Argumentative
Paragraph
Wiring an argumentative
paragraphs employees all the same techniques employed in writing an
argumentative essay ;howevr, it is not as involved an argument. It
may focus on one aspect of an argument to promote, or it may give an
overview with some good support. The MI clearly states the author's
position on the debate. Some support is added.
see: Examples of argumentative paragraphs
Argumentative Essays
To convince a reader that your side of a debatable issue is the
better one.
Some Methods
logic, emotion, ethics, morals, intelligence, anything that will
convince the reader.
Be sure to:
* Acknowledge the other side.
(without degrading the thinking - respect your opposition - it will
help your argument)
* Refute the other side - anticipate the opposing argument and show
how to debunk it.
* Do not insult or be sarcastic -
this will weaken your argument.
* Be sure to support your opinions
with development (as with any other
essay)
There are several ways to argue
a point, depending on the topic.
Considerations on what to
include
Audience and Purpose: To
whom is your argument directed?
What do you want to accomplish?
Background: Why is your issue important?
What is the history of the issue or problem?
What is the scope of the issue you will deal with?
Introduction:
How can you capture the reader’s attention? (A
startling statistic or fact?
Narration of a pertinent incident?
Other? See EXP handout.)
Necessary components
What is the argument?
Be sure the reader knows what you are arguing about before taking a
side to support
Brief Summaries of each side
It is helpful to a reader to understand both sides; therefore,
writing a brief summary of each side is required.
Thesis:
What is your position on the issue in a concise and clearly stated
sentence?
Evidence
Proof to support your position
Examples of possible organizational strategies
(When writing the actual outline everything must be in complete
sentences)
Example Strategy 1
Argument: What
evidence, facts, proof, or reasoning do you have to support your
position on the issue?
A.
Your stronger
argument:
B.
Your strong argument:
C.
Your strongest
argument:
Refutation:
What are the objections which oppose your position on the issue? How
do
you show opposing arguments are
faculty or invalid, or that your position is
better?
A.
Opposing argument:
Your refutation:
B.
Opposing argument:
Your refutation:
C.
Opposing argument:
Your refutation:
Conclusion:
Restate your position. What are the implications of your argument?
What do
You want the reader to believe or to do? What strong
ethical or emotional
Appeal might be convincing?
Example
Strategy 2
I. Broad theme for your catchy hook (avoid
“Have you ever . . .”)
A.
Identify how your specific
topic relates to “justice”
B.
List reasons why this topic is
important
C.
Identify the topic’s place in
history
D.
Identify “general” aspects of
the topic; do NOT give specifics
E.
Identify the various positions
(for and against)
THESIS STATEMENT:
the only complete sentence in your outline (not a question); this should
focus your argument and clearly present your position on the topic
II. Background about the issue
A. What it is
B. Beginnings in American
“history”
1. when it first
became an issue
2. how it has evolved
as an issue
3. where “it stands”
today
C. Why it is a controversial
topic
III. State the position opposite of yours
(clear topic sentence – not catchy hook or question)
A. 1st Reason people feel this
way
1. Specific evidence or example or statistic
2. Explain why this may be true BUT . . .
B. 2nd reason people feel this
way
1. Specific evidence or example or statistic
2. Explain why this may be true BUT . . .
C. Analysis of the contrary position –
transitions to your position
IV. State your
position as fact (needs clear topic sentence – not a catchy hook or
question)
A. 1st Reason people feel this
way
1. Specific evidence or example or statistic
2. Explain why this is true
B. 2nd reason people feel this
way
1. Specific evidence or example or statistic
2. Explain why this is true
V.
Your Synthesizing
Statement/Conclusion (do not include details in your conclusion)
A.
Synthesize specific causes of
controversy, overview of topic (highlight)
B.
Transition from specific to
“general” – how this specific topic has lasting effects
C.
Give your opinion about how
the general effects impact injustice/justice
D.
Consider – concluding with
your opinion or a “call to action”
back
Examples of
completed
outlines
example 1
Thesis: Marriage
should be open
to the
homosexual
couples that
seek matrimony.
I Same sex
marriage greatly
benefits society
and the
homosexuals it
serves.
