Argumentative Essay review

• English
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 5

Today's Lesson Overview

• To review how to write an essay
• To learn some linking words to improve your writing

Purpose of Argumentative Essay

• To convince or persuade the reader that your view is valid
• To influence the reader's opinion through your logical reasoning.

How do you provide logical argumentation?

By clearly justifying your position with facts, examples, and expert opinions. 

Thesis Statement

What is the purpose of a thesis statement? 

• Indicates the essay's main points 
• To present a targeted argument on the subject, offering an opinion, a claim, or an interpretation. The objective is to convince the reader that the claim will be backed up by factual evidence.

Example; The Knight's Tale from Chaucer 

Topic: Free will and fate. Write an essay on Free will or fate: did the characters have a choice? Or are they just helpess puppets to the will of the gods? 

Thesis Statement Example 1 

In "The Knight's Tale," even though the characters think they can change their own destinies by what they do, Chaucer shows that they can't escape fate, because the gods have already decided what will happen.

Explanation:

This means that the story is about fate versus free will. The thesis says that no matter how hard the characters try, fate controls what happens. The essay would talk about how the gods make things turn out a certain way, no matter what the people do.

Thesis Statement Example 2 (Simplified):

In "The Knight's Tale," Chaucer shows that free will is most important. The problems that Arcite and Palamon face show that their own choices, not what the gods decide, lead to what happens to them in the end.

Thesis Statement Example 2:

The problems that Arcite and Palamon face show that their own choices, not what the gods decide, lead to what happens to them in the end. In "The Knight's Tale," Chaucer shows that your own choices shape your future. (Thesis statement) 

Which is a clear thesis statement?

1. Climate change affects global weather patterns.
2. This essay is about climate change.

Identify the thesis statement regarding character analysis.

1. it may be argued that the the Pardoner is greedy as he values money above all else.
2. Chaucer uses humor effectively.
3. The characters are from different backgrounds.
4. The book contains many tales.

Come up with a good thesis statement for gun culture in the Netherlands

Essay assignment

Look at the three essays in front of you, with your partner. 

1. Does the essay have a thesis statement in the introduction? 

2. Does the essay pick a side? Or does it loo at both positive and negative aspects? 

3. Was it written by AI? How can you tell?  

Answer the three questions here: 1. Which essay has a clear thesis statement? 2. Which one does not take a side? 3. Which one was written by AI?

What do you know so far

You know the purpose and structure of an argumentative essay

You know how to write a thesis statement

Example: test topic. Use notes! 

In "The Reeve's Tale," who behaved worse—the craftsmen (uneducated people) or the university students? Write a essay arguing which side is more at fault for the problems in the story. 

-150 words 

-4 paragraphs. 

How many words can you use?

What is your homework?