argumentative essay writing

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Formal Writing

English 6, Autumn 2013

+Knowledge requirements

What is an argumentative essay ?

How do you structure the essay? Introduction, body conclusion Paragraphs Topic sentence

What is the appropriate language to use? Difference between informal and formal language Linking words

+What is an argumentative essay?

An argumentative essay is a text where you try to win readers over to your point of view and make the reader take a particular action.

Examples of topics

Make public transport free

Change to organic food in the cafeteria

Forbid experiments on animals

Arrange more activities for young people in Karlskrona

Buy more vintage and second hand

+Structure

An argumentative essay follows a relatively strict pattern.

Title

Introduction Background information Thesis statement

Body Argument 1 + supporting information Argument 2 + supporting information Refutation of counter argument

Conclusion Repeat your thesis statement and best argument

+Title, introduction, background and thesis statement

Capitalise the letters of all the important words in the title Why Vintage is the Way to Go

Catch the audience attention by using a rhetorical question, a story or a shocking piece of information Christmas is approaching. How many Christmas present are you

intending to purchase? Have you ever thought about those who cannot afford even a small piece of ham?

Give the reader some background information. Use sources to establish yourself as trustworthy and well-informed.

Clearly state where you stand in the question and what action you want people to take

+Arguments

Choose two or three main arguments that support your thesis statement.

Introduce each argument in a new paragraph and support your arguments with evidence. Try to use at least one external source e.g. an article, website or a book.

+Refutation of counter arguments

Introduce you major counter argument and refute it by proving it wrong. In this paragraph it is suitable to use linking words indicating contrast such as however, but, on the other hand etc.

+Conclusion

Repeat your thesis statement and main argument

+Useful language

Listing arguments

Firstly… secondly….lastly

Furthermore/moreover…

In conclusion…

Expressing opinions

In my opinion

I am of the opinion that…

I am convinced that…

I am strongly opposed to

It seems to me that…

There is no doubt that…

Dismissing counter arguments

I totally disagree with/that…¨

It is questionable whether…

I would dispute the claim that…

+Paragraphs and topic sentences

Now you know the different parts of the argumentative essay. However, when writing academic texts in English you need to divide it even further; into paragraphs.

Key rule: every paragraph should discuss just one main idea and that idea should be clear to the reader. Each new paragraph should indicate a change of focus.

Paragraphs should be started with a topic sentence. That is the main idea of the paragraph and everything that follows should be related to that sentence.

In an argumentative essay; your arguments should preferably be your topic sentences.

+Informal and informal language

An argumentative essay requires a more formal language.

There is a difference between spoken and written language where written language normally is more formal than spoken

Spoken Written

Wanna Want to

Cuz Because

Gonna Going to

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But also when it comes to the written language, there are a stylistic difference between different kind of language. Consider the following words; which do you think have a higher register? Try to use synonyms to common words, and avoid phrasal verbs if you can.

Look at Examine

Subsequently Next

Guy Man

Reprimanded Told off

Start Commence

Kid Child

+Contractions

Another sign of more formal language is to avoid using contracted forms.

He is he’s

Cannot can’t

It is It’s

I have I’ve

She will She’ll

+Avoid being to personal, or specific

Even though you are expressing your opinion, it is crucial to stay objective and not get emotional.

Avoid expressions like: I think… I feel…

Instead rephrase and use e.g. It is my opinion that… I believe that… It could be argued that… One could say that…

Avoid using the pronoun “You” when referring to people in general One should sleep eight hours per night Most people should sleep eight hours per night

+Linking words

Linking words are used to create coherence and connections within the text, linking one idea/argument to another.Cause or reason

Due to, on account of

Because

Since

Contrast

Although, still, yet

Despite, in spite of

Nevertheless, however

Addition

Furthermore, moreover

In addition

Besides

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Example

For instance

Such as

Namely

Sequence

Next, last, finally

Firstly, secondly, lastly

Also

Comparison

Likewise

Equally

Similarly

Result

Therefore

As a result

Consequently