argumentative essay

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 5

Essay Writing 

What types of
writing are there?

Types of Writing

1. Personal Writing;

2. Public Writing;

3. Creative Writing;

4. Social Writing;

5. Study Writing;

6. Institutional Writing:

Ad 1. Personal writing examples

Diaries

Journals

Shopping lists

Reminders for oneself

Packing lists

Recipes

Ad 2. Public Writing Examples

Form filling

Applications (for membership)

Letters of:

- Enquiry

- Motivation

- Complaint

- Application

- Request

- To the editor

Ad 3. Creative Writing

Poems

Short stories

Rhymes

Drama

Songs

Autobiography

Novels

Ad 4. Social Writing

Letters / emails / apps

Invitations

Instructions:

- To friends

- To family

Notes:

- Of condolence

- Of thanks

- Of congratulations

Ad 5. Study Writing

Making notes while reading

Taking notes from lectures

Making a card index

Summaries

Synopses

Reviews

Essays

Bibliographies

Reports of:

- Experiments

- Workshops

- Visits

Ad 6. Institutional Writing

Agendas
Applications

Minutes
Curriculum vitae

Specifications
Memoranda 

Reports

Prescriptions (doctors)

Reviews

Contracts

Business letters

Public notices

Advertisements

Emails

Posters

Instructions

Speeches

What is an essay?

An essay is defined as:

"a short piece of writing that expresses information (as well as the writer's opinion)."

What types of Essays are there?

Types of essays 

Narrative essay: telling a story;                                                     

Persuasive essay: to convince the reader; 

Expository essay: academic paper to investigate an idea;

Descriptive essay: to describe something;

Argumentative essay:facts/evidence to support the argument; Compare and contrast essay: analysis of two subjects;

Problem - solution essay: description of problem/solution.

What do you think could be
a definition for
an argumentative essay?
Use catchwords!

argumentative essay definition

The argumentative essay is a genre of writing that requires the student to investigate a topic; collect, generate, and evaluate evidence; and establish a position on the topic in a concise manner. 

To write an essay, you should generally:

1- Decide what type of essay to write                                                               2-  Brainstorm your topic

3- Research the topic.                                                                                             4-  Develop a thesis

5- Outline your essay                                                                                               6-  Write your essay

7- Edit your writing to check spelling and grammar

Jot down the components of an essay.

The argumentative essay:

Introduction;

1st paragraph with  1st reason: 

- topic sentence + evidence & explanation + wrap-up;

2nd paragraph with 2nd reason

- topic sentence + evidence & explanation + wrap-up;

3rd / 4th paragraph etc.

Conclusion

How many sentences should an introduction at least have?

1. 1
2. 2
3. 3
4. 4

Why at least 2?

Introduction

* first , second , third (& sometimes more) sentences are the lead to the Thesis statement;

Introduction

* write 1 , 2  maybe 3 sentences and then your thesis statement  in the last sentence: approximately 10 words per sentence =

approximately 50 words

(in the first 2 - 3 sentences write an interest grabber/hook)

Body of the paragraphs

Body paragraphs: 

• Topic sentence A;   followed by a 
• Supporting sentence B containing evidence and explanation;  followed by a
• Supporting sentence C containing evidence and explanation; followed by a
• supporting sentence D containing evidence and explanation. etc.

Body paragraphs

- Write 2 body paragraphs: 

- 1 for / 1 against or 2 for / 2 against your thesis statement.

- each paragraph should start with your topic sentence        followed by examples or explanantions;

- a total of 2 times 4-5 sentences = 75 - 80 words per paragraph = a total of approximately 150 words

Conclusion

Restatement or summary of the main points;

&

a final comment (if appropriate).

Conclusion

Write 2 , 3 or 4 sentences in which you restate or summarise your points;

use approximately 50 words

Total count

Introduction: approx. 50 words

Bodyparagraph 1: approx. 75 words

Bodyparagraph 2: approx. 75 words

Conclusion: approx 50 words

Total count:

250 words 

Should an argumentative essay have a title?

1. yes
2. no

What different types of titles are there?

Titles

1. Informative Title

2. Creative Title

3. Relevant and readable Title

What should you bear in mind while thinking up a title and writing your argumentative essay?

Develop a thesis statement

Your thesis statement is the main point of your essay. It is one sentence that states what the essay is about. For example, your thesis statement might be  "The death penalty should be reinstated" or "Witch trials also happen in modern times".

* Use the thesis statement as the basic premise to write your entire essay about; 

* Remember that all of the different points lead back to this one main thesis; 

* State your thesis in your introductory paragraph;

*  Thesis statement should be broad enough.