ESSAYS I UNIT 2

1. Structure of an argumentative essay

The argumentative essay must have:

- an introductory paragraph in which you clearly state the topic to be discussed

- a main body in which points are clearly stated in separate paragraphs and exemplified or justified - a closing paragraph summarising the main points of the essay (but changing the wording), in which you state/restate your opinion, and/or give a balanced consideration of the topic.

EXERCISE 1: Identify the three parts in the samples about “Money is not the most important thing in the life”.

1.a IntroductionA good opening paragraph captures the interest of the reader and states why the topic is important.

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ESSAYS I UNIT 2

A good introduction provides some background information about the topic, reveals the motive for arguing it or shows that there is a common difference of opinion or controversy about this topic. EXAMPLE 1: A spate of recent murders at American schools has proved the issue of gun ownership to be a very controversial one. While some believe that private individuals should not be allowed to own guns, others maintain that gun ownership is an important personal right. (44 words)EXAMPLE 2Censhorship is an issue which frequently generates a great deal of heated debate, with supporters maintaining that it is vital in order to protect society, whilst opponents claim that it is an unjustifiable restriction of public access to information. (38 words)EXAMPLE 3: We can scarcely turn on our televisions or pick up a newspaper these days without being confronted with yet another

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ESSAYS I UNIT 2

depressing news item about the environment. (26 words)EXERCISE 2: Which strategy or strategies have been used in the introduction of Model Essay B?A good introduction will capture the interest of the reader and often one of these 3 strategies are used. Sometimes introductions start with a catchy sentence. This may make reference to an unusual or striking idea/scene/situation or could also be a quotation or a thought provoking statement. EXERCISE 3: Look at the quotations and the essay subjects below. Which quotation would be most relevant to each of the topics.A. “You’re either part of the solution or you’re part of the problem” (Eldridge Cleaver)B. “A mother never realises that her children are no longer children” (Hoolbrook Jackson)C. “One machine can do the work of 50 ordinary men. No machine can do the

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ESSAYS I UNIT 2

work of an extraordinary man” (Elbert Hubbard)D. “Education is what survives when what has been learnt is forgotten” (B.F. Skinner)E. “It is the familiar that usually eludes us in life. What is before our nose is what we see last” (Professor W. Barret)----------------------1. “Too much emphasis is placed on educational qualifications” What are your views?2. “Teenagers have an important contribution to make to society”. Discuss3. “It’s everybody’s responsibility to protect the environment”. Discuss4. “People today take material comfort for granted”. Do you agree?5. “As technology advances, humans are becoming redundant”. Discuss the problem and suggest what might be done to remedy the situation.

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ESSAYS I UNIT 2

1.b Body

Each subtopic should be presented in a separate paragraph. A well-developed paragraph contains these two parts

a clear topic sentence: which summarises the contents of the paragraph

a clear justification, explanation or support of the point presented

1.b.1 Constructing the arguments – topic sentence

A topic sentence is a sentence that indicates in a general way what idea or thesis the paragraph is going to deal with. Although not all writers start their paragraphs with a clear-cut topic sentence, this is an easy way for non-native professional writers to make sure the reader (the grader) follows the argument in the composition.

EXAMPLE 1:

One of the main arguments in favor of advertising is that it generates wealth for a country. Taxes are paid on goods sold

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ESSAYS I UNIT 2

and this helps governments to pay for essential services such as education and health care. Moreover, the number of jobs created for producing, marketing and servicing these goods helps to reduce the unemployment problem, which is also a great advantage for a country’s economy.

EXAMPLE 2

The lives of old people could be improved if attempts were made to address the problem of social isolation which so many of them face. If we organised trips for the elderly to community centres, visits from social workers or free bus passes to provide pensioners with greater mobility, the problem of lonelines would be alleviated

1.b.2 Supporting ideas /examples

Ideas introduced in topic sentences must be developed or justified, otherwise our argumentation will be weak. Similarly, the supporting ideas must always be related to the idea expressed in the topic sentence. Keep just one main idea to one paragraph and develop it.

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ESSAYS I UNIT 2

Avoid personal examples (e.g. In my school) and rather use general statements and make references to other sources (e.g. Experts have proved that…) to provide the essay with a more professional appearance.

Do not use very emotional language to support your ideas (e.g. I absolutely detest people who ….). Do not express personal opinions too strongly (e.g. I know…); instead use milder expressions (e.g. It seems to me that …).

