Argumentative
Writing
What is it?
What Is an Argumentative Essay?
An argumentative essay is a piece of writing that takes a stance on an
issue. In a good argumentative essay, a writer attempts to persuade readers
to understand and support their point of view about a topic by stating their
reasoning and providing evidence to back it up.
Steps for writing an argumentative essay
Step 1:
Read the topic and choose a side of the issue.
Step 2:
Brainstorm reasons that support your opinion.
Step 3:
Write your 4-5 paragraph essay following the
format given in the following slides
Format…
Introduction:
✗ Introduce the topic by giving background
information that briefly explains the topic so
that the reader will understand the topic to be
argued.
✗ Then add the thesis statement that clearly and
strongly states your opinion concerning the
topic including the 3-4 points/reasons you will
expand on in the body.
What is the thesis statement?
The thesis statement comes in your introduction and gives
your stance on the issue with 3-4 reasons to support it.
Example:
Topic: Should animals be used for scientific and
medical research?
Thesis Statement: Animals should be used for
scientific and medical research as it leads to cures
for deadly diseases, it determines product safety of
medicines and it can save human lives.
Sample introduction
General As we continue to evolve and develop as a human species, we
Statement have discovered many cures and medicines that have brought
us a long way in alleviating human suffering and pain as it
relates to our health. A great part of this has been achieved More specific to
the question
through medical and scientific research oftentimes using
animals in experiments to gain results. Many claim that this is
Counter animal abuse and many ethical questions arise as to whether
Argument animals should be used in this way to achieve human goals. I
believe animals should be used for scientific and medical Thesis
research as it leads to cures for deadly diseases, it determines Statement
product safety of medicines and it can save human lives.
The format con’t……
Body paragraphs
✗ Each body paragraph takes one of the reasons given
in the thesis statement and expands on it by giving
supporting details. It should begin with a topic
sentence.
Example:
Topic Sentence: The first reason we should use animals for
medical and scientific research is because it leads to cures for
deadly diseases.
+supporting details for the point made (use evidence,
statistics etc)
The format con’t
Conclusion:
✗ Use a transition signal for the conclusion such
as : In conclusion, to conclude etc.
✗ Restate the thesis in different words than you
used in your introduction.
✗ Summarize your main points.
✗ End with a final comment on the topic or a
suggestion or call to action.
Now you write an introductory pARAGRAPH FOR ONE
OF THE FOLLOWING:
✗ Should homework be banned in schools?
✗ Should students be allowed to use cellphones
in class?
✗ Should schools revert to a blended approach to
teaching after the pandemic?
