Argumentative Essays

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• Middelbare school
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• Leerjaar 6

Argumentative Essays

Part 1: The structure of a good argument

Lesson goals

-To be able to formulate a good argument.

- To be able to formulate a good thesis statement

- Know how to write an introduction

Whose arguments were more persuasive?

1. Donald Trump's arguments
2. Kamala Harris' arguments

What made the person, whose arguments (or structure of the arguments) you preferred, persuasive?

Deductive vs. Inductive Arguments

The premises of an inductive argument, by comparison, simply present the conclusion as probable, rather than logically necessary:

Deductive vs. Inductive Arguments

The stronger of these are deductive arguments, as the conclusion of a deductive argument follows necessarily from the truth of its premises:

-> An argument is valid if the truth of all its premises forces the conclusion to be true.

1st Premise:   All human beings are mortal.

2nd Premise: Sam is a human being.

Conclusion:   Thus, Sam is mortal.

Deductive vs. Inductive Arguments

Come up with a finite set of premises that illustrate the line of reasoning for the argument. These premises and conclusions constitute your main points, which should act as the main topic for each of your paragraphs.

Normally you would need to include evidence/sources, but for this practice exercise you do not have to, which means your reasoning has to be sound.

www.scribbr.co.uk

How to

disagree:

Choose 3 of these statements.

Abortion should be banned.

Animal testing should be stopped.

The #metoo movement is a good thing.

Illegal immigrants should be granted residency.

There is a fake news problem. (What is the source?)

 "Big pharma" has people’s best interests at heart.

The death penalty is a just punishment.

Are there moral concerns that should make genetic cloning illegal?

What should people do to stop human trafficking?

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Practice

Now it is time to formulate your own arguments!

Write down: I agree/ disagree, because....

A thesis statement (stelling) is one complete sentence that expresses the main idea of your essay. This statement should be debatable, so it cannot be a fact. If something is debatable it is possible to agree or disagree with.

A thesis statement (stelling) is one complete sentence that expresses the main idea of your essay. This statement should be debatable, so it cannot be a fact. If something is debatable it is possible to agree or disagree with.

Fact: Abortion is legal in The Netherlands

Thesis Statement: Abortion should become illegal in The Netherlands. 

What’s changed: Now people can disagree with us.

A thesis statement (stelling) is one complete sentence that expresses the main idea of your essay. This statement should be debatable, so it cannot be a fact. If something is debatable it is possible to agree or disagree with.

A thesis statement should not simply declare what you’re going to talk about. Instead it should be a clear statement.

Declaration: My paper explains why experience is more important than knowledge. 

Statement: Experience is more important than knowledge.

What’s changed: It is more formal and an actual statement.

A thesis statement (stelling) is one complete sentence that expresses the main idea of your essay. This statement should be debatable, so it cannot be a fact. If something is debatable it is possible to agree or disagree with.

A thesis statement should be reasonable and not demand outrageous or unrealistic things.

Unrealistic: Provincial governments should double the amount of money that is given to hospitals.

Realistic: Provincial governments should increase the amount of money that is given to hospitals.

What’s changed: The statement is now more realistic and can focus on why more money should be available instead of how much money should become available.

A thesis statement (stelling) is one complete sentence that expresses the main idea of your essay. This statement should be debatable, so it cannot be a fact. If something is debatable it is possible to agree or disagree with.

A thesis should also not be vague or too broad. It should match the length of the assignment. You cannot write about the entirety of social media in a 400-word essay. Make sure your topic is specific enough or has certain limits.

Broad: The internet has improved the lives of many.

(More) Specific: The internet has improved the social lives of many young adults. 

What’s changed: In this final thesis we have narrowed down the topic by limiting it to the social impact of the internet and the group it impacts to young adults.

A thesis statement (stelling) is one complete sentence that expresses the main idea of your essay. This statement should be debatable, so it cannot be a fact. If something is debatable it is possible to agree or disagree with.

A thesis statement should be strong. You don’t want to leave any room for doubt or make it accidentally too vague.

Weak: Reading can improve a child’s development.

Strong: Reading develops a child’s mind.

What’s changed: Words like “can” are weaker, it leaves room for doubt. You want your thesis statement to be as strong as possible. You’ll address the counterarguments later.

A thesis statement (stelling) is one complete sentence that expresses the main idea of your essay. This statement should be debatable, so it cannot be a fact. If something is debatable it is possible to agree or disagree with.

Have a look at the following thesis statements.

Make sure your answer includes the following:

   1) Why the thesis is good/not good/bad.

   2) What mistake is being made

   3) Give an improved version of the thesis statement.

So, do organ donors deserve money for their donation?

Using the internet has a positive effect on people.

This paper will look at the advantages of school uniforms.

Encouraging children to read can help them build analytical skills.

In this paper, I will explore popular childhood fairy tales.

Argumentative Essays

Part 2: The structure of a good argumentative essay

Lesson goals

- I know what the structure of a good argumentative essay is.

 - I can describe what makes an essay strong/weak, good/bad.

Last week, we reviewed how to formulate a strong argument and today we we will discuss what else can help you convince someone (in writing).

Just to be clear: What is the purpose of an argumentative essay?

