Feb+19_21+(Argumentative+essay)

= home assignment (for Feb 21) = Task 1. Along These Lines. Chapter 10, pp 264-273 ex 1, 2, pp 267-268 ex.1, 2, pp 271-273

Task 2. Choose the topic for __#|your__ argumentative essay (Remember, the essay is 20 points for Module 1)

= home assignment (for Feb 26) =

Task 1. See the presentation https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BwArVvr9erK6RlYxMURFclN3QTg/edit?usp=sharing media type="custom" key="22263742" Task 2. Bring the draft (READABLE!!!!!) of #|your argumentative essay on a A4 paper

** What is an argument? **
An argument states a clear position and presents evidence to support this position.

__[|Your]__ thesis statement or claim is a clear statement of position. It should be clear and focused enough for you to prove __#|your__ position in __#|your__ essay. The rest of the essay should be devoted to proving your position. Logical cohesion in your essay is very important because you should start from one premise, prove it, move from one argument to the next. All your arguments should serve to prove your main point. Moving away from the main point is not allowed, and if an idea does not support your main idea it should not be included in your essay.

Let's proceed step by step in writing an argumentative essay. Imagine you are given this task by your instructor:

"We should open a university in every town. Discuss."

** 1. Analyze the task **

 * What are the two sides of the issue? Is it debatable?

Yes, it is debatable. Some may argue for it and some may argue against the idea.


 * What is my position?

Do I agree?

Do I disagree?

** 2. Develop your arguments **

 * Why am I for/against it?
 * What is the context of the issue?
 * So what?
 * Who cares?
 * Why should/shouldn't we open a university in every town?

Let's try to answer some of these questions because they will help us formulate our arguments as well as provide our introduction to the issue by setting up the context.

**Who cares?**


 * government
 * parents
 * students
 * local businesses
 * local organizations
 * other universities
 * faculty / academicians

**What is the context?**


 * government wishes to open universities
 * local people pressure legislators and politicians
 * universities are against the proposal
 * students/parents' reaction?

**Two sides of the issue: Why do people want it?**


 * practical /convenient
 * sociocultural development of host town
 * economic development of host town

**Why am I against it?**

The quality of education in those universities will be substandard.

> **Why will the quality of education be below the desirable standards?**
 * staffing problems
 * financial problems
 * sociocultural development of the students

Now you fill in the boxes as you develop an argument against the government plan to open a university in every town.

**Argument:** We should open a university in every town.

> support 1: > support 2: || * staffing problems > support 1: > support 2: || > support 1: > support 2: || * financial problems > support 1: > support 2: || > support 1: > support 2: || * sociocultural development of the students > support 1: > support 2: ||
 * ** FOR ** || ** AGAINST ** ||
 * * practical/convenient
 * * economic development of the host town
 * * sociocultural development of the host town


 * [|See answers] **

** 3. Writing an outline **
Now we have decided on our position, we have developed our arguments, and we have shown an awareness of both sides of the issue. We are ready to start writing our essay. Our outline looks like this:

**Thesis:** It is not a good idea to open a university in every town.

**Argument 1:** staffing problems

support 1: not enough qualified teachers

support 2: not willing to go


 * A ** **rgument 2:** financial difficulties

support 1: building facilities

support 2: providing services


 * Refutation: **

> ** C ** **ounter argument :** a university will contribute to economic and sociocultural development of host town > ** R ** **efutation of counter argument:** a university wrestling with its own economic and sociocultural problems cannot contribute to development of host town

** 4. Writing the introduction **
The purpose of the argumentative essay is


 * **to persuade your readers:** you usually write for people who disagree with you. Therefore, your arguments should be strong enough to persuade them.

The purpose of the introduction is


 * **to make your readers read on:** in other words, your introduction should attract the readers' attention and want them to read your essay
 * ** to set the scene for the issue **
 * ** to state your thesis clearly **

** How to develop an introduction: **
**Ask yourself the questions:**


 * 1) What is the context?
 * 2) Who cares?
 * 3) So what?
 * 4) Why should people care about this topic?

Answer the questions:

**1. What is the context?**


 * government plans to open 15 new universities
 * local people pressure legislators and politicians
 * there are already 85 universities
 * already existing ones have problems
 * universities are against the proposal
 * students/parents' reaction?

**2. So what?**


 * old and new universities alike will suffer/ quality of education will deteriorate

**3. Who cares?**


 * everybody
 * I do
 * parents/students
 * academicians
 * other universities
 * government
 * local businesses
 * local organizations
 * nongovernmental organizations?

**4. Why should people care about this issue?**


 * it will influence the quality of education/therefore people's lives will be affected

5. Writing the essay: further developing your arguments
While writing your essay, make sure that your arguments are developed sufficiently.

Let's go back to the outline and provide adequate formal reasoning and proof for our arguments..

**Argument 1:** staffing problems

**support 1:** not enough qualified teachers

> why? rate of education low in our country/not enough university > graduates/not enough people with master's and PhD degrees

**support 2:** not willing to go

why? living conditions not good/academic conditions not good

so what? low quality teaching staff==>low quality education


 * A ** **rgument 2:** financial difficulties

**support 1:** building facilities

what kind? labs, libraries, dorms, sports and social facilities, cafeterias needed

**support 2:** providing services academic and non-academic

>> services==>food, transportation, accommodation, how water, computers, lab equipment, bookstore, library services >> so what ? quality of education will deteriorate

**Refutation:** In your refutation you want to show


 * why the opposition is wrong
 * your opinion/position is better
 * where the opposition's argument falls short

Summarize the opposite opinion in a sentence or two and provide the context. Then,

> 1. problematize the opposing arguments > 2. shift from opposing arguments to supporting arguments > **1. Problematizing the opposing arguments:** It is important that the reader knows that when you write opposing arguments you do not agree with them. You have to make it clear that you are presenting these arguments only to show that you understand the issue from both sides, that you have anticipated the opposing arguments and wish to criticize them. In order to signal this you have to use special phrases. To problematize something means you make it seem like a problem, to make it seem untrue. > However, you should avoid an aggressive approach when you are problematizing your opponent's arguments. For example, do not use expressions like, "This is silly/foolish/rubbish" or "It/This is not true." > > ===== Example: ===== > **Counter argument:** "The establishment of a university in a small or developing town will contribute to the development of local culture, community and economy." > **Problematized argument:** "It is argued that the establishment of a university in a small or developing town will contribute to the development of local culture, community and economy." > See the language summary for [|Problematizing Arguments] > **2. Shifting from opposing arguments to supporting arguments:** You should clearly mark the point where you shift from opposing arguments to supporting arguments. The most common of the contrast markers is "However". > > ===== Example: ===== > ===== It is argued that the establishment of a university in a small or developing town will contribute to the development of local culture, community and economy. However, if a university is wrestling with staff recruitment problems and cannot solve its financial funding problems, it cannot be of any help to the local community or the economy. =====

6. Writing the conclusion
You can try one or several of the strategies below:


 * summarize the key points you have discussed
 * reflect back to your introduction: especially if you asked questions in the introduction it is a good idea to conclude by providing answers
 * provide a solution if you have started out to find a solution
 * call for action: suggest what action should be taken

[|See the sample argumentative essay] written using the arguments and strategies we have discussed in this handout.

Copyright @ 2006 SFL, Bogazici University