Argumentative writing

Planning Stage For an argument essay to be effective, it must contain certain elements. For this reason, you must take a few minutes to plan before you jump into writing an argument essay. Find a Good Topic To find good topic for an argument essay you should consider several issues that will have two conflicting points of view or very different conclusions. As you look over a list of topics you should find one that really sparks your interest. While a strong interest in a topic is important, it's not enough. You next have to consider what position you can back up with reasoning. It's one thing to have a strong belief, but when shaping an argument you'll have to explain why your belief is reasonable and logical. As you explore the topics, make a mental list of points you could use as evidence for or against an issue. Consider Both Sides of Your Topic and Take a Position Once you have selected a topic you feel strongly about, you should make a list of points for both sides of the argument. One of your first objectives in your essay will be to present both sides of your issue with an assessment of each. Of course, you will conclude that one side (your side) is the best conclusion. In the planning stage you will need to consider strong arguments for the "other" side. Then you'll shoot them down! Gather Evidence When we think of arguments we might picture two red-faced people speaking quite loudly and making dramatic gestures. But that's

because face-to-face arguments often become emotional. In fact, the act of arguing involves providing proof to support your claim, with or without emotions. In an argument essay you will have to provide evidence without providing too much drama. You'll explore two sides of a topic (briefly) and provide proof as to why one side or position is the best one. Writing Stage Once you've given yourself a solid foundation to work with, you can begin to craft your essay. An argument essay should contain three parts: the introduction, the body, and the conclusion. The length of these parts (number of paragraphs) will vary, depending on the length of your essay assignment. 1. Introduce your topic and assert your side As in any essay, the first paragraph of your argument essay should contain a brief explanation of your topic, some background information, and a thesis statement. In this case, your thesis will be a statement of your position on a particular controversial topic. Example introductory paragraph with thesis statement: Since the turn of the new century, a theory has emerged concerning the end of the world, or at least the end of life as we know it. This new theory centers around the year 2012, a date that many claim has mysterious origins in ancient manuscripts from many different cultures. The most noted characteristic of this date is that it appears to mark the end of the Mayan calendar. But there is no evidence to suggest that the Maya saw any great relevance to this date. In fact, none of the claims surrounding a 2012 doomsday event hold up to scientific inquiry. The year 2012 will pass without a major, life-altering catastrophe. 2. Present both sides of the controversy The body of your essay will contain the meat of your argument. You should go into more detail about the two sides of your controversy and state the strongest points of the counter-side of your issue.

After describing the "other" side, you will present your own viewpoint and then provide evidence to show why your position is the correct one. Select your strongest evidence and present your points one by one. Use a mix of evidence types, from statistics, to other studies and anecdotal stories. This part of your paper could be any length, from two paragraphs to two hundred pages. Re-state your position as the most sensible one in your summary paragraphs. Tips for Your Essay: Avoid emotional language Know the difference between a logical conclusion and an emotional point of view Don't make up evidence Cite your sources Make an outline Be prepared to defend your side by knowing the strongest arguments for the other side. You might be challenged by the teacher or by another student.

How to Write an Argument Essay There are five main steps. Step 1: Read the essay Read the question. Decide what kind of essay it is - opinion, compare/contrast, problem and solution, cause and effect, or a mixture. The type of question will decide the layout and your ideas. Step 2: Underline Underline key vocabulary in the question and write words with the same or related meaning. This will really save you a lot of time later on. It will also help to avoid repetition of words, and will show that you understand the question.

Step 3: Get Ideas Decide if you are for or against the idea. Usually it is best to give both sides (for and against - one paragraph each) and then to give your opinion in the conclusion. However there are other ways of laying out your essay. Step 4: Decide Layout You should decide on a layout. The easiest is 3773. That means four paragraphs: introduction (3 sentences) one side (7 sentences), the other side (7 sentences) and the conclusion (3 sentences). This will give you 20 sentences. An average of about 12 words each, that is 240 words. Perfect! Step 5: Write After you have written your plan, write your essay. Follow the steps for writing the introduction, body, and conclusion.

Argument Essay Topics 1. We are becoming increasingly dependent on computers. They are used in businesses, hospitals, crime detection and even to fly planes. What things will they be used for in future? Is this dependence on computers a good thing or should we be more suspicious of their benefits? 2. Technology is making communication easier in today's world, but at the expense of personal contact as many people choose to work at home in front of a computer screen. What dangers are there for a society which depends on computer screens rather than face-toface contact for its main means of communication? 3. Some businesses now say that no one can smoke cigarettes in any of their offices. Some governments have banned smoking in all public places. Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons. 4. To what extent is the use of animals in scientific research acceptable? 5. Human beings do not need to eat meat in order to maintain good health because they can get all their food needs from meatless

