Argumentative Essays

1. Argumentative Essays

2. A type of essay that attempts to persuade the reader to your point of view. In an argumentative essay you must: State your view Give your arguments (reasons) Support your arguments with evidence, examples, stories, etc. Present an opposing view and show why you disagree with it. IELTS Writing Task 2 is an argumentative essay Argumentative Essay

3. Five Paragraphs • Introduction • Argument 1 • Argument 2 or Counter Argument • Counter Argument or Argument 2 • Conclusion

4. Introduction • A sentence or two to introduce your topic • Your thesis statement Example: It has become fashionable in the world today to condemn smoking.However, although I feel that smoking can be harmful, I do not think it should be banned completely. Red = Topic Introduction Blue = Thesis Statement

5. Introduction (cont.) It has become fashionable in the world today to condemn smoking. However, although I feel that smoking can be harmful, I do not think it should be banned completely. Topic Sentence: Introduce Topic Thesis Statement

6. Introduction: Thesis Statement Thethesis statement gives either your opinion or an overview of your essay. • Opinion Example:… I do not think it should be banned completely. • Overview Example:This essay will examine some of the reasons for and against banning smoking.

7. Argument 1 • Topic sentence • Supporting information • Evidence • Examples • Stories • Etc.

8. Argument 1 Topic Sentence Let me deal first with the positive side of smoking. First, smoking undoubtedly helps many people to relax. For some, it even improves concentration. Many people like to smoke before exams or when they are relaxing with friends. Supporting Informaton

9. Argument 1 Topic Sentence Let me deal first with the positive side of smoking. First, smoking undoubtedly helps many people to relax. For some, it even improves concentration. Many people like to smoke before exams or when they are relaxing with friends. Orange = Supporting Information First Example Second Example Summarize/ Extend Examples

10. Argument 1: Supporting Information Let me deal first with the positive side of smoking. First, smoking undoubtedly helps many people to relax. For some, it even improves concentration. Many people like to smoke before exams or when they are relaxing with friends. 1st example, evidence, or story 2nd example, evidence, or story Summarize/ Extend Examples

11. Argument 2 A further point is that the tobacco industry also employs tens of thousands of people throughout the world, particularly in poorer countries like Zimbabwe or India. Without cigarettes, these people would have no jobs. Topic Sentence Supporting Info: Extend Argument

12. Counter Argument Presents the other side of the argument • Counter argument: what those who disagree with you say • Refutation: your answer to those who disagree with you

13. Counter Argument: Example The arguments against smoking are well known. Smoking has been shown to be dangerous to health. Heart disease, bronchitis and lung cancer have all been linked. But smoking is a personal decision; the government should not be telling people what to do with their lives. Black = Topic Sentence Red = Counter Argument Blue = Refutation

14. Counter Argument: Example Topic Sentence The arguments against smoking are well known. Smoking has been shown to be dangerous to health. Heart disease, bronchitis and lung cancer have all been linked. But smoking is a personal decision; the government should not be telling people what to do with their lives. Counter Argument Refutation

15. Refutation Gives your answer to the counter argument Example: But smoking is a personal decision; the government should not be telling people what to do with their lives.

16. Writing a conclusion A conclusion should do some or all of these: • Restate the thesis • Summarize the main ideas • Restate argument or refutation • Look to the future – what will happen if your argument is accepted or not acceptedExample: if smoking is banned, many people will lose their jobs.

17. Writing a conclusion (cont.) • A conclusion must not introduce anything new: • No new arguments • No new examples, evidence or stories • No new refutations • A conclusion can only restate or summarize what is in the first four paragraphs or look to the future.

18. Conclusion In general, I think the world would be a better place without cigarettes. However, the decision as to whether to smoke or not should be for each individual to make. Restate Thesis Restate refutation

19. TUST Formatting Standards • At the top of the page you should have in bold: • Your English name followed by your family name • Number of your class: 41, 42, 43, 44 • Date in day, month, year: 21 February 2011 • Title of the assignment (centered) • The body: • Times New Roman 12 point font • Double spaced • First line of each paragraph indented at 1.27 cm or ½ inch • No extra space between paragraphs • Left and right margins at 2.54 cm or one inch • At the bottom of the page you should have: • The word count of the body. This does not include header information, title, or the word count.

20. Times New Roman 12 point font • Double spaced • First line of paragraph indented at 1.27 cm • No extra space between paragraphs • Left margin at 2.54 cm. Example • English Name Family Name • Class • Date Title Word Count of paragraphs 1-5

21. Argumentative Essay Rubric • Deadly Sins (-10 pts. each): • Spelling, capitalization, etc., errors ___ • TUST standards errors ___ • Late: -10 for each day ___ • Contents (60 pts.): • Intro: Intro. topic, Thesis Statement ___ • Argument 1: topic, examples, etc. ___ • Argument 2: topic, examples, etc. ___ • Counter argument & refutation ___ • Conclusion ___ • Organization (20 pts.): • Ideas follow logically ___ • Statements are relevant to the topic ___ • Mechanics (20 pts.): • Grammar, usage, punctuation: ___ • Comments:

22. The Assignment Write you own argumentative essay of at least 250 words on one of these topics: • Should the wealthier people have to pay more in taxes than the poor? If so, how much? • A rich man and a poor man commit the same type of crime. The rich man is fined $10,000 while the poor man is sent to jail for one year. Is this fair? • A rich man and a poor man commit the same type of crime. They are both fined $10,000. Is this fair? • Why punish the theft of $1000 more than the theft of $100? • Should attempted murder be punished the same as murder?