Teach English Writing: How to Write an Argument
Understanding the basic structure of an argument is essential for many kinds of writing tasks that require a degree of critical thinking. Developing that skill is the objective of this ESL writing lesson.
Read through the literature and you’ll find an incredible amount of detailed information about critical thinking and arguments. This lesson ignores most of it. It’s far too complex and time-consuming. Instead, this lesson zooms in on a specific sentence pattern for arguments.
Flow
Part 1: Review Background Slides
This slide presentation shows students four things they need to know: argument, claim, premise, a basic sentence pattern.
Part 2: Writing an Argument – Model
The construction of arguments might begin like this.
- Many Canadians buy Korean cars. (it’s a claim, not an argument yet)
- Many Canadians buy Korean cars because of the good price, long warranty and fuel economy.
How to write an argument.
1. Start with an claim (e.g. Many Canadians buy Korean cars).
2. Write 2 or 3 reasons (e.g. good price, long warranty and fuel economy).
3. Change the period to because.
4. Put the sentences together.
Starting with an argument, we might write a short report, like the one below. Notice how the evidence and examples in the text follow the same order as the three premises in the argument.
__________
Many Canadians buy Korean cars because of the good price, long warranty and fuel economy. The price of Korean cars sold in Canada is similar to, or lower than, same-size vehicles made by Japanese or American companies. Japanese cars tend to be more expensive because people think they are better quality. Long ago that might have been true, but not today. The quality of Korean cars is similar to Japanese and American cars in the same price range. Because they are similar in quality and come with a lower price, Korean cars have great value.
The second reason is warranty. Usually, Korean cars come with a 7 year bumper-to-bumper warranty. The car company will fix any problem that occurs during the first 7 years of operation. Most Japanese or American car companies offer a 3 to 5 year warranty. Because a long warranty means car owners don’t have to pay for future repairs, Korean vehicles are less expensive to operate.
The third reason is also related to money. Korean cars don’t use a lot of gas. That means they are inexpensive to drive. Gas in Canada is expensive, so fuel costs are important when thinking about the cost of a car. Because Korean vehicles are cheap to drive, they are popular with people who want a car for daily activities but don’t cost a lot to fill up.
In conclusion, Korean cars are popular in Canada because people think they are reliable vehicles that don’t cost much to buy or drive.
__________
Part 3: Writing an Argument – Practice
Section A
Below, you can see 5 claims. Change the claims into arguments by adding 2 or 3 premises. Use the method shown above if you need help.
- Cooking at home is a good idea for university students.
- People should drive compact cars.
- Getting a job these days is hard.
- Teaching in elementary school is a good job.
- Writing a good composition is difficult.
Section B
Now choose one argument and write a long text, similar to the model shown in Part 3 above. Be sure to include examples and evidence to support each premise.
Part 4: Find the Arguments – Video
Watch the videos. Write the main argument in the advertisement.
Nissan Leaf (electric car)
Part 5: Describe the Arguments – Print Ads
Look at the these advertisements. Each advertisement is trying to persuade people to do something. What is the argument?
Pet Adoption
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