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WRITING

Writing an argumentative essay

An argumentative essay aims in convincing readers to accept an idea, change their

perceptions or opinions, adopt a solution or move them into action based on strong, distinct
position presented on a specific issue. In an argumentative essay, you must offer valid support
for your view and refute opposing views. A full understanding of the topic is pertinent to write
a good argumentative essay.

When writing an argumentative essay, you may follow this sample:

Families should be caretakers of elderly relatives rather than place them in nursing
homes

It is a shocking fact that 1 out of 3 elderly • Introductory

Malaysians have been abandoned by their children either Paragraph
in the hospitals or welfare homes. This encompasses - Attention
nearly 30 percent of the 3 million senior citizens in the grabber/hook
country in 2015. In a bid to curb this problem, the - Provides
Department of Social Welfare Malaysia is operating 11 background
public care institutions and monitoring 165 centres run by information
non-government and private organisations across - Thesis statement
Malaysia to give a hand in caring for those elderly citizens
in nursing or welfare homes. Nevertheless, having more
nursing homes is not the solution in dealing with this
problem. Hence, I strongly believe that instead of relying on
the nursing homes run by the government and private
companies or non-governmental organisations, families
should be held responsible as caretakers for their elderly
family members.

In contrast to my stand, some have argued that the • Body Paragraph 1:

responsibility of taking care of the elderly relatives should Counters Opposing
not be forced upon the families. They reasoned that having Views
the elderly in nursing homes is a better option as families - Opposing view 1
are often unable to provide care for their elderly relatives. - Refutation 1
In contrary to the past, modern families are much more - Opposing view 2
spread out in the country and some even across seas. - Refutation 2
Hence, many have lost contact with their elderly relatives
and are not available in times of need. Another point is that,
in the past the husband was the breadwinner while the wife
was in charge of the homes. However, the current standard
of living has forced both husband and wife to work,
sometimes juggling between different kinds of jobs. As a
result, they are rarely around the elderly and are unable to
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provide constant care. Moreover, nursing homes

especially the government-run homes such as Rumah Seri
Kenangan are well-equipped with facilities, professionals
and have better control of standards. Thus, the nursing
homes can provide better care for the elderly with
deteriorating health conditions.

The opposing points of view do make sense, but • Body Paragraph 2:

Mother Nature has it that it is the families’ duty to care for Presents argument 1
their elderly relatives, specifically the parents. It is wise for - Evidence 1a
families to do so as these elderly relatives and parents are - Evidence 1b
the patriarchs and matriarchs of their families. Being the - Evidence 1c
oldest members of the family, they form the foundation of
the family. Moreover, they have been taking care of us
since we were young. Hence, it is our turn to look after them
in their twilight years. Besides that, it is unethical to
abandon our elderly relatives in nursing homes although
one may blame it due to the elderly requiring proper
healthcare. Did your parents abandon you at the time of
need especially when you were still a dependent toddler?
If no, why should you leave them when they are feeble and
not self-sufficient?

In a 2013 article published by the Telegraph UK, it • Body Paragraph 3:

was found that 9 in 10 senior citizens favoured receiving Presents argument 2
care in their own home. The research involved 11,700 - Evidence 2a
senior citizens in the United Kingdom. Hence, it could be - Evidence 2b
concluded that most elderly people would prefer to receive - Evidence 2c
family care rather than the sophisticated care provided by
many nursing homes. Furthermore, family members are
the only ones who know the elderly relatives’ likes or
dislikes. How could we rely on a total stranger to take over
such a personal act? Only families are able to provide
sufficient love, care and protection required. As a result,
family members who are able to understand deeply the
needs of their own elderly can deliver a more focused and
personalized level of care.

A previous study, known as ‘Aging in Place in • Body Paragraph 4:

America’ commissioned by Clarity and The EAR Presents argument 3
Foundation, showed 90 percent of the elderly fear of - Evidence 3a
moving into a nursing home more than the fear of death. - Evidence 3b
Families should be the caretakers of their own elderly as - Evidence 3c
home care honours their dignity and independence. This is
due to the fact that the elderly are subjected to the rules of
nursing homes. It is heart breaking for them to be not able
to perform their daily tasks and be treated as if they are
really useless. At home, the elderly have maximum
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freedom and a sense of belonging. Compared to nursing

homes, the environment of family homes is the least
restrictive which allows the elderly to remain engaged with
their habitual activities. The rules and regulations of the
nursing home will apply more pressure and stress on these
elderly; making them closer to misery.

In conclusion, I would like to restate my stand that • Concluding

families should be caretakers of elderly relatives rather Paragraph
than place them in nursing homes. My first reasoning is that - Restates the
it is the families’ duty to take care of their own elderly. importance of
Secondly, home care is much focused and personalised. your position
Thirdly, having families taking care of them honour their - Describes what
dignity and independence. Therefore, families should not would happen if
push all the responsibilities to nursing homes and attempt your argument is
to wash their hands off. The over-reliance on nursing (or is not)
homes have proved that we have become less caring as implemented
members of the society. Do remember that our parents and
elderly love us and even if they do not love us dearly, we
should provide them the best care we can ever give.

Task 1.1 Read the model argumentative essay. Then answer the questions that follow.

1. Underline the sentence in the introductory paragraph which is the hook of this essay.

2. Underline the sentence in the introductory paragraph that gives the writer’s opinion
about the topic.

3. Circle the sentences in body paragraph 1 that provide the counter opposing views.
Underline the examples provided to support the counter opposing views.

4. Circle the sentence in each body paragraph 2, 3 and 4 which are the reasons provided
by the writer to support his or her stand. Underline the examples provided to support
the writer’s arguments.
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Task 1.2 Write an essay to argue for or against one of the topics below.

1. Family life is disrupted by the effects of technology

2. Parents should let teenaged children make their own decisions
3. Parents have higher hopes for their sons than for their daughters
4. Children learn best by observing the behaviour of their parents
5. Elderly people should not care for their grandchildren
6. Parents should become their children’s best friends
7. The young today has lack of respect for the elderly due to poor parenting

Task 1.3 Complete the following check-list after you have written the final draft of your
essay.

Check-list Yes No

Have you written an introductory paragraph that consists of a hook, your ( ) ( )

position and thesis statement?

Does your essay include four body paragraphs that each provide a ( ) ( )
counter-argument/an argument and supporting examples or facts?

Does your concluding paragraph summarise your arguments and describe ( ) ( )

what would happen if your argument is (or is not) implemented?

Have you checked your essay for punctuation, spelling and grammar? ( ) ( )