help in writing an argumentative text
An argumentative text consists of three parts, an introduction, the presentation of the arguments and a conclusion.
Each part includes elements that allow you to build an argument. Below you will find a description of each part and its elements, as well as connecting words that can be used to connect your ideas.
Title and subtitle of your essay
title
Give your essay a short but descriptive title.
subtitle*
You can give your essay a subtitle, to better describe what you are going to talk about. * This is optional.
Introduction
thesis (your main idea)
declare your main idea
Your essay should present your main idea (eg « I think school uniforms should be compulsory in college »).
the outline of your essay
importance of the question
State why your topic and main idea are important to you and to others. Why is it worth discussing? This theme is important because …
List of useful words to convey the importance of your topic: For example, Actually, Since, Due to, It means that
conflict*
What is the main conflict of this topic? Why is your subject controversial? Why doesn’t everyone agree with your main idea? For example: « A significant number of people think that school uniforms are unnecessary and that they take away a form of freedom from the pupils »). * This is optional.
List of useful words to announce the conflict: Many people think that… Obviously, others feel… Some affirm… Although some argue that… Society privileges… While… According to… From another point of view … However …
solution*
What major problems can be solved by your point of view? For example: « Much of the problem with how students dress in school can be solved. » * This is optional.
List of useful words to present a solution: However, it may… Nevertheless, while, in the event that, Yet, rather, instead of, Therefore
the argument:
To build an argument start with a statement that supports a point of view against your main thesis. This is your counter argument. Give a replica to this counter argument. To conclude, give a affirmation which takes into account the counter argument and your replica.
counter argument
state the counter-argument
Give a possible counter-argument to the main idea
List of useful words to introduce a counter-argument: But, although, on the other hand unlike, on the contrary nevertheless However, although, despite Obviously, many consider that … Of course, some feel … Obviously, opponents maintain that … Although some people argue that … Society favors …, according to … As stated by / in
Reflection
What method does the counter-argument use to attack your main argument or idea? Does the counter-argument claim that your argument doesn’t make sense or is wrong, or that the argument assumes something is wrong? The counter-argument may indicate that your argument means something unintentional, or it may present indications that go against your main argument / idea.
This counter-argument wants to indicate that the main assertion or thesis …
- suppose that
- is not logical
- is wrong
- maybe mean
- is in opposition to other indications
- is based on alternative interpretations
reply to the counter-argument
Answer this counter-argument. Consider its good and bad sides. Give a reason why it should be either refuted (not considered), partly admitted (accepted as a good point, under certain conditions), should bring to a new idea or to a alternative (review of a statement) or conceded (accepted as a valid point).
List of useful words to write a strong line to answer a counter-argument: But, However, Even though, Although, Despite, This idea has merit, On the other hand, Nevertheless, Opposite to, Compared to, On the contrary, Rather than, It is unlikely that, Despite, Yet at the same time, I doubt / that, This can lead to, So, if … So, for that, While, In the event / the probability where, in other words
Reflection on the strategy of replying to the counter-argument
Think about which option best matches the strategy used in your answer to address the counterargument.
This replica demonstrates
- alternative opposing facts
- other statistics, signs
- a counterexample
- an exception
- an analogy
- erroneous logic
- false data
- guesses
- alternative interpretations
Reflection on the type of reply to the counter-argument
Consider your cue. Does it allow you to refute (consider the counter-argument as invalid), accommodate (accept the counter-argument as a valid point but under conditions), modify or revise your assertion (propose a new idea) or to concede (admits the counter-argument to be valid) the counter-argument?
This replica
- refutes the counter-argument
- admits the counter-argument in part
- revise or modify the main statement
- concedes to the counter-argument
closing statement
Consider your counter-argument and its cue. What conclusions can you draw from this? Depending on the counter argument and reply presented, you may want to make a concluding argument or statement.
List of words useful for making a statement: Given that, taking this into consideration, it would appear that, as indicated, given, otherwise, similarly further, further, likewise
Reflection on the type of reply to the counter-argument
Which of the following is your concluding argument based on?
This closing statement is based on
- a fact
- statistics and signs
- an example
- an analogy
- a cause and its effect
- an authority
- shared values
- a need to take action
conclusion
abstract
thesis summary
Summarize your main idea, taking your arguments into consideration.
List of useful words to sum up your main idea: In consideration of all this, On the whole, It is obvious that, It seems that, In summary, Anyway, Obviously, There is no doubt that, Unquestionably , So, to sum up
summary of arguments
summarize the main arguments *
You can talk about the conclusions that each counterargument / cue / conclusion group leads to or summarize the main idea of each cue. Try not to have a summary by argument, but to summarize it. * This is optional.
List of useful words to summarize your conclusions: As previously noted, As explained, In other words, In fact, Despite, While, Similarly
consequences*
Give one or two consequence (s) of not adopting your point of view by readers. Warn about what can happen if your point of view is ignored. * This is optional.
List of useful words to explain the consequences of not adopting your point of view: If… then… We must consider, Although it seems that, This may lead to, therefore, All this leads to, it follows that , As a result, As one would expect
fencing
Write a closing argument. This can be a final remark, a supplementary question, a final conclusion which may be different from your original thesis.
List of useful words to construct your closing arguments: This proves that, All of this suggests that, As a result, this leads to, As a result, So, All in all, All in all, To be sure that, For s’ ensure that
Don’t forget to share the post !
