IDENTIFYING

THE STRUCTURAL
ELEMENTS OF AN
ARGUMENTATIVE TEXT
GRADE 10 - SHS
by Ms. Jascha Mae B. Hernandez
 ACTIVITY 1:
WOULD YOU RATHER...
ACTIVITY 1: WOULD YOU RATHER...

1. Would you rather be the

smartest person of all time or the
most beautiful person of all
time?
ACTIVITY 1: WOULD YOU RATHER...

2. Would you rather be born a

hundred years in the past or a
hundred years in the future?
ACTIVITY 1: WOULD YOU RATHER...
3.Would you rather have the
ability to read people's thoughts
or the ability to influence their
actions?
 ANALYSIS
• What did you feel while thinking of
your answers to the questions?
• Were you able to answer quickly or did
you have to think about it carefully
before answering the questions?
• Did you realize something while
reflecting on your answers?
 IDENTIFYING
THE STRUCTURAL
ELEMENTS OF AN
ARGUMENTATIVE TEXT
 WHAT IS AN
ARGUMENTATIVE
ESSAY?
 An argumentative essay is a genre of
writing that requires the students to
investigate a topic, collect, generate,
and evaluate evidence, and establish a
position on the topic in a concise
manner. An argumentative essay
must establish a clear thesis and
follow sound reasoning.
 PURPOSE
Convince the reader of an opinion
about something. The writer argues
his or her point, gives reasons to
support it, and tries to convince the
reader.
 FUNCTIONS OF ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY:
An argumentative essay presents both sides of an issue.
However, it presents one side more positively or meticulously
than the other one, so that readers could be convinced to the one
the author intends. The major function of this type of essay is to
present a case before the readers in a convincing manner,
showing them the complete picture.
Choosing a topic is extremely important. You can argue for
(pro) or against (con) certain topics. If the topic does not have two
viewpoints, your essay will not be effective.
STRUCTURES OF AN
ARGUMENTATIVE
ESSAY
STRUCTURES OF AN ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY

A clear, concise, and defined thesis statement that

occurs in the first paragraph of the essay.
• In the first paragraph of an
argumentative essay, you should
set the context by reviewing the
topic in a general way. Next, you
should explain why the topic is
important (exigency) or why
readers should care about the
issue.
STRUCTURES OF AN ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY

A clear, concise, and defined thesis statement that

occurs in the first paragraph of the essay.
• Lastly, you should present the
thesis statement (one sentence
that expresses the main idea,
making a claim that directly
answers a question). This thesis
statement must be appropriately
narrowed to follow the
guidelines outlined in the
assignment. If you do not master
this portion of the essay, it will
be quite difficult to compose an
effective essay.
STRUCTURES OF AN ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY

Thesis statement

Topic: Education for everyone

Pro: Education should be accessible for
everyone because it plays a large part in
the socialization of children in society.
Con: Education should not be accessible
for everyone. Children can experience
socialization anywhere.
STRUCTURES OF AN ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY

Thesis statement

Topic: Students' uniforms

Pro: Students should have to wear uniforms.
Con: Students should not have to wear uniforms.
STRUCTURES OF AN ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY

Clear and logical transitions between the

introduction, body, and conclusion.
• Transitions are the mortar that
holds the foundation of the essay
together. Without logical
progression of thought, the
reader is unable to follow the
essay’s argument, and the
structure will collapse.
Transitions should wrap up the
idea from the previous section
and introduce the idea that is to
follow in the next section.
STRUCTURES OF AN ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY

Body paragraphs that include evidential support.

• Each paragraph should be limited to the
discussion of one general idea. This will allow
for clarity and direction throughout the essay.
In addition, such conciseness creates an ease
of readability for one’s audience. It is
important to note that each paragraph in the
body of the essay must have some logical
connection to the thesis statement in the
opening paragraph. Some paragraphs will
directly support the thesis statement with
evidence collected during research. It is also
important to explain how and why the
evidence supports the thesis.
STRUCTURES OF AN ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY

Body paragraphs that include evidential support.

