TERMS

• PRO Idea
• The idea that you are supporting
• CON Idea
• The idea that you are against & you are refuting
• Refutation
• Explaining why opposing arguments (CON) are not significant

There will be 4 sample essays in the exam. (Two Model A, two Model B)

1. Argumentative Essay Model A:

- Introduction
- Body 1 PRO1
- Body 2 CON(s) – Refutation(s)
- Conclusion

Practice 1. Look at the sample essay and identify

*thesis statement
*pro idea in body 1
*supporting ideas and examples (if there are any) in body 1
*con idea in body 2
*refutation and supporting ideas in body 2
Then, compare the conclusion to the rest of the essay to see how the writer summarized and
synthesized the ideas.
Topic: Is animal testing morally acceptable?

Animal Testing

“If you call it ‘medical research’, you can get away with murder,” is an anonymous quote
which expresses how immoral testing on animals is. This quote is seen on every social media
account because of a recent controversy about animal experimentation. Accordingly, many
country administrators are trying to change their animal policies. As a matter of fact, animal
testing is not ethical since it causes pain to animals, and may be unreliable; nevertheless,
opponents claim that animal testing enhances drug development.

The first reason why testing on animals is not decent is that it hurts animals. To begin
with, the act of hurting is morally unacceptable even if it is animals that are being harmed. The
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drugs which are analyzed are on their basic form. Since the drug is not fully prepared, it is likely
to damage and even kill the subject. Therefore, unless scientists are confident that it will cause
no injury to animals, they do not have any right to use animals as laboratory subjects. Overall,
animal experimenting is not virtuous since it causes damage to them.
On the other hand, according to the opposition, animal testing is ethical because there is
no other method for people to advance their medical knowledge. However, there is no guarantee
that the data which is gathered from animal testing will be totally accurate and reliable. The data
can be misleading since animals are under stress when they are being tested, and there are
specific distinctions between humans and animals. Thus, there is no value in using animals as test
subjects. All in all, testing on animals is immoral since it may be undependable.
Taking everything into consideration, experimenting on animals is not virtuous because
of the fact that it injures animals, and can be inaccurate despite the counter arguments.
Animals are hurt while they are tested, and even killed after the test. In addition, animal testing
may be tricky since drugs can have different effects on humans and animals. In my opinion,
animal testing should be banned globally, and scientists should find a more righteous way to
examine medicine.

2. Argumentative Essay Model B:

- Introduction
- Body 1 CON 1 – Refutation
- Body 2 CON 2 – Refutation
- Conclusion

Practice 2. Look at the sample essay and identify

*thesis statement
*con idea in body 1
*refutation and supporting ideas in body 1
*con idea in body 2
*refutation and supporting ideas in body
1

Then, compare the conclusion to the rest of the essay to see how the writer summarized and
synthesized the ideas.
Topic: Is global cooperation necessary?
One Nation

Years ago, people did not use to work together, but now people have global cooperation.
Thanks to global cooperation, societies have a chance to solve their issues more effectively. Global
cooperation is widely-known throughout the world so that anyone can meet and do something for the
world or their country. Ultimately, global cooperation is a new kind of word for supporting peace in
communities and working together to solve problems although some people disagree.

Firstly, some people consider that global cooperation is not as beneficial as countries think.
Moreover, they believe that global cooperation is a new expression for exploitation. However, global
cooperation not only helps the world but also promotes peace for countries. The European Union is one
of the best examples of global cooperation. Namely, within the European Union, countries which are
using the same market do not charge a fee from customers when they are buying goods from another
country. Thus, they help underdeveloped countries to grow more. All in all, cooperation of states is
necessary for the betterment of societies since it has positive effects.

Secondly, it is also claimed by some people that global cooperation asserts imperialism and does
not support the countries that are in need of help. Nevertheless, cooperating globally allows people to
work together and take action for world problems. For instance, according to some research, sulphur
dioxide emissions that cause acid rain have been reduced by 57% in Canada and 67% in the United
States since 1990 as a result of their collaboration. Hereby, it means if people work together, they can
solve all the global issues. In conclusion, many countries are in global cooperation which brings power so
that they can beat every hard problem.

To sum up, some countries that need help access that support for peace and the world problems reach a
solution thanks to global cooperation. Some people still believe that global cooperation means
colonialism; however, on the contrary, global cooperation encourages people to work for the
international issues and for a peaceful living environment in welfare. Overall, it is now high time
countries assist each other for the world’s sake.
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Introduction Paragraph

The hook is the first sentence of the introduction paragraph. It should be only one sentence.
The bridge is the background information or the explanation of the hook.
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Hook Types
4
5
6
7

Put the following sentences in the correct order so that you have an introduction paragraph
moving from general statements to the thesis statement.

Introduction Paragraph 1:
a. Two important fields in which computers are widely used are business and education.

b. They have become a part of everyday life and they have made everything easier and
more
convenient.

c. In existence for only a few decades, personal computers have had a major impact
on
modern society.

d. Throughout human existence, man has tried to develop and use new and more
beneficial tools
in order to improve his standard of living.

e. The modern computer is the most recent of these life changing tools.

Answer: d,e,c,b,a
Hook: d
Bridge: e,c,b
Thesis Statement: a

Introduction Paragraph 2:
a. One reason may be that many good friendships were set in those early years of life.

b. Primary school years make up the majority of people’s memories when they think
about their childhood.

c. Also, when being away from family members was a great challenge, there were the
extraordinary
teachers waiting to help.

d. They not only taught students, but they also trained them for the real world.

e. The two main qualities teachers had in the past were patience and forgiveness.

