1. Learning
Read to learn the structure of an argumentative essay.
Focus on an argumentative essay
After enough discussion on expository essay writing, in this unit you will learn how to write an argumentative essay, an attempt to convince others that they should agree with an idea or take a specific action. You use arguments in your daily life more than you realize such as writing an application to a school or for a job offer. An argumentative essay presents reasons and arguments to convince people and has the same basic parts as other essays. However, its most important feature may be new to you: the presentation of convincing reasons and explanations.
An argumentative essay must provide specific and convincing evidence that supports the thesis statement. Often it is necessary to go beyond your knowledge and experience. You may need to research your topic or interview people who are experts on your topic or directly involved with it. After choosing your position and generating ideas, you need to make three major decisions: What will you include in the thesis statement? What evidence will you include? In what order will you present the evidence?
Your thesis statement should identify the issue, state your position on it, and, if possible, state the supporting points to help the readers know what to expect. Also, the thesis statement often uses the modal verbs must, would, and should. For example, this thesis statement makes it clear that the writer will argue against the use of animals for medical research: The use of animals in medical research should be banned because it is cruel, unnecessary, and disrespectful of animals.
When you write an argumentative essay, your goal is to provide the readers with evidence that they cannot easily refute, disagree with or prove wrong. So it is important to evaluate each piece of evidence you include. You may ask such a question: How might a reader reject this information? The most commonly used types of evidence are facts and statistics, quotes from authorities, and specific examples.
In addition, the argumentative essay will sound weak and one-sided if you don't respond to opposing viewpoints. Doing this, you can first concede or agree with what is seemingly right. Then you refute it using strong evidence. Responding to these opposing viewpoints in a positive manner will give you the chance to explain why your point of view is more convincing. Similarly, try to build and give the strongest conclusion, where you summarize your view and include a call to action, thereby drawing the readers into seeing your viewpoint more clearly and impressively.
Here is a brief summary of how Text A is organized for argumentation:
2. Sample
Read the sample essay and see how the argumentation develops.
Topic: Ban on animal testing |
Introduction: Thesis statement: Even though animals have made a large contribution to modern medicine, animal testing should be stopped because it is immoral, unreliable, and unnecessary. |
Body: Reason 1: Immoral Reason 2: Unreliable Reason 3: Unnecessary |
Conclusion: Inhumane, non-effective animal testing should be stopped immediately when tests could be done with alternative methods. |
Sample essay
Animal testing is largely used in medical experiments today. Unfortunately, many animals are seriously harmed in the process. Even though animals have made a large contribution to modern medicine, animal testing should be stopped because it is immoral, unreliable, and unnecessary.
First of all, animal testing is usually cruel and immoral. On experiments, innocent animals are going through so much pain and horror. It is absolutely wrong because animals should be free to live as any other creatures and they shouldn't be taken away from their homes and natural habitats. Many animal tests are performed without any painkillers. Consequently, they lead to animals' constant pain.
In addition to being cruel, animal tests aren't reliable. People and animals are different, and that's why a medicine that appears safe for animals may not be safe for people or vice versa. One of the examples is Aspirin, which is poisonous to rats and mice but not to people in some cases. While many say that animal testing allows medicines to be created that will aid human life, there are many examples showing they also cause horrible deaths in humans.
It is true that some drugs can be used on both animals and humans, but this does not mean that they have to be tested on animals in the first place when alternative methods are available. They include, for example, stem cell research. Living tissues can be grown in test tubes and new drugs can be tested on these. Computers can also be programmed to show how medicines will react in the human body.
In conclusion, inhumane, non-effective animal testing should be stopped immediately when tests could be done with alternative methods. Animals have the same rights as human beings. We can help save animals from suffering and death by donating only to medical research which doesn't experiment on animals.
3. Practice
Write an essay of no less than 150 words on the topic "Why a pet". You can follow the outline given below.
Outline
Topic: Why a pet? |
Introduction: Thesis statement: There are some good reasons why you should keep a pet to have a positive life. |
Body: Reason 1: Give you unconditional love and companionship Reason 2: Increase your physical activity and improve your health Reason 3: Teach you to have a sense of responsibility |
Conclusion: Everyone should keep a pet because pets provide you with unconditional love, help you retain good health, and teach you to be responsible. |
