Critical Reading for Undergraduate Students

WEEK 9

Lusia Marliana Nurani, Ph.D

“How are you? We’re already in Week 10! Time flies!”

ESSAY

INTRODUCTION, BODY, CONCLUSION

ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY

The objective of writing an argumentative essay: To make the readers agree with your opinion about a topic

How to make the readers agree?(1) state your opinion(2) give reasons to support your opinion(3) argue against the opposite opinion

In short, you must convince the readers that your side of the argument is correct.

To convince the audience, your essay must be balanced: Include your viewpoint and the opposing viewpoint or counterargument

After you give the counterargument, you must refute it by showing that it is wrong. (Don't forget about REFUTATION!)

PART I

PARTS OF AN ESSAY & INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH

ORGANIZATION OF AN ESSAY

I. INTRODUCTIONII. BODY

III. CONCLUSION

The following essay argues for the use of school uniforms.

1. Hook: Individualism is a fundamental part of society in many countries.2. (Background) Information: Most people believe...........3. Thesis Statement: School uniforms are the better choice for three reasons.

INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH

H = Hook (the opening sentence that attracts the reader’s attention)

I = Information (general information that leads the reader to your focus)

T = Thesis Statement (a sentence that contains the main idea or central theme of the whole essay).

HIT: Hook, Information, Thesis Statement

HOOK Attention grabber

Source: https://www.georgebrown.ca/sites/default/files/uploadedfiles/tlc/_documents/hooks_and_attention_grabbers.pdf

Source: https://www.georgebrown.ca/sites/default/files/uploadedfiles/tlc/_documents/hooks_and_attention_grabbers.pdf

Source: https://www.georgebrown.ca/sites/default/files/uploadedfiles/tlc/_documents/hooks_and_attention_grabbers.pdf

Thesis Statement

• The thesis statement is the most important sentence in the whole essay.

• It contains the main idea and the mode of development.

• It often contains a list of items that will then be covered in the body of the essay.

• It is called a statement because it should be a claim and not a question.

Example: School uniforms are the better choice for three reasons.

PART II

BODY PARAGRAPHS & CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH

BODY PARAGRAPHS

The body paragraphs elaborate the thesis statement.

ORGANIZATION of a body paragraph:

Statement /Claim Reason (Explanation) Example (Evidence)

BODY PARAGRAPHS

REFUTATION

First, acknowledge the counter argument, then ATTACK it!

CONCLUSION

CONCLUSION consists of: 1. Repetition of the thesis statement in different words2. Summary of the main ideas of the body paragraphs3. Writer's final thought: Suggestion/Opinion/A call for action/Prediction for the future

SEE YOU NEXT WEEK!