Semester 2, 2024-2025 Writing (C1) – Argumentative Essays Latifa Octavia

Chapter 2: Argumentative and Discursive Essays (p.29-33)

Outcome: be able to write a balanced essay that looks at 2 sides of any given argument, stating your own ideas backed
by evidence and your own justified opinion.
Structure: 5 paragraphs; main body, think: PEEEL = point, evidence, explanation, evaluation, link.
Strategy: start with supporting side first: 2 paragraphs for and then 1 paragraph against/arguing the latter.
Introduction
1. Hook: grab readers attention - nowadays, there are people that believe that…whilst others feel that…
2. Topic sentence: what you will write about - in this essay, I intend to look at/ consider/ discuss/ highlight/ shed light
on/illustrate some of the arguments for and against…
3. Background information + rationale: why this topic is of interest + any necessary definitions/explanations – this is a
controversial topic of interest / this is a highly debated topic because…It is important to note that…
4. Thesis statement: ideas to be discussed + your opinion – some of the arguments for… include … whilst
counterarguments mention…However, in my opinion, I feel that…
Body Paragraph 1 (FOR) – 100 – 150 – 200 – 250 words
1. Cohesive language: to begin with, firstly, to start off with,
2. Point: first argument to defend your point of view – there are many significant reasons for… such as…one of the biggest
factors is that…
3. Evidence: quotations, examples, life experiences, statistics – for example, for instance, to illustrate/demonstrate my
point, according to…
4. Explanation (supporting evidence): impact of your example/argument – this means that, as a result, leading to, this
overcomes, this allows,
5. Evaluation: how significant of an impact you think this point has made – undoubtedly, significantly, remarkable, huge,
major, substantial – e.g. the congestion charge has made a remarkable/significant/huge/substantial impact on the
reduction of CO2 in the atmosphere. It has undoubtedly helped reduce pollution.
6. Link: refer back to the question – thus, therefore, consequently,
Body Paragraph 2 (FOR)
1. Cohesive language: in addition, furthermore, moreover,
2. Point: second argument to defend your point of view – another major point of interest is that…
3. Evidence: quotations, examples, life experiences, statistics
4. Explanation (supporting evidence): impact of your example/argument
5. Evaluation: how significant of an impact you think this point has made - this overcomes the problems associated with…
6. Link: link to the next paragraph or back to the question
Body Paragraph 3 (AGAINST)
1. Counterargument cohesive language: refutations – however, on the other hand, conversely
2. Point: first argument to counteract your viewpoint – there are a few points of contention to the prior viewpoint
including…the main argument that dominates is…
3. Evidence: quotations, examples, life experiences, statistics (must be realistic)
4. Explanation: impact of your example/argument
7. Evaluation: how significant of an impact you think this point has made – the primary challenge is…
5. Link: refer back to the question
Conclusion:
1. Concluding cohesive language: to conclude, in conclusion
2. Refer back to thesis statement: summarise and link main points - there are many reasons why…some of the main
arguments included…whereas a few counterarguments involved…
3. Your final answer and justification: degree of agreement – in my opinion, I strongly/somewhat feel/believe/think that…
because…
4. It depends on factors: However, this depends on… e.g. external factors, uptake of idea/policy.
5. Suggestions and recommendations: one way to get round this problem/obstacle/challenge would be to…
Semester 2, 2024-2025 Writing (C1) – Argumentative Essays Latifa Octavia

Essay Rubric (how written work is graded)

CATEGORY EXCEEDS THE STANDARD (A) MEETS THE STANDARD (B-C) DOES NOT MEET THE
STANDARD (D-F)
Purpose & The paper clearly compares The paper compares and The paper mostly compares and
supporting and contrasts points that are contrasts points clearly, but contrasts points clearly, but the
details sophisticated, offers specific the supporting information is supporting information is
examples to illustrate the general, and/or the points are incomplete or missing, and/or
_____/40 comparison, and includes only basic. The paper includes only may include information that is
points the information relevant to the information relevant to not relevant to the
the comparison. the comparison. comparison.

Organization & The paper breaks the The paper breaks the Organizational pattern not
structure information into point-by- information into point-by- identifiable. Some details are
point or block-by-block point structure or block-by- not in a logical or expected
_____/30 structure. It follows a block, but may not follow a order, and this distracts the
points consistent order when consistent order when reader.
discussing the comparison. discussing the comparison.
Transitions The paper moves smoothly The paper moves from one Transitions may be missing;
from one idea to the next and idea to the next, but may lack connections between ideas are
uses transition words and or misuse transition words to fuzzy or illogical.
_____/10 subtle transitions to show show relationships between
points relationships between ideas. ideas.

