LFCS001

English &
Communication Skills
Writing an
Argumentative Essay

LFCS001 English & Communication Skills

Writing an Argumentative Essay
An Argumentative Essay
 is an essay in which you agree or
disagree with an issue,
 Using reasons to support your
argument.

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Communication Skills Writing
an Argumentative Essay
Your goal
 is to convince your reader that you are
right.
 You need to
 take a stand on an issue;

 support your stand with solid reasons;

 support your reasons with solid evidence.

LFCS001 English & 3

Communication Skills Writing
an Argumentative Essay
In an Argumentative
Essay,
 You must give reasons to support

 your stand

 You must also discuss the opposing

stand
 this is done by discussing the other side’s
reasons and
 then rebutting or refuting them.

 We do this to show the readers we

 have considered all sides of an issue;
 are reasonable and open-minded,
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therefore readers are more likely to listen 4
Communication Skills Writing an
Argumentative Essay
Voice
 Definition:
 The ways in which the writer’s personality
and attitude toward the topic are revealed
to the reader.
 Depends on the audience (reader).
 In academic writing, the voice should be
formal, objective and reasonable.
 It is sometimes acceptable to have a
more personal, conversational voice,
but the objective approach is preferred.
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Communication Skills
Writing an Argumentative
For this assignment
 The argumentative essay should
 be written using formal language;
 use an objective and reasonable tone with
 Support for arguments and

 Substantiated refutation of counter-arguments

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Communication Skills Writing
Organisation of
Argumentative
 Block Pattern Essays
 Plan A (Con arguments first, followed by Pro
arguments)
 Plan B (Pro arguments first, followed by Con
arguments)
 Point-by-point Pattern

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Writing an Essay 7
Block Pattern
I. Introduction
 Explanation of the issue
 Thesis statement of intent and opinion
 Background Paragraph

II. Body
 Block 1 (Pro / Con arguments )
 Block 2 (Con / Pro arguments)

III. Conclusion
 Summary of main points
 Recommendation(s), solution or prediction

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Writing an Argumentative Essay
Block Pattern Body Plan A
 Block 1 (Pro arguments)
 Pro argument #1 (your weakest argument
that supports your opinion)
 Pro argument #2 (stronger argument that
supports your opinion)
 Pro argument #3 (strongest argument that
supports your opinion)
 Block 2 (Con arguments)
 Summary of other side’s arguments
 Con argument #1 + rebuttal / refutation of
the counter-argument
 Con argument #2 + rebuttal / refutation of
the counter-argument
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9
 Con argument #3 + rebuttal
Writing an Argumentative Essay / refutation of
the counter-argument
Block Pattern Body Plan B
 Block 1 (Con arguments)
 Summary of other side’s arguments
 Con argument #1 + rebuttal / refutation of
the counter-argument
 Con argument #2 + rebuttal / refutation of
the counter-argument
 Con argument #3 + rebuttal / refutation of
the counter-argument
 Block 2 (Pro arguments)
I. Pro argument #1 (your weakest argument
that supports your opinion)
II. Pro argument #2 (stronger argument that
supports your opinion)
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III. Pro argument
Writing an #3 (strongest
Argumentative argument
Essay that
supports your opinion)
Point-by-point Pattern
I. Introduction
 Explanation of the issue including a summary
of the other side’s arguments
 Thesis statement of intent and opinion
 Background Paragraph

II. Body
 Point-by-point arguments and counter-
arguments

III. Conclusion
 Summary of your point of view.

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Writing an Argumentative Essay
Body of Point-by-Point
Pattern
Organisation of Body Paragraphs:
I. Statement of the other side’s first argument
and rebuttal with your own counterargument
II. Statement of the other side’s second
argument and rebuttal with your own
counterargument
III. Statement of the other side’s third argument
and rebuttal with your own counterargument

In other words:
 Counter-argument #1+ Pro argument #1 to
refute it
 Counter-argument #2 + Pro argument #2 to
refute it
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 Counter-argument #3 + Essay
Writing an Argumentative Pro argument #3 to
refute it
Step 1
 Clarify in your mind what the two sides
of the argument are.
 Decide which side you agree with.

