ARGUMENTATIVE

ESSAY
WHAT IS AN ARGUMENT?
Argument is defined as “a reason or reasons why you
support or oppose an idea or suggestion, or the
process of explaining these reasons. In our daily life, we try
to solve our problems by discussing about various issues or
clarify our views about any issue by observing arguments.
Would you rather live without your phone for two weeks
or your computer for a month?

Would you rather lose your ability to speak or have to

say everything you are thinking?
 WHAT IS AN ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY?

A TYPE OF ESSAY THAT PRESENTS ARGUMENTS

ABOUT BOTH SIDES OF AN ISSUE. IT COULD BE THAT
BOTH SIDES ARE PRESENTED EQUALLY BALANCED, OR
IT COULD BE THAT ONE SIDE IS PRESENTED MORE
FORCEFULLY THAN THE OTHER. IT ALL DEPENDS ON
THE WRITER, AND WHAT SIDE HE SUPPORTS THE
MOST.
Argumentative essay is a kind of text in which an
author supports his own view and try to refute
counterview about an issue.
 The author aims to lead readers to think just like himself in
this kind of texts. It is not easy to change readers’ view or
make them question.
 The author is expected to explain why he supports these
views and why counterview is invalid so as to achieve his
goal.
 The author is supposed not only to have a strong idea about
the issue discussed but also to be wise for a successful
argumentative essay (Knudson, 1992).
 TERMS RELATED TO
ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY
 ISSUE-AN IDEA ABOUT WHICH OF THE OPINIONS OF
PEOPLE ARE DIFFERENT.
 CLAIM- A STATEMENT OF AN AUTHOR ABOUT AN
ISSUE. A CLAIM HAS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF
DISAGREEMENT ABOUT IT. A CLAIM NEEDS
SUPPORTING ARGUMENTS. A CLAIM IS ALSO CALLED
POSITION, STAND OR POINT OF VIEW.
 ARGUMENT-AN IDEA THAT SUPPORTS THE CLAIM. AN
ARGUMENTS NEED SUPPORTING EVIDENCES.
 EVIDENCE- FACTS IN THE REAL WORLD THAT CAN BE
USED TO SUPPORT AN ARGUMENT.
COUNTERARGUMENT- AN IDEA GIVEN BY THE
OPPOSING SIDE AGAINST THE CLAIM GIVEN IN THE
ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY.
REBUTTAL- THE RESPONSE TO THE
COUNTERARGUMENT.
PRO- AN ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF A CLAIM OR
ADVANTAGE REGARDING IN SOMETHING.
CON- AN ARGUMENT AGAINST OF A CLAIM OR
DISADVANTAGE REGARDING IN SOMETHING.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO
LEARN ARGUMENTATIVE
ESSAY?
1. The purpose of an argumentative essay
is to __________.
a. entertain the readers
b. persuade the readers
c. tell an interesting story
d. give information about a topic
 2. Which of these is not a part of an argumentative essay?
a. Setting
b. Conclusion
c. Introduction
d. Body Paragraphs

3. Which quote supports the claim that we should stop using

screens for a
week?
a. “Technology has become more advanced in the past ten years.”
b. “Screens on cell phones have become larger in the past few
years.”
c. “Screens allow students to find information quickly and
efficiently.”
d. “Screens cause students to be distracted and they cannot learn
as well.
4. Which piece of evidence best supports the claim
that we should have sports in school?

