Argumentative writing:

Writing Stage

Once you’ve given yourself a solid foundation to work with, you can begin to craft your essay. An argument essay should contain three parts: the introduction, the body, and the conclusion. The length of these parts (number of paragraphs) will vary, depending on the length of your essay assignment.

1. Introduce your topic and assert your side

As in any essay, the first paragraph of your argument essay should contain a brief explanation of your topic, some background information, and a thesis statement. In this case, your thesis will be a statement of your position on a particular controversial topic.

Example introductory paragraph with thesis statement:

Since the turn of the new century, a theory has emerged concerning the end of the world, or at least the end of life as we know it. This new theory centers around the year 2012, a date that many claim has mysterious origins in ancient manuscripts from many different cultures. The most noted characteristic of this date is that it appears to mark the end of the Mayan calendar. But there is no evidence to suggest that the Maya saw any great relevance to this date. In fact, none of the claims surrounding a 2012 doomsday event hold up to scientific inquiry. The year 2012 will pass without a major, life-altering catastrophe.

2. Present both sides of the controversy

The body of your essay will contain the meat of your argument. You should go into more detail about the two sides of your controversy and state the strongest points of the counter-side of your issue.

After describing the “other” side, you will present your own viewpoint and then provide evidence to show why your position is the correct one.

Select your strongest evidence and present your points one by one. Use a mix of evidence types, from statistics, to other studies and

anecdotal stories. This part of your paper could be any length, from two paragraphs to two hundred pages.

Re-state your position as the most sensible one in your summary paragraph.There are some connectives in writing argumentative paragraph:

broad meaning connective adverbs and phrases

conjunctions

addition also, too, similarly, in addition, even, indeed, let alone

and, as, like

opposition however, nevertheless, on the other hand, in contrast, though, alternatively, anyway, yet, in fact, even so

but, or, (al)though, whereas, while

reinforcing besides, anyway, after all 

explaining for example, for instance, in other words, that is to say, i.e., e.g.

in that

listing first(ly) ... second(ly), first of all, finally, lastly, for one thing ... for another, in the first place, to begin with, next, in sum, to conclude, in a nutshell

and

indicating result therefore, consequently, as a result, so, then

because, since, as, for, if, unless, now (that), so (that), in case, provided (that), whether ... or ...

indicating time then, meanwhile, later, when, before, after, since,

afterwards, before (that), since (then), meanwhile

until, till, while, as, once, whenever

s.

Example:

Should motor traffic be restricted?

FOR AGAINST

Cars are a major source of air and noise pollution, as well as numerous accidents that cause death or injury.

o Motor vehicles make travel more convenient, contribute to economic development and enrich our leisure; petrol is much "greener" than it used to be.

o The USA has more cars than any other country, yet its accident rate is less than half that of many European countries. The answer lies in better roads, better driver training and better vehicle maintenance.

Motorways are an eyesore in the countryside and disturb wildlife habitats .

Well-designed motorways blend into the countryside just as much as canals or railways.

Traffic in modern city centres moves at roughly the same speed as it did 100 years ago.

Public transport is simply not adequate to handle the volume of people who need to enter

The solution is to discourage drivers from entering city centres (e.g. by imposing taxes). The govt. should also improve the public transport system and provide free parking on the outskirts of cities.

cities. The real solution to road congestion is to build more roads and carparks.

Railways are more suitable (faster & safer) than cars for traffic between cities; they are also more suitable than large trucks for carrying goods

Railways are inflexible and do not suit our modern desire for "door-to-door" transport; goods deliveries by rail are often delayed

Topics:

← 1)WE ARE BECOMING OVERWHELMINGLY DEPENDENT ON COMPUTERS. IS THIS DEPENDENCE ON COMPUTERS A GOOD THING OR SHOULD WE BE MORE SUSPICIOUS OF THEIR BENEFITS?

← 2)SHOULD THE ANIMALS BE USED FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH? IS IT HUMANLY?

← 3)SHOULD THE CIGARETTES SMOKING BE BANNED AS HEROIN CONSUMPTION?

← 4)SHOULD DRIVERS OF AUTOMOBILES BE PROHIBITED FROM USING CELLULAR PHONES?

← 5)SHOULD RESTRICTIONS BE PLACED ON THE USE OF MOBILE PHONES IN PUBLIC AREAS LIKE RESTAURANTS AND THEATERS

←

← 6)FORESTS ARE THE LUNGS OF THE EARTH. SHOULD THE RAIN FORESTS DESTRUCTION BE PROHIBITED? HOW IS IT POSSIBLE TO PROTECT FORESTS?

7)HUMAN BEINGS DO NOT NEED TO EAT MEAT IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN GOOD HEALTH BECAUSE THEY CAN GET ALL THEIR FOOD NEEDS FROM MEATLESS PRODUCTS AND MEATLESS SUBSTANCES. A VEGETARIAN DIET IS AS HEALTHY AS A DIET CONTAINING MEAT. ARGUE FOR OR AGAINST THE OPINION ABOVE.

← 8)ADVERTISING: INFORMATION OR MANIPULATION?

← 9)EDUCATION IS AN INDIVISIBLE PART OF THE PROSPERITY OF THE NATION. THE MORE EDUCATED AND CULTURED PEOPLE THERE ARE IN THE COUNTRY THE MORE FLOURISHING AND THRIFTY THE COUNTRY IS. COMMENT ON THIS ISSUE, ARGUMENT YOUR DECISION

10)THE MASS MEDIA, INCLUDING TV, RADIO, NEWSPAPERS HAVE A GREAT INFLUENCE ON PEOPLE AND ESPECIALLY ON THE YOUNGER GENERATION. IT PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN SHAPING THE OPINIONS AND POSITIONS OF THE YOUNGER GENERATION. ARGUE FOR OR AGAINST THIS STATEMENT

11) It is right that college graduates earn higher salaries than theless well-educated in the community, but they should also pay the full cost of their study. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?

12)Every generation of people is different in important ways. How is your generation different from your parents’ generation?

13) Some young children spend a great amount of their timepracticing sports. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this.

14): Do you think it is important to preserve local languages anddialects?

15) Parents should limit children’s time watching TV and playing computer games, others insist children should spend time reading books, do you agree or disag

16) Do you think that advertising encourages people to buy things that they don’t want?