Argumentative essays

2013

Argumentative essays

An argumentative essay is an essay in which you agree or disagree with an issue, using reasons to support your opinion. Your goal is to convince your reader that your opinion is right.

Argumentation is a popular kind of essay question because it forces students to think on their own: They have to take a stand on an issue, support their stand with solid reasons, and support their reasons with solid evidence.

Argumentative (supp.)

Attitudes on an important issue: 1. For/against 2. why (reasons) 3. Steps of persuasion 4. Levels of presentation

Argumentative (overview)

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Focus Thesis: taking a stand Opposing views Supports: reasons Refuting & conceding Structure Transitions

Essay questions (suppl.)

The U.S. Declaration of Independence states that "all men are created equal. Agree or disagree with this statement. Support your opinion with reasons and examples.

Essay questions (suppl.)

The most important element in a friendship is trust. Agree or disagree with this statement. Support your opinion with reasons and examples.

Outline of an argumentative essay (suppl.)

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Thesis statement Essay map Opposing views Rebuttal The writers point of view

5 key elements in an argumentative essay (suppl.)

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. An explanation of the issue (background) A clear thesis statement A summary of the opposing arguments Rebuttals to the opposing arguments Your own arguments

1. Thesis : taking a stand)

An argumentative essay is one that attempts to change the readers mindto convince the reader to agree with the point of view or opinion of the writer. Frequently, it also proposes a course of action.

1. Thesis statement: taking a stand ( supp.)

The thesis statement in an argumentative essay states clearly which side you are for:

1. Curfew laws are unfair and should be abolished. 2. In my opinion, stem cell research should receive the full support of our government.

1. Thesis statement: taking a stand A thesis statement often mentions the opposing point of view.
Notice that the writer's opinion is expressed in the main (independent) clause, and the opposing point of view is normally put into a subordinate structure.
.

1. Thesis statement: taking a stand

Despite the claims that curfew laws are necessary to control juvenile gangs, curlew laws are clearly unconstitutional. Although there are certainly reasons to be cautious with stem cell research or any new technology, I believe that its potential benefits far outweigh its dangers.

2. Opposing views
Aware of your readers Write: objectively, logically, respectfully.

Consider why your opponents hold their opinion and what reasons you think they might use to support their opinion. If you do not understand your opponents reasons and you just argue your own reasons, you are not likely to convince the reader at all.

2. Opposing views

(supp.)

Use expressions such as the following to introduce opposing points of view. 1. Some people feel that the United States should have a national health care plan like Canada's. 2. Many think that genetically engineered crops are a grave danger to the environment. 3. Smokers say that they have a right to smoke. 4. It may be true that the U.S. Constitution gives citizens the right to own weapons.

2. Opposing views

(supp.)

Then connect the opposing point of view to your own with transition signals of contrast. 1. Some people feel that the United States should have a national health care plan like Canada's; however, others feel that government should stay out of the health care business. 2. Although/Even though many think that genetically engineered crops are a grave danger to the environment, such crops can alleviate world hunger and malnutrition.

3. Supports
a) Facts
1. historical facts, scientific data, statistics, etc.. 2. Research 3. Evaluation the value of your sources.

b) examples
1. effective 2. typicalselected from a sufficient number of examples to prove the case 3. extended example. 4. examples from personal experience: generalizable to a larger group.

c) Opinions of experts

3. Supports
There are many reasons for restricting the methods and quantity of pesticides used in farming, but one of the most compelling reasons is that pesticides kill not only harmful insects which destroy crops and damage property, but also those insects which are helpful to farmers and the environment/such as ladybugs and honeybees. In fact, the case of the honeybee is an excellent example of the damage that pesticides can do.

3. Supports

Therefore, we must restrict our use of harmful pesticides before we discover that we will not have enough food to feed the world's growing population.