Grammar & Writer makes no errors in Writer makes 1-2 errors in Writer makes several errors in
spelling grammar or spelling that grammar or spelling that grammar or spelling that
(conventions) distract the reader from the distract the reader from the distract the reader from the
content. content. content.
_____/20
points

Rubric Breakdown (checklist):

 Clear and ample points for and against

 Sufficient supporting evidence for each main point discussed
 Simple and complex grammar structures are correctly used
 Correct spelling
 Appropriate punctuation
 Clear capitalisation where needed
 Cohesive language correctly used at the start of each paragraph and used within to connect ideas
 Paragraphs logically organised (intro – 2 paragraphs FOR – 1 paragraph AGAINST – conclusion)
 Natural flow of ideas in paragraphs (stick to explaining 1 idea in detail in each paragraph)

References (Citations)

After stating evidence, if using a source, you will need to add references and citations. Use Harvard style. Citations and
references can be generated electronically online or in Microsoft Word. You need to be able to recognise and use correct
referencing. LMJU full guide: Harvard LJMU Referencing Guide; Web source: Harvard Style Bibliography | Format &
Examples
Semester 2, 2024-2025 Writing (C1) – Argumentative Essays Latifa Octavia

Practice

Question 1:

Climate change is a big environmental problem that has become critical in the last couple of decades. Some people claim
that humans should stop burning fossil fuels and use only alternative energy resources, such as wind and solar power.
Others say that oil, gas and coal are essential for many industries and not using them will lead to economic collapse.
What is your opinion? Support your point of view with relevant examples.

Plan: very important stage to generate ideas (in black) and evidence (in red).

Fossil Fuels Renewable Sources

- Inexpensive and reliable - Better for the environment + less pollution
Economies of scale, long standing industry so well International Renewable Agency state wind and solar
developed but can be harmful to health and energy reduce CO2 and greenhouse gases – health
environment benefits – better for future generation
- Readily available - Replenish easily
Remains from millions of years ago but need to be ethanol, made from corn, can be grown quickly
extracted from ground (this can be expensive and (months) and has other uses and benefits e.g.
difficult) + finite amount remains farming industry
- Easy storage
Safer, less flammable; e.g. electric cars store energy in
batteries that are rechargeable

Main Body 1 (FOR)

Firstly, there are many significant reasons for using renewable energy sources on a large economic scale with arguments
including being better for the environment, easily replenishable, having a higher level of longevity and easier and safer
storage options. One of the biggest benefits is that using renewables causes lower levels of pollution. For example, the
US Environmental Protection Agency (United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2024) reports that coal fire power
plants emit large amounts of carbon dioxide and other harmful gases, whilst solar panels generate electricity without
this harmful side effect. According to Renogy (Renogy United States, 2024), more and more companies are installing
solar panels to power their industrial factories and significantly off-set their energy consumption with 1 in 10 companies
now adopting this method. Therefore, using renewables helps reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions,
leading to a cleaner environment whilst allowing companies to make monetary savings and become more sustainable
and environmentally friendly. Thus, it is my belief that moving away from fossil fuels will not result in detrimental
economic collapse but could substantially improve outcomes across the board.

References
Renogy United States, 2024. What Is Solar Energy Used For? The 9 Most Solar Panels Usages. [Online]
Available at: https://www.renogy.com/blog/solar-panels-usage-the-9-most-common-uses-of-solar-power/
[Accessed 12 February 2025].

United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2024. Learn about Energy and its Impact on the Environment. [Online]
Available at: https://www.epa.gov/energy/learn-about-energy-and-its-impact-environment
[Accessed 12 February 2025].
Semester 2, 2024-2025 Writing (C1) – Argumentative Essays Latifa Octavia

Question 2: (Argumentative Essay)

A lot of places in the world rely on tourism as a main source of income. Unfortunately, tourism can also be a source of
problems if it is not managed correctly. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of tourism in the modern world. Do
you think that the benefits of tourism outweigh its drawbacks?

Arguments for Arguments against

- Increased influx of money through spending - Overcrowding in popular touristic areas
- Rise in job opportunities for residents - Pollution and damage to environment + habitats
- Better investment taken in infrastructure - Loss of cultural and traditions e.g. Dubai

Use the information in the following table to write TWO body paragraphs about arguments for and arguments against
(refutations) tourism. Use appropriate argument expressions and linking words. Write a good topic sentence and a good
concluding sentence for each paragraph. Write supporting ideas (evidence + explanation) about each main idea. You can
write examples, facts, and/or explanations.

Example (CPEEEL): To begin with, there are many reasons in favour of tourism such as bettering a nation’s infrastructure
and creating networking opportunities. However, one of the biggest factors is that tourism acts as an economic
powerhouse, generating billions of dollars in revenue and creating millions of jobs worldwide. According to the World
Travel and Tourism Council, it contributed 10.4% of the global gross domestic product and supported 319 million jobs in
2018. The influx of foreign currency bolsters the host country’s economy, leading to infrastructure development, job
creation, and increased local business opportunities. This is of significant importance in developing economies, such as
Semester 2, 2024-2025 Writing (C1) – Argumentative Essays Latifa Octavia
Saudi Arabia, who are now welcoming tourists in a bid to diversify their economic portfolio. Thus, tourism acts as a huge
driver in many developing nations around the world providing a growing proportion of their income. (138 words)