What is Arguments ?

Argument is defined as "a reason or reasons why you support or oppose an idea or
suggestion, or the process of explaining these reasons" in Cambridge dictionary. In our daily life,
we try to solve our problems by discussing about various issues or carily our views about any
lssue by observing arguments.

What is Argumentative Essay?

Argumentalive essay is a kind of text in which an author supports his so like ve and try to
refute counterview about an issue. The author aims to lead readers to think just like himself in
this kind of texts. It is not easy to change readers' view or make them question. The author is
expected to explain why he supports these views and why counterview is invalid so as to
achieve his goal. The author is supposed not only to have a strong idea about the issue
discussed but also to be wise for a successful argumentative essay (Knudson, 1992).

A Brief Guide to Writing Argumentative Essays

A. Parts

I. Introduction

A. Hook

The hook is an introduction that catches the reader's attention. Argumentation essays can
start with facts, statistics, quotes, or anecdotes that reference the topic of the essay.

Make sure the introduction is interesting enough to "hook" your readers' into wanting to
read more. Once you have written the first sentence, you want to connect the information to
what you ultimately try to prove by leading into your thesis statement.

Example:

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 2, 700 teen drivers
between the ages of 16 and 19 died in 2010 and over 282,000 were injured.

Despite their desire to want to get behind the wheel, teen drivers simply aren't ready to take
on the responsibilities of driving yet.

B. Thesis

A thesis statement is a sentence that explains what you are trying to prove and provides an
overview of the arguments you will make in your body paragraphs. The thesis acts as a
roadmap for the rest of your paper. Do not worry about going into too much detail about
what your arguments will be: instead, focus on writing a clear, concise statement that hints
at the topics you plan to discuss.

Example:

The legal driving age should be changed to 20 because teen drivers are more likely to cause
accident and they are not mature enough to understand the repercussions of their actions.

C. Background Information

Though not always required in an argumentative essay, a background paragraph may be vital
to your paper if there is information that your audience needs to be aware of to understand
 your topic. This might include important historical dates, an explanation of who the subject
affects, or current laws. This paragraph is not trying to prove a point. It is simply providing
information to help the audience understand the topic.

Driver's license requirements are set by government of every country. Therefore, the legal
driving age varies from country to country. All countries allow drivers to have unrestricted
licenses at the age of 18. Most countries allow teenagers as young as 16 to have restricted
license, meaning they can drive as long as they are with a parent or guardian.

Il. Body Paragraphs

The body paragraphs are where you will explain the evidence you have to support your
thesis statement. Your body paragraph should start with a topic sentence written in your
own words. You should then include some form of rhetoric (such as a fact or statistics, an
emotional anecdote, or a law) that provides support for your topic sentence. Finally, the
body paragraphs should contain a sentence that explains how the evidence you have
provided proves your overall point.

III. Refutation

The writer acknowledges the opposition to not do so, me be considered cowardice,

dishonesty, or weakness. However, acknowledgement does not imply agreement. In this
portion of the essay, the writer needs to "refute" or disagree intelligently with the
opposition. - A Gentle Reminder from Lester Faigley and Jack Selzers' Good Reasons:

a. "Try to think of yourself as engaged not so much in winning over your audience as in
courting your audience's cooperation."
b. "Show that you understand and genuinely respect your listener's or reader's position
even if you think the position is ultimately wrong."

IV. Conclusion

The writer restates, in general terms, the major arguments he has marshaled in defense of
his thesis.

- The writer may summarize key points, restate his thesis, reinforce the weakness of his
opposition, underscore the logic of his presentation, re-emphasize this debate is important,
suggest a course of action, or challenge the reader to apply the paper's argument to his own
life.

B. Purpose

Purpose of Argumentative Essays

An argument follows when two groups disagree about something.

An argumentative essay is also one that attempts/tries to change the reader's mind, to
convince the reader to agree with the point of view of the writer.
Argumentative essays attempt to be highly persuasive and logical.
When writing an argumentative essay, assume that your reader disagrees with you, but
remember your reader is no less intelligent than you.
Write objectively, logically, and respectfully.
 Some Useful Transitional Expressions

If you want to: Use these transitional expressions:

Add then, as well, besides, beyond that, first (second, third,

last, and so on), for one thing, furthermore, in addition, in
fact, moreover, next, what is more

Compare also, as well, both (neither), in the same way, in like

manner, likewise, similarty

Contrast although, be that as it may, but, even though, however,

in contrast, instead, nevertheless, on the contrary, on
the other hand, still, yet, whereas

Concede (a point) although, be that as it may, but, even though, however,

in contrast, instead, nevertheless, on the contrary, on
the other hand, still, yet, whereas

Emphasize above all, especially, in fact, in particular, indeed, most

important, surely

Illustrate as a case in point, as an illustration, for example, for

instance, in particular, one such, yet another

Place above, besides, below, beyond, further, here, inside,

nearby, next to, on the far side, outside, to the East
(North, South, and so on)

Qualify perhaps

Give a reason as, because, for, since

Show a result and so, because of this, as a consequence, as a result,

consequently, incidentally, for this reason, hence, so,
therefore, thus

Summarize all in all, finally, in any event, in brief, in conclusion, in

other words, lastly, on the whole, to sum up

Place in time after a while, afterward, as last, at present, briefly,

currently, during, eventually, finally, first (second, and so
on), gradually, immediately, in the future, later,
meanwnile, now, recently, soon, suddenly, then