Argumentative writing:

Writing Stage

Once you’ve given yourself a solid foundation to work with, you can
begin to craft your essay. An argument essay should contain three
parts: the introduction, the body, and the conclusion. The length of
these parts (number of paragraphs) will vary, depending on the length
of your essay assignment.

1. Introduce your topic and assert your side

As in any essay, the first paragraph of your argument essay should

contain a brief explanation of your topic, some background
information, and a thesis statement. In this case, your thesis will be a
statement of your position on a particular controversial topic.

Example introductory paragraph with thesis statement:

Since the turn of the new century, a theory has emerged concerning
the end of the world, or at least the end of life as we know it. This new
theory centers around the year 2012, a date that many claim has
mysterious origins in ancient manuscripts from many different
cultures. The most noted characteristic of this date is that it appears to
mark the end of the Mayan calendar. But there is no evidence to
suggest that the Maya saw any great relevance to this date. In fact,
none of the claims surrounding a 2012 doomsday event hold up to
scientific inquiry. The year 2012 will pass without a major, life-altering
catastrophe.

2. Present both sides of the controversy

The body of your essay will contain the meat of your argument. You
should go into more detail about the two sides of your controversy and
state the strongest points of the counter-side of your issue.

After describing the “other” side, you will present your own viewpoint
and then provide evidence to show why your position is the correct
one.
Select your strongest evidence and present your points one by one.
Use a mix of evidence types, from statistics, to other studies and
anecdotal stories. This part of your paper could be any length, from
two paragraphs to two hundred pages.

Re-state your position as the most sensible one in your summary

paragraph.There are some connectives in writing argumentative
paragraph:

broad meaning connective adverbs and conjunctions

phrases

addition also, too, similarly, in and, as, like

addition, even, indeed, let
alone

opposition however, nevertheless, on but, or, (al)though, whereas,

the other hand, in contrast, while
though, alternatively,
anyway, yet, in fact, even so

reinforcing besides, anyway, after all

explaining for example, for instance, in in that

other words, that is to say,
i.e., e.g.

listing first(ly) ... second(ly), first and

of all, finally, lastly, for one
thing ... for another, in the
first place, to begin with,
next, in sum, to conclude, in
a nutshell

indicating result therefore, consequently, as a because, since, as, for, if,

result, so, then unless, now (that), so (that),
in case, provided (that),
whether ... or ...

indicating time then, meanwhile, later, when, before, after, since,

afterwards, before (that), until, till, while, as, once,
since (then), meanwhile whenever
s.
Example:
Should motor traffic be restricted?
FOR
Cars are a major source of air and
noise pollution, as well as numerous
accidents that cause death or
injury.
Motorways are an eyesore in the
countryside and disturb wildlife
habitats .
Traffic in modern city centres
moves at roughly the same speed as
it did 100 years ago. The solution is
to discourage drivers from entering
city centres (e.g. by imposing
taxes). The govt. should also
improve the public transport
system and provide free parking on
the outskirts of cities.
AGAINST
o Motor vehicles make travel
more convenient, contribute
to economic development and
enrich our leisure; petrol is
much "greener" than it used
to be.
o The USA has more cars than
any other country, yet its
accident rate is less than half
that of many European
countries. The answer lies in
better roads, better driver
training and better vehicle
maintenance.
Well-designed motorways blend into
the countryside just as much as
canals or railways.
Public transport is simply not
adequate to handle the volume of
people who need to enter cities. The
real solution to road congestion is to
build more roads and carparks.
 Railways are more suitable (faster
& safer) than cars for traffic
between cities; they are also more
suitable than large trucks for
carrying goods
Railways are inflexible and do not
suit our modern desire for "door-to-
door" transport; goods deliveries by
rail are often delayed

Topics:

• 1)WE ARE BECOMING OVERWHELMINGLY DEPENDENT ON COMPUTERS. IS THIS DEPENDENCE

ON COMPUTERS A GOOD THING OR SHOULD WE BE MORE SUSPICIOUS OF THEIR BENEFITS?

• 2)SHOULD THE ANIMALS BE USED FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH? IS IT HUMANLY?

• 3)SHOULD THE CIGARETTES SMOKING BE BANNED AS HEROIN CONSUMPTION?

• 4)SHOULD DRIVERS OF AUTOMOBILES BE PROHIBITED FROM USING CELLULAR PHONES?

• 5)SHOULD RESTRICTIONS BE PLACED ON THE USE OF MOBILE PHONES IN PUBLIC AREAS LIKE
RESTAURANTS AND THEATERS

• 6)FORESTS ARE THE LUNGS OF THE EARTH. SHOULD THE RAIN FORESTS DESTRUCTION BE
PROHIBITED? HOW IS IT POSSIBLE TO PROTECT FORESTS?

7)HUMAN BEINGS DO NOT NEED TO EAT MEAT IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN GOOD HEALTH BECAUSE
THEY CAN GET ALL THEIR FOOD NEEDS FROM MEATLESS PRODUCTS AND MEATLESS SUBSTANCES. A
VEGETARIAN DIET IS AS HEALTHY AS A DIET CONTAINING MEAT. ARGUE FOR OR AGAINST THE
OPINION ABOVE.

• 8)ADVERTISING: INFORMATION OR MANIPULATION?

• 9)EDUCATION IS AN INDIVISIBLE PART OF THE PROSPERITY OF THE NATION. THE MORE

EDUCATED AND CULTURED PEOPLE THERE ARE IN THE COUNTRY THE MORE FLOURISHING AND
THRIFTY THE COUNTRY IS. COMMENT ON THIS ISSUE, ARGUMENT YOUR DECISION

10)THE MASS MEDIA, INCLUDING TV, RADIO, NEWSPAPERS HAVE A GREAT INFLUENCE ON
PEOPLE AND ESPECIALLY ON THE YOUNGER GENERATION. IT PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN
SHAPING THE OPINIONS AND POSITIONS OF THE YOUNGER GENERATION. ARGUE FOR OR AGAINST
THIS STATEMENT

11) It is right that college graduates earn higher salaries than the
less well-educated in the community, but they should also pay the full
cost of their study. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?

12)Every generation of people is different in important ways. How is

your generation different from your parents’ generation?

13) Some young children spend a great amount of their time

practicing sports. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this.

14): Do you think it is important to preserve local languages and

dialects?

15) Parents should limit children’s time watching TV and playing

computer games, others insist children should spend time reading
books, do you agree or disag

16) Do you think that advertising encourages people to buy things that
they don’t want?