Argumentative Essays

Choose a topic Smoking Smoking Computer technology in schools Computer technology in schools Guns and gun control Guns and gun control Cleaning toilets Cleaning toilets

Make your topic into a specific thesis statement. The thesis statement cannot be a fact as facts cannot be debated. The thesis statement cannot be a fact as facts cannot be debated. The topic of Smoking can be changed into a specific argument. The topic of Smoking can be changed into a specific argument. Which thesis statement is better? Which thesis statement is better? A. Smoking is bad for you. B. Smoking should be banned from public places.

Building an argument If the topic statement is “Smoking should be banned from public places” then we need to come up with evidence to support our opinion. 1. Smoking is dirty. 2. Smoking is dangerous.

Then come up with facts, details and support for each of the arguments. Each argument can be a paragraph. 1. Smoking is dirty. A. Leave ash B. Leave cigarette butts C. Smells bad. D. Causes irritation in the eyes. 2. Smoking is dangerous. A. Careless smokers can cause fires. B. Causes throat and lung cancer. C. Causes heart disease. D. Second hand smoke is more dangerous than smoking.

Now imagine that we chose a new topic…. If our new topic is cleaning the toilets than what could be our thesis statement? If our new topic is cleaning the toilets than what could be our thesis statement? Students should be made to clean the toilets. Students should be made to clean the toilets.

Students should be made to clean the toilets. 1. Do you agree? Students should clean the toilets. Students should not clean the toilets. 2.Does anybody else agree with you? 3.Why do you think that? 4.Can you understand why people would disagree? 5.Why are they wrong?

Add some background… In Japan, students are expected to clean their own toilets and the government believes that this practice may encourage students to be more respectful of their school environment. I believe that students should be made to clean the toilets.

Argumentative order 1. Let’s make the students clean the toilets or 2. Smoking should be banned from public places. …. 1. Introduce topic- agree/disagree 2. Tell us why- ideas and examples. 3. Different opinions- why they are not important or untrue. 4. Brief summary (STRONG LAST SENTENCE).