A. As demonstrated by a number of prominent
American
studies, same
sex marriage
benefits society
economically and
psychologically
B.
Economically:
millions of
dollars are
spent on
marriage
licenses and
the state
may use such
funds to
better
itself;
married
couple taxes
are
applicable
as well
C. Psychologically:
Lesbians and
gays in
states that
legalize gay
marriage
have notably
low rates of
alcohol
consumption,
mood swings
and
generalized
anxiety
disorder
when
compared
alongside
states that
do ban gay
marriage
1.
Alcohol
consumption
and
mood
swings,
when
unchecked,
may
lead
to
unnecessary
crime;
reduced
drinking
and
psychological
disorder
rates
helps make
society
safer
D. American
Psychological
Association
advocates
these
statistics
promote
the need
for same
sex
marriage
legalization
1.
Same sex
marriage
does not
undermine
or clash
with
traditional
marriage.
2. Same
sex
marriage
legalization,
as
demonstrated
by
Massachusetts’
leading
example,
has
reduced
divorce
rates
by a
staggering
21%
across
the
state
3. American
Anthropological
Association,
through
its
own
study
conducted
in
2004
("Statement
on Marriage
and
the
Family”)
found
no
evidence
that
same
sex
marriages
increased
divorce
rates
of
heterosexuals
or
increased
out
of
wedlock
births
4. Data found actually promotes same sex marriage through the benefits of various family types within communities
E. Same
sex
marriage
does
not
lead
to
stealing
of
heterosexual
males
and
females
from
stable
relationships;
this
connection
does
not
have
concrete
evidence
1.
Same sex
marriage
should
be
allowed
to
ensure
America’s
gay
community
is not
discriminated
against
2. Allowing
one
group
more
rights
over
another
will
likely
lead
to
discrimination
between
the
two
groups
a. Heterosexuals may feel homosexuals are less American than they are because heterosexuals are able to marry while homosexuals are not
F. First Amendment rights state that individuals have the freedom to express themselves as they see fit
1. May be applied to same sex
marriage through
homosexual’s
freedom to be
attracted to
whichever gender
they choose
example 2
Thesis: Steroid use in sports is a risk to the health of the institution
as well as the players.
I Argument: Steroid use presents more risks than benefits.
A.
Sports celebrate life and are a showcase of
human ability, keeping athletes as safe as possible while playing sports
is a primary concern.
1. Safety equipment requirements, even in the face of a little
sacrificed ability, in various sports show this to be true
a. Soccer players could run faster without
shin guards
b. Football players could run faster
without pads and see the ball better without facemasks
c. Steroids present too much of safety risk to be allowed, even if
their use can improve ability.
2. Keeping athletes safe is in the
best interest of sports.
d. More
big name players make for a more interesting game.
e.
Injured players can’t participate
f. The risks may keep people from playing and even reaching a
professional level.
B. Steroid
use in professional sports is alienating.
1.
Since it is illegal,
players may not fully disclose use to doctors putting them at risk for
ineffective treatments if negative symptoms arise.
2. Further removes athletes from observes.
II. Refutation: The use of steroids in
professional sports does more harm than good and should remain banned
despite arguments to the contrary.
A. There
is not enough research to confirm negative health consequences of
steroid use.
1. Refutation: The risks presented are grave enough to limit steroid
use while further research is being conducted.
a. Deformation
b. mood swings, depression
c. cancer
d. death
B. Sports
are for entertainment and players using performance enhancing steroids
are more entertaining.
1.
Refutation: Performance enhancing steroid
use is illegal, condoning steroid use is condoning an illegal activity.
2. Beyond the health risks of use, there are risks involved with
obtaining and distributing steroids
a. Potential fines and jail time
b. interactions with drug dealers
c. Funding illegal activities
d.
Little to no protection from the law for
deals gone wrong
C. Sports
have not been practiced by pure humans for a while, so excluding
steroids is nonsensical.
1. advances in technology, training, nutrition.
2. Refutation: Steroids should continue to be banned in
professional sports so they do not become a requirement to compete at a
professional level, the boundary has to be set somewhere
example 3
Thesis:
Magazines filled with mostly sickly looking fashion
models are harmful images to perceive as ideal and can create a negative
body image for some woman.