products and meatless substances. A vegetarian diet is as healthy as a diet containing meat. Argue for or against the opinion above. 6. Forests are the lungs of the earth. Destruction of the world's forests amounts to death of the world we currently know. To what extent do you agree or disagree? 7. Are our zoos cruel to wild animals? Discuss. 8. Zoos are sometimes seen as necessary but not poor alternatives to a natural environment. Discuss some of the arguments for and/or against keeping animals in zoos. 9. Damage of the environment is an inevitable consequence of worldwide improvements in the standard of living. Discuss. 10. Education is the single most important factor in the development of a country. Do you agree? 11. Do the benefits of study abroad justify the difficulties? What advice would you offer to a prospective student? 12. The idea of going overseas for university study is an exciting prospect for many people. But while it may offer some advantages, it is probably better to stay home because of the difficulties a student inevitably encounters living and studying in a different culture. To what extent do you agree or disagree this statement? Give reasons for your answer. 13. Write a report to your sponsoring agency describing the Englishlanguage skills overseas students require. Make any recommendations you feel are necessary. 14. i. Education is recognized as vital to the future of any society in today's world. Governments throughout the world should make education compulsory for all children between the ages of 5 and 15. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? 15. Foreign language instruction should begin in kindergarten. Discuss. 16. Children should never be educated at home by their parents. Do you agree or disagree? 17. Children learn best by observing behavior of adults and copying it. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? 18. To what extent should universities function as training grounds for employment?

19. To what extent should university courses be geared to the economic needs of society? 20. Should wealthy nations be required to share their wealth among poorer nations by providing such things as food and education? Or is it a responsibility of the governments of poorer nations to look after their citizens themselves? 21. To what extent will migration from the developing world to the developed world become a social and political issue in the 21st century?
22.

In some countries the average worker is obliged to retire at the age of 50, while in others people can work until they are 65 or 70. Until what age do you think people should be encouraged to remain in paid employment? Give reasons for your answer.

23. The best way to reduce the number of traffic accidents is to make all young drivers complete a safe driving education course before being licensed to drive.
24.

The rising levels of congestion and air pollution found in most of the world cities can be attributed directly to the rapidly increasing number of private cars in use. Discuss possible ways to encourage the use of public transport.

25. News editors decide what to broadcast on TV and what to print in newspapers. What factors do you think influence their decisions? 26. Do we become used to bad news? Would it be better if more good news was reported? 27. TV: could you be without it? Discuss. 28. The mass media, including TV, radio and newspapers, have great influence in shaping people's ideas. To what extent do you agree or disagree this statement? Give reasons for your answer. 29. Tourism is becoming increasingly important as a source of revenue to many countries but its disadvantages should not be overlooked. What are some of the problems of tourism? 30. Are women are better parents than men?
31. Should 32. Will

rich countries forgive all debts for poor countries?

the Internet bring people of the world closer together?

33. Are zoos are necessary for education? 34. Is animal testing necessary?
35. Should

rich countries should pay more for environmental damage?

36. Should retirement be compulsory at 65 years of age? 37. Most high level jobs are done by men. Should the government encourage a certain percentage of these jobs to be reserved for women?
38. Are

famous people treated unfairly by the media? Should they be given more privacy, or is the price of their fame an invasion into their private lives?

39. Should developing countries concentrate on improving industrial skills or should they promote education first? 40. Safety standards are important when building people's homes. Who should be responsible for enforcing strict building codes - the government or the people who build the homes? 41. Does modern technology make life more convenient, or was life better when technology was simpler? 42. If children behave badly ,should their parents accept responsibility and also be punished? 43. Should sports classes be sacrificed in High School so students can concentrate on Academic subjects? 44. Should criminals be punished with lengthy jail terms or reeducated and rehabituated, using community service programs for instance, before being reintroduced to society? 45. Computers can translate all kinds of languages well. Do our children need to learn more languages in the future? 46. IS THERE TOO MUCH OF COMMERCIALISM IN THE INTERNET? 47. Should drivers of automobiles be prohibited from using cellular phones? 48. SHOULD 49. SHALL
RESTRICTIONS BE PLACED ON THE USE OF MOBILE PHONES IN PUBLIC AREAS LIKE RESTAURANTS AND THEATERS? WE INTEGRATE FROM

MARKETING

TO

E-MARKETING?

50. SHOULD

THE DEATH PENALTY BE MANDATORY FOR PEOPLE THAT KILL OTHER PEOPLE?

51. SHOULD 52. WHAT

THE

"RIGHT

TO

DIE"

BE

CONSIDERED

RIGHT?
IT A CRUEL MURDERER OR A JUST

PUNISHMENT?

ARE TWO SIDES OF THE DEATH PENALTY?

CAN

IT BE A DETERRENT TO CRIME?

IS

53. SHOULD

ANIMAL EXPERIMENTATION BE PERMITTED? OR

54. ADVERTISING: INFORMATION

MANIPULATION?

57.The mass media, including TV, radio, newspapers have a great influence on people and especially on the younger generation. It plays an important role in shaping the opinions and positions of the younger generation. Argue for or against this statement.