Notes on Argumentative Writing.docx

Notes on Argumentative WritingPart One:The ArgumentBefore starting onanyquestion, ask yourself:1. Do you haveenough knowledgefor this question?(in terms of the examples you cangive)2. Do you feel for the topic of the question?Isit interestingto you?3. Do you have at least 3-4solidarguments forthe question? · The parts of an argumentative essay: vThe IntroductionvYour Arguments/PointsvYour Conclusion/wrap-up è The bulk of your focus should be on providing well thought-out and stronglysubstantiated arguments, but your introduction and conclusion makes ahugedifferencein creating a strong impression on the examiners as well.ðThis set of notes (and the subsequent argumentativepractice worksheets/questions)that we will go through and analyse will therefore target each part in detail and see howwe can strengthen them.____________________________________________________________________________ WHAT MAKES A STRONG ARGUMENT?In this segment, we discover:1. The four main segments of an argument in a typical essay2. What each segment requires of us to write about3. What is a logical gap and how can we avoid it SEGMENTS OF AN ARGUMENT 1. Point/Topic Sentence ØA topic sentence is usually a concise summary ofwhat your argument will beØEssentially, ask yourself:what do you want thisparagraph to be about?ØYour topic sentence shoulddirectly answerthe question(make sure you check thatit does!)

2. Elaboration/Explanation o This segment of the argument is meant to explainfurther on your topic sentenceo How do you convince others that your point isvalid?o A strong explanation is one that is well thought-out,logical and well-supportedo There should be no logical gap in your explanation!

3. Examples xamples are to support your points and convince your readers that they are valid uirements of a good example: Accuracy e as much information and details about theexample as you can RepresentativenessvAre your examples mostly only from Singapore/onecountry?vIf the scope of your arguments are not limited toonly Singapore, it would be good tobroaden the examples you’re using) Relevance s your example support your point? Or are youmerely putting it there for the sake of ng up your argument? Q:BUT WHAT IF I CAN’T THINK OF ANY EXAMPLES? en, examples are not like Math formulas thatyou can memorize and apply it to estions given in the papers eating a bank of general knowledge is importantto help you use the correct examples he exams ad more of current news to stay aware of global/nationalaffairs – you don’t always ve to read the newspapers: you can always get bite-sized, digestible news articles m newspaper apps, or Facebook, Twitter and even humourous websites like 9GAG or AG en if your examples are limited in scope, includingit into your essay is better than mpletely leaving out any examples at all

4. Link ways wrap up your argument by linking it backto your topic sentence nk usually goes like this…. “Hence, (summaryof your point)is how it supports(your c sentence)” nk he