NAME

: _________________________

NIS

: _________________________

WRITING AN ARGUMENTATIVE PARAGRAPH

An argumentative paragraph shows the writers support toward a claim with clear
reasons relevant to evidences. The writer can agree or disagree with the claim. To write an
argumentative paragraph effectively, you have to concern
on these elements:
1. Find a good topic.
You should consider several debatable topics and choose a
position you can back up with reasoning and evidence.
2. Consider both sides of your topic and take a
position.

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After you have selected a topic, you should make a list of points for both sides of the
arguments. Then, you have to state your position on the argument whether you agree or
against the idea of the topic. You should have relevant and credible sources to support your
argument.
3. Gather some evidence.
You have to provide convincing evidences. Therefore, you have to explore two sides of
the topic and provide relevant and credible evidences to support your argument.
An argumentative paragraph contains three parts: topic sentence, supporting details, and
reinforcements.
In
Study the following text.
Topic: Technological progress has made us lazy.
Technological progress doesnt make people lazy, instead it makes
people be more active both physically and mentally.
First of all, machines or high technology dont help people do less work

conclusion,
instead

of

making

us

lazy,

the

technological
progress

but help them complete tasks more quickly. With washing machines or

helps

vacuum cleaners people can quickly complete trivial tasks and move on doing

effectively

other important tasks such as going out with their friends, family, doing

work harder,

exercise, doing their jobs. For instance, parents have more time with their kids

and develop

after finishing household chores.

ourselves

Second, machines as well as other technological achievements like the

both

Internet have helped human do and complete tasks more effectively, and

physically

enjoyably. For example, instead of running on the roads in order to keep our

and

shapes, we can do excercise on running machines and other body building

mentally.

machines while we still can stay at home.

Finally, we not only physically work harder but also mentally develop
along with the technological progress. Communicating means such as the
Internet, television and radio daily provide us with a large amount of
information. Our brains work harder to process the information unless we
want to be outdated. We mentally improve the ability to analyze, research,
and innovate to understand and get useful information among various
sources.

us

The topic

Topic sentence

Supporting
details

Topic sentence

Supporting
details

Topic sentence

Supporting
details

Conclusion

To make a good paragraph, you have to consider the following points.

1. Topic
The general topic for your writing. It states in which position you are of the topic.
2. Topic sentence
Topic sentence is the supporting ideas that support your position on the topic. It states the
main idea of the paragraph.
3. Supporting details
Supporting details are sentences supporting the idea in the topic sentence.
4. Conclusion
Conclusion is the summary of the whole writing, and it usually restates the topic.
5. Transitional signal to give additional ideas:
firstly

in summary

secondly
in addition

in short
in
conclusion

furthermore

accordingly

then

Complete the rubric below as the outline of your argumentative paragraph.

ELECTRONIC VOTING
Definition :
.............................................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
..................
Advantages
Most ballots will be tabulated into the results.
Paperbased voting machines can actually miss ballots
because of human error.

Disadvantages
Electronic voting can include viruses and
hacking.
Electronic voting machines are not different from
web
sites or software; they can be penetrated and
altered by
a hacker.

Tabulating process becomes easier.

Machines could be tampered physically, with

foreign
software being uploaded into the machine by
someone trying to corrupt the election results.

Voting machines also have the advantage of

never

The overall costs are very expensive.

running out of paper ballots at a polling center.

When dealing with people with disabilities, such
as
blindness, electronic voting machines can
provide
headphones to read off instructions to the blind
user.

Computer software and systems can have

problems
that may delay or even halt voting, or may cause
errors
in calculations.

Take the position of the topic and shape your draft to build a good argumentative paragraph.

Agree

Disagree

Electronic voting is................................................. Electronic voting is.................................................

............................................................................... ..............................................................................
........
.........

I agree with the implementation of electronic

voting.
I disagree with the implementation of electronic
Firstly, by using electronic voting most ballots
will
voting.
First of all, electronic voting can include
be tabulated into the results. Paper-based voting
viruses
machines can actually miss ballots because of
human
and hacking. Electronic voting machines are not
error. Another advantage
is...........................................
different from web sites or software; they can be
..............................................................................
..........
penetrated and altered by a hacker. Another
........................... Thirdly,
.........................................
diadvantage of e-voting
.............................................................................. is............................................................................
..........
........
Lastly,
...............................................................................
........................................................................
.......
.............................................................................. ........................... Thirdly,
.........
........................................
.............................................................................. ...............................................................................
.........
.........
In conclusion, I definitely agree with
Lastly,
....................
........................................................................
.............................................................................. ...............................................................................
..........
........
In conclusion, I diagree with
................................
...............................................................................
.........

Choose one of the following topics and develop an argumentative paragraph.

1.
Qwerty phones
are worse than
touch-screen
phones.

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Society
nowaday
is too
dependent
on
technologies.

2.

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3.
Electronic
Identity Card (EKTP) is more
effective than
the old one.
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4.

Ebooks are
better than
paper books.

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