1.
I. Magazine editors and fashion enthusiasts
contribute too many women’s self-confidence issues.
A.
Many people see fashion models as how society should look
B.
Editors do not realize the impact some images can have on
the consumers
C.
By displaying size zero models in these clothes, it
promotes an unethical idea for woman and men
D.
Sometimes people do not notice what is being advertised
because they are too busy focusing on the impeccable model underneath
the clothes and jewelry
1.
In reality though they are ultra-thin and
an unnatural image for the public
2.
Some believe that being this size will help
to looks best clothes
a.
But beauty is not as narrow; women of all sizes and shapes
have something special about them.
2.
II. Many magazine covers constantly
relate size with being happy.
A.
If an individual is not a double zero, its normal to be
unhappy
B.
Magazine have an abundance of contradictions
C.
To these companies sponsoring magazines, they are after
money
1.
Health magazine showcase how to lose weight
and feel great but then advertise harmful weigh loss drugs
2.
These magazines will also elucidate the
dangers diets can bring about
3.
Cosmopolitan has many articles how to enjoy
your life with sex, drinking and cosmetic surgery but don’t express any
risks involved with each category
a.
These companies do not care if they are putting someone’s
mental/ physical health at risk
b.
What looks good sells
3.
III. The fashion world sometimes
displays standards that are hard for the average person to meet.
A.
Evidence shows that in the last 50 years models have
gotten smaller
B.
On the runaway and also in magazines not only to stand
out but to make their products sell
C.
Not all celebrities look the way there portrayed in
magazines
D.
Tiny models bodies are being manipulated as it is to
alter perfection even more (no wonder so many models acquire mental
illnesses)
1.
Many models in magazines are airbrushed and
digitally altered (not everyone is aware of this)—I only found out
through research
4. i
IV.
Some fashion models torture and deprive themselves to
stay ultra-thin, to the majority of these models maintaining this
size is even worth death.
A.
A 21 year old fashion model Ana Carolina Reston seemed to
be a model who had everything under control
B.
In reality she had become obsessed with staying this
ultra-thin size
C.
She was starving herself eating only apples and tomatoes
and died at 88 lbs. all with hopes to become a the IT girl
D. This tragedy itself should have displayed a message to
the fashion industry about the impact that really does come from this
field
back
Example Completed Argumentation Essay
Issue: Obama care (medical coverage for all Americans) - will
it be good for the country? (either yes or no - right?)
Ok - let's say we take the negative
side.
Introduction
As with any essay be sure to engage your reader with something to
garner interest. Don't state the obvious or a standard
dictionary definition, or something everybody knows. Here are some
possibilities: an anecdote, interesting background, provocative
questions, a scenario, importance of the issue, etc. Be sure to include include
exactly what the issue is about &
exactly what side you are going to support and convince the reader
to accept. (doesn't have to be in the intro - but that is very good place
for it, so the reader knows what's coming)
Sample Introduction
An
elderly woman experiencing heart palpitations enters an emergency
room and is told to take a seat in the waiting area. There are
several dozen others reading newspapers, flipping through emails and
text messages, and others behind her in line. After some time her
name is eventually called, and she is ushered into an examination
room. With a quick look the young doctor explains that she needs an
EKG (Electrocardiography) test; however, because of her age, under PPAC (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act "Obama Care")
she is not eligible to receive it. He gently explains that it is up
to the government to decide who receives what, and they do it on an
expectation of success, usefulness, and cost effectiveness. In
simple terms they seem to asking, is it a good investments? The poor woman is old and does not
have a long life expectancy. An expensive EKG is not a good
investment on her. She is sent home with some aspirins and told to
relax more.. This sounds like something from a bad movie but could
easily be what will happen when Obama care which is scheduled to
come into effect within the next two years becomes a reality. Obama
care gives the government control of your healthcare! What has the
government ever got its hand on that worked well? Because of massive
bureaucracy, political pandering, incompetence, disregard for
financial overburdening the average taxpayer, and disregard of the
freedoms that the constitution guarantees all US citizens, this
massive incredibly expensive and intrusive policy is not good for
the country.
