Argumentative Writing PDF

Argumentative Writing By Mayflor D. Prantilla-Arambala Argumentation A form of composition by means of which we try to convince others of the truth or falsity of a disputed matter Must appeal to CONVICTION and PERSUASION Argumentative discourse moves through understanding plus convict...

Argumentative Writing By Mayflor D. Prantilla-Arambala Argumentation A form of composition by means of which we try to convince others of the truth or falsity of a disputed matter Must appeal to CONVICTION and PERSUASION Argumentative discourse moves through understanding plus conviction and persuasion Paragraph and Plan Topic Sentence- Passengers should refuse to ride in any vehicle driven by someone who has been drinking. Reason 1: Refusal could save lives (predicting a consequence) Reason 2: Riders might say some drinkers drive well –not true (answering the opposition) Reason 3: Others might feel foolish speaking up, but risking lives is more foolish (answering the opposition) Reason 4: One rider might influence other passengers. Conclusion- Bloodshed will probably continue, but people can refuse to risk their lives. Structure of a Paragraph Topic Sentence Reason 1 Reason 2 Reason 3 Conclusion Transitional Expressions Give reasons Answer the Oppositions Draw Conclusions First (second,third) Of course Therefore Another, next Some may say Thus Last, finally Nevertheless Hence Bacause, since, for On the other hand Consequently although Methods of Persuasion (Kinds of Support) 1. Facts- statements of what is 2. Referring to an authority- an authority is an expert, someone who can be relied on to give unbiased facts and information 3. Examples- typical enough to support your general statement 4. Predicting the consequence- helps the reader visualize what will occur if something does or does not happen 5. Answering the opposition- answering possible critics shows that you are aware of the opposition’s argument and are able to respond to it “Attack their ideas, not their character.” Examples: Facts “many people suffer serious visual impairment later in life because they received insufficient or inadequate eye care when they were children, according to an article in Better Vision.” Avoid vague “everyone knows that” or ‘it is a common knowledge that” or ”they all say” The source should be clear Authorities If you wish to convince your readers that asthma is far more serious illness than most people realize, you might speak to an emergency-room physician or you might quote experts from the literature of national organizations like American Lung Association Avoid appealing to authorities who are interesting and glamorous but who are not experts  Examples If you wish to convince your reader that high schools should provide more funds than they do for women’s sports, you might write, “Jefferson High School, for instance, has received inquiries from sixty female students who would be willing to join a women’s basketball or baseball team if the school could provide the uniforms, the space, and a coach.” Avoid examples that are not typical enough to support  Predicting the consequence To convince your readers that a college education should be free to all qualified students, you might say, “If bright but economically deprived students cannot attend college because they cannot afford it, our society will be robbed of their talents.” Avoid exaggerating the consequence. ”If you don’t eat fresh fruit every day, you will never be truly healthy.”  Answering the Opposition “Some have criticized him for running a low-key campaign, but he feels that the issues and his stand on them should speak for themselves.” Attack their ideas, not their character.” The Proposition A statement that can be believed, doubted, or denied It represents a judgment The proposition should be single, clear, and unprejudiced Expresses only one idea for argument  Process of Writing Freewrite Select the Compose a or Use Make a Narrow the best three Write a Revise as topic brainstorm different plan or an Proofread topic or four draft necessary sentence to generate methods outline reasons reasons Agree or disagree with the topic sentence Social media is ruining society. Rough Outline Topic Sentence:_________________________ Reason 1: Reason 2: Reason 3. Thank you!