1.c ConclusionA good conclusion does some or all of the following:

rephrase the question summarize the main ideas give your opinion, if you haven't given

it already look to the future (say what will

happen if the situation continues or changes)

Supporters of gun ownership claim that these weapons have been part of our life

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ESSAYS I UNIT 2

for centuries. Nevertheless, the problems of increasing crime and family conflict in today’s society make gun ownership difficult to accept. Handguns are too dangerous to be made freely available to just anyone who wants them.A good conclusion DOES NOT add new information. Never add a new idea just because you have thought of it at the end! Consider linking your conclusion to your introduction to establish a sense of balance. Frame your discussion within a larger context or show that your topic has widespread appeal.Finish with a strong sentence. The conclusion is the last part of the essay and it is the part that the reader/tester may remember most. 

2. StyleCompositions must be written in formal style. DO’s

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ESSAYS I UNIT 2

☺ passive voice, impersonal constructions e.g. It is argued that, It is a common belief that

☺ a range of advanced vocabulary e.g. heated debate concerning this controversial issue

☺ formal linking words e.g. furthermore, nonetheless, however

☺sentences with a certain degree of complexity (but without too many subordinates e.g. Although it is widely accepted that compulsory military service is beneficial to a country’s ability to defend itself, a closer analysis of military efficiency suggests that it is advanced weaponry which plays a crucial role in today’s conflicts.

DON’Ts- DON’T USE short forms (e.g.I’m,

isn’t)- DON’T USE colloquial expressions

(e.g lots of, a pretty big thing)- DON’T USE simplistic vocabulary

(e.g. Experts say they think this is bad, …)

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ESSAYS I UNIT 2

- DON’T USE simple linking words (e.g. and, but, so) except for variety

- DON’T USE a series of short sentences (e.g. Many people think so. They are wrong)

- DON’T USE too long sentences - DON’T USE pompous or high-

sounding sentences (such as introduction or closing expressions) that you have learned by heart and that you might use almost like a template. The contrast between the style of these memorized sentences and the rest of the composition (which shows what the real level of the writer is) will doubtlessly bring the trick to light, which will undoubtedly affect the resulting mark.

EXERCISE 4: Read the following excerpts and find examples of each of the features of formal and informal style listed above.Excerpt A

A matter of considerably controversy at present is the issue of whether works of art should remain in their country of origin, or rather the woners of such works should be allowed to sell them to

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ESSAYS I UNIT 2

collectors abroad, thus depriving the country’s population of a vital part of its cultural heritage. Strong arguments exist in support of both sides of this debate, which implies that it is worth examining both points of view before reaching any conclusions.

Should such sales be permitted, it is argued that the country of origin would lose pieces of art which rightfully belong where they were created. In addition, works of art which were created to be viewed in a certain setting, or as part of a particular structure, lose a great deal of their artistic impact when removed from this context. Venus de Milo, an ancient statue of Aphrodite is a clear case in point: this conspicuous example of the Hellenistic sculptural tradition, carved in 150 BC and found on the Aegean island of Melos in 1820, is now decorating nothing more inspiring than a room at the Louvre Museum in Paris.Excerpt B

People argue a lot nowadays about whether or not works of art from one country should be sold to another. I don’t

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ESSAYS I UNIT 2

think they should be. If they are, then the people of the country of origin lose out on the chance to see stuff that really belong to them. This just isn’t right. It’s a problem, too, when you see works of art in the wrong place. I mean, the Parthenon friezes look boring the way they show them in the British Museum. That’s just not where they belong. But if you could see them on the Parthenon, they’d look great ….3. Brainstorming technique: the discussion clock

- When considering a topic you may refer to the discussion clock, which will help you think of ideas when planning your essay.

- Referring to the discussion clock is a useful “brainstorming” technique, as it helps you examine a topic from various viewpoints and decide on ideas/points to include in your essay.

- Keep in mind that a topic may not relate to all the aspects presented in the discussion clock.

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ESSAYS I UNIT 2

- Remember that for each viewpoint you have thought of, there is usually an opposing argument. Think of the opposing arguments when planning your essay.

Psychological Personal Religious

HealthScientific

Historical Artistic

Moral

Economic

Political Educational Social

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ESSAYS I UNIT 2

EXERCISE 5: Read the points below and looking at the discussion clock identify the aspect each viewpoint relates to.

1. As far as ………………………………………………………….. is concerned, allowing cigarettes to be advertised is extremely damaging, since cigarette smoking causes cancer and heart problems, as well as affecting unborn babies.

2. From a …………………………………………………………….. standpoint, it may be argued that the individual faces such problems as depression, anxiety, and attempted suicide, as a result of the pressures of modern life.

3. From a(n) …………………………………………………………. viewpoint, popular sports create jobs for a large number of people in addition to generating income for the state.

4. As for the …………………………………………………………. aspect, allowing children at school to

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ESSAYS I UNIT 2

express themselves more freely would help them to develop their creative talents.

5. With regard to ………………………………………………….. matters, the use of computers gives students a chance to increase their knowledge and develop their research skills.

