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Argumentative writing

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English Learning for Beginners: Argumentative Writing

Dialogue

Alice: Bob, guess what just happened! I tried to convince my cat to eat vegetables, and it looked at me like I was speaking a foreign language.

Bob: Oh, Alice, not the cat again! Sounds like you need some argumentative writing skills for that furry dictator.

Alice: Exactly! Our teacher just gave us an assignment about argumentative essays. I have to argue for something and convince the reader.

Bob: Oh no, me too! I’m supposed to argue why chocolate is the best food group. That’s an easy one, right?

Alice: For you, maybe! I have to argue why homework is secretly good for us. How am I going to convince anyone of THAT?

Bob: Haha! That’s a tough one. You’ll need strong reasons and examples. Like, “Homework builds character… and maybe a little sleep deprivation.”

Alice: Very funny! But seriously, how do I make my argument strong? Do I just list things?

Bob: Our teacher said we need a “thesis statement.” That’s your main point, what you want to prove.

Alice: So, my thesis would be “Homework is beneficial for students’ learning and development.”

Bob: Perfect! Then you need “supporting details.” Those are your reasons, like why homework helps you remember things better.

Alice: Ah, like, “Homework provides extra practice” and “It teaches responsibility.”

Bob: Exactly! And you should also think about the other side, the “counter-argument.” Like, “Some people think homework causes stress.”

Alice: And then I have to show why my idea is still better, even with that counter-argument. This is like a polite debate on paper!

Bob: Yes! And don’t forget a good “conclusion” to summarize everything and leave the reader convinced. Or, at least, thinking.

Alice: Okay, “Homework builds character” and “helps cats eat vegetables.” Got it! Thanks, Bob!

Bob: Good luck convincing anyone, Alice! Especially the cat.

Current Situation

Argumentative writing is a type of writing where you present an argument (your opinion or idea) about a topic and try to convince your reader that your argument is correct or valid. It’s like having a friendly debate, but on paper! You state your main point, give reasons and evidence to support it, and sometimes even address opposing viewpoints to show why your argument is stronger. It’s a very useful skill for school, work, and even convincing your cat to eat vegetables (Alice’s goal!).

Key Phrases

  • Argumentative writing: A type of writing where you try to convince someone of your opinion.
    • Example: “For my English class, I have to do some argumentative writing about climate change.”
  • Convince: To make someone believe or agree with you.
    • Example: “I want to convince my parents to let me get a dog.”
  • Thesis statement: The main idea or point you want to prove in your writing.
    • Example: “My thesis statement is that regular exercise is crucial for good health.”
  • Strong reasons: Good, logical explanations to support your main idea.
    • Example: “You need strong reasons to explain why your idea is the best.”
  • Supporting details: Facts, examples, or information that backs up your reasons.
    • Example: “The report used many supporting details to show the problem.”
  • Counter-argument: An idea or opinion that is opposite to your main argument.
    • Example: “Some people say chocolate is unhealthy; that’s a common counter-argument to Bob’s idea.”
  • Conclusion: The end part of your writing where you summarize your points and state your argument one last time.
    • Example: “In my conclusion, I will remind readers why homework is important.”
  • Debate: A formal discussion on a particular topic, often with opposing views.
    • Example: “They had a lively debate about the best kind of music.”

Grammar Points

In the dialogue, Alice and Bob use several grammar points essential for expressing ideas and arguments:

  1. Present Simple Tense for Facts and Opinions:

    We use the present simple tense to talk about general truths, habits, or strong opinions. It’s very common when stating arguments.

    • Example from dialogue: “Chocolate is the best food group.” (Bob’s opinion/fact for him!)
    • Example from dialogue: “Homework builds character.” (Alice’s potential argument)
    • Your own example: “The sun rises in the east.” (General truth)
  2. Modal Verbs (will, should, have to, can):

    These small words add meaning to other verbs, showing possibility, necessity, advice, or ability.

    • Will: To talk about future events or strong predictions.
      • Example from dialogue: “You’ll need strong reasons.” (You will need)
    • Should: To give advice or say what is a good idea.
      • Example from dialogue: “You should also think about the other side.”
    • Have to: To express necessity or obligation.
      • Example from dialogue: “I have to argue why homework is good.”
    • Can: To express ability or possibility.
      • Example: “I can prove my point with examples.”
  3. Simple Conjunctions (And, But, So, Like):

    These words connect ideas, sentences, or parts of sentences, making your communication flow better.

    • And: Adds more information.
      • Example from dialogue: “Strong reasons and examples.”
    • But: Shows contrast or a different idea.
      • Example from dialogue: “Very funny! But seriously…”
    • So: Shows a result or consequence.
      • Example from dialogue: “So, my thesis would be…”
    • Like: Used to give examples. (Often informally, as in the dialogue).
      • Example from dialogue: “Like, ‘Homework builds character…’”

Practice Exercises

  1. Match the key phrase with its definition:

    a) Convince        1. The main point you want to prove

    b) Thesis statement   2. To make someone believe you

    c) Counter-argument   3. The opposite idea to yours

    d) Conclusion        4. The end summary of your writing

  2. Complete the sentences using a key phrase from the list below:

    [thesis statement, supporting details, convince, conclusion]

    a) I need good examples as ______ to make my report strong.

    b) My main idea, or ______, is that reading is fun.

    c) Can you ______ me that watching TV is better than studying?

    d) In the ______, I will summarize all my points.

  3. Identify the best option for a ‘thesis statement’:

    Which sentence clearly states an argument or main point?

    a) I like apples, bananas, and oranges.

    b) Learning a new language is important for global communication.

    c) The weather was sunny yesterday.

    d) My favorite color is blue.

  4. Short Answer:

    Based on the dialogue, what is one thing Alice thinks homework might teach?

Answers to Practice Exercises

  1. a) 2 (Convince)

    b) 1 (Thesis statement)

    c) 3 (Counter-argument)

    d) 4 (Conclusion)

  2. a) supporting details

    b) thesis statement

    c) convince

    d) conclusion

  3. b) Learning a new language is important for global communication.

  4. Alice thinks homework might teach responsibility or build character (as suggested by Bob).

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