Answer: b,a,c,d,e
Hook: b
Bridge: a,c,d
Thesis Statement: e
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Guideline for Essays

Paragraph Sentence(s) Function Linkers
Introduction Hook Generalization No linkers
Misconception
Fun fact
Quotation
Well formed rhetorical question

Bridge Narrow down the hook Any linker other than

the ones in the body paragraph.
Give background information
Explain the hook
Have a transition sentence to the
thesis statement

Thesis Statement It should answer the question Clearly, especially, in particular

Indeed, therefore, thus, hence,
It can be said/asserted/claimed that
Have two main ideas
Have the main topic

Body Topic Sentence Have one controlling idea Firstly, the first way of… etc.
Have the main topic

Supporting Sentence These should help you answer the To begin/start with, first of all, firstly…
question, as well
Discuss a subtopic of controlling Above all, most importantly,
idea most crucially…
Explain why or how your
controlling idea is true

Concluding Sentence Restate topic sentence To conclude, in conclusion, to sum up

As a result…
Have one controlling idea
Have the main topic

Conclusion Thesis Repetition Restate thesis statement In conclusion, to sum up, as a result…
It should answer the question
Have two main ideas
Have the main topic

Summary Summarize each body paragraph Summary 1. Furthermore/Moreover/In addition…

Summarize one supporting idea in Summary 2
each body

Super-so-what Give personal opinion No need for linkers. You can use one
Solution / Call for action İf you’d like.
Prediction
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This is not a complete essay. There are no con idea paragraph and conclusion paragraph.

Benefits of Travel

One of the greatest philosophers, Augustine said, “The world is a book and those who do not travel
read only one page.” It is a well- known fact that experiences of travel can provide a person a lot of
benefits. Not only the traveller, but also an entire country benefits from travel or tourism activities.
Obviously, travelling has benefits for the people who travel and for the country’s economy.

The first gain of travelling is personal benefits. To begin with, traveling broadens the traveller’s
horizons. Seeing different places either in their own country or in another country will give travellers
a chance to see different lifestyles and different kinds of people. They can realize that there are
alternative ways of doing everyday activities such as housing, cooking and practicing religion. As a
result, they become more tolerant and wiser with different perspectives in their own life and work.
Furthermore, travelling teaches people many skills. Maybe the skills that are most dramatically
affected are social and organizational skills. Travellers have to plan their travels carefully and follow
these plans, which will make them better organizers. Also, travellers have to talk to, or even stay with
many other people during their time away from home. This will also help them become better
communicators. In brief, if people want to improve themselves, travelling is definitely the best option
for them.

Another gain of travelling is that it benefits a country’s economy. To start with, travelling creates a lot of
opportunities. Travelling requires many workers in tourism agencies, transportation, accommodation,
catering, and a lot of other job areas that depend on visitors. When people travel, they have to spend money
to meet at least their basic needs. As a result, this will create more job opportunities in the places which
are attractive for tourists. Additionally, people who travel will get new ideas for business wherever they go
because they see new businesses and communicate with people who are in different industries. This will
give people a chance to build a network for their work. For example, a businessman who travels on a train
can meet somebody who does the same business as they do and they can network. As a result, travelling
can improve a country’s economy.

INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH: (Hook + Bridge + Thesis Statement):

Hook: One of the greatest philosophers, Augustine said, “The world is a book and those who
do not travel read only one page.”
Bridge: It is a well- known fact that experiences of travel can provide a person a lot of
benefits. Not only the traveller, but also an entire country benefits from travel or tourism
activities.
Thesis Statement: Obviously, travelling has benefits for the people who travel and for the
country’s economy. (Message of the whole essay --- Main Idea 1 + Main Idea 2)

Benefits for the people who travel Body 1 Topic (Main Idea 1)
Benefits for the country’s economy Body 2 Topic (Main Idea 2)
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BODY PARAGRAPH 1:

Topic Sentence 1: The first gain of travelling is personal benefits.

Support 1: To begin with, traveling broadens the traveller’s horizons.

Support 2: Furthermore, travelling teaches people many skills.

Concluding Sentence 1: In brief, if people want to improve themselves, travelling is

definitely the best option for them.

BODY PARAGRAPH 2:

Topic Sentence 2: Another gain of travelling is that it benefits a country’s economy.

Support 1: To start with, travelling creates a lot of opportunities.

Support 2: Additionally, people who travel will get new ideas for business

Concluding Sentence 2: As a result, travelling can improve a country’s economy.

Con idea-refutation paragraph sample:

Con idea
Linker for refutation
Refutation
Supporting detail for refutation (example)
Concluding sentence of the paragraph

Secondly, according to some counter views, AI is quite advantageous since it can

handle the majority of the labor at both home and school. Nevertheless, it has been
demonstrated that the majority of people have developed laziness since they entrust their
schoolwork and housekeeping to AI. As an illustration, some students who are required to
write their essays independently choose to simply go online and have the AI do them instead
of exerting the necessary effort. In brief, AI is unquestionably one of the primary
explanations for why human beings are so unproductive.
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Expressions to introduce the CON Idea in the body paragraph:

Some claim that

Some people argue that
Proponents of … assert that
Opponents of … say that
Certain people maintain that
suggest that
consider that
believe that

It is often claimed that

sometimes suggested that
generally argued that
widely believed that
considered that

Linkers between the CON idea and the PRO idea:

However
Yet
Nevertheless
Nonetheless