Paragraph Plans for Argumentative Essays

· organize your thoughts before beginning writing and organize your paragraphs well;

· start a new paragraph for each new point you make. Each paragraph should start with a key sentence (a key sentence is a sentence which summarises the paragraph). You should provide examples and reasons to justify your points of view;

· use formal style – do not include colloquial English;

· do not use short forms;

· use correct grammar, vocabulary, and spelling. Use vocabulary and grammatical constructions that you are sure of. It is better to write simply and correctly than to try to write eloquently but make errors;

· avoid strong feelings (don’t say: everybody hates…, or it is absurd to believe…);

· use generalisations (e.g. children assume/regard), but do not use overgeneralisations (e.g. all children assume that…);

· do not use strong personal expressions (e.g. I know) – use milder language (e.g. In my view, it seems to me that, in my opinion, I tend to believe, etc.);

· use linking words (e.g. even though, on the other hand, yet, etc.)

· use sequencing (e.g. first, then, finally, etc.)

· make reference to other sources (e.g. Police officials believe that …)

· give examples – not personal thoughts (e.g. excessive intake of alcohol can damage the liver);

· do not refer blindly to statistics unless you are certain of a source (don’t say: “According to statistics, my statement about students is precise.” Which statistics?);

· use quotations or paraphrasing of quotations;

· keep your essays to no more than 200 or 300 words;

Read the two models of essays and give reasons why model A is good and model B is bad. Then, re-read the good model and underline the linking words (consult the Supplement p. 184).

Model A

Competition – Productive or Destructive?

Competition has long been the driving force behind improvements in areas such as world trade and sports performance. However, much can be said against the desire to come first. As Bernard Hunt, a British journalist said, “Winning is a drug. Once you have experienced it, you cannot do without it.”

The main disadvantage of competition is that it can encourage dishonesty. This is illustrated by the large numbers of athletes who are disqualified from events every year for having taken harmful drugs to improve their performance. Politicians have also been known to be untruthful when they want to win an election so much that they will lie to get votes. In industry, the competition to produce more goods at cheaper prices is so great that it can lead companies to open factories in poor countries where they can exploit employees by making them work long hours for low wages.

On the other hand, competition in sport means that athletes have to make the greatest effort they can, which is an exciting thing to watch. Because of competition in the political arena, politicians are encouraged to make visible improvements to the country in an effort to gain voters’ support, which in the end benefits everyone. Finally, competition in industry tends to lead to lower prices, which is undoubtedly beneficial for consumers.

To conclude, competition has both good and bad points. Although it can result in dishonesty and exploitation, its benefits outweigh its drawbacks and have a positive effect on many aspects of our lives. Moreover, the competitive spirit is always with us, and is difficult to control, however hard one tries.

Model B

Competition – Productive or Destructive?

In some ways competition is good. In some ways competition is bad. It’s good when it makes things better, such as business and sports. It’s bad when it hurts people.

Competition is bad if it makes people not tell the truth, e.g. politicians. I hate politicians that don’t tell the truth! I hate them! All athletes who are too competitive take drugs to make them run faster, etc. Someone I know was thrown off the track team at school for taking such drugs. The whole world knows that this is bad for their bodies. Factories try to compete too much when they pay lousy wages to poor people in poor countries.

Competition is good because athletes want to get better at sports and politicians try to make their countries better and factory products get cheaper.

So you see, competition has its good and its bad sides but statistics prove that competition is more beneficial than harmful.

In writing essays one is sure to use linking elements to make the narration better structured. Read and translate the sentences which illustrate the use of linking elements in context, underline them.

1. It is my firm belief, that these experimental data do not agree with the preliminary observations.

2. Last but not least, could (can) you interpret these findings?

3. Your choice of career is both a fundamental decision and something that will influence the rest of your life.

4. According to the latest findings the use of mobile phones can be damaging to one’s health in the long run.

5. To some extent this is true but computers will always need human input.

6. Needless to say, the scheme/project was bound to fail due to insufficient funds.

7. It is a well-known fact that this assumption is reasonable.

8. The fact that a great number of university graduates cannot find employment contradicts the belief that a university education is the key to a successful career.

9. He had collected every edition of the magazine but for one.

10. To put it another way, this approach is useful.

11. I would like to make two comments. First, to obtain accurate data one cannot use subjective techniques. Second(ly), the facts should be taken from reliable sources.

Date: 2015-12-11; view: 694