By: Ms Lynne April

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ENG1511Argumentative Essay

• By Ms Lynne April
• Academic Reading and Writing Facilitator
• UNISA Cape Town Campus
• QALitCT_at_unisa.ac.za

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Outcomes

• Understand what is meant by argumentative
• Be familiar with the structure of an
  argumentative essay
• Know what is a thesis statement
• Know what is meant by point of view
• Understand what a topic sentence is
• Understand the difference between the thesis
  statement and point of view

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What Does argumentative Mean?

• Taking a position / point of view on a topic
• Your position / point of view will be
• Against ? Disagree OR
• For ? Agree
• DEFEND YOUR POSITION/ JUSTIFY YOUR POSITION

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What Does argumentative Mean?

• To have a logical flow and coherent structure
• There must be a common thread running through
  your essay

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How Do I Structure My Essay?

• Structure
• Introduction
• Body
• Conclusion
• Introduction
• ALWAYS has the ISSUE and your THESIS STATEMENT
• E.g. The legalisation for abortion from the age
  of twelve years old has lead to a devastating
  increase over the last 3 years.

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Essay Structure
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What is a THESIS STATEMENT?

• 1 sentence.
• States main idea or argument of your essay.
• Typically placed at the end of the introduction
  paragraph.
• Tells reader what to expect.
• Basis of entire essay.
• Most important part of your essay.

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Where Does The Thesis Statement Go?
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Thesis Statement 1 1

• Comprised of two parts
• Subject / Topic
• Your opinion of the topic
• Let us try! ?
• Think of a topic / subject and think of three
  things that will support your idea.
• E.g. Spur is a wonderful family restaurant
  (topic) because of the playing area for
  children, the kids birthday club and the great
  specials. (reasons why/ opinion)

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Brainstorming My Thesis Statement

• Doesnt always come first in the writing process.
• Develop it early so you can use it as a guide
  for your paper.
• E.g.
• I am writing about ____________ , and I am going
  to argue, show, or prove that _________, by
  stating that ___________ , _____________ , and
  _____________.

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My Formula

• SUBJECT OPINION
• THESIS STATEMENT

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Good, Better, Best

• A beginning THESIS STATEMENT
• A is B.
• A better THESIS STATEMENT
• A is B because of x, y, and z
• A more complex THESIS STATEMENT
• Although C is D, A is B because of x, y, and z.

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The AGAINST Thesis Statement

• Although there certainly are reasons for women to
  have abortions such as rape, incestone can still
  refute the point of view if we look at what
  religion says on abortion.
• The STATEMENT you make about the topic has to
  show why abortions take place. (topic)
• BUT
• Your reasons have to show why you disagree
  (opinion)

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The FOR Thesis Statement

• If one should follow the position of pro- life
  and keep all the babies that are conceived in
  hatred, incest (for)what will the consequences
  be for those babies as they grow up? What will
  society do to them? Say about them when they are
  older? (against) These are the questions one has
  to ask when considering taking abortions away.

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How Do I Structure My Essay Continued

• HOWEVER
• Your BODY will start with
• Topic Sentence ? followed by
• Point of View / Position

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Topic Sentence? Please Explain

• Introduces topic
• Surrounded by
• more information about the sentence
• prove it by facts 
• or describe it.
• For example
• topic sentence ? endangered species that live in
  the ocean, then every sentence after that needs
  to expound on that subject. 
• Topic sentences also need to relate back to the
  thesis of the essay.

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Topic Sentences and Controlling Ideas

• Every topic sentence will have a topic and a
  controlling idea.
• The controlling idea shows the direction the
  paragraph will take.

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Topic Sentences Controlling Ideas

• People can avoid burglaries by taking certain
  precautions.  (The precautions for)
• There are several advantages to growing up in a
  small town.  (The advantages of)
• Ps topic sentence is in red and controlling idea
  in green

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Topic Sentences Controlling Ideas

• Effective leadership requires specific qualities
  that anyone can develop.  (The qualities (or
  characteristics or traits) of)
• Fixing a flat tire on a bicycle is easy if you
  follow these steps.  (The steps for)

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How Do I Structure My Essay?

• Conclusion
• SUMMARY of your POINT OF VIEWS
• REMEMBER
• No New Information

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Conclusion

• In your conclusion you have to summarise your
  point of you.
• Select
• Topic sentences and one controlling idea from
  the other paragraphs in your body (choose the one
  you like best and then summarise the position you
  have taken in each paragraph)

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Example of Conclusion

• Abortion certainly holds negative consequences
  for women, the physical as well as the mentalif
  we take a life it is murder. Although scientists
  can argues the point of view that the foetus is
  only alive when it can support itself , life
  begins at conception. In addition.. List all the
  reasons you have mentioned in your shorter
  paragraphs why you are against in.

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QUESTIONS?THANK YOU