Pre-Lecture Activity:

Determine whether the

following sample essay is
persuasive or argumentative.
ADVERTISING MANIPULATES TRAVEL
DECISIONS
In the simplest form, advertising can be
defined as a kind of message or message
transmission that is designed to promote a
product, service, or a destination.
Today this basic marketing strategy has
become a natural part of an individuals
decision to travel. Considering that the $20
billion spent on advertisements in 1979 had
drastically risen to $160 billion in 2012 and
that in the course of a lifetime, one will see
about three years worth of advertisements
on television and approximately 3,000 ads
per day, a person may easily acknowledge
the impact of advertising on a persons
travel decisions (DiChiara, 2012,).
Nonetheless, Giselle Touzard (2013)
explains that advertising, which
originally intended to be a source of
information for people on the
availability of tourist spots, has
developed into an industry that shapes
peoples identity (para. 2). Coming in
various forms in print, audio, or visual
form advertisements not only
bombard tourists with deceiving
messages, but they also sell the ideas
of who we are and what we should do
or where we should travel.
Thus, advertisements are harmful
for the society owing to their
disruptive influence.
Writing an
Argumentative Essay
Persuasion vs. Argument
Persuasion and argument are often
used interchangeably.
Persuasion is a broad term, which
includes many tactics designed to
move people to a position, a belief, or
a course of action.
Argument is a specific kind of
persuasion based on the principles of
logic and reasoning.
Persuasive vs. Argumentative
Essays
In persuasive essays, you can select
the most favorable evidence, appeal
to emotions, and use style to
persuade your readers. Your single
purpose is to be convincing.
Argument, on the other hand, is
mainly about logical appeals and
involves claims, evidence, warrants,
backing, and rebuttals.
What is an argument?
Simply put, an argument is an opinion
(claim) supported by evidence.
Evidence can take on different forms
depending on the nature of the argument,
the purpose of the argument, and the needs
of the audience.

Something that is argumentative is not
and does not necessarily have to attempt
to persuade. An argument is simply an
opinion supported by evidence;
persuasion involves moving people to
act.
Although an argument doesnt have to
persuade people, an argument can implicitly be
persuasive.
Argument vs. Persuasion
When writing to persuade, writers employ a
variety of persuasive strategies.
1. Appeals to the credibility, character, or
authority of the writer (or speaker)when
writers establish that they are
knowledgeable and trustworthy, audiences
are more likely to believe what they say
2. Appeals to the audiences self-interest,
sense of identity, or emotions, any of which
can sway an audience
3. Persuasive writing never acknowledges that
there is another side to the argument.
Argument vs. Persuasion
A logical argument, on the other hand,
convinces the audience because of
perceived merit and reasonableness of the
claims and proofs offered rather than either
the emotions the writing evokes in the
audience or the character or credentials of
the writer.
Todays standards place special
emphasis on writing logical arguments
as a particularly important form of
college- and career-ready writing.
In summation, persuasive writing is not as
rigorous because it allows students to write
solely based on their experiences and
emotions, without having to gather evidence
and facts or consider the other side.
Elements of Argument
Qualifications
and rebuttals
refute
competing
claims
A claim
Based on
evidence
A warrant
explains how
evidence
supports the
claim
Backing
supports
the
warrants
Argument
Remember that Argumentative
Essay involves
the process of establishing a
claim
an effort of proving the claim
with the use of logical
reasoning
providing various examples
intensive research
The Essential Ingredients
of an Argument
An issue open to debate
Your position on the issue
Your reasons for that position
Evidence to support your reason
Experience, expert opinion, research
and statistics
Structure of a Classical
Argument
Introduction
Thesis Statement
Background Information
Reasons and Evidence
The Opposing View and the
Refutation
Conclusions
General Characteristics:
Argument Writing
Thesis states a narrowed and defined
argument
Text- and research-based
Evidence to support reasoning and
position is clearly and accurately
written
Refutes opposing arguments
Has a conclusion
Restates premise and summarizes
The Thesis Statement
is the most important sentence in your paper
is an assertion
answers the question: What am I trying to
prove?
brings focus to the entire essay
lets the reader know the main idea of the
paper
is not a factual statement or an
announcement of purpose, but a claim that
has to be proven throughout the paper.
The thesis statement or main claim
must be debatable.
An argumentative essay must have a
debatable thesis or claim.
In other words, the thesis statement
must be something that people could
reasonably have differing opinions
on.
REMEMBER: If your thesis is
something that is generally agreed
upon or accepted as fact, then there
is no reason to try to persuade
people.