3. Supports
According to Dr. Herbert Kleber, who is currently with the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, "Today ten times more Americans use alcohol and five times more use tobacco than illegal drugs" (DEA, Claim III, 1). He quotes a recent survey stating that 98 million Americans had used alcohol in the previous month and 54 million had used cigarettes, while only 11 million had used illicit drugs (DBA, Claim III, 1).

3. Supports
Drug Enforcement Administration figures indicate that currently about half a billion people are addicted to nicotine and 18 million are addicted to alcohol. In contrast, only 5 million are addicted to illegal drugs (DEA> Claim IV, 1). These numbers clearly show that if drugs are legal, people are more likely to use them, since, by being legal, they are accepted by society. Thus, legalizing drugs like cocaine and heroin would most likely result in more drug use and more drug addiction.

3. Supports
Giving football scholarships is really just a wise investment on the part of the university. What the university really needs and wants is money in the form of football ticket sales, contributions and endowments from alumni, and allotments and grants from the state legislature,. By giving football scholarships, many smaller, struggling universities, North University for example, can attract talented, sought-after football players.

3. Supports
These players build a winning football team, and the university builds a reputation. The university's football games may be on television, and the team may be asked to play in a bowl game. With this publicity, fans and alumni are eager to attend the games, thus boosting ticket sales. Rich alumni, who are proud of their school, give endowments and grants. And for state schools, members of Congress and representatives at the state Capitol are pleased with the publicity the school, and thus the state, receives.

3. Supports (p 269)
As a result, the states coffers are a little more open and the money flows, enabling the university to pay its faculty higher wages, build new buildings, and maintain the quality of its teaching. Yes, the football scholarship is a small investment from which the university hopes to reap big gains.

4. Rebutting, Refuting and conceding (p

271)

Rebut: to point out problems with the other sides reasons to prove that they are not good reasons. Refute means to prove wrong by argument or to show that something is erroneous.
If the opponent makes some valid points, you will want to concede them or agree that they are valid and then go on to argue your own points.

4. Rebutting, Refuting and conceding (p 271)

One reason people over 75 should not be allowed to drive is that they are a hazard on the road. By that age, most peoples vision and hearing have deteriorated; thus, they cannot see cars, pedestrians, and traffic signs as well as they could in their youth. In addition, they have slower reaction times. This is particularly problematic because while driving, one must be constantly on the alert to the need to stop or swerve suddenly to avoid a collision. These physical and mental impairments lead to a lot of accidents. In fact, if we compare on a per-mile basis the elderly with other age groups of drivers, it turns out that the elderly are involved in 25 accidents per 100 drivers. This is second only to the group aged 24 and under.

4. Rebutting, Refuting and conceding (p 271)

My opponents argue that people over 75 should not be allowed to drive because they are a hazard on the road. While it is true that the accident rate per mile driven is high for the elderly, the fact is that the elderly simply do not drive as much as those in other age groups; consequently, the actual number of accidents in this age group is the lowest among all the younger age groups. Moreover, while it is also true that their abilities to see, hear, and react are not as sharp as they were when they were younger, this does not necessarily have to make them hazardous on the road. In fact, elderly drivers can be trained to compensate for their deficiencies by taking special driver's education courses designed for them.

Example 1: thesis+ supports (supp.).

Censorship of the arts is always wrong + explanation

Censorship of the arts is always wrong.

a. Freedom to express oneself is a

fundamental right stated in the U.S. Bill of Rights. b. Public morality is relative-what is objectionable in some cultures is acceptable in others. c. Many masterpieces-books, sculptures, and paintings-would be banned.

Example 2: thesis statement (supp.) Despite the fact that education's primary responsibility is to train minds, not bodies, I believe that schools should require students to practice a sport at least one hour each day.

 Although some people think that curfew laws will help control teenage gangs, they are wrong for several reasons.

Example 3: thesis statement (supp.)

Review (supp.)

An argumentative essay is a kind of essay in which you try to persuade your reader to agree with your opinion about a controversial topic.

