How to Write an Argument Essay 

來(lái)源:環(huán)球教育網(wǎng) www.ielts.com.cn 2005-5-16

   How to Write an Argument Essay

   There are five main steps. 

   Step 1: Read the essay
Read the question. Decide what kind of essay it is - opinion, compare/contrast, problem and solution, cause and effect, or a mixture. The type of question will decide the layout and your ideas.

   Step 2: Underline
Underline key vocabulary in the question and write words with the same or related meaning. This will really save you a lot of time later on. It will also help to avoid repetition of words, and will show that you understand the question.

   Step 3: Get Ideas
Decide if you are for or against the idea. Usually it is best to give both sides (for and against - one paragraph each) and then to give your opinion in the conclusion. However there are other ways of laying out your essay.

   Step 4: Decide Layout
You should decide on a layout. The easiest is 3773. That means four paragraphs: introduction (3 sentences) one side (7 sentences), the other side (7 sentences) and the conclusion (3 sentences). This will give you 20 sentences. An average of about 12 words each, that is 240 words. Perfect!

   Step 5: Write
After you have written your plan, write your essay. Follow the steps in this website for writing the introduction, body, and conclusion. Check for fragments, run-ons and comma splices.
   Vocabulary
   Step 1: Read and Underline Key Words
Should governments spend money on space exploration, or should they spend the money on problems here first?

   Step 2: Write Down Other Words with the Same Meaning (Move your mouse over links)
Should governments spend money on space exploration, or should they spend the money on problems here first?
Governments = nations, countries, authorities, politicians 
Spend = allocate, give, allot, provide, budget, make available, waste, award
Space exploration = space program, trips to the moon, the international space station, planets, planetary voyages
Money = budgets, taxes, resources, 
roblems = concerns, issues, worries, disasters, threats, threatening, war, famine, poverty, education, homelessness, drugs, global warming
Here = on earth, in our own countries, closer to home, in developing countries, foreign aid, 
   Step 3: Use Your New Words in the Opening Sentences
With many global concerns such as war, poverty, hunger and pollution, many people do not think that nations should waste money on exploring space. (One side) However, others are convinced that expenditure on space programs is justified. (Other side) 
   Step 4: Add a Thesis
With many global concerns such as war, poverty, hunger and pollution, many people question whether nations should waste money on exploring space. However, others are convinced that expenditure on space programs is justified. This essay will examine some arguments for and against space exploration. (Thesis) 
   Vocabulary: Zoos
   Step 1: Read and Underline Key Words
Are zoos cruel to wild animals?
   Step 2: Write Down Other Words with the Same Meaning (Move your mouse over links)
Are zoos cruel to wild animals? 
Zoos = nature reserves, wildlife parks, animal sanctuaries, circuses, wilderness areas, tasteless exhibitions, stuffy, crowded, exciting, interesting, fascinating 
Cruel = psychologically damaging, insulting, frightening, stressful, brutal, restricting, noisy, dirty, hot, overcrowded, unnatural, not normal, (Opposite)
conservation, kind, well-treated, saved from extinction, well looked after

   Wild = nature, natural, proud, free, endangered, not pets for man, should be free, in danger, habitat, ecosystem, environment, natural home