The thesis statement or main claim
must be debatable.
Determine which of the following thesis
statements is arguable and which is not.
Explain why you say so.
Smoking is harmful to peoples health.
Marijuana should be legalized.

Smoking is harmful to peoples health.
Non-arguable
Marijuana should be legalized.
Arguable
The thesis statement or main claim
must be debatable.
Example of a non-arguable thesis
statement:
Prostitution increases the spread of
sexually-transmitted diseases.
Example of a arguable thesis
statement:
Prostitution is a phenomenon in
tourism and hospitality which, if
curbed, can lessen the tourist
performance of certain destinations.
Example of a Thesis Statement
Posting Facebook photos of minor
students drinking and smoking in a bar
should prompt school officials to ban
students from marching during their
graduation rites.
The German boyfriend and the sister of
slain transgender Filipino should be
penalized for the breach of security of an
American accused of murder.
Pregnant single women in the travel
management industry deserve maternity
benefits, too.
Example of a Thesis Statement
Hotels shall refuse to do business with
travel agencies or tour operators
identified as having connections with
prostitution.
Seatwork: (1/4 yellow pad)
Compose 2 samples of non-arguable
thesis statements and convert them
into arguable thesis statements.
Your thesis statements must be
related to the field of your
specialization.
Using a Reasonable Tone
Using a reasonable tone shows you
are fair-minded and therefore adds to
your credibility.
When you acknowledge the opposition
with balanced language, it shows that
your respect the opposing views.
No matter how passionate you are
about the issue, dont resort to
careless, harsh words; this would
show more about your than the issue.
Offering a Counterargument
Addressing the opposition
demonstrates your credibility as a
writer.
It shows that you have researched
multiple sides of the argument and
have come to an informed decision.
Remember, keep a balanced tone
when attempting to debunk the
opposition.

Counter-arguing Effectively
Conceding to some of your
oppositions concerns can
demonstrate respect for their opinions
Remain tactful yet firm
using rude or deprecating language can
cause your audience to reject your
position without carefully considering your
claims

The Argument Essay Checklist
The argumentative essay uses evidence to
both show ones own position and to refute
the opposing argument.
One way to organize this kind of essay is what we
call the claim and counter-claim format. You
should try to write at least five paragraphs for the
argument essay:
Start by introducing the topic and state or
explain your position.
Then use one paragraph to state each of
your points (supporting reasons), following
your statement with the evidence
(facts/examples) that proves or supports
your points.
You should try to have a minimum of 3 supporting
reasons/paragraphs.
The Argument Essay Checklist
Then follow your supporting reasons with at
least one paragraph with an opposing view
(opposing claim) and evidence that supports
the objection.
In this paragraph, you should also rebut
your counter claim(s) (counter point) and
its/their evidence (response to opposing
claim).
Conclusion:
restate your claim or position;
include a summary of supporting points, and
an assessment of rebuttals.
Argument Map
Introduce your claim (Be sure to state the
topic)
Supporting reason 1: Evidence (facts or
examples) to support reason 1:
Supporting reason 2: Evidence (facts or
examples) to support reason 2:
Supporting reason 3: Evidence (facts or
examples) to support reason 3:

Opposing claim: Response to opposing claim

Conclusion
ORGANIZING IDEAS INTO AN
ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY OUTLINE
Pro-Con Chart on TV Censorship
The five-paragraph
Argumentative Essay
A common method for writing an
argumentative essay is the five-
paragraph approach which consists of
1. an introductory paragraph (which
includes the thesis statement),
2. three evidentiary body paragraphs
that may include discussion of
opposing views, and
3. a conclusion.
Final Tips for Writing an
Argumentative Essay
Find a debatable topic.
Word your thesis carefully to provoke thought or
action.
Do research.
Make a pro-con chart.
Outline your arguments so that they are focused
and organized.
Anticipate objections and differing viewpoints and
show why your argument is stronger even if the
others have some merit.
Support all your claims with convincing evidence
and reasoned analysis.
Avoid logical fallacies; they weaken any argument.