-
8/6/2019 Unit 7 Argument Paragraphs
1/16
Unit 7
Argument paragraphs
Division of Language Skills II
English Department, ULIS, VNU
-
8/6/2019 Unit 7 Argument Paragraphs
2/16
Objectives
understand the process to write an argumentativeparagraph
defense an opinion by supporting ideas andexamples
introduce counter-argument and refutation write persuasive
argumentative paragraphs
use language patterns to introduce different parts ofan argument
paragraph
use noun phrases in an argument paragraph
use quantity expressions to avoid overgeneralizationin an
opinion paragraph
-
8/6/2019 Unit 7 Argument Paragraphs
3/16
Lead-in
Are for or against
arranged marriage?Support your position.
-
8/6/2019 Unit 7 Argument Paragraphs
4/16
Understanding argument
Proposal:
Reason 1
Reason 2
...
Reason
against..........................................................
Refutation
-
8/6/2019 Unit 7 Argument Paragraphs
5/16
-
8/6/2019 Unit 7 Argument Paragraphs
6/16
Development of argument
The topic sentence
In the topic sentence, the general subject is the proposal,
and the specific parts are either the reasons for, or
therefutation of the main reason against.
Greater life expectancy rates and lower death rates
reason for refutation of main reason against
indicate that women may be biologicallystronger
than men.
proposal
-
8/6/2019 Unit 7 Argument Paragraphs
7/16
Development of argument
Kinds of evidence
- Use appropriate evidence to develop the reasons
for and refute reason against
Authority: someone who is
generally recognized asan expert on a particular
subject
-
8/6/2019 Unit 7 Argument Paragraphs
8/16
Development of argument
Interpreting facts to support opinion
Opinion
Factual
examples
Interpretation
Animals use language to
communicate with each other
Arctic wolves, for example, communicate
the presence of caribou through their howls
and barks. Other wolves hear the messages
and are able to meet their pack to joint the hunt.
Clearly, if another animal can understand
vocalized messages that tell him or her
the location of food, then that animal
is using language.
-
8/6/2019 Unit 7 Argument Paragraphs
9/16
Development of argument
Problem with evidence and logic
- False conclusion: The conclusion is not based on
evidence.- Misplaced causes and effects: Just because ofone
thing takes place before another does notmean it causes its;
similarly, just because onething follows another does not mean it
is an effect
of it.- Bad evidence: Evidence is used that comes froman
outdated, incompetent or biased source.
-
8/6/2019 Unit 7 Argument Paragraphs
10/16
Development of argument
Counter-argument is the
opposing opinion which
disagrees with the writers opinion
-
8/6/2019 Unit 7 Argument Paragraphs
11/16
Development of argument
Three methods to attack and refute a counter-argument
Method 1: Demonstrate that the counter-argument iswrong because
it is based on incorrect or
misleading information.Method 2: Show that the counter-argument
is weak
because it is based on insufficient information orignores
significant information.
Method 3: Agree that the counter-argument is valid,but show that
the writers points of support are
more compelling.
-
8/6/2019 Unit 7 Argument Paragraphs
12/16
language features
Language patternsa. Possible pattern to introduce an
opinion/proposal in the topic
sentence:
E.g. I propose that the killing of whales be stoppedbecause
...
(base verb)b. Pattern to cite a source or statistics as
evidence
E.g. According to information from the US government c. Patterns
to introduce the counter-argument:
E.g. The opponents of this proposal argue that d. Possible
patterns to summarize:
E.g. It is essential that the killing whales be stopped.
-
8/6/2019 Unit 7 Argument Paragraphs
13/16
language features
Noun clauseThat + subject + verb (+ compliment)
As a subject
That a nuclear was might end the world is undeniable.
As a subject after it
It is undeniable that a nuclear war might end the world.
As an object of a verb
Many scientists have written that a nuclear war might endthe
world.
As an appositiveThere is no question that a nuclear war might
end the world.
-
8/6/2019 Unit 7 Argument Paragraphs
14/16
language features
Quantity expressions
- Most, a lot of, andsome are used with both plural
count nouns and non-count nouns.- Much and a little are used
with non-count nouns.
(Much is not usually used in affirmative statements.
Use a lot ofinstead.)
- Many,several, and a few are used with pluralnouns.
-
8/6/2019 Unit 7 Argument Paragraphs
15/16
TIME FOR PRACTICE
-
8/6/2019 Unit 7 Argument Paragraphs
16/16
