University of MCM Souk-Ahras
Department of Languages Module: Written Expression
Third Year (all groups)
The Argumentative Essay
1. Definition
An argumentative essay is an essay, in which you agree or disagree with an issue, using
reasons to support your opinion. Your goal is to convince your reader that your opinion is
right. Argumentation is a popular kind of essay question because it forces students to think on
their own: They have to take a stand on an issue, support their stand with solid reasons, and
support their reasons with solid evidence.
In a general writing test such as the TOEFL exam, you might encounter questions such as
these:
-The U.S. Declaration of Independence states that "all men are created equal." Agree or
disagree with this statement. Support your opinion with reasons and examples.
-The most important element in a friendship is trust. Agree or disagree with this statement.
Support your opinion with reasons and examples.
-In an academic class, your instructor might ask questions such as these: Some cities in the
United States and the United Kingdom have passed laws establishing curfews for young
people. Young people (usually age 17 and younger) may not be out on the streets after 9 or 10
P.M. Do you agree or disagree with such curfews?
-Companies that do business abroad sometimes find that local business practices include
activities considered unethical at home-offering gifts of money or awarding contracts to
family members, for example. Should companies go along with local business practices in
order to become successful, or should they refuse to do so and risk failure as a result?
What is unique about an argumentative essay is that you do not just give reasons to support
your point of view. You must also discuss the other side’s reasons and then rebut them.
(Rebut means to point out problems with the other side's reasons to prove that they are not
good reasons.) We do this because we want readers to know that we have considered all sides
of the issue. When we show that we are reasonable and open-minded, readers are more likely
to listen to our point of view.
2. Organization of Argumentative Essays
Block pattern Point-by point pattern
I. Introduction I. Introduction
Explanation of the issue Explanation of the issue, including
Thesis statement a summary of the other side's
[Link] arguments
Block 1 Thesis statement
A. Summary of other side's arguments II. Body
B. Rebuttal to the first argument A. Statement of the other side's first
C. Rebuttal to the second argument argument and rebuttal with your
D. Rebuttal to the third argument own counterargument
B. Statement of the other side's second
Block 2 argument and rebuttal with your own
E. Your first argument counterargument
F. Your second argument C. Statement of the other side's third
G. Your third argument argument and rebuttal with your own
III. Conclusion-may include a summary counterargument
of your point of view III. Conclusion-may include a summary
of your point of view
There are many variations on these two patterns. Which pattern you use will depend on your
topic. With some topics, one pattern works better than others. The important thing is to
present your side and rebut the other side in a logical and organized way. As you read the
following model essay, study its organization.
3. Model essay
Separating the Sexes, Just for the Tough Years
The middle school years (grades 7 and 8) are known to be the “tough years.” These are the
years when the uneven pace of girls’ and boys’ physical, emotional, and cognitive
development is most noticeable. Girls are ahead of boys on all counts, and both suffer.
Educators debate whether separating boys and girls during these difficult years might improve
students’ academic performance. Separate classes are now prohibited in public schools that
receive federal funds. But a change in the federal law that prohibits them is under
consideration. Although some parents and educators oppose same-sex classes, there is some
evidence that separating boys and girls in middle school yields positive results.
Opponents of single-sex education claim that test scores of students in all-girl or all-boy
classes are no higher than those of students in mixed classes. However, the research is
inconclusive. Despite the fact that some research shows no improvement in test scores, other
research shows exactly opposite results. More important, many psychologists believe that test
scores are the wrong measuring sticks. They believe that self-confidence and self-esteem
issues are more important than test scores. In same-sex classes, girls report increased
confidence and improved attitudes toward math and science, for example. These are results
that cannot be calculated by a test but that will help adolescents become successful adults long
after the difficult years of middle school are past. New York University professor Carol
Gilligan is certain that girls are more likely to be “creative thinkers and risk-takers as adults if
educated apart from boys in middle school”. Boys, too, gain confidence when they do not
have to compete with girls. Boys at this age become angry and fight back in middle school
because they feel inferior when compared to girls, who literally “out-think” them. With no
girls in the classroom, they are more at ease with themselves and more receptive to learning.
Opponents also maintain that separate classes (or separate schools) send the message that
males and females cannot work together. They say that when students go into the work force,
they will have to work side-by –side with the opposite sex, and attending all-girl or all-boy
schools denies them the opportunity to learn how to do so. However, such an argument
completely ignores the fact that children constantly interact with members of the opposite sex
outside school. From playing and squabbling with siblings to negotiating allowances, chores,
and privileges with their opposite-sex parent, children learn and practice on a daily basis the
skills they will need in their future workplaces.