Sample essay (1)

College and high school students often look for shortcuts to make their work easier. To achieve a good grade, students are sometimes tempted to cheat. One of the most frequent ways of cheating is to buy essays off the Internet. This may result in a good grade. However, plagiarism is irresponsible from a social and academic standpoint. Thesis statement

Sample essay (1)-handouts

Reason 1
First, plagiarism is socially unacceptable. Students are expected by teachers and their classmates to do their own work. If a student plagiarizes, he or she violates that trust. This may damage the relationship between the student and the teacher, as well as the relationship with classmates.

Sample essay (1)-handouts

I remember once when a student was discovered to have plagiarized his essay. We were mad that our classmate had lied to us. It was an embarrassment for everyonethe institution, the instructor and the studentto discover that he had been cheating all along.

Sample essay (1)-handouts

Reason 2
Plagiarism is also wrong because it is against academic policy. Even though buying essays and presenting them as your own may save time initially, this practice is against university rules. In fact, universities have ways to prove if students have plagiarized. Instructors can use software that compares a student essay and material on the Internet. This way, instructors can detect if a particular essay was copied.

Sample essay (1)-handouts

The consequences are very serious. I remember when one of my classmates started buying essays to prove that he was an excellent student. After the final exam, our instructor found his essay on a website and the student was expelled.

Sample essay (1)-handouts

Reason 3 It is true that many students at community colleges have busy schedules and may have trouble completing their assignments on time. Some students may argue that because of their situation, they sometimes have no choice but to buy essays off the Internet. However, buying essays off the Internet should never be the solution. Instead, students might try to negotiate the deadline with their instructor.

Sample essay (1)-handouts

Furthermore, while writing may be a struggle for some students who feel that their writing is not good enough to receive an A, it is crucial that they do their own work. They may go to a writing center for help. Otherwise, if they plagiarize, they will not develop their own writing and critical thinking skills. As a result, they may not be prepared to pass their final exams. In the end, plagiarizing is harmful to a student's own academic success.

Sample essay (1)-handouts

Restatement I believe that university authorities should discourage plagiarism by making students more aware of the problems it causes. Plagiarism damages classroom relationships. It also violates school policies and prevents students from realizing their own potential. If we do not stop plagiarism, many students will lose out on their education. Warning

Sample essay (2)-handouts

A walk across campus this week will reveal students, professors, and administrators arguing about class notes like never before. But theyre not engaged in intellectual debates over chemical formulas or literary images. Theyre fighting over the taking of the notes themselves, as professional notetaking services in town are applying for permission to sit in on large lecture courses and then sell their notes to the students in those classes.

 Although the prospect of having canned notes looks inviting to many students, our administration should nevertheless ban these services from campus. Not only do such businesses give certain students unfair advantages and discourage class attendance, but they also prohibit the development of students important learning skills, despite the services claims to the contrary.

Sample essay (2)-handouts

Sample essay (2)-handouts

What is bothered for many of us about the professional-notes option is our sense of fair play. Lets face it: like it or not, school is, among other things, a place of competition, as students vie for the best academic records to send to prospective employers, graduate and professional schools, and in some cases, paying parents. In todays classes, all students have an equal opportunity to come to class, take notes, study, and pass or fail on their own merits.

Sample essay (2)-handouts

But the expensive professional notes, already organized and outlined, may give those with plenty of money some advantages that poorer studentsthose on scholarships or with families, for examplejust cant afford. In addition, the notes may be available only to those students who take certain sections of a course and not others, thus giving some students an extra option.

Sample essay (2)-handouts

The same is true for students who satisfy a requirement by taking one course that has notes available rather than another that has not. Knowing that youre doing your own work may make you feel morally superior to a classmate who isnt, but frankly, on some other level, it just plain feels irritating and unfair, sort of like watching your roommate getting away with plagiarizing his paper for a class after you spent weeks researching yours.

