Argumentative Essay

1. ARGUMENTATIVE
ESSAY

2. Definition of an
Argumentative
Essay We not only give information but also present
an argument with the PROS (supporting ideas)
and CONS (opposing ideas) of an
argumentative issue.

3. Controversial Topic Choosing an argumentative topic is not an easy task.
The topic should be such that:
• Marijuana should be considered illegal. X
(Not a good topic because it is too general. In some medical cases, marijuana
is prescribed by the doctors and the patients are encouraged to use it in case
of suffering from too much pain)
• Selling and using marijuana in public places should be considered illegal.
✔

4. The topic
should be:
Spotlighted.
Contain an argument.
be a topic that can be adequately
supported (with statistics, outside
source citations, etc.)

5. Organization
All argumentative topics have PROs and
CONs.

6. These steps will
take you through
all six steps in the
process of writing
an Argumentative
Essay.
Step 6. Writing the Conclusion
Step 5. Writing the Body of the Essay
Step 4. Writing the Introduction
Step 3. Developing a Thesis Statement
Step 2. Researching your Topic
Step 1. Organizing your Thoughts (Brainstorming)

7. Thesis statement?
To create a thesis statement, combine the claim
and the supporting details in one sentence.

8. Developing a thesis is like building a bridge.
In a bridge, the cross-beam (driveway) has to be held up
by strong columns in order for the bridge to function.
Similarly, a thesis has two main components – a claim
and the supporting details that sustain it. In the bridge
analogy, a cross-beam represents a claim, and the
columns represent supporting details.
Claim A claim is a one-sentence statement that Makes an
assertion or takes a stance it
It is based on a generalization
Is not a fact
Is debatable
It is must be presented in the introduction of the essay

9. There are
three
possible
organization
patterns:
Pattern 1:
Thesis statement
PRO idea 1
PRO idea 2
CON(s) + Refutation(s)
Conclusion

10. Pattern 2:
Thesis statement
CON(s) + Refutation(s)
PRO idea 1
PRO idea 2
Conclusion

11. Pattern 3:
Thesis statement
CON idea 1 ----->
Refutation
CON idea 2 ----->
Refutation
CON idea 3 ----->
Refutation
Conclusion

12. Supporting
ideas:
This is the most important part when
persuading others. We are asking some people
to change their beliefs or actions.
We should be supporting our ideas with such
facts, statistics and/or authorities that there
should not be room for any doubts.

13. Here are
some faulty
supports we
should avoid:
•  Feelings, emotional arguments
•  Irrelevant examples (wandering
off the topic)
•  Oversimplification
•  Hasty generalizations
•  Unreliable, even false outside
sources

14. Refuting
opposing
arguments:
Before we start saying that the opponents are
wrong, we should specify their opposing ideas.
Otherwise, it would be like hitting the other
person with eyes closed. We should see clearly
what we are hitting and be prepared
beforehand so that he cannot hit us back.

15. Content adapted
by Professor
Mgter. Yidis Flores