Sample
very rough Outline
THESIS = Obama care will not be good for the country. (that is the
author's overall opinion)
MI = It will weaken the quality of medical care for all Americans
(idea#1-author's opinion that clearly supports the THESIS)
MI = It will be more costly than the current system (idea#2-author's
opinion that clearly supports the THESIS)
MI = It contradicts the constitution and is a sever infringement on
American freedom. (idea#3-author's opinion that clearly supports the
THESIS)
Now you must support
(Develop) each MI - (NOT
WITH MORE IDEAS or OPINIONS - or by saying what should be -
but with convincing argument.
Sample
Support
Let's take MI#1 - It will weaken the
quality of medical care for all Americans
Because the government will decide the cost and payments
for all medical attention, doctors will be forced to accept whatever
the government decides is fair. Those who are thinking of entering
the medical profession may decide against it if they feel their
earning capacity will be limited by a huge government bureaucracy.
There will be less doctors available, and inferior medical
candidates may be the only ones willing to accept this. Furthermore,
the most current medical technology may not be available, and
Americans may be forced to accept inferior treatment because of the
same financial restriction. If those interested in advancing medical
technology feel that they will be governed and told how much they
can earn, research will not be as vigorous as it is under a free
system. Europe has suffered from this problem for decades. Those
interested in the best care have always come to America because we
have the most competitive medical technology and parishioners. Why?
Because they are free to govern their own actions and earn a fair
amount, not decided upon by a political machine. Years ago, when
visiting London, I stopped in on my friend who is a dentist. I just
had a dental procedure that was fairly advanced, and I showed it to
her. She was shocked and amazed. She read about it but only dreamed
of learning it because her government, who operated a social medical
system much like Obama care, would not fund research into it, and
she was still using techniques that my dentist said where at least
10 years behind the US. I would have never been able to get the best
treatment had I lived in London. When Obama care is fully
instituted, we can expect this type of problem, so be ready to
accept whatever the government decides is best for you! Worse yet,
senior citizens may not get required care at all because the
treatment they need may not be covered. The government will have a
graduation age related scale that only provides treatment to those
who have a strong life expectancy that will warrant the cost. They
surely will not cover expensive medical procedures for old folks who
only have a few more years to live. It is not cost effective for
them. Just look to Europe where this has been happening for years.
It is not uncommon for seniors to die awaiting or denied treatment.
Leaving one's life in the hands of the government which cannot
agree on anything, is like playing roulette with the lives of our
loved ones. The odds are stacked against us, and we will pay the
prices.
Note: The above is an attempt to
support the MI - not restate it - no say is should be in effect
because I think so - not make a circular argument - it is an attempt
to appeal to economics, emotion, & logic based on history and a
comparison to a system that has already experienced a similar
type of Obama care.
Now you must support the other MI -
(NOT WITH MORE IDEAS or OPINIONS - or by saying what should be
- but with convincing argument
When all MI are adequately supported
- it is time to wrap it up - write the
Conclusion.
Sample Conclusion
The US is the richest most
generous country in the world. Quality medical coverage should be
available to all Americans. There are many options to "Obama Care"
that will not infringe on our constitutional freedoms and not cost
the taxpayer more taxes, business lost revenues, and investors
diminished income as the current anticipated plan will. One such
plan is called "the Pipes Plan." it is the work of Sally Pipes,
president of the San Francisco based Passaic Research Institutes.
The highlights of this plan include: giving citizens control of
picking insurance coverage; opening a national insurance market; and
most importantly stopping the government from deciding what is covered
and what is not. There are several other plans none of which abridge
our constitutional freedoms of choice. If you want to know just how
good this plan is, think about our government official's medical
coverage. Many of them have special coverage. They are not
obligated to accept this plan; and they don't! They choose other
coverage that the average person cannot get! Obama care is a huge
undertaking that will take charge of about fifteen percent of all
the money spent in this country. It will decide who gets care and
for what ailments. It will weaken the economy by imposing more taxes
and less cooperate dividends, and most critically it will lessen the
quality of our medical professionals and their services. Let's all
take a deep breath and get the wind back in our sails for freedom
and choice. Repel Obama care!
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Examples of argumentative paragraphs
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