Argumentative Essay Study.com Videos

Argument

A claim or thesis that is supported by reasons, which are backed by evidence

Argumentative Essay

An essay that tries to convince the readers to agree with the author's claim by proving a point and supporting it with evidence. It appeals to logic and facts, rather than emotions.

Argumentative essays are not the same as persuasive essays. While argumentative essays aim to support their claim with facts and data as evidence, persuasive essays aim to convince the reader through the use of emotions and ethics.

Are argumentative essays different from persuasive essays? If so, why?

Before writing it out, you should make an outline, which would allow you to determine the order you would like to introduce your reasons and evidence in.

Before writing your argumentative essay, what should you do? What is the purpose of this step?

Forming reasons

What is the second step the author should take in forming an argument?

1. Introduction 2-4. Body Paragraphs (3) 5. Conclusion

Describe the basic framework of an argumentative essay. (Name each of the 5 paragraphs in order.)

Addressing the Counterargument

Describe the step of forming an argument that is being done: While critics may say that traveling is unsafe, countries have made it possible to travel in the safest way possible by suggesting expert tour guides and preventing tourists to visit certain areas.

Using evidence to support the reasons

Describe the step of forming an argument that is being performed: The author states that a recent study included students who traveled and students who did not travel. When taking a social studies test on world geography, none of the students could study, and it was proven that those who did travel tended to score better than those who don't.

Reason (the author believes that traveling has more positive effects on people BECAUSE of its ability to expand people's knowledge of the world)

Describe the step of forming an argument that the author is taking: Traveling allows people to experience new cultures and broaden their knowledge of the world.

Yes, the counterclaim is supported with factual evidence retrieved from a credible source; this is called the rebuttal.

Do you support the counterclaim with evidence?

Evidence

Facts and data that help support your reasons, thus making a stronger argument

Argumentative writing (a letter is not the same as an essay)

If a letter tries to prove a point by supporting it with evidence, is it an argumentative essay or argumentative writing?

Argumentative writing (a newspaper article is meant to inform the reader of a certain issue, while an essay is explanatory writing that answers a question in response to the prompt)

If a newspaper article contains all the characteristics of an argument, is it considered an argumentative essay or argumentative writing?

The counterclaim and rebuttal go in its own paragraph

If the author wants to introduce the counterclaim and rebuttal, should it be done in the same body paragraph as the reason in support of your claim, or does it go in its own paragraph?

No, your argument is not convincing without any supporting details and evidence because you must expect your reader to be skeptical. Your reader will not believe you by just stating your claim, so you will need to find good, credible evidence that makes it more convincing.

If you state your position and fail to support it with reasons and evidence, will your argument be valid and convincing?

Their position on the issue

In the thesis statement, what does the author include?

Yes, citations will allow the readers to see where your evidence is retrieved from, thus allowing them to distinguish if the evidence is factual or possibly incorrect.

Should you include citations within the text to cite where you retrieved your evidence from?

No, stating your claim with a hedge can cause the argument to be stated less clearly and as if it was an opinion; STATE IT AS A FACT

Should you state your claim/thesis as with a hedge? Why or why not?

The thesis (it is the main argument because the whole essay is trying to prove this sentence, which guides your essay)

Since the topic sentences in each body paragraph are all mini arguments, which sentence in your essay is the main argument?

The author wants to get the reader to agree with their claim

What is the main purpose of argumentative writing?

True

T or F: Counterarguments relate to both the arguments that oppose your own AND the arguments you form by addressing those arguments that oppose your own.

False; using credible sources ensures your evidence is factual, thus allowing for a stronger argument that will be more convincing for the reader

T or F: Even if you use credible sources, it will not make your argument stronger.

True

T or F: In order to find a reason for your claim, say the side of the argument you are taking and follow it with a "because" statement. The "because" statement is your reasoning.

False

T or F: Using your own personal experiences as evidence is not allowed.

Claim

The main point the author is trying to get the reader to agree with by supporting it with reasons and evidence

Position

The side of the argument the author is taking in response to the prompt or issue

5 paragraphs

Though there is not a specific format argumentative essays must follow, how do they tend to be organized? (Describe the number of paragraphs)

Rebuttal

To refute, or prove the counterclaim as wrong, through the use of evidence

The reader could be confused about what position you are taking

What could happen if your claim isn't stated clearly?

Both must be retrieved through credible sources.

What does evidence and counterclaims have in common?

Argumentative essays address both sides of an issue because they provide information on both the side that agrees with the claim and the side that disagrees. For example, the side that agrees with the claim would be the author, and they provide reasons and evidence to show why their position is right. The side that disagrees with the claim would be the counterclaim, which the author also addressing when they provide a rebuttal.

What does it mean when someone says that argumentative essays address both sides of an issue? Explain how this is true in the case of these essays.

- The topic sentence (introduces the reason as to why the author believes this way) - Provides evidence that supports the reason

What does the body paragraph include?

Taking a position

What is the first step in forming an argument?

Addressing a counter argument

What is the fourth step in forming an argument?

Using evidence to support your reasons

What is the third step the author should take in forming an argument?

- restatement of thesis (using different wording) - summary of reasons and counters - placing it in broader context

What should be included in the conclusion?

If you did not address the counterclaim, you did not defend your claim properly, causing it to be less convincing and more open to criticism.

What would happen to your argument if you did not address the counter argument?

Using counter arguments allows your argument to be stronger because you can tear down the opposing arguments by addressing theirs, which adds to the validity of your argument.

Why is it important to include counter arguments in your essays?

Using in-text citations would allow the reader to see where you retrieved your information from, allowing them to decide if they believe the information is factual.

Why is it important to use in-text citations in your body paragraphs whenever you use evidence?

Small errors in your work take away from how professional it is and can cause people to question your argument, which you spent so much time on.

Why should you proofread your work?

Hedges

Words or phrases that cause the meaning of the words to be vague and less direct Ex. I think, probably, I believe, etc.

Counter argument

an argument or set of reasons put forward to oppose an idea or theory developed in another argument.

Reasons

statements that explain why the author holds an opinion

Introduction paragraph (introduces the topic of traveling and provides background knowledge of its popularity)

Describe which paragraph of the argumentative essay this would be found in: Due to the accessibility of a travel agent, travel websites, and skyrocketing sales, today, traveling is the most popular it has ever been.

Taking a position (the author chooses which side of the issue they are in support of)

Describe which step of forming an argument is being carried out: The author decides that he disagrees with the idea that traveling can have more negative effects on someone than positive effects.

No, you need to provide evidence to back up your reasons.

Is it enough to state your supporting details/evidence in support of the main argument? Why or why not?

Yes, evidence should always be credible and from a reliable source because having evidence that is not from a reliable source would allow the reader to believe your evidence could possibly be incorrect and will fail to convince the reader.

Should your evidence be credible and valid? Why or why not?

- Introduces the topic/issue at hand. - Provides background knowledge of that topic. - The last sentence of the introduction is the thesis statement, where the author takes their position.

What does the introduction include?