2. Structure of an argumentative essay

The argumentative essay must have:

- an introductory paragraph in which you clearly state the topic to be discussed

- a main body in which points are clearly stated in separate paragraphs and exemplified or justified - a closing paragraph summarising the main points of the essay (but changing the wording), in which you

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ESSAYS I UNIT 2

state/restate your opinion, and/or give a balanced consideration of the topic.

EXERCISE 1: Identify the three parts in the samples about “Money is not the most important thing in the life”.

1.a IntroductionA good opening paragraph captures the interest of the reader and states why the topic is important. A good introduction provides some background information about the topic, reveals the motive for arguing it or shows that there is a common difference of opinion or controversy about this topic. EXAMPLE 1: A spate of recent murders at American schools has proved the issue of gun ownership to be a very controversial one. While some believe that private individuals should not be allowed to own guns, others maintain that gun ownership is an important personal right. (44 words)EXAMPLE 2

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ESSAYS I UNIT 2

Censhorship is an issue which frequently generates a great deal of heated debate, with supporters maintaining that it is vital in order to protect society, whilst opponents claim that it is an unjustifiable restriction of public access to information. (38 words)EXAMPLE 3: We can scarcely turn on our televisions or pick up a newspaper these days without being confronted with yet another depressing news item about the environment. (26 words)EXERCISE 2: Which strategy or strategies have been used in the introduction of Model Essay B?A good introduction will capture the interest of the reader and often one of these 3 strategies are used. Sometimes introductions start with a catchy sentence. This may make reference to an unusual or striking idea/scene/situation or could also be a quotation or a thought provoking statement. EXERCISE 3: Look at the quotations and the essay subjects below. Which

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ESSAYS I UNIT 2

quotation would be most relevant to each of the topics.A. “You’re either part of the solution or you’re part of the problem” (Eldridge Cleaver)B. “A mother never realises that her children are no longer children” (Hoolbrook Jackson)C. “One machine can do the work of 50 ordinary men. No machine can do the work of an extraordinary man” (Elbert Hubbard)D. “Education is what survives when what has been learnt is forgotten” (B.F. Skinner)E. “It is the familiar that usually eludes us in life. What is before our nose is what we see last” (Professor W. Barret)----------------------1. “Too much emphasis is placed on educational qualifications” What are your views?2. “Teenagers have an important contribution to make to society”. Discuss

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ESSAYS I UNIT 2

3. “It’s everybody’s responsibility to protect the environment”. Discuss4. “People today take material comfort for granted”. Do you agree?5. “As technology advances, humans are becoming redundant”. Discuss the problem and suggest what might be done to remedy the situation.

1.b Body

Each subtopic should be presented in a separate paragraph. A well-developed paragraph contains these two parts

a clear topic sentence: which summarises the contents of the paragraph

a clear justification, explanation or support of the point presented

1.b.1 Constructing the arguments – topic sentence

A topic sentence is a sentence that indicates in a general way what idea or thesis the paragraph is going to deal with. Although not all writers start their

19

ESSAYS I UNIT 2

paragraphs with a clear-cut topic sentence, this is an easy way for non-native professional writers to make sure the reader (the grader) follows the argument in the composition.

EXAMPLE 1:

One of the main arguments in favor of advertising is that it generates wealth for a country. Taxes are paid on goods sold and this helps governments to pay for essential services such as education and health care. Moreover, the number of jobs created for producing, marketing and servicing these goods helps to reduce the unemployment problem, which is also a great advantage for a country’s economy.

EXAMPLE 2

The lives of old people could be improved if attempts were made to address the problem of social isolation which so many of them face. If we organised trips for the elderly to community centres, visits from social workers or free bus passes to provide pensioners with greater mobility,

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ESSAYS I UNIT 2

the problem of lonelines would be alleviated

1.b.2 Supporting ideas /examples

Ideas introduced in topic sentences must be developed or justified, otherwise our argumentation will be weak. Similarly, the supporting ideas must always be related to the idea expressed in the topic sentence. Keep just one main idea to one paragraph and develop it.

Avoid personal examples (e.g. In my school) and rather use general statements and make references to other sources (e.g. Experts have proved that…) to provide the essay with a more professional appearance.

Do not use very emotional language to support your ideas (e.g. I absolutely detest people who ….). Do not express personal opinions too strongly (e.g. I know…); instead use milder expressions (e.g. It seems to me that …).

1.c Conclusion21

ESSAYS I UNIT 2

A good conclusion does some or all of the following:

rephrase the question summarize the main ideas give your opinion, if you haven't given

it already look to the future (say what will

happen if the situation continues or changes)

Supporters of gun ownership claim that these weapons have been part of our life for centuries. Nevertheless, the problems of increasing crime and family conflict in today’s society make gun ownership difficult to accept. Handguns are too dangerous to be made freely available to just anyone who wants them.A good conclusion DOES NOT add new information. Never add a new idea just because you have thought of it at the end! Consider linking your conclusion to your introduction to establish a sense of balance. Frame your discussion within a larger context or show that your topic has widespread appeal.Finish with a strong sentence. The conclusion is the last part of the essay

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ESSAYS I UNIT 2

and it is the part that the reader/tester may remember most. 