Sample essay (2)-handouts

In addition to being a potential source of conflict among students, the professionalnote services arent winning many friends among the faculty, either. Several instructors have complained that the availability of notes will encourage many students, especially the weaker ones, to cut classes, assuming that they have all the material necessary for understanding the lecture, discussion, or lab.

Sample essay (2)-handouts

But anyone who has ever had to use borrowed notes knows something vital is not there. Someone elses interpretation of the information is often hard or impossible to follow, especially if you must understand complex relationships and problems. Moreover, skipping class may mean missed opportunities for students to ask questions or to participate in experiments or in group discussions, all of which often help clarify concepts under study.

Sample essay (2)-handouts

Not seeing visual aids or diagrams in person can also result in problems understanding the material. And, last, missing class can mean failure to become comfortably acquainted with the teacher, which, in turn, may discourage a student from asking for individual help when its needed. All these possibilities are real; even Jeff Allridge, owner of the Quotable Notes service, has admitted to a campus reporter, There is an incentive to skip class.

Sample essay (2)-handouts

Despite the admission that professional notetaking encourages class-cutting, the services still promote themselves by claiming that students using their notes learn more. They support this claim by arguing that their notes offer students clearly organized information and, according to one advertising brochure, good models for students to follow in other classes.

Sample essay (2)-handouts

But such arguments miss the larger point: students should be learning how to develop their own note-taking, organizing, and thinking skills rather than swallowing the material whole as neatly packaged and delivered. Memorizing class material as outlined can be important, but its not really as valuable in the long run as learning how to think about the material and use it to solve problems or come up with new ideas later.

Sample essay (2)-handouts Taking your own notes teaches you how to listen and how to spot the important concepts; organizing your own notes teaches you how to pull ideas together in a logical way, all skills students will need in other classes, on jobs, and in life in general

Sample essay (2)-handouts

Having memorized the outlines but not really mastered the thinking skills wont help the medical student whose patients symptoms vary from the textbook description or the engineer whose airplane wings suddenly fail the stress test for no apparent reason.

Restatement of the thesis

By appealing to students who believe professional notes will help them accomplish their educational goals easier and quicker, a variety of note-taking services now have franchises across the country.

Ending: emphasizing the thesis

But our campus shouldnt allow them to move in. Students need to recognize that the difference between the services definition of learning and the real learning experiences college can provide is of notable importance.

Sample essay (3)-handouts 1. Thesis statement Although some parents and educators oppose same-sex classes, there is some evidence that separating boys and girls in middle school yields positive results.

Opposing argument 1:

Opponents of single-sex education claim that test scores of students in all-girl or all-boy classes are no higher than those of students in mixed classes ().

Rebuttal 1 to opposing argument 1 However, the research is inconclusive. Despite the fact that some research shows no improvement in test scores, other

research shows exactly opposite results (Blum).

More important, many psychologists believe that test scores are the wrong measuring sticks. They believe that selfconfidence and self-esteem issues are more important than test scores. In same-sex classes, girls report increased confidence and improved attitudes towards math and science, for example ().

Rebuttal 2 to opposing argument 1

Opposing argument 2

Opponents also maintain that separate classes (or separate schools) send the message that males and females cannot work together. They say that.. ().

Rebuttal to opposing argument 2 However, such an argument completely ignores the fact that children constantly interact with members of the opposite sex outside school. 1. Playing and squabbling with siblings 2. Negotiating with their opposite-sex parent

opposing argument 3

The final argument advanced by opponents of same-sex education is that it is discriminatory and, therefore, unconstitutional.

Rebuttal to opposing argument 3 However, research supports exactly the opposite conclusion: that discrimination is widespread in mixed classes. 1. boys dominate discussions and receive more attention than girls. 2. teachers call on boys more often.

Writers own points of view On the contrary: 1. same-sex classes provide a better learning environment. 2. Schoolchildren do have contact with the opposite sex outside the school setting. 3. Discrimination occurs in mixed classes as well.