WEEK 2:

ARGUMENTATIVE
ESSAY
What is that?
• Make a statement or give an opinion on a particular issue and then
support it with reasons, facts and examples.
• Argumentative points are debatable or open to question – it is your
job to make your readers persuaded or support your point.
• In order to make your point seems legit, you will need to have
supporting details (reasons, facts or examples)
• Make sure you gather the information from legit sources.
• Articles, newspapers, journals, thesis.
• NO tabloid, blogs, wikipedia
EXAMPLES: Opinions and supporting
details
a. It is healthier to live in the countryside than in the city. (OPINION).
• Based on Hashim (2021) the air is cleaner as there are less
factories and vehicles. (REASON/FACT)
• Life is at a pace that is slower and more relaxed. (REASON/FACT)

b. Cigarette companies should be banned from advertising. (OPINION)

These advertisements encourage the unhealthy habit of smoking.
(REASON)
According to Hasan (2018), smoking has been linked to various
health problems. (REASON)
c. Men should do more to help their wives at home. (OPINION)
These days many married women are also working outside the
home. (FACT)
Men should do their share of household chores as they are also
part of the family. (REASON)

d. It is better to have a smaller family. (OPINION)

As the cost of living is high these days, a smaller family would be
easier to manage financially. (REASON/FACT)
Other reasons like time and energy can be adequately saved if
there are fewer members in the family. (REASON/FACT)
How to plan argumentative?
• Brainstorming: identify your topic and stance and then illustrates four
main points.
• Planning outline
• Draft
• Final draft
Outline
Introduction
Background information:
Thesis statement:
Body Paragraphs
First main idea:
Supporting details:
Evidence (facts, examples, reasons):
Supporting details:
Evidence (facts, examples, reasons):
Conclusion:

Second main idea:

Supporting details:
Evidence (facts, examples, reasons):
Supporting details:
Evidence (facts, examples, reasons):
Conclusion:
 Third main idea:
Supporting details:
Evidence (facts, examples, reasons):
Supporting details:
Evidence (facts, examples, reasons):
Conclusion:

Refutation/counter-argument:
a. (give details about the counter-argument)
b. (Give an argument that can fight the counter-argument)

Conclusion:
a. Restate your position on the issue
b. Present an emotional appeal for your position, perhaps warning what might
happen if your position is not accepted
How to find references?
• Academic materials: search on research gate or google scholar.
• You may use online articles.
• NO: Blogs or tabloids!
How to create reference?
• If you take a reference from other author, for example:
• Your opinion: NATO is the catalyst to war throughout the past decades.
• Supporting detail 1: Based on Joan (2020) through his writing on the ‘Salvage of wars’,
NATO has been involving their hands on other countries political movement and they
even tries to draw frictions between both dissimilar major parties. The outcome is
disastrous as the frictions successfully blast into a full-scale civil war.
• Your opinion must be supported by credible source. Based on that
source, you may generate new understanding on the issue at hand.
• Based on / according to / Joan (2020) stated that / Joan (2020) wrote
that / Joan (2020) believed that … etc