   Animals = animals, plants, natural environment, birds, big cats, predators, extinct, in trouble, not enough land.
   Step 3: Use Your New Words in the Opening Sentences
   Many people have had their first experience of animals from visiting zoos as children, and feel that they are important for education and conservation. (One side) However, others feel that zoos are unnatural and are stressful and cruel for animals. (Other side) 
   Step 4: Add a Thesis
   Many people have had their first experience of animals from visiting zoos as children, and feel that they are important for education and conservation. However, others feel that zoos are unnatural and are stressful and cruel for animals. This essay will discuss the importance of zoos and their essential role in conserving endangered wildlife. (Thesis) 
   Introductions
   One easy way to write the introduction for an argument or opinion essay is to write THREE sentences: two about the topic one thesis sentence You can write either Situation or Opinion introductions. There's not much difference between them.Situation Introductions 
   Opinion Introductions 
   Situation Introductions
   Write two sentences to describe the two sides of the present situation. The third sentence - the Thesis sentence - will describe what you are going do in your essay.
   Sentence 1 One side of the present situation 
   Sentence 2 The other side of the present situation 
   Sentence 3 Thesis: What you are going to do in your essay 
   Who should take care of our old people? 
   Sentence 1 In my country, most old people live happily with their children. 
   Sentence 2 Increasingly however, many families cannot take care of their   parents 
   Sentence 3 (Thesis) This essay will describe some of the problems involved with taking care of old people, and discuss who should be responsible. 
   Does Aid to Poor Countries Work? 
   Sentence(s) 1 For the last fifty years, poor countries have been receiving huge sums of money from rich donor countries. 
   Sentence 2 Some of this money has improved lives, while much of it has disappeared or made no difference. 
   Sentence 3 (Thesis) In this essay, I will discuss some arguments for and against foreign aid. 
   Should dangerous sports be banned? 
   Sentence 1 Every year, thousands of people are injured or killed in sports such as boxing or motor-racing. 
   Sentence 2 Because of this, many people are opposed to such sports, and want them to be stopped or controlled. 
   Sentence 3 (Thesis) This essay will look at some of the arguments for and against banning dangerous sports. 
   Opinion Introductions
   In this kind you give two opposite opinions in the first two sentences. The third sentence says what you are going to do. 
   Does space exploration benefit mankind? 
   Sentence For Many people are excited about space exploration. 
   Sentence Against However, others feel it is a massive waste of money 
   Sentence 3 (Thesis) This essay will look at some of the arguments for and against space exploration. 
   (32 words)
   Does space exploration benefit mankind? 
   Sentence For Space, for many people, really is the final frontier. They are excited by the exploration and potential of space. 
   Sentence Against However, not everyone agrees that this money is well-spent. Many people feel that we should solve problems here on earth before beginning our journey to space 
   Sentence 3 (Thesis) This essay will look at some of the arguments for and against space exploration. 

(58 words)

   Do Athletes Deserve Their High Salaries? 

   Sentence(s) 1 Everyday, we read about new record contracts and salaries earned by sportsmen and women. Some people do not agree with these huge payments 
   Sentence 2 Others believe that our sports heroes deserve every penny. 
   Sentence 3 (Thesis) This essay will look at some of the arguments for and against the high salaries of athletes. 

   Finally, if you are having problem thinking about an introduction, leave some space and write it later - AFTER you write the body or conclusion.

   Thesis Sentence
   A thesis statement is a sentence (or two) that states what you are going to do in your essay. It is a kind of signpost or map that shows the reader what direction you will take. It usually comes at the end of the Introduction.

   In this essay, I will outline the arguments for and against sex education in schools.

   In this essay, I will examine some reasons for the growth of the tourism industry. 

   You can leave out "I."
   This essay looks at ideas in favour of and against early marriage.
   This essay will discuss the benefits of having universal free health care. 
Show how many parts your essay will have
Sometimes the reader can tell which paragraphs will follow the thesis statement.
   I am going to analyse the effects of drugs on the individual, the family, and society. 
   In an essay with the thesis statement above, there will clearly be three parts - one on the effects of drugs on the individual, one part with the effects on the family, and another with the effects on society. 

   Be Strong
   Sometimes you don't need a "will" or "going to". Your thesis statement is so strong that it is clear what your opinion is.

   Beating children brutalizes parents, damages the parent-child relationship, and is completely unnecessary. 
   In an essay with the thesis statement above, there will clearly be three parts - one on the effects of corporal punishment on parents, one part with the effects relationship, and another which claims that beating is not needed. 

   Words to use in the thesis sentence 
analyze, look at, examine, discuss, outline, consider, describe 

   What would you like to do now?