ARGUMENTATIV E ESSAY WRITING What is it?

What is the point of arguing? You want to get your point across! You want others to believe in what you have to say. An argumentative essay does the same thing – it tries to convince readers of your point of view.

What’s the point of an argumentative essay? In argumentative writing, a writer takes a position for or against an issue and writes to convince the reader to believe or do something. Argumentative essays are written to get the reader to accept a point of view (evidence). In order to convince the reader, you need more than an opinion; you need facts or examples to back up your opinion.

FORMAT - INTRODUCTION What can you say is special about these introductions? “Cigarettes are the number one cause of lung cancer in Canada!” – Opening with a SHOCKING statement. “Elbert Hubbard once said, “Truth is stronger than fiction.”- Opening with a QUOTATION.

“Have you ever considered how many books we’d read if it were not for television?” – Opening with a QUESTION. 65% of road accidents are caused by drunk driving.” – Opening with a STATISTIC. This helps to add emphasis or interest to your topic. It may be wise to include where you got the statistic from. A question that doesn’t need an answer – it is used to emphasize a point to the reader

These intros have a “hook or “grabber to attract the reader’s attention. Besides an attention-grabbing opening, the INTRODUCTION should also include your opinion – this tells the reader the main point of your essay.

Example introduction: Of all the problems facing the environment today, the one that bothers me the most is global warming. Some scientists say that the earth is getting warmer because of the greenhouse effect. Opening with a strong statement opinion In this paper I will describe the greenhouse effect and whether the earth’s atmosphere is actually getting warmer.

BODY You must then provide ARGUMENTS to support your opinion. Each paragraph is based on a solid reason to back your opinion. Since almost all issues have sound arguments on both sides of the question, a good argumentative writer tries to ANTICIPATE opposing viewpoints. One of the paragraphs in the body should be used to discuss OPPOSING viewpoints and your counter-argument.

To help elaborate each argument, use Use examples, real-life experiences, statistics or research. Give a scenario, especially when you want the reader to see a different point of view. Use cues for the reader (suppose if, what if, imagine).

CONCLUSION A piece of argumentative writing usually ends by SUMMARIZING the most important details of the argument and stating once again what the reader is to FOR or AGAINST.

In your conclusion, Restate your opinion Summarize the main points of your argument. Write a personal comment of call for action. You can do this: –With a Question: Closing with a question lets your readers make their own predictions, draw their own conclusions. –With Recommendations: Stress or recommend the action you want the readers to take.