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Writing an Argumentative Essay 13
Step 2
 Write a thesis statement
 Either include just your point of view,
or
 Include both points of view.

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Writing an Argumentative Essay 14
Step 3
1. Generate ideas and details about your topic
by:
 Brainstorming□ Listing □ Outlining
 Flow-charting □ Free-writing □ Mind-
mapping

2. Research the topic to get ideas and

supporting reasons for both sides of the
argument
3. Collect ideas and details about the topic from
various sources and resources:
 Library research (magazines, books)
 Internet (World Wide Web)
 Others (survey) 15

 Authorities (interviews)
More on Step 3
1. From the material you research,
 summarise
 quote
 paraphrase
2. Consider using non-text material
 Diagrams
 Photographs
 Flow charts

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Writing an Argumentative Essay 16
Step 4: Organisation of
Essay
1. Decide whether you will use the block
pattern or the point-by-point
organisation.
2. Develop an outline for your essay

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Writing an Argumentative Essay 17
Step 5: First Draft
1. Follow the outline you have drafted.
2. Be sure to include an explanatory or
attention-getting introduction.

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Writing an Argumentative Essay 18
Step 6: Self-Edit
1. Use the Self-Editing Worksheet
provided.
2. Revise the essay by
 Adding or removing facts
 Providing more support to your arguments
 Correcting the grammar

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Writing an Argumentative Essay 19
Step 7
1. Exchange papers with a classmate.
2. Review each other’s essays by using
the Peer-Editing Worksheet provided.

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Writing an Argumentative Essay 20
Step 8
 Make changes if necessary.
 Print out the final copy, and proof-read
it once more before handing it in.

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Writing an Argumentative Essay 21
Review

 The different parts of an

argumentative essay
2. Introduction
3. Body
4. Conclusion

22
The Introductory
Paragraph
 Start with

 an explanation of issue or
 dramatic story or

 surprising statistics

 The thesis statement

 clearly states which side you are for.

 often mentions the opposing point of view.

LFCS001 English & 23

Communication Skills Writing
an Argumentative Essay
The Background
Paragraph
 is the second paragraph (after the
Introduction)
 should be as objective as possible. Its aim is to
inform, not persuade.
 This can consist of:
 definitions of key terms
 a brief history of the issue or problem (depending on
the audience)
 political or social background essential for reader
understanding
 current relevant information about the topic from
books, magazines, websites, interviews, surveys
 information about the way(s) information was
gathered (e.g. how and to whom a survey was
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administered; how an authority about the topic was24
Communication Skills Writing
selected and interviewed.)
an Argumentative Essay
More about the
Background
 allows the writerParagraph
to show how s/he has
researched the topic
 should include citations (references)
 Example:
 Researchers have studied birth order to
discover whether or not the sequence in
which children are born affects their
personalities and their lives (Kinsmen,
1990). According to this research…. Paul
Mussen, professor of child psychology,
states that “First-born children tend to have
very high standards for themselves and are
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highly motivated to achieve the best they
Communication Skills Writing
an Argumentative Essay
The Body
 Contains the opposing stand or point
of view;
 The refutation of this stand;
 Your own arguments; and
 Solid evidence to support your
arguments.

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Communication Skills Writing
an Argumentative Essay
Some expressions
 to introduce opposing points of view:
 Some people feel that…
 Many think that….
 It is believed that….
 It maybe true that….

 Use contrast transition signals to

connect opposing arguments and your
counter-arguments, e.g.
 However, □ Although / Even though,
 In spite of the fact that, / Despite the fact
that,
 While / Whereas 27
The Conclusion
 should summarise the main points of
the essay;
 wrap up with a concluding sentence to
reiterate your stand and include
 a recommendation,

 solution or
 prediction

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Communication Skills Writing
an Argumentative Essay