1. to compare and contrast two different or similar things.
2. to convince the reader by using logic and evidence
3. to answer a question through research of the relevant literature
4. to analyze a piece of literature from different angles

Argumentative Essay Structure

- Title
- Introduction
- Main argument 1
- Main argument 2
- Conclusion

The Title

- Avoid boring titles (or having no title at all!):
          -> Repeating the statement or only stating the topic.
          -> "Guns are good." "Guns in the Netherlands." "Guns."
- Try to come up with an exciting / interesting/clever title 
          -> "The controlling nature of gun control laws."
          -> "Gun control laws are bulletproof."
  

Suggestions on how to create a hook

• Start with an interesting fact
  
• Share an anecdote
  
• Write about a common misconception about your essay topic
  
• Start with a rhetorical question
  

Examples & Tips

https://www.academicwritingsuccess.com/7-sensational-essay-hooks/

The Introduction 

• Hook =  a catchy sentence or paragraph in the introduction which serves as an attention-grabbing element.
• Background information (if necessary)
• Thesis statement including the three arguments to be expanded on. 

Introduction - Match

Kids with black eyes. Kids crying themselves to sleep. Kids afraid to go to school these are just some of the things that happen when kids are bullied. 

Millions of kids are bullied every month. They are bullied every month. They are bullied physically and emotionally, and made fun of and intimidated in person, online over phones, and almost everywhere. Not enough is being done. 

Bullying should be punished by a fine or jail time because it is too prevalent, it leaves long-lasting emotional and academic scars, and it can lead to suicide. In addition, fines and jail time will prevent further bullying. 

Hook

Background info

Thesis statement

Why is (or isn't) this a good thesis statement:

Grades should be eliminated because they cause anxiety and put unnecessary pressure on students.

Topics to choose from 

• Fast Fashion
• Gebruik van AI technologie

1. Look online for sources 5-10 minutes

2. Write your introduction

Choosing one of the topic, write an introduction with it.

The Body

• Each paragraph is focused on one (counter)argument
• Structure for each paragraph:   

 - Introduction by means of a topic sentence (one 

sentence that shows what the main argument

is that you're going to make) 
- Sub-arguments, evidence, examples 

- Conclusion

How to structure your body paragraphs using the PEEL method? 

Point: start your sentence with a clear topic sentence that establishes what your paragraph is about. 

Evidence/ Example: here you should use a piece of evidence that helps to reaffirm your iniitial point and develop the argument. 

Explain: next you need to explain exactly how your evidence supports your point. 

Link: you need to link the point you have just made back to your thesis or the following paragraph using a linking word

Body paragraph

The death sentence has been a subject of debate, particularly regarding its impact on different demographic groups. In 2021, statistics showed that a significant number of wrongfully convicted individuals who were executed were people of color. This has raised questions about how reliable courts and juries are in capital punishment cases. Some researchers point to the role of systemic bias in these outcomes. Discussions about the death penalty often include concerns about the risks it poses to marginalized groups in society.

PEEL

P: Firstly, the death sentence puts vulnerable demographic groups at risk...

E: when taking into account the statistics from 2021, which state a majority of wrongfully convicted POC were victim to unjustified executions.

E: This suggests courts and juries are not to be trusted with such a profound responsibility that can determine someone's future, given the increase of deaths among innocent inmates of color.

L: Therefore, the death sentence should be abolished in order to protect the marginalized in our community.

Write your second body paragraph using the PEEL structure

Counterargument and rebuttal

• Counterargument: a section in your essay that describes the other side of the issue (what would someone say who disagrees with your position?)
• Rebuttal (or Refutation): the part where you respond to the counterargument in a way that shows your position is the stronger one (what would you say to defeat their point?)

Counterargument and rebuttal

• Counterargument: According to religion, abortion should be forbidden.
• Rebuttal (or Refutation): The Netherlands is a secular country and therefore is not obligated to follow rules set by a holy book.

Write your counterargument and rebuttal for your essay topic

Conclusion

• Thesis and arguments restated in a different, interesting manner. 
• Call to some sort of action or response. 
• Thought -provoking ending. 

Write your conclusion

Practice!

So now you know how to build an argument and use the structure of an argumentative essay to your advantage, but what else is important?

1. Choose and study 1 of the three examples given in the following slide

2. Write down the strengths and weaknesses of each essay in note form.

www.scribbr.com

Self assessment Rubric

Create a clea set of S-E criteria.

See the suggestions on the website and in this lesson up

How to structure your body paragraphs using the PEEL method? 

Point: start your sentence with a clear topic sentence that establishes what your paragraph is about. 

Evidence/ Example: here you should use a piece of evidence that helps to reaffirm your iniitial point and develop the argument. 

Explain: next you need to explain exactly how your evidence supports your point. 

Link: you need to link the point you have just made back to your thesis or the following paragraph using a linking word

Do not ...

...simply repeat your introduction or thesis.

...introduce any new or significant evidence or example for your main argument. 

Worst

Middle

Best

Essay 1

Essay 2

Essay 3

What was the main point made while deciding how to rank the essays?

Argumentative Essays

Part 3: (Actually,) Writing a good argumentative Essay

Lesson goals

- I can write an argumentative essay.

- I know how to reflect on my own argumentative essay.

The last two lessons were focussed on the structures of arguments and the argumentative essay as a whole. Today, it is time to start writing your own.

Recap

What did you pay attention to last time?

- Structure of the essay.

- Content

- Cohesion

- Persuasiveness

- Grammar

- Vocabulary / Register

Practice

1.  Write an argumentative essay about the protection of endangered species.

2. Try to pay attention to all the previously discussed elements that can make your essay stronger.

3. Check your work using the self-evaluation rubric and hand in your work when you are done.