Argumentative Essay Writing

Argumentative Essay

• Also known as a persuasive essay, used to convince readers to agree to an argument or claim about a particular topic.
• Requires investigation, collecting, generating, and evaluating evidence to establish a position on the topic.
• Aims to convince readers by highlighting a stand and showing both sides of an issue.

Forms of Persuasive Writing

• Editorial: States the opinion of editors and publishers of news organizations, aiming to persuade readers to adopt a particular viewpoint, usually found in newspapers.
• Op-Ed (Opposite-Editorial): An essay written by a guest writer to convince readers to agree with their views on an issue, often found in newspapers.
• Letter to the Editor: Letters sent to print and internet publications to express opinions in response to previously published articles, aiming to influence public opinion.
• Propaganda: Uses emotional appeal and often biased, false, or misleading information to persuade people to think or act in a certain way, aiming to manipulate public opinion.
• Reviews: Evaluate items and activities, aiming to persuade the audience about their quality or value.
• Advertisements: Paid promotions for products, services, or ideas, aiming to persuade people to buy or do something.

Parts of Argumentation

• Argumentation/Claim: An argument states a claim and supports it with reasons and evidence from sources, including claim of fact, claim of value, and claim of policy.
• Counter Argument/Counterclaim: An argument that opposes your claims, which you provide to refute and prove your argument.
• Refutation: Ideas that oppose the counterclaims, responding directly to your opponent's argument to explain why they are wrong.

Characteristics of an Argumentative Essay

• Has a clear thesis on an issue.
• Uses sound reasoning.
• Uses powerful language.
• Presents detailed and relevant references.

Reaction Paper

• Responds to a prompt, such as a question, current event, or form of media.
• Requires thoughtful reading, research, and writing.
• Steps in writing a reaction paper:
  • Reading and studying the material.
  • Annotating the text as you read.
  • Asking questions as you read.
  • Free writing.
  • Deciding on your angle and determining your thesis.
  • Organizing your paper.
  • Gathering quotations.
  • Structuring your paragraph.