WRITING ESSAYS

complied by Ms Hà

WHAT MAKES A GOOD ESSAY ?

1. Accuracy: vocabulary, grammar and punctuation 2. Range: + vocabulary + Grammar ( sentence structures: simple/ compound/ complex sentences) 3. Unity 4. Development :- content : supporting ideas : ideas; experiences; data, statistics, facts 5. Coherence

II.

MAIN TYPES OF ESSAY 1. ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAYS 2. DISCURSIVE ESSAYS

1.

ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAYS

: characterized by 2 features: a) It asks directly for the writer’s personal opinion b) It usually, though not always, has an additional question after the statement, which may take one of the following forms * To what extent do you agree or disagree?

• • • • *What do you think ( of this statement?) What are your opinions about..?

To what extent is…..always good?

Which of the views do you agree with?

Discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the given statement?

2. DISCURSIVE ESSAYS

• • •  This question asks for a discussion of both sides of the issue raised. It has an additional question after the statement. It may take one of the following forms Discuss( this opinion). Do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

Discuss both of the views. Which do you agree with?

Present arguments for and against the above opinion

ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAYS

   1. Definition: It is an essay in which you agree or disagree with a controversial issue 2. Aim: convince the reader that your opinion is right by strong, logical using reasons to support your opinion/ argument Give reasons to support your point of view & also discuss the other’s side’s reasons and then refute them ( counter argument) ( refute means to point out problems with the other side’s reasons to prove that they are not good reasons)

ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAYS

Organization of argumentative essay

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1. Introduction: - Background information: + mention the issue you are going to defend + summarize the opposing arguments( pros) - Thesis statement : say clearly that you are for or against

ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAYS

  One way to do is to use a subordinate clause to summarize the opposing arguments ( pros) followed by an independent clause in which you assert your position ( cons) Eg: Although many young people would argue that those who are old enough to vote, fight, and die for their country are old enough to drive responsibly, the drinking age should remain twenty-one because of the dangers of alcohol-related accidents and the lack of alcohol education programs

2. Body paragraphs



2.1. Paragraph 1

: Topic sentence; the first argument ( the first reason why you say should or should not) - say WHY and HOW - Give examples to illustrate

2.2.Paragraph 2

: Topic sentence; the 2 nd 2nd reason ) argument ( the 3 rd

2.3 . Paragraph 3:

reason) Topic sentence; the 3rd argument ( the

2.4 Paragraph 4:

point and refuting it. Topic sentence: mention your opponent’s ideas the step of acknowledging and opposing > say that the opponents’ ideas are not completely correct

2. Body paragraphs

Use the modals :

may, might, can, could, would

weaken the opponents’ ideas to Eg: Opponents of mandatory uniforms say that students who wear school uniforms can not express their individuality. This point has some merit on the surface. However, as stated previously, school is a place to learn, not to flaunt wealth and fashion

3. CONCLUSION

 Restate the importance of the issue you are discussing  Restate your arguments  Confirm your choice again ( for/ against)  It can end with a prediction, a warning, or other type of comment that reinforces the writer's viewpoint

USEFUL LANGUAGE FOR ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAYS

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1.

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GIVING OPINION:

I am of the opinion that… I am greatly in favour of/ against It seems to me that…. This is because….

I am complete opposed to……… I would argue that….

I feel strongly that….

I am convinced that….+ your position

2.

RESPONDING TO OPINIONS

While it is true that…it is also a fact that… Although it is true that……we muse remember that… It could be argued that……… However, I would point out that Despite the argument that…., I would stress that…

3. STARTING AN INTRODUCTION

       It is often said that… These days it seems that It is often argued that… Over the past few years, it seems that…..

Recently, we have all become concerned that In the past, people……but now… Nowadays, we are all becoming aware of the fact that

4. CHANGING TOPIC

      Now let us turn to… Let us now consider Turning to the question of….

On the question of….

With regard to…./Regarding /In terms of… A second/ another point I would like to consider is….

5.

CONSIDERING AND REFUTING A COUNTER- ARGUMENT

 FOR CONSIDERING     - Opponents Some people may Supporters of say that +

counter-argument

Advocates think assert / claim

CONSIDERING AND REFUTING A COUNTER- ARGUMENT

 Some people are of the opinion that + counter argument   An argument/ a claim/ an opinion for……/ against…. Is that + counter- argument Admittedly, there are strong arguments for/…….

/ against… , one of which is that + counter argument

6. FOR REFUTING

    Such

argument/ thought/ claim/

etc seems to have some merits on the surface. However, when examined carefully/ thoroughly/ unsightly, it turns out to be quite

short-sighted/ groundless/ superficial/ a mere/ sheer exaggeration/ overstatement/ overgeneralization While it is true that…., it is unacceptable for people to argue that….

There may be another explanation for this fact. For example….

This is partly true but…..

7. CONCLUSION

     For all the above reasons All things considered To conclude In conclusion On balance + restatement of your opinion and final thought

REVIEW

These are the important points in this lesson

1.

An argumentative essay is a kind of essay in which you try to persuade your reader to agree with your opinion about a controversial topic 2.

An argumentative essay contains these five elements: * An explanation of the issue * A clear thesis statement * A summary of the opposing arguments * Rebuttals to the opposing arguments * Your own arguments 3. Use contrast transition signals to connect opposing arguments and your counter- argument

PRACTICE

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Practice 1: Add an opposing point of view to each of the following thesis statement

Eg: 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 1.

2.

3.

Television is the most invention of modern times Environmental protection laws go too far The advertising industry performs many public services

PRACTICE 2: WRITING SUPPORTING ARGUMENTS

*

Think of two or three supporting arguments for each thesis statements

1.

Violence in video games, movies, and television programs should be censored a………………………………………….

b……………………………………………..

c………………………………………….

2. Although some people think that curfew laws will help control teenage gangs, they are wrong for several reasons 3. Engaged couples should be required to take marriage preparation classes for one full year before their wedding