Argumentative Essay

1. What is an argument?
a. Is an idea that supports the claim c. Is an idea that tells a story.
b. Is an idea that has feelings in it. d. All of the above
2. What does an argumentative essay present in order to let the reader know why it is more
favorable?
a. The main idea of an essay. c. A sentence that gets the reader's attention.
b. Evidences for a claim d. All of the above
3. What do you call an idea which the opinions of people are different?
a. Argument b. Issue c. Claim d. Evidence.
4. What is a counterargument?
a. Agreeing with your opponent's claim. c. An idea given by the opposing side against
b. The response to an argument. the claim given.
5. What is a rebuttal?
a. The response counterargument. c. The return to your claim.
b. The conclusion. d. All of the above
6. There are three parts to an essay. Which choice contains all of them?
a. Thesis, Lead, Hook c. Claim, Counterclaim, Rebuttal.
b. Introduction, Body, Conclusion. d. Only A and B
7. These are the elements of an argumentative essay.
a. Claim, Argument c. Claim, Counterargument, Rebuttal.
b. Evidence, claim and conclusion d. All of the above
8. In which paragraph is the thesis found?
a. Body c. Conclusion
b. Introduction d. None of the above
9. How many paragraphs should your essay possess?
a. at least four c. at least three
b. at least two d. at least five
10. Your thesis statement must include the points you will discuss. At least how
many should you have in your essay?
a. Three b. One c. Four d. Two
11. This are the components of an argumentative essay.
a. Introduction and Body. c. Introduction, Body and Conclusion
b. Refutation and Conclusion d. All of the above
12. It is the body paragraph where facts of the given thesis statements of the essay
are written?
a. Introduction b. Refutation c. Body d. Conclusion
13. What is a Conclusion?
a. This is rephrasing the thesis statement only.
b. This is rephrasing the introduction.
c. It is rephrasing the thesis statement, major points and call attention.
14. What is logic?
a. Reason c. Facts
b. Feelings d. Opinions
15. It is also called the gateway of an essay?
 a. Introduction
b. Body
c. Refutation
d. Conclusion
  An argumentative essay presents evidences for a claim in order to let the reader know why it is
more favorable. It also shows why the other side of an issue is unfavorable or less favorable. It
also includes, like any other essay, an introduction and conclusion.
 An argumentative essay is a piece of writing that takes a stance on an issue. In a good
argumentative essay, a writer attempts to persuade readers to understand and support their
point of view about an issue by stating their reasoning and providing evidence to support it.
 Argumentative essay writing is a common assignment for high school and college students.
Generally, argumentative essay topics are related to science, technology, politics, and health
care.
The following are terms related to an argumentative essay.
Issue – an idea about which the opinions of people are different.
Claim – a statement by an author about an issue. A claim has a significant amount of disagreement
about it. A claim needs supporting arguments. A claim is also called a position, stand, or point of view.
Argument – an idea that supports the claim. An argument needs supporting evidences.
Evidence – facts in the real world that can be used to support an argument.
Examples of evidences are statistics, data from studies, historical events, habitual practices, and
other facts that can support an argument.
Counterargument – an idea given by the opposing side against the claim given in the argumentative
essay.
Rebuttal – the response to the counterargument
Pro – an argument in favor of a claim or advantage regarding something
Con - an argument against a claim or disadvantage regarding something
Why is it important to learn to write an argumentative essay?
Learning how to write an argumentative essay will help you to develop critical thinking and research
skills along with developing how to rationally defend a position. These skills will help you progress
academically and occupationally.
Elements of Argumentative Essays
1. Claim
2. Arguments
3. Evidences
4. Counterargument
5. Rebuttal
6. Conclusion

Example:
ISSUE: Should people be encouraged to travel by bicycle rather than by car?
CLAIM: People should be encouraged to travel by bicycle rather than by car.
ARGUMENT: Maintaining a bicycle is less expensive than a car.
EVIDENCES:
1. The parts of a bicycle are much cheaper than the parts of a car.
 2. Fixing a car may require the services of a mechanic who would charge an expensive amount for
labor. On the other hand, many bicycles can be fixed by the owners themselves.
3. Cars require expensive yearly registration.
COUNTERARGUMENT: Some say that riding a bicycle would increase travel time and decrease
productivity.
REBUTTAL: Traveling by bicycle would actually mean avoiding rush hour traffic jams.
CONCLUSION: So, we encourage people to travel by bicycle rather than by car to avoid traffic jams
during rush hours to keep and it does not make people from being late to their appointments.
NOTE: Evidence can be FACTS, STATISTICS, and EXAMPLES

Components of an Argumentative Essay

INTRODUCTION – it is an introductory paragraph; it is in the start of the essay.

- this is called the “gateway” of an essay.
- it is because it attracts the attention of readers to the essay and gives the readers
background information about the topic.
- it also introduces the thesis statement of the essay, which is the heart of an essay, and
tells what to be discussed in the body paragraphs.
Example:
Why should we ditch our fancy, high priced, gas guzzling sports car and pick up a low tech bicycle? Well,
we should all choose to take the old fashion route because there are money benefits to riding a bike
round town. Although it may be more work, a bicycle’s benefits will outweigh a car’s dangerous
fumes any day. People should be encouraged to commute by bicycle rather than by car.

BODY – it is the body paragraph where facts of the given thesis statements of the essay are written.
- it is where the arguments are written to support the statements.
Example:
(1st Argument) Financial commuting costs for a bicycle are considerably less than for a car. A brand new
car costs a million pesos and it uses expensive fuel to let it run and move, while a bicycle will only cost
more than one thousand pesos but does not need any fuel, and it uses body energy to pedal and move.
REFUTATION/COUNTERARGUMENT – it is the argument to refute earlier arguments and give weight to
the actual position.
Example:
(Counterargument) Some say that riding a bike would increase commuting time and decrease
productivity.
(Rebuttal) Commuting by bicycle would mean avoiding rush hour traffic jams and helping the be early or
on time to an appointment.

CONCLUSION – it is rephrasing the thesis statement, major points, call attention, or just having the
concluding remarks. It even has some recommendations.
Example:
We should choose riding a bicycle. This will not only be less expensive and fuel-free but it gives us a
healthy body. Finally, it brings us to destination on time or even earlier avoiding traffic jams.