Argumentative Essays ICLON

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 4,6

Argumentative Essays

Part 1: The structure of a good argumentative essay

Argumentative Essay Elements

- Structure of the essay.

- Content

- Cohesion

- Persuasiveness

- Grammar

- Vocabulary / Register

Argumentative Essay Structure

- Title
- Introduction
- Main argument 1
- Main argument 2
- Counterargument 1
- 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."
  

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. 

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

Conclusion

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

Do not ...

...simply repeat your introduction or thesis.

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

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.

Argumentative Essays

Part 3: Giving feedback on argumentative essays

Lesson goals

- I can give feedback on an argumentative essay using rubrics.

- I can use feedback to correct my own work.

Last time, each of you wrote an argumentative essay on the protection of endangered species. Today, you will take a look at each other's essays and provide constructive feedback.

Practice

1.  Check your classmate's work using the peerreview rubric and provide constructive feedback.

2. When you are done, give your feedback to the author of the essay.

3. When you have received feedback on your argumentative essay, you can start correcting it.

4. Hand everything in when you're done.