Argumentative Writing
How to mark a composition ?
• I. Structure
• II. Content
• III. Language
格式
People have different opinions on the issue of … Some hold that… while others are of the idea of…. From my perspective, …. My reasons go as follows.
For one thing, …
For another, …
To conclude, …
Language
• Wording : choice of words
• Grammar: correctness in language
• Complexity of the language:
The variety of ntences; conjunctions/ adverbs
1. Introduction: Introducing the topic, and then express YOUR viewpoint
To state the viewpoint clearly in simple words. Usually you can give the other side's opinion, and then give YOUR opinion. (making concessions) 议论文开头，首先表明现状，列出别人观点，再摆出自己论点。
∙ Some people feel/think that… but in my opinion…
Although/ while many people feel that… for my part/from my point of view…I think
, I , It ems obvious to me that, In my opinion, From my point of view, as far as I am concerned,……
∙ It is claimed that… but…
∙ It is undoubtedly true that… however…
∙ Despite the fact that…
Eg: 1) Many argue that the best place for children is always in their own homes with their own parents. However, I believe that there are many advantages in using childcare.
2) Nowadays, many students have their private teachers. Some students think that they can not do without private teachers. Private teachers give them a lot of help with their lessons. From my point of view, it is not necessary for students to have private teachers.
2. Body paragraph: Supporting statements/ details / giving examples
● You should support your ideas with data that persuades readers that the opinion is val
id. This data consists of facts, statistics, give at least two supporting points (example)
注意：不能重复论据，所写论据要能充分支持你的论点。
First/firstly…cond/condly…third/thirdly… first of all,
moreover, furthermore, also, as well, in addition, additionally, on one hand…on the other hand,
finally, last but not least
for example, for instance, such as
Here are some faulty supports we should avoid:
Leaving the university and starting to work is good for the adolescent becau…
∙ Feelings, emotional arguments
(… it makes one feel much better.)
∙ Irrelevant examples (wandering off the topic)
(… he would then be able to take his girlfriend to expensive restaurants.)
∙ Hasty generalizations
(... it is a widely known fact that all adolescents look forward to earning money.)
∙ Unreliable, even fal outside sources
(… according to , 80% of working men wish they quit school when they were at university and started working at an earlier age.)
Example:
People should u public transportation more often than driving cars.
Discussion: Should students have cell phones at school?
Against:
♦ Students will break major class rules if they u them, such as talking during class
♦ Students will cheat in the exam by using texting capabilities with friends in the same class
♦ Students will u the latest cell phones to flaunt to others that they are better demoralizing other students and causing more unnecessary damage.
For:
♦ Just like a car or computer, cell phone is a good tool for teaching students responsibility and giving parents leverage to maintain discipline and behavior. Children will change their tune and straighten up when Mom and Dad threaten to take away the phone.
♦ A cell phone can be instant 9-11 communication in an emergency.
♦ The child needs to be in contact with the parent at any time, for example if the parent i
s held up and cannot give them a ride home, or if the child is feeling ill or has forgotten something and needs their parent to bring it in for them.
3. Conclusion: Conclusion or suggestion
state your conclusion, summarizes the main points or ideas. It often has the same idea as the introduction, only in different words.
注意：要再次点明你的论点
in a word, in conclusion, in short, in brief, in summary, on the whole, all in all, therefore, conquently, thus… to sum up, to conclude, therefore, conquently
Examples:
(1) In conclusion, there is no need for students to have cell phones at school. Instead, I recommend parents to call teachers’ office number if they really feel like contacting their children.
(2) From the discussion above, we can easily draw the conclusion that having a cell phone is quite necessary becau you never know what can happen especially with all the terrorism in the world.
(3) Taking into account all reasons outlined above, we may reach a conclusion that having private teachers is not very viable. Students’ success depends on their attitude towards study and how hard they work instead of how many private teachers they have.
