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Argumentativeessay

The document provides tips for writing an argumentative essay. It outlines 7 steps: 1) organize your ideas and research both sides of the topic, 2) create a clear thesis statement defining the topic and your position, 3) write body paragraphs explaining and arguing your position with facts, 4) write an introduction with an attention-grabbing opening and introduction to the thesis, 5) write a conclusion restating the thesis and main ideas, 6) edit and check the structure and flow, and 7) add an appropriate title. The document emphasizes taking a clear position, using facts over opinions, and maintaining a reasonable tone.

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24 views3 pages

Argumentativeessay

The document provides tips for writing an argumentative essay. It outlines 7 steps: 1) organize your ideas and research both sides of the topic, 2) create a clear thesis statement defining the topic and your position, 3) write body paragraphs explaining and arguing your position with facts, 4) write an introduction with an attention-grabbing opening and introduction to the thesis, 5) write a conclusion restating the thesis and main ideas, 6) edit and check the structure and flow, and 7) add an appropriate title. The document emphasizes taking a clear position, using facts over opinions, and maintaining a reasonable tone.

Uploaded by

maudnelis06
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Writing an argumentative essay VWO 6

Primary purpose: To persuade other people that your point of view is the right one,
win them over.

Tip: Do not write about those topics that cannot be won, no matter how strongly you
feel about them! (think of freedom of speech, abortion, etc.) Choose something that’s
highly debatable.
Mind your tone: As a writer you must be aware that your readers will be sceptical
when they read your work. Therefore you must sound reasonable and professional,
thus mind your vocabulary and make sure you use transitional words to display a
well- thought out and organized essay.

Step 1: Organize your ideas, become an expert yourself, so read into the subject, so
you know all ins and outs, both of the side your support and the opposing views.

Step 2: To narrow down the topic, create your thesis statement! Clearly define what
the essay will be about.
What is the point you will be making? What do your main ideas and
supporting ideas/ information say about your topic? Now discuss in depth so
your reader will fully understand the problem. Take in a clear position! Don’t
use “I” as this weakens your position! Make it sound as if this is a fact, not
just a way you think.

This is the last sentence of the introductory paragraph!

A thesis statement consists of 2 parts:


1) the topic (e.g. Bullying…..)
2) the point of your essay (e.g. … severely affects a child’s development
into adulthood)

Step 3: Write the Body paragraphs first! (§ 2, §3, etc.)- Explain, describe, refute and
argue, based on facts, not just your own ideas! Make sure you do not merely
base this essay on your own prejudices!
Each well- thought out argument will become one separate paragraph.
State your main idea and then fully explain or describe and give
examples and of course do not forget to refute the opposing party’s views.

TIP: You can also use your 2nd paragraph to educate your reader on the history of the
topic. How come things are what they are now? What did they attempt to solve this
problem then?

Step 4: Write your introduction (§1).


1) Attract your reader’s attention: Make sure you have a powerful opening
line, a striking fact or an anecdote; you want to trigger readers into wanting
to read your essay.
2) Write some additional information to generally introduce the problem and
move towards your thesis statement, also mentioned in paragraph 1, the last
line. Also ask yourself: Who is mainly affected by this problem?
Step 5: Write your conclusion.
Restate thesis, sum up main ideas or give your final opinion about the topic.
You just need a short (3 to 4 lines), but strong paragraph. (Again, don’t use
“I”, be a pro!)

Step 6: Now that you have your essay, don’t hand it in yet! Check yourself: Which
paragraph turned out to be the strongest one? Always start with your strongest
argument! The weakest one is the last one of the body paragraphs!

Step 7: Do you also have an appropriate title? If not, please add!

Don’t forget to add your name!

Do the sentences flow smoothly? If not, add linking/


listing words (transition words), such as ‘therefore’, ‘however’, ‘although’.

Check spelling and grammar!

Adverbs and adjectives can make the essence of the essay clearer!

Word aid:

While this may be true, one should still remember that….


The consequence is
It is evident that, it is cleat that
Due to
According to…
Mr X argues that…
To quote from…
As Mr X stated/ expressed/ points out
To summarize
Altogether,
To briefly sum up,
On the one hand, Mr X argues that….., one the other hand, Mr S contradicts this
argument by stating that….
One can assume that….
It is often claimed that…
It seems doubtful/ certain that…
If this is indeed the case, then…
This evidence demonstrates that…
When contrasting these two arguments, one can immediately recognize the fact that
This is an illustration of…
It is highly unlikely that
Strongly (dis)agree with
These arguments are easily refutable
Use constructions like:
* both…. and (Both the Prime Minister and his Cabinet were awfully surprised about
the consequences of the economical crisis).
* neither… nor (Neither Susan nor Harry were happy to see me).
* either… or (Either you work on your essays today or participate in the debate).
* gerunds (After having analysed the evidence, the lawyer….)
* not only… but also
* only by… will / if…. will

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