Read the following and do comprehension task.
An argumentative essay is a formal, impersonal piece of writing in which you are expected to consider a topic from opposing points of view and give a balanced consideration.
The structure of this kind of essay is the same: Introduction
Main body
Conclusion.
The main body consists of 2 paragraphs. The points for (=advantages), with your justification, appear in one paragraph and the points against (=disadvantages), with your justification, appear in the other paragraph.
All in all your essay will comprise 4 paragraphs.
Introduction
Paragraph 1
state topic (thesis)
comment on the way it is to be treated (considering pros and cons)
Main Body
Paragraph 2
arguments for supported with details, examples
Paragraph 3
arguments against supported with details, examples
· If you feel that there are more arguments for than against a topic, give those before the final paragraph to lead the reader to a proper conclusion.
Conclusion
Final paragraph
balanced consideration/opinion
· Your own opinion should be expressed only in the final paragraph but in an impersonal way, without using any personal expressions (Do not use such expressions as I believe or In my opinion).
Comprehension check: answer the following T/F statements.
1. The writer’s opinion is stated in the introduction of a for/against essay.
2. Points for and against should be enumerated but not justified.
3. Strong personal feelings must be expressed in an argumentative essay.
Points to remember:
· Decide on the points for and against the topic before starting your essay.
· Never write an argument for or against without supporting it with justification, e.g. One disadvantage of divorce is that it is almost always devastating for children. It entails serious emotional and social problems for them. Moreover, the children of divorced parents are unlikely to make successful marriages themselves.
· Each paragraph should start with a key sentence which summarises what the paragraph is about and supports the thesis. Any irrelevant topic or idea should be omitted as in that case your paragraph will not have unity. If your paragraph is about the advantages of being a member of a big family, do not discuss the disadvantages, e.g. There are many advantages to living in a big family. To begin with, it allows a child to………However, life in a big family has a number of disadvantages as well. Firstly,……
· Don’t mix different ideas together in the same paragraph or sentence.
· Don’t use informal spoken language and short forms such as can’t or won’t..
· Avoid personal pronouns and strong personal expressions. Make use of such impersonal phrases as It is often suggested/believed that…, There is an opinion that..,
· Avoid intensifiers (really, extremely, truly etc.) and ungradable adjectives as they are more common in speech than in formal writing.
· Use the formal equivalents of phrasal verbs.
· Rhetorical questions should be avoided.
· Try to demonstrate extensive vocabulary avoiding repetition.
· Make use of appropriate linkers:
To introduce points: Firstly/ To begin with /In the first place / One point in favour of/against… is / One (dis)advantage of…is/, etc.
To add more points: Secondly/ What is more/ Furthermore/ A further advantage of…is, etc.
To make contrasting ideas: However/ On the other hand/ Although/ In spite of, etc.
To conclude: To sum up/ In conclusion/ On balance/ All things considered, In short, etc.
A) The essay body: outlining
As an essay is longer and more complex than a paragraph, it is even more important to organize your thoughts and to plan the body of your essay before you begin to write. The best way to do this is to make an outline or a mind map.
Practice 5
A. Study the following model outline for an essay on marriage of convenience. Name the parts of the essay and decide which part is well-developed, abbreviated or developed in detail, underline the thesis statement.
Marriage of Convenience
…………………
Nowadays people live in society which is very different from the one our forefathers lived in. Former cultural, behavioural and especially family patterns are changing radically, people tend to have different priorities from their ancestors and adopt new attitudes, for example, to marriage. A marriage of convenience, arranged for certain social, political or practical advantage rather than for love, very often seems quite acceptable at the present time. There is an opinion that such a marriage pattern is sure to be more successful than marriage for love. However, this kind of family union has both advantages and disadvantages.
…………………..
A. List the points for and against
| For | Against |
| 1. There are no illusions originally, so there will be no disappointments later. | 1. Such a wedlock lacks love, which is essential |
| 2. Love is a changeable and uncontrollable thing while the benefit (if the calculation turns out to be correct) is programmed. | 2. The “calculation” may turn out to be incorrect; then, both partners are unlikely to benefit anything: either expected advantages or love. |
| 3. It is possible to conclude a marriage agreement without hurting each other’s feelings. | 3. The children of parents who do not love each other tend to grow unhappy. |
| 4.... | 4. …. |
| 5. … | 5. … |
B. Match the following supporting sentences with the above-listed arguments and add more.
FOR 1. The divorce statistics prove that marriages of convenience end in
divorce much more seldom than those for love. Moreover,
such unions often grow into very strong loving relationships.
2. Both partners know what they want in the marriage; hence, the roles are defined beforehand.
3. In case of divorce the procedure will be less painful.
4. ………………………………………………………..
5. ………………………………………………………..
AGAINST 1. Research studies carried out in the West confirmed that
marriages based on love are beneficial to the spiritual, intellectual
and psychological development of children.
2. A short marriage for love is better than a loveless one.
3. ……………………………………………………….
4. ……………………………………………………….
5. ……………………………………………………….
……………………
All in all, a marriage of convenience may be stable and successful since ………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………….……………………...
Nevertheless, it seems that such a marriage pattern lacks love, …………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………...
All things considered, everybody is to decide for himself/herself what makes a good marriage.
B. The following outline for an essay on changes in family roles is not developed in detail. Add more supporting ideas for each argument and develop the conclusion.