2. StyleCompositions must be written in formal style. DO’s

☺ passive voice, impersonal constructions e.g. It is argued that, It is a common belief that

☺ a range of advanced vocabulary e.g. heated debate concerning this controversial issue

☺ formal linking words e.g. furthermore, nonetheless, however

☺sentences with a certain degree of complexity (but without too many subordinates e.g. Although it is widely accepted that compulsory military service is beneficial to a country’s ability to defend itself, a closer analysis of military efficiency suggests that it is advanced weaponry which plays a crucial role in today’s conflicts.

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ESSAYS I UNIT 2

DON’Ts- DON’T USE short forms (e.g.I’m,

isn’t)- DON’T USE colloquial expressions

(e.g lots of, a pretty big thing)- DON’T USE simplistic vocabulary

(e.g. Experts say they think this is bad, …)

- DON’T USE simple linking words (e.g. and, but, so) except for variety

- DON’T USE a series of short sentences (e.g. Many people think so. They are wrong)

- DON’T USE too long sentences - DON’T USE pompous or high-

sounding sentences (such as introduction or closing expressions) that you have learned by heart and that you might use almost like a template. The contrast between the style of these memorized sentences and the rest of the composition (which shows what the real level of the writer is) will doubtlessly bring the trick to light, which will undoubtedly affect the resulting mark.

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ESSAYS I UNIT 2

EXERCISE 4: Read the following excerpts and find examples of each of the features of formal and informal style listed above.Excerpt A

A matter of considerably controversy at present is the issue of whether works of art should remain in their country of origin, or rather the woners of such works should be allowed to sell them to collectors abroad, thus depriving the country’s population of a vital part of its cultural heritage. Strong arguments exist in support of both sides of this debate, which implies that it is worth examining both points of view before reaching any conclusions.

Should such sales be permitted, it is argued that the country of origin would lose pieces of art which rightfully belong where they were created. In addition, works of art which were created to be viewed in a certain setting, or as part of a particular structure, lose a great deal of their artistic impact when removed from this context. Venus de Milo, an ancient statue of Aphrodite is a clear case in point: this conspicuous example of the

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ESSAYS I UNIT 2

Hellenistic sculptural tradition, carved in 150 BC and found on the Aegean island of Melos in 1820, is now decorating nothing more inspiring than a room at the Louvre Museum in Paris.Excerpt B

People argue a lot nowadays about whether or not works of art from one country should be sold to another. I don’t think they should be. If they are, then the people of the country of origin lose out on the chance to see stuff that really belong to them. This just isn’t right. It’s a problem, too, when you see works of art in the wrong place. I mean, the Parthenon friezes look boring the way they show them in the British Museum. That’s just not where they belong. But if you could see them on the Parthenon, they’d look great ….3. Brainstorming technique: the discussion clock

- When considering a topic you may refer to the discussion clock, which will help you think of ideas when planning your essay.

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ESSAYS I UNIT 2

- Referring to the discussion clock is a useful “brainstorming” technique, as it helps you examine a topic from various viewpoints and decide on ideas/points to include in your essay.

- Keep in mind that a topic may not relate to all the aspects presented in the discussion clock.

- Remember that for each viewpoint you have thought of, there is usually an opposing argument. Think of the opposing arguments when planning your essay.

Psychological Personal Religious

HealthScientific

Historical Artistic

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ESSAYS I UNIT 2

MoralEconomic

Political Educational Social

EXERCISE 5: Read the points below and looking at the discussion clock identify the aspect each viewpoint relates to.

1. As far as ………………………………………………………….. is concerned, allowing cigarettes to be advertised is extremely damaging, since cigarette smoking causes cancer and heart problems, as well as affecting unborn babies.

2. From a …………………………………………………………….. standpoint, it may be argued that the individual faces such problems as depression, anxiety, and attempted suicide, as a result of the pressures of modern life.

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ESSAYS I UNIT 2

3. From a(n) …………………………………………………………. viewpoint, popular sports create jobs for a large number of people in addition to generating income for the state.

4. As for the …………………………………………………………. aspect, allowing children at school to express themselves more freely would help them to develop their creative talents.

5. With regard to ………………………………………………….. matters, the use of computers gives students a chance to increase their knowledge and develop their research skills.

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ESSAYS I UNIT 2

MAIN SOURCE:Evans, V. Successful Writing Proficiency. Express Publishing. London 1998

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