Argumentative Essay

• 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

This Week's Lesson Goals

Main Goal: You can compose an argumentative essay of 225-250 words

Sub Goals: 

• You can understand the purpose of writing an argumentative essay
• You will know and understand the structure of an argumentative essay
• You can write a thesis statement
• You can understand the common mistakes to avoid while writing essays
• You can understand the essay writing assessment criteria
• You can apply the above elements when writing an essay

Purpose of Argumentative Essay

• To convince or persuade the reader that your position 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. 

Remember: An argumentative essay is not simply a presentation of facts or a comparison of two objects or concepts. 

Structure of Argumentative Essay

Introduction Paragraph 

• Begin with a clear title that accurately describes your position.
• To pique the reader's interest, use a hook or attention-grabbing statement.
• Provide the necessary context, including definitions for any relevant keywords.
• End the introduction paragraph with a thesis statement that states your position concisely.

Body Paragraph (Next Slide)

Conclusion

• Summarize by going over your most persuasive arguments for taking a position on an issue.
• Utilize words that strengthen your argument, such as "clearly, obviously, therefore, there can be no doubt, without immediate action, research strongly supports. "
• Refute potential opposition in the conclusion

Structure of the body paragraph

Body Paragraph

• T (Topic Sentence): This is where you state the topic of the paragraph.
• E (Explain): In this section, you will expand on your topic and inform the reader. 
• X (Example): This is the point at which your paragraph becomes critical. You will need to provide a real-world example.  You will not be evaluated solely on the content of the reference, but on how you utilize it to support your argument. 
• A (Analysis): This section discusses how your example supports your argument.
• S (Summarize): This frequently requires restating your Topic statement in a more affirmative tone (bevestigende toon).

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.

How to Formulate a Thesis Statement?

State the main idea and give a reason to support the main idea. 

The government should/should not restrict smoking in all public places.

Example: The government should/must restrict smoking in public areas because everyone has a right to breathe fresh air and certain types of cancer will be reduced as a result of the restriction. 

You need to know  a bit about the subject

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jY2PzzjO3zo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2W1rqnLgOFM&t=155s

Create a thesis statement with one argument: Should we allow private individuals to own guns, as is done in the US?

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

What do you know so far

You know the purpose and structure of an argumentative essay

You know how to write a thesis statement

Common mistakes to avoid

• Use of informal language: A) Nothing can't be done about it (Formal: There is nothing that can be done about it. B)Global warming can't be real (Formal: Global warming is unlikely). C) I think the government should prohibit smoking in public places (Formal: The government, in my opinion, should outlaw smoking in public places.)
• Either no or excessive use of linking words: Firstly, Secondly, In addition to, Therefore, Thus, Overall etc. 
• Use of pronouns (I, you, he/she, they, him, his) 
• Sentence fragments: For better or worse ( What is better or worse? What is it modifying?), Because many people now have easy access to the internet (, the information is at your fingertip)
• Using small letters for nouns (Name or Place etc.): Paris (not "paris"), George (not "george")

Criteria for assessment

1. The plan to prepare the essay AND class work!

2. Structure and content of your essay
2. Language: Use formal language (avoid common mistakes), advanced grammar and idiom (use of synonyms)

3. Coherence: is the essay logical & are linkers used correctly?

4. Word count (220-260)

Time to Write an essay: 120 words

Topic: Should we allow private individuals to own guns, as is done in the US?

1.  Argue for/against gun culture
2.  Write a plan first, raise hand when done, then write essay!
3. Done? Solutions 8B and 8D, and ID 

lesson evaluation: Mention 2 points that are crucial to essay writing

How many words can you use?

What is your homework?