Text Structure and Useful Phrases for Argumentative Writing

This page delves deeper into the structure of argumentative essays and provides an extensive list of useful phrases for each section of the essay.

Essay Structure

The page outlines a detailed structure for an argumentative essay:

1. Introduction:

   • Attention-grabbing first sentence
   • Explanation of the topic and its importance
   • Thesis statement (for written discussion) or opinion (for comment)

2. Body:

   • First paragraph: Topic sentence with an argument you oppose, supporting arguments, and a conclusion
   • Second paragraph: Topic sentence with an argument you support, supporting arguments, and a conclusion
   • (Optional) Third paragraph for additional arguments

3. Conclusion:

   • Summary of the most convincing arguments
   • Personal opinion or conclusion based on the argumentation
   • Final statement (e.g., outlook into the future)

Highlight: The structure emphasizes the importance of presenting both sides of an argument before concluding with a personal opinion.

Useful Phrases

The page provides an extensive list of phrases for each part of the essay:

Introduction

• "You have all heard about..."
• "Imagine..."
• "Should...?"

Example: "Imagine a world where social media didn't exist. How would our communication change?"

Con-arguments

• "Although... / Even if it is true that..."
• "You could argue that..., but..."
• "It must be admitted that..."

Pro-arguments

• "There is no doubt that... / It is obvious that..."
• "An additional argument I would like to bring forward is..."
• "That brings me to my final and most important point:"

Conclusion

• "After looking at both sides of the argument, ..."
• "Considering all these arguments,..."
• "To sum up, I would say... / I would conclude that..."

Vocabulary: Thesis - A statement or theory that is put forward as a premise to be maintained or proved.

These phrases provide students with a toolkit for crafting well-structured and persuasive argumentative essays, whether they're writing a comment or a written discussion.

Argumentative Writing: Comments and Written Discussions

This page introduces two main types of argumentative writing: comments (also known as persuasive essays) and written discussions (also called argumentative essays). It outlines the key differences between these two forms of writing, their aims, and their basic structures.

Comments (Persuasive Essays)

Comments are designed to present a personal opinion on a thesis and convince the reader of the writer's viewpoint.

Definition: A comment is a type of argumentative writing that aims to persuade the reader by presenting a strong personal opinion.

The structure of a comment typically includes:

1. Introduction: Captures attention, presents the issue and its importance, and states the writer's opinion in the thesis.
2. Body: Consists of two or more paragraphs.
3. Conclusion: Summarizes the personal opinion and provides a final comment.

Highlight: Comments are characterized by personal, emotional, and strong argumentation.

Written Discussions (Argumentative Essays)

Written discussions present general arguments on both sides of an issue and offer the writer's opinion as a conclusion.

Definition: A written discussion is a type of argumentative writing that presents balanced arguments before concluding with the writer's personal opinion.

The structure of a written discussion typically includes:

1. Introduction: Captures attention, presents the issue and its importance, and states the thesis.
2. Body: Consists of two or more paragraphs.
3. Conclusion: Summarizes the main arguments and presents the writer's personal opinion.

Highlight: Written discussions are characterized by a general, formal tone and more balanced argumentation.

Useful Phrases

The page provides a variety of useful phrases for different parts of an argumentative essay, including:

• Introduction: "It is generally believed that...", "People often ask whether..."
• Con-arguments: "On the one hand, some people are convinced that...", "Although x may have a good point..."
• Pro-arguments: "On the other hand...", "Furthermore, it must be said that..."
• Conclusion: "All in all...", "After looking at both sides of the argument..."

Example: To introduce a topic, you might write: "A question that is often discussed among students is whether homework should be abolished."