Argumentative Text

Identifying Key Structural Elements and Language Features of an Argumentative Text

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by Elvira Juan

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​PRAYER

​​​Our Father in Heaven, we thank you for giving us another opportunity to come together for this online class. Before we start, we ask for your guidance and wisdom so that we will be able to absorb and understand our lessons easier and well.

Lord, help our minds absorb each lesson our teacher is about to share with us and guide every activity she'll facilitate.

Help us to be responsible enough in our modules and other school activities despite the struggles we go through.

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All of these we ask in Jesus' name, Amen.

Poll

From what section are you?

• GALILEO

• FAITH

• WISDOM

• LIBERTY

• CHARITY

​What are we expected to learn today?

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Lessons:     

1. Identifying the Key Structural Elements of an Argumentative Text

2. Identifying the Language Features of an Argumentative Text

Multiple Choice

It promotes an intolerance of cultures.

• FOR

• AGAINST

Multiple Choice

It can be an additional cost.

• FOR

• AGAINST

Multiple Choice

It prevents bullying.

• FOR

• AGAINST

Multiple Choice

It takes away individuality and freedom of expression.

• FOR

• AGAINST

Multiple Choice

It takes away social segregation.

• FOR

• AGAINST

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Multiple Choice

It causes additional stress to parents and students.

• FOR

• AGAINST

Multiple Choice

It allows parents to save on time and money spent on shopping for school clothes.

• FOR

• AGAINST

Multiple Choice

It can cause discomfort.

• FOR

• AGAINST

Multiple Choice

It creates uniformity.

• FOR

• AGAINST

​​The School Uniform Question

(1)          Individualism is a fundamental part of society in many countries. Most people believe in the right to express their own opinion without fear of punishment. This value, however, is coming under fire in an unlikely place - the public school classroom. The issue is school uniforms. Should public school students be allowed to make individual decisions about clothing, or should all students be required to wear a uniform? School uniforms are the better choice for three reasons.

​​The School Uniform Question

(2)      First, wearing school uniforms would help make students’ lives simpler. They would no longer have to decide what to wear every morning, sometimes trying an outfit after outfit in an effort to choose. Uniforms will not only save time but also would eliminate the stress often associated with this chore.

(3)        Second, school uniforms influence students to act responsibly in groups and as individuals. Uniforms give students the message that the school is a special place for learning. In addition, uniforms create a feeling of unity among students. For example, when students do something as a group, such as attend meetings in the auditorium or eat lunch in the cafeteria, the fact that they all wear the same uniform gives them a sense of community. Even more important, statistics show the positive effects that the school uniforms have on violence and truancy. According to our recent survey in a large school district in Florida, incidents of school violence dropped by 50%, attendance and test scores improved, and student suspensions declined approximately 30% after school uniforms were introduced.

(4) Finally, school uniforms would help make all the students feel equal. Students’ standards of living differ greatly from family to family, some people are well off while others are not. People sometimes forget that school is a place to get an education, not to promote a “fashion show”. Implementing mandatory school uniforms would make all the students look the same regardless of their financial status. School uniforms would promote pride and help to raise the self-esteem of students who cannot afford to wear expensive clothing.

(5)          Opponents of mandatory uniforms say that students who wear school uniforms cannot express their individuality. This point has some merit under surface. However, as stated previously, school is a place to learn, not to flaunt wealth and fashion. Society must decide if individual expression through clothing is more valuable than improve educational performance. It is important to remember that school uniforms would be worn only during school hours. Students can express their individuality in the way that they dress outside of the classroom.

(6)          In conclusion, there are many well documented benefits of implementing mandatory school uniforms for students. Studies show that students learn better and act more responsibly when they wear uniforms. Public schools should require uniforms in order to benefit both the students and society as a whole.

Multiple Choice

Was this mentioned?

With school uniforms, students live simpler.

• YES

• NO

Multiple Choice

Was this mentioned?

   Uniforms promote pride and self-esteem among students who cannot afford expensive clothing.

• YES

• NO

Multiple Choice

Was this mentioned?

     Uniforms provide a safer environment.

• YES

• NO

Multiple Choice

Was this mentioned?

     School uniform takes away the right of students to make choices for themselves.

• YES

• NO

Multiple Choice

Was this mentioned?

   It eliminates stress among students.

• YES

• NO

Multiple Choice

Was this mentioned?

Most uniforms are not designed according to the cultural dress of a population.

• YES

• NO

Multiple Choice

Was this mentioned?

Most uniforms are not designed according to the cultural dress of a population.

• YES

• NO

ARGUMENTATIVE TEXT​

​An argumentative text or essay is a piece of writing that takes a stance on an issue. Its main objective is to convince the reader to agree with the writer’s opinion about a controversial topic. To do this, one needs to state his opinion, give reasons to support his opinion, and argue against the opposite opinion. In short, he convinces the reader that his stand about the issue is correct

ARGUMENTATIVE TEXT​

To influence his readers, his piece of writing should be balanced. It must include his standpoint and the opposing viewpoint, or the counterargument.

STRUCTURE OF A GOOD ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY

Introductory ​Paragraph (exposition)

Body Paragraphs (arguments)

Conclusion (restatement of positions)

LANGUAGE FEATURES OF ARGUMENTATIVE TE​XT

1. Modal Verbs​ and Adverbs

2. ​Evaluative Language

3. ​Linking Arguments

4. Declarative Statements

5. ​Rhetorical Questions

6. ​Passive Voice

Modal Verbs and ​ Adverbs

​The use of a modal either strengthens or weakens the certainty of a sentence. Remember, the stronger the modal, the stronger the possibility.

Modal Verbs and ​ Adverbs

Meanwhile, modal adverbs add additional meaning to modal verbs. Bear in mind that modality has to do with ideas such as the possibility of something happening.

 

Consider these examples:

      The employee obviously must have forgotten the meeting.

      You should absolutely take that offer.

 

Evaluative Language

Linking Arguments

Declarative Statements

The declarative sentence is used to make a statement. Since your primary job in writing an argumentative text or essay  is to express your opinion and give information, the best type of sentence to use is declarative sentence. Its primary purpose is to relay information. It does not ask a question or command.

Rethorical Questions

Some rhetorical questions have obvious answers, no answers or may be answered immediately by the writer.

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​What is the meaning of life?

What would the walls say if they could speak?

Is the pope Catholic?

 

Passive Voice

Multiple Choice

Is this a good topic for argumentation?

Roles and responsibilities of government officials

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Is this a good topic for argumentation?

College education should be free

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Is this a good topic for argumentation?

Why Filipinos work abroad

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Is this a good topic for argumentation?

Banning cellphones in school

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Is this a good topic for argumentation?

Using animals for medical research

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Is this a good topic for argumentation?

Making religion as a required subject in high school

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Is this a good topic for argumentation?

Effects of the pandemic in the economy

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Is this a good topic for argumentation?

Steps in getting a swab test

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Is this a good topic for argumentation?

Steps in getting a swab test

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Is this a good topic for argumentation?

How to minimize pollution in the community

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Is this a good topic for argumentation?

Mandatory use of helmets when driving

• Yes

• No

Thank you for joining our class! See you again on Monday.​

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