The final argument advanced by opponents of same-sex education is that it is
discriminatory and, therefore, unconstitutional. However, research supports exactly the
opposite conclusion: that discrimination is widespread in mixed classes. Several studies have
shown that boys dominate discussions and receive more attention than girls and that teacher’s
call on boys more often than they call on girls, even when girls raise their hand. Clearly, this
is discriminatory.
It should be evident that the arguments against same-sex classes are not valid. On the
contrary, many people involved in middle-school education say that same-sex classes provide
a better learning environment. Boys and girls pay less attention to each other and more
attention to their schoolwork. As one teacher noted:“Girls are more relaxed and ask more
questions; boys are less disruptive and more focused”. Girls are less fearful of making
mistakes and asking questions in math and science; boys are less inhibited about sharing their
ideas in language and literature. Furthermore, schoolchildren are not disadvantaged by lack of
contact with the opposite sex because they have many opportunities outside the school setting
to interact with one another. Finally, discrimination occurs in mixed classes, so discrimination
is not a valid argument. Therefore, in my opinion, the law prohibiting same-sex classes in
public schools should be changed.
4. Writing Technique Questions
1. In which paragraph does the writer give background information to help readers understand
the issue?
2. Does the thesis statement mention both sides of the issue, or does it give the writer's point
of view only?
3. How many opposing arguments are given? Where are they given?
4. Where does the writer rebut the opposing arguments-in one paragraph or in separate
paragraphs?
5. What is the function of the last paragraph?
6. Which type of organization does this essay use-block or point-by-point?
5. Practice : Complete the outline of the model essay.
Separating the Sexes, Just for the Tough Years
I. Introduction (explanation of the issue)
Thesis statement:………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
II. Body
A. Opposing argument I
Opponents of single-sex education claim that test scores show that there is no advantage to
all-girl or all-boy classes.
Rebuttal to argument I
1. Research is inconclusive-show opposite results.
2. Other results that cannot be calculated.
a. Girls ………………………………………………………..
b. Boys………………………………………………………………..
B. Opposing argument 2………………………………………………………………….
Rebuttal to argument 2………………………………………………………………………
a. Settling squabbles with siblings
b. Negotiating with opposite-sex parent
C. Opposing argument 3………………………………………………………….
Rebuttal to argument 3………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………….
a……………………………………………………………………………………….
b. Teachers call on boys more often
D. Own point of view
1. Same-sex classes provide a better learning environment
2. Reasons
a. Boys and girls ……………………………………………………..
b. Girls ……………………………………………………………………
c. Boys……………………………………………………………….
III. Conclusion
The introductory Paragraph
The introductory paragraph of the model contains an explanation of the issue, which is a
necessary part of an argumentative essay. However, you may also begin an argumentative
essay with a more engaging introduction-with surprising statistics, for example, or with a
dramatic story. For instance, the writer of the model essay could have opened with a
dramatization of typical boys' and girls' behavior in a mixed middle school class.
If you write an attention-getting introduction, you may need to explain the issue in a second
introductory paragraph and write your thesis statement at the end of this (the second)
paragraph.
In an eighth-grade English class at Kent Middle School, the students are discussing The
Diary of Anne Frank, written by a 13-year-old Jewish girl while she hid with her family in an
Amsterdam attic for more than two years during the Holocaust. The girls in the class identify
easily with Anne and freely share their feelings about the book. The boys, by contrast, snicker
or snooze anything to avoid revealing any tender feelings. In the next class, math, the
dynamic is reversed: The girls sit quietly, while the boys shout out answers and race each
other to the blackboard to solve algebra equations. These scenes are typical in most middle
school classes in the United States.
The middle school years (grades 7 and 8) are known ...
Thesis Statement
The thesis statement in an argumentative essay states clearly which side you are for:
Curfew laws are unfair and should be abolished.
In my opinion, stem cell research should receive the full support of our government.
A thesis statement often mentions the opposing point of view. Notice that the writer's opinion is
expressed in the main (independent) clause and the opposing point of view is normally put into a
subordinate structure.
-Despite the claims that curfew laws are necessary to control juvenile gangs, curlew laws are
clearly unconstitutional.
-Although there are certainly reasons to be cautious with stem cell research or any new
technology, I believe that its potential benefits far outweigh its dangers.