Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Argumentative Essays
As you read in the sample essay last week, an argumentative essay is one in which you agree or
disagree with an issue, using reasons to support your opinion. Your goal is to persuade your reader
that your opinion is right. Argumentation is an important style of essay to master because it forces
you to take a stand on an issue, support your stand with solid reasons and substantiate your reasons
with solid evidence.
What is essential in argumentative essays is that you do not just give reasons to support your point of
view: you must also discuss the other side’s reasons and then rebut them. (Rebut means to point out
problems with the other side’s reasons to prove they are NOT good reasons.) Doing this shows our
readers that we have considered all sides of the issues; demonstrating that we are reasonable and
open-minded makes our own point of view more credible.
Academic Writing: Week 8
Organization
Block Pattern Point-by-Point Pattern
I. Introduction I. Introduction
Explanation of the issues Explanation of the issues, including a
Thesis statement summary of the other side’s
arguments
Thesis statement
B: Outlining
Separating the Sexes, Just for the Tough Years
I. Introduction (explanation of the issue)
Thesis statement:
__________________________________________________________________
II. Body
A: Opposing argument 1:
Opponents of single-sex education claim that test scores show there is no advantage
to all-girl or all-boy classes.
Rebuttal to argument 1:
1) Research is inconclusive—show opposite results
2) Other results that cannot be calculated
a) Girls__________________________________________
b) Boys__________________________________________
B: Opposing argument 2:
__________________________________________________________________
Rebuttal to argument 2:
__________________________________________________________________
a) Settling squabbles with siblings
b) Negotiating with opposite-sex parent
C: Opposing argument 3:
__________________________________________________________________
Rebuttal to argument 3:
__________________________________________________________________
a) __________________________________________________________
b) Teachers call on boys more often
D: Own point of view
Same-sex classes provide a better learning environment
Reasons
a) Boys and girls ____________________________________________
b) Girls ____________________________________________________
c) Boys____________________________________________________
III: Conclusion
Academic Writing: Week 8
The thesis statement states clearly which side you are for:
• Curfew laws are unfair and should be abolished.
• In my opinion, stem cell research should receive full governmental
support.
The statement often mentions the opposing point of view, with the writer’s opinion in
the main clause and the opposing point of view in a subordinate clause.
• Despite the claims that curfew laws are necessary to control juvenile
gangs, curfew laws are clearly unconstitutional.
• Although there are certainly reasons to be cautious with stem cell
research or any new technology, I believe that its potential benefits far
outweigh its dangers.
Connect the opposing point of view to your own with transition signals of contrast:
however, …
although/even though…
in spite of the fact that/despite the fact that…
While/Whereas…
Exercise 1: Add an opposing point of view to each of the following thesis statements.
1. Doctors or family members should never be allowed to “pull the plug”.
2. The sale of CDs with songs containing lyrics that degrade women should be
prohibited.
Exercise 2: Think of two or three supporting arguments for each thesis statement.
Notice that two of the thesis statements state only the writer’s point of view, and two
state both sides of the argument.
1. Censorship of the arts is always wrong.
a) Freedom to express oneself is a fundamental right.
b) Public morality is relative—what is objectionable in some cultures is
acceptable in others.
c) Many masterpieces—books, sculptures, and paintings—would be
banned.
2. Violence in video games, movies, and television programs should be censored.
3. Despite the fact that education’s primary responsibility is to train minds, not
bodies, I believe that schools should require students to practice a sport at least
one hour a day.
4. Although some people think curfew laws will help control teenage gangs, they
are wrong for several reasons.
Academic Writing: Week 8
Write 350 words on the topic and format the paper with double spacing and margins
of at least 2 cm. Be prepared to SHARE your work with the class on 16 December 2009.