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opinion about something, for example, that female military personnel can be as effective
as male military personnel in combat missions. The writer argues his or her point, gives
important because some things can’t be argued. For example, you can’t argue that a rose
is more beautiful than a daisy- this is an opinion than can’t be supported by facts.
However, you can argue that roses are more popular than daisies and support the
argument with facts about florists’ sales of the two kinds of flowers.
Here are a few effective topics and thesis statements for an argumentative essay:
• Marriage under eighteen: People under the age of eighteen should not be
allowed to marry.
application to a university.
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You can argue either for (pro) or against (con) these statements. If your topic does not
have two viewpoints, your essay will not be effective. Look at the following example of
You cannot argue against this statement because it is a fact. Therefore, you cannot write
Be sure that the topic you choose for an argumentative essay can be argued both pro and
con.
In writing an argumentative essay, you will have to make a statement or give opinion on
a particular issue and then support it with reasons, facts and examples. In argumentative
essay, you try to persuade your readers to accept your point of view. Your point of view
may be for or against a particular issue. In order to do this, you have to defend your
opinions with supporting details. These supporting details can be in the form of reasons,
facts or examples. You should make sure that the reasons you give are logical and that
they support your thesis statement. For each opinion you present, you may write out one
or more supporting details. The examples given are ways in which you can support your
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Providing support for debatable statements (Thesis Statement)
You now know that debatable statements are not statements of fact but are Thesis
Statement or premises with which other people may or may not agree. When you are
writing an argumentative essay your aim is to make your readers agree with your
debatable statements or premises. You need to convince your readers of the value or truth
of your premises. But by themselves, they are not convincing - they need support. You
will learn how to provide supporting statements for your topic sentences. You will also
learn how to use connectives to link these statements to each other and to the topic
sentence.
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statement 1
Topic
sentence/Supporting A very large percentage of the population uses it.
statement 2
Both supporting statements provide information that helps prove or support the
premise. We can use connectives to link these statements together:
Firstly tells the reader that this is the first supporting statement. (There are no
normal connectives that can be used in this place. It is, however, acceptable to
have no connective here)
In addition tells the reader that this is an extra supporting statement. Other
connectives that you could use here are Furthermore, Moreover and Secondly.
Task 1
The following premises or thesis statements have one supporting statement. Rewrite them
adding a second supporting statement. Also use connectives for the first and second
supporting statements
Example:
Immigration
(Thesis Statement) A strong immigration program is necessary in Australia.
(Topic sentence) The population is too small for sustained economic
growth.
(Topic sentence) Immigrants bring in new skills that can help the country
develop.
Firstly, the population is too small for sustained economic growth.
Moreover, immigrants bring in new skills that can help the country develop.
b. Smoking
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(Thesis Statement) Smoking should be banned in restaurants and pubs.
(Topic sentence) It will help people to give up this unhealthy habit.
(Topic sentence) ____________________________________________
____________________________________________
c. Public Transport
_____________________________________________
Your job as the writer of an argumentative essay is to convince your readers that your
opinion about a topic (your thesis statement) is the most valid viewpoint. To do this, your
Even though you are arguing one side of an issue (either for or against); you must also
think about what someone on the other side of the issue would argue. As soon as you give
your opponent’s point of view, you must offer a refutation of it. This means that you
refute the other point of view, or show how it is wrong. If you give only your opinion,
your essay will sound like propaganda, and your readers will not be convinced of your
viewpoint.
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C. PLANING AN ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY
It is useful to prepare an outline first before writing an argumentative essay. The outline
includes the points that will help you to write a complete argumentative essay.
I INTRODUCTION
A. Arouse the reader’s interest, introduce the subject and highlight its importance
B. State your stand on the subject
II DEVELOPMENT
A. Indicate one or two of the more important arguments against your position
B. Refute the positions you have just stated
C. Present additional arguments in support of your position
III CONCLUSION
A. Restate your position on the issue
B. Present an emotional appeal for your position, perhaps warning what might
A good way to help you learn how to write an argumentative essay is to study an
example.
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Read and study the following argumentative essay. Work with a partner to answer the
questions before and after the essay. These questions will help you understand the
In this essay, the writer argues for the use of school uniforms. Do the arguments convince
2. Some people believe that children are too materialistic these days. For example,
they may be too interested in wearing brand-name clothes and shoes. What is your
opinion?
believe in the right to express their own opinion without fear of punishment. This
value, however, is coming under fire in an unlikely place-the public school classroom.
The issue is school uniforms. Should public school students be allowed to make
uniform? School uniforms are the better choice for three reasons.
2 First, wearing school uniform would help make students’ lives simpler. They
would no longer have to decide what to wear every morning, sometimes trying outfit
after outfit in an effort to choose. Uniforms would not only save time but also would
individuals. Uniforms give students the message that school is a special place for
learning. In addition, uniforms create a feeling of unity among students. For example,
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when students do something as a group, such as attend meetings in the auditorium or
eat lunch in the cafeteria, the fact they all wear the same uniform would create a sense
of community. Even more important, statistics show the positive effects that school
test scores improved, and student suspensions declined approximately 30 percent after
standards of living differ greatly, and some people are well-off while others are not.
People sometimes forget that school is a place to get an education, not to promote a
“fashion show.” Implementing mandatory school uniforms would make all the
students look the same regardless of their financial status. School uniforms would
promote pride and help to raise the self-esteem of students who cannot afford to wear
stylish clothing.
5 Opponents of mandatory uniforms say that students who wear school uniforms
cannot express their individuality. This point has some merit on the surface. However,
as stated previously, school is a place to learn, not to flaunt wealth and fashion.
Society must decide if individual expression through clothing is more valuable than
would be worn only during school hours. Students can express individuality in the way
mandatory school uniforms for students. Studies show that students learn better and act
more responsibly when they wear uniforms. Public schools should require uniforms in
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Adapted from Great Essays by Keith S. Folse, April Muchmore-Vokoun and Elena
3. The topic of this essay is school uniforms. What is the hook in the first paragraph?
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
5. Topic sentence: Paragraph 2, 3, and 4 each give a reason for requiring school
uniforms. These reasons can be found in the topic sentence of each paragraph. What
7. Which paragraph presents a counterargument (an argument that is contrary to, or the
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____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
8. The writer gives a refutation of the counterargument (shows that it is wrong). What
9. Write the sentence from the concluding paragraph of the “the School Uniform
10 Reread the concluding paragraph. What is the writer’s opinion about this issue?
.
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