1. Argumentative Essays

2. What is an Argumentative Essay?
An argumentative essay is an essay in which you agree or disagree with a certain issue, using reasons to support your opinion.

3. What is an Argumentative Essay?
You may be asked a question like this:
Stem cell research offers a potential cure for many fatal diseases. Many people oppose stem cell research because it involves using cells from human embryos. Do you agree or disagree that stem cell research should be prohibited?

4. What is an Argumentative Essay?
Note: What is unique about an argumentative essay is that you do not just give reasons to support your point of view. You must also discuss the other side’s reasons and rebut them.
(Rebut means to point out problems with the other side’s reasons to prove they are not good reasons.)

5. Organization of an Argumentative Essay?
There are two common ways to organize an argumentative essay.
the block pattern
the point-by-point pattern

6. Block Pattern I. Introduction Explanation of the issue
Thesis statement
II. Body
Block 1
A. Summary of the other side’s arguments
B. Rebuttal to the first argument
C. Rebuttal to the second argument
D. Rebuttal to the third argument
Block 2
E. Your first argument
F. Your second argument
G. Your third argument
III. Conclusion - may include a summary of your own point of view

7. Point-by-Point Pattern
I. Introduction
Explanation of the issue, including a summary of the other side’s arguments
Thesis statement
II. Body
A. Statement of the other side’s first argument and rebuttal with your own counter argument.
B. Statement of the other side’s second argument and rebuttal with your own counter argument.
C. Statement of the other side’s third argument and rebuttal with your own counter argument.
III. Conclusion - may include a summary of your own point of view

8. The Introductory Paragraph
The introductory paragraph contains an explanation of the issue, which is a necessary part of an argumentative essay.
You may also begin your argumentative essay with a more engaging introduction - with surprising statistics, for example, or a dramatic story.

9. The Introductory Paragraph
If you choose to write an attention-getting introduction, you may need to explain the issue in a second introductory paragraph and write your thesis statement at the end of this (the second) paragraph.

10. The Introductory Paragraph
Thesis Statement
The thesis statement in an argumentative essay states clearly which side you are for:
Stem cell research should receive the full support of our government.

11. The Introductory Paragraph
A thesis statement often mentions the opposing point of view. Notice that the writer’s opinion is expressed in the main (independent) clause, and the opposing point of view is normally put in a subordinate structure.
Although there are certainly reasons to be cautious with stem cell research or any new technology (subordinate clause), its potential benefits far outweigh its dangers. (main clause)

12. The Introductory Paragraph
Use expressions like the following to introduce opposing points of view.
Some people feel that the United States should change their healthcare plan.
Many think that genetically engineered crops are a grave danger to the environment.

13. The Introductory Paragraph
Smokers say that they have the right to smoke.
It may be true that the U.S. constitution gives citizens the right to own weapons.

14. The Introductory Paragraph
Then connect the opposing point of view to your own with transition signals of contrast.
Some people feel that the United States should change their healthcare plan; however, others feel that the government should stay out of the health care business.

15. The Introductory Paragraph
Although/Even though many think that genetically engineered crops are a grave danger to the environment, such crops can alleviate world hunger and malnutrition.
Smokers say that they have the right to smoke in spite of the fact that/ despite the fact that smoking will kill them.

16. The Introductory Paragraph
While/Whereas it may be true that the U.S. constitution gives citizens the right to own weapons, the men that wrote the constitution lived in a different time.

17. For more slide presentations visit:
Questions?
For more slide presentations visit: