English — Writing: How to Write an Argumentative Essay — Structure and Techniques — 3rd Year Secondary

The argumentative essay is a type of academic writing where you take a position on a controversial issue and support it with evidence and reasoning. It’s an essential skill for secondary school and university.

I. Structure of an Argumentative Essay

1. Introduction (1 paragraph):
– Hook: Grab the reader’s attention with a question, quote, or fact.
– Background: Provide context on the issue.
– Thesis statement: State your main argument clearly.

2. Body paragraphs (3-4 paragraphs):
– Each paragraph covers one main point supporting your thesis.
– Topic sentence: States the main idea of the paragraph.
– Evidence: Facts, statistics, examples, expert opinions.
– Explanation: Show how the evidence supports your point.
– Concluding sentence: Transition to the next point.

3. Counterargument paragraph (1 paragraph):
– Acknowledge the opposing view.
– Refute it with stronger evidence.

4. Conclusion (1 paragraph):
– Restate the thesis in different words.
– Summarize the main points.
– End with a strong closing statement or call to action.

II. Useful Language

For introducing arguments: “First of all”, “Furthermore”, “Moreover”, “In addition”, “Another key point is”

For introducing counterarguments: “On the other hand”, “Critics argue that”, “However”, “Nevertheless”

For concluding: “In conclusion”, “To sum up”, “Therefore”, “It is clear that”

III. Example Topic

“Should social media be banned for teenagers?”

Thesis: “While social media has some benefits, it should be strictly regulated for teenagers due to its negative effects on mental health and academic performance.”

IV. Exercises

1. Write a thesis statement for: “The advantages and disadvantages of online learning.”
2. Outline three body paragraphs for: “Should homework be abolished?”
3. Write a counterargument paragraph for the topic: “School uniforms should be mandatory.”

For more lessons, see George Orwell and Future Continuous and Future Perfect.

English — Writing: How to Write an Argumentative Essay — Structure and Techniques — 3rd Year Secondary