ARGUMENTS Advanced Genre-Based Writing 5-th Week By Dra. Sri Mulatsih, M.Pd. asihpnrg@yahoo.com

ARGUMENTS To take a position on some issue and justify it. SOCIAL FUNCTION To take a position on some issue and justify it.

TYPES Argument texts belong to a genre group called “ exposition” concerned with the analysis, interpretation and evaluation of the world around us. There are several expository genre, and choice depends on whether your major aim to simply analyze, to interpret, or to evaluate. In an argument the emphasis is on persuading someone to your point of view. You might be arguing simply to justify a position/interpretation (“persuading that”) or you might be arguing that some sort of action be taken (“persuading to”). For examples: newspaper editorials, sermons, political speeches, certain essays, or debates.

SCHEMATIC STRUCTURE Thesis Arguments Summing up To introduce topic and indicate writer’s position in regard to the topic. Arguments - To justify the position taken, arguments must be presented to support the writer’s position. - At some stage the writer may suggest some resolution of the issue. Summing up To provide a restatement of writer’s position.

SIGNIFICANT GRAMMATICAL/LANGUAGE FEATURES Focus on generic human and non-human participants. e.g. Pollution, crime, police, president, etc. Use simple present tense e.g. I don’t agree, It is serious. Use relational processes ( being and having) e.g. We are concerned, It is a dilemma. Use internal conjunction to stage argument. e.g. First……., second…….., finally…….. . Reasoning through causal conjunction. e.g. so……, because…….., therefore.

EXAMPLES FROM JENNY HAMMOND et.al FROM BEVERLY DEREWIANKA