Argumentative Essay

A. Definition:
An argumentative essay is a type of writing that requires a writer to defend a
position on a topic using evidence from personal experience, literature, historical
examples, and research to support his or her viewpoint. The writer usually uses several
different arguments to prove his or her point.
B. Parts
I. Introduction
A. Hook
The hook is an introduction that catches the reader's attention.
Argumentative essays can start with facts, statistics, quotes, or anecdotes
that reference the topic of the essay. Make sure the introduction is
interesting enough to 'hook' your readers into wanting to read more. Once
you've written the first sentence, you want to connect the information to
what you ultimately what to try to prove by leading into your thesis
statement.
Example
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 2,700
teen drivers between the ages of 16 and 19 died in 2010 and over 282,000
were injured. Despite their desire to want to get behind the wheel, teen
drivers simply aren't ready to take on the responsibilities of driving yet.
B. Thesis
A thesis statement is a sentence that explains what you are trying to prove
and provides an overview of the arguments you will make in your body
paragraphs. The thesis acts as a roadmap for the rest of your paper. Do not
worry about going into too much detail about what your arguments will be;
instead, focus on writing a clear, concise statement that hints at the topics
you plan to discuss.

Example
The legal driving age should be changed to 20 because teen drivers are more
likely to cause accidents and they are not mature enough to understand the
repercussions of their actions.
C. Background Information
Though not always required in an argumentative essay, a background
paragraph may be vital to your paper if there is information that your
audience needs to be aware of to understand your topic. This might include
important historical dates, an explanation of who the subject affects, or
current laws. This paragraph isn't trying to prove a point; it is simply
providing information to help the audience understand the topic.
Example
Driver's license requirements are set by each state, not the federal
government. Therefore, the legal driving age varies from state to state. All
states, with the exception of Maine, allow drivers to have unrestricted
licenses at the age of 18. Maine's age is 21. Most states allows teenagers as
young as 16 to have restricted licenses, usually meaning they can drive as
long as they are with a parent or guardian.

II.

Body Paragraphs
The body paragraphs are where you will explain the evidence you have to
support your thesis statement. Your body paragraph should start with a topic
sentence written in your own words. You should then include some form of rhetoric
(such as a fact or statistic, an emotional anecdote, or a law) that provides support
for your topic sentence. Finally, the body paragraphs should contain a sentence that
explains how the evidence youve provided proves your overall point.
III.

Refutation
the writer acknowledges the opposition. To not do so, may be considered
cowardice,
stupidity, dishonesty, or weakness. However, acknowledgement does not
imply
agreement. In this portion of the essay, the writer needs to refute or
disagree intelligently
with the opposition.

IV.

*A Gentle Reminder from Lester Faigley and Jack Selzers Good

Reasons:
1. Try to think of yourself as engaged not so much in winning over your
audience
as in courting your audiences cooperation.
2. Show that you understand and genuinely respect your listeners or
readers
position even if you think the position is ultimately wrong
Conclusion
the writer restates, in general terms, the major arguments he has
marshaled in defense ofhis thesis.
the writer may summarize key points, restate his thesis, reinforce the
weakness of his
opposition, underscore the logic of his presentation, re-emphasize why
this debate is
important, suggest a course of action, or challenge the reader to apply
the papers
argument to his own life.

C. Purpose
Purpose of Argumentative Essays
An argument follows when two groups disagree about something.
An argumentative essay is also one that attempts/tries to change the readers
mind, to convince the reader to agree with the point of view of the writer.
Argumentative essays attempt to be highly persuasive and logical.
When writing an argumentative essay assumes that your reader disagrees with you,
but remembers your reader is no less intelligent than you.
Write objectively, logically, and respectfully.

Smoking should be banned

Smoking is a practice in which a substance, most commonly tobacco or

cannabis, is burned and the smoke is tasted or inhaled. The most common method of
smoking today is through cigarettes, primarily industrially manufactured but also
hand-rolled from loose tobacco and rolling paper. Today we are more aware about
how bad smoking is for our health. Smoking should be banned or restricted in
almost all public places because it has been shown to be dangerous to health, it can
reduced athletic performance and it can lead to bad skin, bad breath and badsmelling clothes and hair.
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.
If you smoke, you have a higher risk of dying from heart attack or stroke. In itself,
this is a good reason to leave your cigarettes in the packet. As we know, smoking
also acts as the pivotal cause of chronic bronchitis. Smokers inhale tobacco smoke
into their lungs, which irritates the air passages. This finally produces mucus,
subsequently developing into chronic bronchitis. Due to the fact, more smoke you
breathe, the more it damages your lungs but it can be more hazardous to a passive
smoker who inhales the smoke being in close vicinity of the active smoker.
Besides that, smoking can reduce athletic performance. People who smoke
usually can't compete with nonsmoking peers because the physical effects of
smoking like rapid heartbeat, decreased circulation, and shortness of breath impair
sports performance. One of the main impacts of smoking on athletic performance is
a decrease in lung function. For athletes, this means a decrease in stamina and
performance, as muscles that get inadequate oxygen become fatigued more quickly.
Smokers also tend to suffer from shortness of breath more often than
nonsmokers, as their muscles and heart demand more oxygen than their lungs are
able to supply.
Last but not least is smoking can lead to bad skin, bad breath and bad-smelling
clothes and hair. Because smoking restricts blood vessels, it can prevent oxygen and
nutrients from getting to the skin which is why smokers often appear pale and
unhealthy. Cigarettes leave smokers with a condition called halitosis, or persistent
bad breath. The smell of stale smoke tends to linger, not just on people's clothing,
but on their hair, furniture, and cars. And it is often hard to get the smell of smoke
out.
The only thing that really helps a person avoid the problems associated with
smoking is staying smoke free. This is not always easy, especially if everyone around
you is smoking and offering you cigarettes. To avoid these evils of smoking and
ensure a healthy platform for the youth it is not only our duty but need of the day
to condemn such practices if not completely then at least socially. In general, I
think the world would be a better place without cigarettes and that is why smoking
should be banned. However, the decision as to whether to smoke or not should be
for each individual to make.