• However, argumentative essays should
also consider and explain differing
points of view regarding the topic.
Depending on the length of the essay,
you should dedicate one or two
paragraphs of an argumentative essay to
discussing conflicting opinions on the
topic. Rather than explaining how these
differing opinions are wrong outright,
you should note how opinions that do
not align with their thesis might not be
well-informed or how they might be out
of date.
STRUCTURES OF AN ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY

Evidential support (whether factual, logical, or statistical).

• The argumentative essay
requires well-researched,
accurate, detailed, and current
information to support the thesis
statement and consider other
points of view. Some factual,
logical, or statistical evidence
should support the thesis.
However, you must consider
multiple points of view when
collecting evidence.
STRUCTURES OF AN ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY

Evidential support (whether factual, logical, or statistical).

• As noted in the previous paragraph,
a successful and well-rounded
argumentative essay will also discuss
opinions not aligning with the
thesis. It is unethical to exclude
evidence that may not support the
thesis. It is not the stuqent’s job to
point out how other positions are
wrong outright, but rather to explain
how other positions may not be
well-informed or up-to-date on the
topic.
STRUCTURES OF AN ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY

A conclusion that does not simply restate the thesis, but

readdresses it in light of the evidence provided.
• It is at this point in the essay that you
may begin to struggle. This is the
portion of the essay that will leave the
most immediate impression on the
mind of the reader. Therefore, it must
be effective and logical. Do not
introduce any new information into the
conclusion; rather, synthesize the
information presented in the body of
the essay.
• Restate why the topic is important,
review the main points, and review your
thesis.
THE FIVE-PARAGRAPH ESSAY
 Write down all your
ideas. Make a list of
things that you think
will contribute to your
argument no matter
how big or small.
Choose a topic that
you like or especially
something that you
are passionate about.

CHOOSE A TOPIC
 Organize the flow of
your ideas. Make sure
your arguments,
counterarguments,
claims, and evidences
will align and make sense
with each other.

You are ready to write

your essay once you
have gathered enough
facts and ideas for your
essay.

WRITE YOUR ESSAY

 THE FIVE-PARAGRAPH ESSAY
•A common method for writing an
argumentative essay is the five-paragraph
approach. This is, however, by no means the
only formula for writing such essays. If it sounds
straightforward, that is because it is; in fact, the
method consists of:
a. an introductory paragraph;
b. three evidentiary body paragraphs that
may include a
discussion of opposing views; and,
c. a conclusion.
Activity 2: Best Movie Ever Made
(Think-Pair-Share)

Directions: You will be given a

worksheet that you will work on with a
partner. In this worksheet, you will
decide which movie you think is the
best that was ever made and you are
going to write the reasons and
evidence as to why you think this
movie is the best. You will then
compare your worksheet with your
partner in order to cite your
concessions and refutations/rebuttals.
 Rubrics:
Criteria 2 1 0
Exemplary Satisfactory Needs Improvement
I. Reason Contains an arguable Reasons provided are
claim that develops bland and does not
fresh insight contain an arguable
claim
II. Evidence Provided valid Evidence provided
evidence to support does not support the
the reason reason at all
III. Counterclaim The counterclaim The counterclaim Does not match with
matches with their matches with their their partner’s topic
partner’s topic partner’s topic rut
there are unnecessary
statements added
IV. Concession/Counter- Cited valid points Cited accurate points The points cited are
Argument from their partner’s from their partner’s not accurate from
evidence accurately evidence but the their partner’s
statements are not evidence and the
clear statements do not
make sense.
V. Refutation/Rebuttal Acknowledges the Refutation missing or Refutations are weak
opposing view and vague. Obvious lack and there are no
summarizes their of sound, logical logical arguments
main points argument throughout stated
 ASSIGNMENT:
Directions: Write an argumentative essay. Choose a topic
from the list below. Follow the format given in the
discussion.

Topics:
• Is society too dependent on technology? (Due to
increasing over-dependence on technology many
people struggle to think for themselves.)
• Gender Expectations: Do you ever find gender
expectations or norms confining?
• Can art be an act of resistance?
THANK YOU FOR
LISTENING!
Contact information:
[email protected]
09165523160