The Wonders of Persuading Your Readers in Academic Writing Argumentative Essays The Wonders of Persuading Your Readers in Academic Writing

What is the Purpose of an Argumentative or Persuasive Essay? To persuade your audience to consider your point of view, even if they disagree with it.

The Five Key Elements of an Argumentative Essay (adapted from Oshima and Hogue, 2006): Explain the issue or problem. Analyze and choose one side. Present your arguments. Present arguments from the other side (“counter arguments”). Give your responses to the counter arguments (“concessions and refutations”).

Preparing the Five Key Elements of Your Argumentative Essay

Step One: Explain the Issue. What EXACTLY are you debating? Make a question. Be clear. Define. Limit. Issue: Should schools provide moral education? What is Moral education? Issue: Should teachers use letter grades? What are letter grades?

Step One: Explain the Issue. What EXACTLY are you debating? Issue: Should teachers use letter grades? Which teachers? What age? Issue: Should students work? Which students? How long? Issue Revised: Should teachers in middle school use letter grades (A, B, C) for their students? Should high school students work part-time during the school year?

Step Two: Analyze and Choose One Side Put the problem into a question. Brainstorm responses from both sides of the issue. Look to see which side has stronger arguments for you, and identify your side of the issue. Should high school students work part-time during the school year? Yes (For/Pro) No (Against/ Con)

Step Two: Analyze and Choose One Side Indirect Thesis Statements Any thesis statement must contain an opinion (usually expressed with the modal ‘should’ or words and expressions that show your opinion). Examples: Teenagers should have part-time jobs while they are in high school. Part-time work is not a good idea for teenagers in high school.

Step Three: Present Your Arguments Brainstorm your arguments. Be sure you have strong Supporting Points (Arguments) that you can defend with many Details and Examples.

Step Three: Present Your Arguments Direct Thesis Statement Teenagers should have part-time jobs while they are in high school because it helps them organize their time, build responsibility and get important work experience.

Step Four: Present Arguments from the Other Side (counter arguments)

What Are Counter- Arguments? (Oshima and Hogue, 2006) The opposing points of view. What do the people who DON’T agree with your ‘side’ think? What are their arguments?

Counter Argument Key Phrases & Examples: Some people feel that.. Many think that… Opponents of ______ claim that… Proponents of ______claim that… It is often argued that… It is sometimes argued that…

Why do we need to include counter arguments in our essays? Why is this important? How can we respond?

Look at this example. Where is the counter argument Look at this example. Where is the counter argument? What is the purpose of the other two sentences? Some people feel that the United States should not have a national health care plan because it is too expensive. Granted, it is important to be aware of how much money we are spending as a nation. However, the high number of uninsured people in the U.S. is costing our country much more in emergency medical care than we realize. This could be prevented with a national health care plan.

Step Five: Give your responses to the counter arguments with concessions and refutations: (Oshima and Hogue, 2006) You must refute what the ‘other side’ says and clearly show why you disagree with their ideas. If you do, it makes your argument even stronger.

Refutation Key Words: Transition words (for simple or compound sentences): However, In fact, As a matter of fact, Nevertheless, Yet or But (FANBOYS) Subordinating conjunctions (for complex sentences): Although Even though While Whereas Despite the fact.

Example of Refutation with Transition Word (simple or compound sentence) Some people say that teenagers should not work during their high school years. However, teenagers who do work learn valuable skills, including organizing their time, building responsibility and getting important work experience.

Example of Refutation with Subordinating Conjunction: Although many think that genetically engineered(GM) crops can alleviate world hunger and malnutrition, GM crops are actually causing more harm because they are a grave danger to the environment.

Concessions: (Fitzpatrick, 2005) When you feel that the ‘other side’ has some good points, it is good to acknowledge it. Readers appreciate when you show them what you think is valid about the ‘other side’

Concession Key Words: Granted, Certainly Indeed, It is true that… It is a fact that…

Example of a Concession and Refutation Many people believe that stem cell research is dangerous. There are certainly reasons to be cautious with stem cell research or any new technology. Nevertheless, its potential benefits are far more important than its dangers.

Now that you have your Key Elements, you will decide how to organize them. Do you want to… Focus on your arguments: Choose three main reasons to explain ‘your side’ OR Focus on the counter arguments: Choose three main reasons from the ‘other side’

Do you want to focus on YOUR arguments? Introduction Hook Explanation of the Issue Thesis Statement Body Your Argument #1 Your Argument #2 Your Argument #3 Counter Arguments (Opposing Viewpoints) Your Concessions (if you have any) Your refutations Conclusion Restatement of your main arguments

OR Do you want to focus on the COUNTER arguments? Introduction Hook Explanation of the Issue Thesis Statement Body Counter Argument #1 (Opposing Viewpoints) Concessions and Your refutations Counter Argument #2 (Opposing Viewpoints) Conclusion Restatement of your main arguments

Review of Argumentative Essays: What is the purpose of this kind of essay? What are the five elements? What are counter arguments? (key words?) What are concessions? (key words?) What are refutations? (key words? What are two ways to organize an essay? What are three types of thesis statements?

Activity #1 Read “Adopting a Vegetarian Diet.” Identify the following: Thesis statement Counter arguments Concessions Refutations What kind of intro. technique is used? Analyze the essay’s coherence, cohesion, unity and development. Is it effective as an argumentative essay?

Activity #2 Add a counter argument or refutation to each thesis statement: Example: Doctors or family members should never be aloud to “pull the plug”. Although some people believe that doctors and family members should never be allowed to “pull the plug,” sometimes it is more humane to do so.

The sale of CDs with songs containing lyrics that degrade women should be prohibited. Television is the worst invention of modern times.

References Fitzpatrick, M. (2005). Engaging writing: Paragraphs and essays. White Plains, NY: Pearson Longman, 241-244. Oshima, A. & Hogue, A. (2006). Academic writing. White Plains, NY: Pearson Longman, 142-149.