By: Ms Lynne April

Academic Reading and Writing Facilitator

UNISA Cape Town Campus
QALitCT@unisa.ac.za

ENG1511
Argumentative Essay
Outcomes
Understand what is meant by argumentative
Be familiar with the structure of an argumentative
essay
Know what is a thesis statement
Know what is meant by point of view
Understand what a topic sentence is
Understand the difference between the thesis
statement and point of view
What Does argumentative
Mean?
Taking a position / point of view on a topic

Your position / point of view will be :
Against Disagree OR
For Agree

DEFEND YOUR POSITION/ JUSTIFY YOUR
POSITION
What Does argumentative
Mean?
To have a logical flow and coherent
structure


There must be a common thread running through
your essay
How Do I Structure My Essay?
Structure =
Introduction
Body
Conclusion

Introduction
ALWAYS has the ISSUE and your THESIS STATEMENT

E.g. The legalisation for abortion from the age of twelve
years old has lead to a devastating increase over the
last 3 years.
Essay Structure
What is a THESIS STATEMENT?
1 sentence.
States main idea or argument of your essay.
Typically placed at the end of the introduction
paragraph.
Tells reader what to expect.
Basis of entire essay.
Most important part of your essay.



Where Does The Thesis
Statement Go?

Thesis Statement = 1 + 1
Comprised of two parts:
Subject / Topic
Your opinion of the topic

Let us try!

Think of a topic / subject and think of three things that
will support your idea.

E.g. Spur is a wonderful family restaurant (topic)
because of the playing area for children, the kids
birthday club and the great specials. (reasons why/
opinion)
Brainstorming My Thesis
Statement
Doesnt always come first in the writing process.
Develop it early so you can use it as a guide for
your paper.

E.g.
I am writing about ____________ , and I am
going to argue, show, or prove that
_________, by stating that ___________ ,
_____________ , and _____________.

My Formula

SUBJECT + OPINION
=
THESIS STATEMENT
Good, Better, Best
A beginning THESIS STATEMENT:
A is B.

A better THESIS STATEMENT:
A is B because of x, y, and z

A more complex THESIS STATEMENT:
Although C is D, A is B because of x, y, and z.


The AGAINST Thesis
Statement
Although there certainly are reasons for women
to have abortions such as rape, incestone can
still refute the point of view if we look at what
religion says on abortion.


The STATEMENT you make about the topic has
to show why abortions take place. (topic)
BUT
Your reasons have to show why you disagree
(opinion)
The FOR Thesis Statement
If one should follow the position of pro- life
and keep all the babies that are conceived in
hatred, incest (for)what will the
consequences be for those babies as they
grow up? What will society do to them? Say
about them when they are older? (against)
These are the questions one has to ask when
considering taking abortions away.

How Do I Structure My Essay
Continued
HOWEVER

Your BODY will start with:
Topic Sentence followed by
Point of View / Position


Topic Sentence? Please Explain
Introduces topic
Surrounded by:
more information about the sentence
prove it by facts
or describe it.

For example
topic sentence endangered species that live in the
ocean, then every sentence after that needs to expound
on that subject.

Topic sentences also need to relate back to the
thesis of the essay.






Topic Sentences and Controlling
Ideas



Every topic sentence will have a
topic and a controlling idea.

The controlling idea shows the
direction the paragraph will take.
Topic Sentences & Controlling
Ideas :
People can avoid burglaries by taking certain
precautions.
(The precautions for)


There are several advantages to growing up in
a small town.
(The advantages of)
Ps: topic sentence is in red and controlling idea in
green
Topic Sentences & Controlling
Ideas
Effective leadership requires specific qualities
that anyone can develop.
(The qualities (or characteristics or traits) of)

Fixing a flat tire on a bicycle is easy if you
follow these steps.
(The steps for)
How Do I Structure My Essay?

Conclusion :

SUMMARY of your POINT OF VIEWS


REMEMBER

No New Information
Conclusion
In your conclusion you have to summarise your
point of you.
Select:
Topic sentences and one controlling idea from
the other paragraphs in your body (choose the
one you like best and then summarise the
position you have taken in each paragraph)

Example of Conclusion
Abortion certainly holds negative consequences
for women, the physical as well as the mentalif
we take a life it is murder. Although scientists can
argues the point of view that the foetus is only
alive when it can support itself , life begins at
conception. In addition.. List all the reasons you
have mentioned in your shorter paragraphs why
you are against in.
QUESTIONS?
THANK YOU