This document provides instructions for writing an argumentative essay, including outlining the key steps: 1) Address the topic by stating general statements and your position, 2) State your stand clearly, 3) Rank your reasons starting from strongest to weakest, 4) Anticipate and address any counterarguments, and 5) Conclude by restating your main points and discussing the topic in a broader context. An example argument is given that animals should not be kept in cages as it is cruel and limits their natural freedoms.

1. ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY

2. OBJECTIVES OF TODAY
1. Learn the steps we need to take to write an
Argumentative Essay.
2. Discuss and gather content for the Argumentative
Essay Topic.

3. N LEVEL EXAMINATIONS
Paper 1 (60m)
- Section A (Situational Writing)
- Section B (Composition)
Section B
 4 different question types
- Narrative
- Discursive
- Descriptive
- Argumentative

4. STEP 1: ADDRESS THE TOPIC
Introduction
- Pick out the keywords
- General statements about the topic.
Example
A n i m al s s ho ul d n e v e r be k e pt i n c a g e s .

5. GENERAL STATEMENT
 Write about Animals
- “Animals are living things, just like human beings.
They grow, they live and they die. The only difference
between animals and human beings are that humans
are a step beyond in the mental development and
capacity. Despite this, there is one thing that Animals
and Humans share – emotional capabilities.”
- NOTE: Important that you plan out your points before
you go on to write your introduction. You want the
Body of your essay to be reflected in your Intro.

6. STEP 2: STATE YOUR STAND!
 Slowly begin to address the topic.
- “So, why then are Animals kept in cages? Cages
are cold and brutal and limits freedom. How would
a human feel if he or she were kept in a cage?
 State your stand!
- “Therefore, I believe that animals should never be
kept in cages!”

7. STEP 3: RANK YOUR REASONS
 Point number 1
- “Animals should not be kept in cages because it is
a cruel and unfair act.”
 Elaborate on your point.
- “It is cruel as cages are small and it limits the space
of the animal.”
- “It is unfair as animals are supposed to be born and
bred in the Wild and keeping them in cages is only
defying their true nature.”

8.  Provide an example
- “This is quite evident in Zoos where wild animals
slowly become lifeless as they are only given a
small space to call home.”
 Validate your stand.
- Reiterate it with your reason.
- “Therefore, based on the understanding that
animals are creatures of the wild, they should never
be kept in cages.

9. REASONS 2,3, ETC
 Remember that your reasons are supposed to get
STRONGER and more IMPACTFUL to justify your
stand.

10. COUNTER-ARGUMENT
 Always anticipate that the reader would find
loopholes in your essay.
- “Some animals are dangerous. And if they are not
kept in cages, they may attack people.”
 It is YOUR job to think of the loopholes and address
them in your essay.
- “Some may say that the reason why animals are
kept in cages is mainly for the safety of human
beings. However, I feel that our safety would not be
at risk if we do not, in any way, pose a threat to the
environment that the animals live in.

11. COUNTER-ARGUMENT (CONTINUED)
 Make yourself sound reasonable.
 End with a reassertion of your stand and how
despite the loophole, your stand is still more
POWERFUL and EFFECTIVE.

12. CONCLUSION
 Reiterate your points.
 Discuss your topic in a larger context.
- “There is just so much space in this world. If each
living creature is given as much space as
he, she, or it needs to grow, life would be lived to
the maximum capacity.”