a. “School sports include volleyball, soccer,

basketball and tennis.”
b. “In schools that have sports, students attend
games after school.”
c. “Research shows that school sports increase
student interest in school.”
d. “When schools have sports programs, the school
must spend money on
coaches and equipment.
5.Which of these phrases would be good to use to cite
text evidence?
a. In my opinion
b. In conclusion
c. In other words
d. According to the text
Argumentative essay is a genre of
writing that requires the student to
investigate a topic; collect, generate,
and evaluate evidence; and establish a
position on the topic in a concise
manner.
 Writing Argumentative
Parts Essays
I. Introduction
A. Hook
The hook is an introduction that catches the reader’s attention.
Argumentation essays can start with facts, statistics, quotes, or
anecdotes that reference the topic of the essay.
Make sure the introduction is interesting enough to “hook” your
readers’ into wanting to read more. Once you have written the first
sentence, you want to connect the information
to what you ultimately try to prove by leading into your thesis
statement.
B. Thesis Statement
A thesis statement is a sentence that explains what
you are trying to prove and provides an overview of
the arguments you will make in your body
paragraphs. The thesis acts as a roadmap for the
rest of your paper. Do not worry about going into
too much detail about what your arguments will be:
instead, focus on writing a clear, concise statement
that hints at the topics you plan to discuss.
C. Background Information
Though not always required in an argumentative
essay, a background paragraph may be vital to your
paper if there is information that your audience needs
to be aware of to understand your topic. This might
include important historical dates, an explanation of
who the subject affects, or current laws. This
paragraph is not trying to prove a point. It is simply
providing information to help the audience understand
the topic.
INTRODUCTION
Paragraph 1 The School Uniform Question
- Hook Individualism is a fundamental part of society
- Connecting/ in many countries. Most people believe in the
Background right to express their own opinion without fear
Information of punishment. This value, however, is coming
-Thesis under fire in an unlikely place – the public-
Statement school classroom. The issue is school uniforms.
Should public school students be allowed to
make individual decisions about clothing, or
should all students be required to wear a
uniform? School uniforms are the better choice
for three reasons.
II. Body Paragraphs
The body paragraphs are where you will explain the evidence
you have to support your
thesis statement. Your body paragraph should start with a topic
sentence written in your own
words. You should then include some form of rhetoric (such as
a fact or statistics, an emotional
anecdote, or a law) that provides support for your topic
sentence.
Finally, the body paragraphs should contain a sentence that
explains how the evidence
you have provided proves your overall point.
BODY First, wearing school uniforms
Paragraph 2
-Support 1 (first would help make students’ lives
reason)
• Explanation, simpler. They would no longer
detail,
example have to decide what to wear every
morning, sometimes trying on
outfit after outfit in an effort to
choose. Uniforms would not only
save time but also would
eliminate the stress often
associated with this chore.
Paragraph 3 Second, school uniforms influence students to act
-Support 2 responsibly in groups and as individuals. In
(second addition, uniforms create a feeling of unity among
reason) students. For example, when students do
• Explanation, something as a group, such as attend meetings in the
detail, auditorium or eat lunch in the cafeteria,
example the fact that they all wear the same uniform gives them
a sense of community. Even more
important, statistics show the positive effects that school
uniforms have on violence and truancy.
According to a recent survey, incidents of school violence
dropped by 50 percent, attendance
and test scores improved, and student suspensions
declined approximately 30 percent after
school uniforms were introduced.
Paragraph 4
-Support 3
Finally, school uniforms would help make
(third all the students feel equal. Students’
reason) standards of living
• Explanation,
detail,
differ greatly from family to family, and
example some people are well-off while others are
not. People sometimes forget that school
is a place to get an education, not to
promote a “fashion show”. School
uniforms would promote pride and help to
raise the self-esteem of students who
cannot afford to wear expensive clothing.
Paragraph 5 Opponents of mandatory uniforms say that
-Opposite Side students who wear school uniforms cannot
-Counterargument 1
-Rebuttal (attack)
express their individuality. This point has some
-Counterargument 2 merit on the surface. However, as stated
• Rebuttal previously, school is a place to learn, not to
(attack)
flaunt wealth and fashion. Society must decide if
individual expression through clothing is more
valuable than improved educational
performance. It is important to remember that
school uniforms would be worn only during
school hours. Students can express their
individuality in the way that they dress outside
of the classroom.
III. Conclusion
- The writer restates, in general terms, the major
arguments he has marshaled in defense of his thesis.
- The writer may summarize key points, restate his
thesis, reinforce the weakness of his opposition,
underscore the logic of his presentation, re-emphasize
this debate is important, suggest a course of action, or
challenge the reader to apply the paper’s argument to his
own life.
CONCLUSION
Paragraph 6 In conclusion, there are many well-
-Repeat thesis
statement in
different
documented benefits of implementing
words.
-Suggestion/
mandatory school uniforms for students.
Opinion
Studies show that students learn better and
act more responsibly when they wear
uniforms. Public schools should require
uniforms in order to benefit both the
students and society as a whole.
Claim a statement of an author about
an issue.
Argumen
ts idea that supports the claim.

Evidence facts in the real world that can be

used to support an argument.
Counterargument
s an idea given by the opposing side
against the claim given in the
argumentative essay.
Rebuttal The response to the
counterargument
Issue: Are we too dependent on computers?
CLAIM
*What do you believe?
Arguments
*Give statements that support your claim
EVIDENCE
*For each evidence, give facts, statistics,
or concrete examples that support the
argument.
COUNTER-ARGUMENT
*What might someone say if they
disagreed with you?
REBUTTAL