Argumentative Essay

1. ARGUMENTATIVE
ESSAY
Class VII

2. ARGUMENTATION
 The aim of writing argumentative
essays is to convince or persuade the
reader.
 One attempts to change the reader’s
mind and convince the reader to
agree with the point of view or claim
of the writer.
 So an argumentative essay needs to
be highly persuasive and logical.

3. WHAT ARE THE GOALS OF
ARGUMENTATION?
 present an opinion on a controversial topic to
the reader;
 explain, clarify and illustrate that opinion;
 persuade the reader that the opinion supported
in the essay is valid by:
a. moving the reader to action,
b. convincing the reader that the opinion is
correct, or
c. persuading the reader that the opinion is at
least worth considering;
 support the opinion by means of giving
evidence: facts, examples, physical description,
support of authority, and statistics;
 present counterarguments to the thesis and refute
them respectfully and critically.

4. Key Terms to Learn
Argumentation _____
Refutation _____
Proponent _____
Opponent _____
Counter Argument (CON)
____
Pro Argument (PRO) _____
1. a person who disagrees with something
and speaks against it
2. the act or process of forming reasons,
drawing conclusions, and applying
them to a case in discussion
3. point or statement that supports one’s
ideas and/or thesis
4. point or statement in opposition to the
argument being made in a written
document or speech
5. the process of discrediting the
arguments that oppose your thesis
statement
6. someone who argues in favor of
something; advocate
2
5
6
1
4
3

5.  The thesis statement should define
the scope of the argument and
make an assertion that is open to
debate.
The Argumentative Thesis
Statement

6. Sample Argumentative Thesis
Statements
 Something should be done on media
bias.
This is not an effective argumentative
thesis statement because it does not
clearly state the writer’s idea. The
answers of questions like “what is that
‘something’ that should be done?” or
“who should do it?” are not clear.

7. Sample Argumentative Thesis
Statements
 There are 3 ways of media censorship.
This is not an argumentative thesis statement
as the writer aims at listing the types of media
censorship. Therefore, the writer’s purpose of
writing this essay is not to persuade the
reader but to give information. Also, the ways
of media censorship are not open to debate,
thus, not suitable for argumentation.

8. Sample Argumentative Thesis
Statements
 CNN is the best TV channel.
This is not an effective thesis
statement. This sentence is not
debatable as it involves personal
choice or preference.

9. Sample Argumentative Thesis
Statements
 Newspapers should not identify people by color,
race, or religious faith in any way.
This is an effective argumentative thesis
statement. Firstly, the topic is open to discussion.
There may be people who would oppose this
argument claiming that this kind of restriction
would damage the objectivity of the news.
Therefore, the writer holds a clear stance. Above
all, it is obvious that the writer’s aim is not simply
to inform the readers but to convince them to
take his / her side in the debate.

10. Time to Practice!
1. ________ Censorship is the best way of controlling the minds of the
citizens.
2. ________ Newspapers should not identify victims of sexual assault
without their consent.
3. ________ Parents control their children’s TV viewing habits in three
ways.
4. ________ In war journalism, it is never appropriate to show on the
news how a country’s soldiers suffer in combat.
5. ________ The only way to receive high ratings for a TV series is to
cast attractive actors or actresses.
ARG.
ARG.
INF.
ARG.
ARG.

11. Time to Practice!
6. ________ There are common practices that advertisers use to sell
products.
7. ________ Politicians use various strategies to influence the media
during their election campaigns.
8. ________ There are two main ways of manipulation in print media;
false balancing, which means focusing on only one side of an
argument; and slighting of the content, which aims at giving so
much emphasis to style and so little to the actual substance.
INF.
INF.
INF.

12. Introduction
Structure of an introduction:
Introduce and explain topic
Background information
Thesis statement

13. Example Introduction
The issue of whether we should allow marine parks to stay open has been
widely debated in our community recently. It is an important issue
because it concerns fundamental moral and economic questions
about the way we use our native wildlife. A variety of different
arguments have been put forward about this issue. This essay will
consider arguments for having marine parks and point to some of the
problems with these views. It will then put forward reasons for the
introduction of laws which prohibit these unnecessary and cruel
institutions.
Introduction of
topic
Background
information
Thesis

14. Paragraphs
Structure of a paragraph:
1. Topic sentence
2. CON - The opposing view
4. PRO - Your arguing view
5. Refutation- Proof of your argument

15. Example paragraph
It has been argued that dolphin parks provide the only opportunity for
much of the public to see marine mammals (Smith, 1992). Most
Australians, so this argument goes, live in cities and never get to see
these animals. It is claimed that marine parks allow the average
Australian to appreciate our marine wildlife. However, as Smith states,
dolphins, whales and seals can be viewed in the wild at a number of
places on the Australian coast. In fact, there are more places where
they can be seen in the wild than places where they can be seen in
captivity. Moreover, most Australians would have to travel less to get
to these locations than they would to get to the marine parks on the
Gold Coast. In addition, places where there are wild marine mammals
do not charge an exorbitant entry fee - they are free.
Topic
sentence
CON PR
O
Refutation

16. Conclusion
Include in a conclusion:
Summarise your main PROs
Summarise you main refutations

17. Example conclusion
In conclusion, these parks should be closed, or
at the very least, no new animals should be
captured for marine parks in the future. Our
society is no longer prepared to tolerate
unnecessary cruelty to animals for science
and entertainment. If we continue with our
past crimes against these creatures we will
be remembered as cruel and inhuman by
the generations of the future
Summar
y of
PROS
Summary of
refutation

18. FINAL STRUCTURE
1. Introduction + Background Information + Thesis Statement
2. Body Paragraph
1. Topic Sentence
2. Facts
3. Stats
4. Quote
5. Bridging the thesis statement or claim
3. Opposing Topic Sentence and Refutation (rebuttal/own point of
view)
4. Conclusion
1. Summary of your own claim and justification
2. Summary of refutation
2-3 body
paragraphs will
include these
points.
2-3 body
paragraphs will
include these
points.

19. PRACTICE TOPICS

20. Write argumentative essay on the
following topics- in 250-300 words.
1. Should nuclear energy be outlawed?
2. Is technology making people anti-
social?
3. Should parents monitor kids' internet
use?
1. Should nuclear energy be outlawed?
2. Is technology making people anti-
social?
3. Should parents monitor kids' internet
use?

21. Any Questions?
Thank You