Argumentative Essay

Argumentative Essay

Its Parts and Features

Did you know?

• According to Francis (2019), "Parents will have 2,184 arguments with their children every year."

• "As a result, each day on average, families disagree six times – a total of 42 rows a week or 182 a month."

• New study shows that families argue about 50 minutes a day!

Essay and Arguments

We all encounter arguments in our lives. Some may experience it daily and some may experience it at least thrice a week. In today's lesson, we will be discussing about Argumentative Essay as a whole and its parts & features.

Note: This lecture will not only enhance your skills in writing an essay, but it will also help you compose your points and claims confidently even in a verbal conversation! :)

Argumentative Essay

• is a type of research paper which aims to provide evidences on a position of a controversial issue.

• facts and examples are being presented in the paper.

• it contains 5 main features.

• aims to prove a point by supplying evidences.

Parts and Features of Argumentative Essay

• Thesis Statement

• Introduction

• Body

• Conclusion

Thesis Statement

Similar to any type of research paper, thesis statement should be emphasized and highlighted on the first part of your paper. In order to give an overview of your claims.

It is a concise, one sentence summary of your main point.

Example of a Thesis Statement

School uniforms may be an upfront cost for families, but they eradicate the visual differences in income between students and provide a more egalitarian atmosphere at school.

Introduction

_{The first part of your paragraph which presents the following:}

• Question

• Anecdote

• Historical Background

• Figurative Language

• 5 W's and H

• Famous quotes

• 
  

  Note: Your clear position thesis statement must be found at the end of your Introduction.

Example of an Introduction

"With recent studies showing that, on average, dog owners live up to 24% longer than those without canine companions, there's no doubt that a dog can have a range of physical and mental health benefits for its owner. These include a more active lifestyle, a social network of other pet owners, companionship, and a sense of purpose." (Use surprising facts

Body

_{This part may include several bodies in presenting your points. The following are requirements needed in your Body:}

• Topic Sentence with 1 reason and transition

• Evidence #1

• Explanation/Elaboration

• Evidence #2

• Explanation/Elaboration

• Evidence #3

• Explanation/Elaboration (then closing sentence to conclude)

Example of Body Paragraph #1 with rebuttal

(Sponge, 2014)

 Let's face it, going to college is socially prestigious. Most people go to college only for the title of being called a college student. For some young people, it is a graceful way to get away from home and become independent without losing the financial support of their parents. They do not want to be looked down upon so they do what would look best in the eyes of society. It is practically beat into our heads that in order to be a productive citizen of society, you should have some sort of college education. Being a college student is perhaps a more respectable role than being, for example, a janitor or a garbage man because of the negative connotations such jobs receive, but we need them to make the world go around.

Example of Body Paragraph #2

  The main reason why people go to college is not because they want to but because they have to. Most high school seniors are pressured by their guidance counselors and parents to go to college because it is "the right thing to do.” Students go to college because their mother wanted them to go, or some other reason entirely irrelevant to the course of studies for which college is supposedly organized. The student may have different ideas about what he or she wants to do in life, but because they think that these "mentors" know what is best for them, they probably end up doing something they do not want to do, resulting in being miserable and resentful for the rest of their lives. 

Example of Body Paragraph #3

Most importantly, going to college and getting a degree does not necessarily guarantee that an individual is going to get a job right after graduation. It is hard out there for recent graduates to find a good job since there is so much competition due to the increasing accessibility of a college education. Even if they do get a job, it is not usually not in what they got their degree for. Over 50 percent of Americans work outside of the field that they studied in college, which seems to become the norm now a days. They have to find some sort of job to pay off all the debt that their college education has given to them. 

Conclusion Paragraph

• Restate thesis statement

• Go out with a bang using one of the following: 1. question, 2. quote, 3. paln of action, 4. thought provoking statement

Example of Conclusion Paragraph

College definitely has its pros and cons. It is one of the first major decisions you have to make as a young adult. So think about it…am I doing what I know will benefit me in the future? Am I going to college because everyone expects me to, or because it is the American way, or will you even be assured a career or a job? It is truly something to consider, you make the choice.