumentative essay, you must
first have an opinion you want others to
share.
 Possible Topic Ideas
Should boxing be banned? Should legal immigration be stopped?
Should the driving age be raised to 18?
Should dying people be kept on life
Should semi-automatic weapons be support?
banned?

Should teens who murder be executed? Should tobacco products be banned?

Should hunting be outlawed? Should the Internet be censored?
Should recycling be mandatory?
Should school prayer be allowed?
Should schools require student
uniforms?
Should music lyrics be censored?
Should college athletes be paid?

Should the death penalty be abolished? Should parents of teen vandals be held
responsible for their child's damage?

Should research on cloning be

discontinued?

Should a rookie salary cap be enforced

in pro sports?
 RESEARCH
To be valid, an opinion or point of view must be
supported by facts and information.

Once you know what you will write

about, you will need to do research
on the topic.

Research through interviewing people, or

reading newspaper, book, journal or Internet
articles.
 THESIS STATEMENT
The thesis statement

 states your position on the topic

 sets up the structure for the paper.

SUPPORT THE THESIS
Support your thesis with three reasons.

 Write down each of the three main reasons

that support your belief on a separate piece of
paper.
 These are your arguments.
 THE AUDIENCE
When introducing the topic, think about the
audience first.
 How much does the audience know about the
topic?

 Is the audience likely to be friendly

or hostile to your position?
 How can you “hook” the audience’s
attention?
 INTRODUCTION
PARGRAPH
 The first sentence is a general statement,
designed to attract the reader’s attention.

 Second and perhaps third sentences

narrow the idea down to your specific idea.

 The last sentence in the introduction

must be your thesis.
Ex: From the information I have stated, I
personally agree/disagree…….
 INTRODUCTION

Think of the introduction as having a funnel shape:

General statement (hook)

Specific information
Thesis
 Example of Intro
Paragraph
More people die on driving on
Greek roads in a single year than all
the U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq since the
fighting began. The road conditions
and the mentality that leads to this
unnecessary and avoidable loss of life
should be changed.
Fact to support position The authors position or
and a good hook. Thesis Statement.
 BUILDING BODY
PARAGRAPHS
The first topic sentence of the
first paragraph will be the first
reason that supports your
position.

You may even wish to begin the sentence with the

word first to focus the reader’s attention on its
importance.
FIRST BODY
PARAGRAPH
Write a topic sentence and
three details that
support the reason you
believe what you believe.
Repeat the process until you
have three paragraphs with
three different reasons and
three details to support that
reason.
 Counter Arguments
- Rebuttals
Research what people opposed to your point of
view believe. Write down three counter-
arguments to your position. Or else, you can
build your own counter arguments

Now, address those arguments in a paragraph

explaining why your position is a better one.
 BUILDING
PARAGRAPHS
 The final sentence in each paragraph
should sum up and make a transition to
the main idea of the next paragraph.
All of paragraphs must be linked
significantly one to another
 Concluding Paragraph
• Indicate in the conclusion that you have
shown the thesis statement to be true.

• Has a powerful ending often relating to the

introduction.

• Do not include any new information in a

conclusion. If you have not mentioned
something yet in the paper, it is now too
late.
 What is not effective
Saying the opposing viewpoint is “stupid/idiot/dumb/piece
of shit/retard.”

Good essays are clear, calm and factual. Prove it instead.

Saying negative things about groups or individuals that

have different view points.

This does not support your position but makes you seem
petty instead.
 How many is that?
1. Intro: Paragraph 1
2. Body Paragraph 2
3. Body Paragraph 3
4. Body Paragraph 4
5. Rebuttal Paragraph – other
viewpoints + Conclusion
 Your Task
 Write an argumentative essay
5 paragraphs
@ 200 words
Research is needed
Typed – TNR/12/1.5
Choose your own topic
Note: You have to make a story outline
 Story Outline
Topic:
Topic No Uniform for Students
Title:
Title No No No!!!!
Paragraph 1 - Intro:
Definition/general info about school
Uniform
Thesis statement: Students do not have to
wear school uniforms
Paragraph 2: School Uniforms are dull
•Their color is bad
•Everyone wears it
•Same design
Paragraph 3: School Uniforms are expensive
•Their materials don’t match with the price
•Their durability is bad
Paragraph 4: School Uniforms are fragile
•Armpit sections break easily
•Button parts break easily
Paragraph 5: Rebuttals + closing
•School uniforms are fashionable
•School uniforms are free
•School uniforms are as strong as
Superman’s outfit
•Closing – restating thesis statement:
Students do not have to wear school
uniforms