Argumentation English: Structure & Examples

You should read this statement. Why? Because afterwards you can write an argument that convinces other people. If you z. For example, if you’ve always wanted a dog, you could use arguments to persuade your parents to buy you one.

When you have an argument, you write one opinion on a specific topic and bring it along strong arguments and examplesto solidify your point of view. This means:

One argumentation is a text that presents arguments on a subject and justifies a particular opinion. To this end, arguments are lined up and illustrated with examples. An argument is written in the simple present.

Writing arguments in English

In English lessons you are often asked to give arguments. To write a persuasive argument, you need an interesting topic that you have something to say about. But how can you find such a topic?

Argumentation in English – Topics

The topic is often given by your teacher, so you only have to find suitable arguments. However, if you are free to choose, it makes sense to choose something that you have a lot to say about. To stimulate your creativity a bit, here are some examples:

  • why homework shouldn’t take more than an hour a day
  • Dogs are better pets than hamsters
  • Should tablets be used in schools?
  • why gender identities should be discussed in school
  • Cafeterias should offer vegan and vegetarian options

The topics for an argument are diverse.

Argumentation English – Arguments

As the name of the argument suggests, this is done by arguments carried.

The most important thing about an argument is the strong pro or con arguments that you as the author provide. In the following places you can find justifications to convincingly present your point of view:

1. Do you already have the topic treated in class? Then you have probably already picked up and noted down some ideas and arguments. You can also use this for your argument.

2. textbooks can be a good source for your pros or cons. Look in the relevant chapter for sensible arguments for your point of view.

3. in conversations with your classmates or other people in your environment, ideas could develop that are useful for your argument. So go into the exchange and talk to people with whom you can discuss.

4. Last but not least is this Internet another, very often used source. However, make sure that the sources come from a reputable site and correspond to the truth.

Reputable sites are those that themselves cite sources from which they draw their arguments. A question and answer portal e.g. B. is a page where you will find arguments, but no documented facts with which to support those arguments. You can also find inspiration in the following explanations: «Discussion Topics», «Coming of Age», «Youth Culture», «Making a Difference» and «Role Models». Click through!

Argumentation English – Pro and Con arguments

In an argument, you can also use arguments that do not support your opinion. You use these arguments either to weigh them up or to refute them and then make a stronger pro-argument.

This means that it makes sense to create a list of pros and cons that are relevant to your topic. The best way to do this is in a table:

Topic: Should tablets be used in schools?

Since your argument will probably be written in English, you can fill out the list directly in English. This step also helps you to find a side for your argument: the side for which you find more and stronger arguments should be taken in the argument.

Once you’ve found your arguments, you can sort them by their strength. This means that you decide which arguments are particularly convincing – these are your stronger arguments. As described above, you start with the weakest argument and end with the strongest. You can also note this in the table. For example like this, with a numbering (one is the strongest, three the weakest argument):

Per

cons

  • The internet contains all the latest information. While a textbook might become outdated, the internet will not. (1)
  • Teaching about the newest technologies and giving students the opportunity to work with tablets will give them a better understanding of technologies in general. (2)
  • Tablets can be used for games and other distractions which should not be part of everyday school life. (1)
  • Studies show that writing by hand helps to remember the written facts. Typing on a tablet does not achieve the same effect. (2)

The arguments marked with a one are the strongest arguments and should come last so that they are remembered by the reader. If you have done all the steps mentioned above, you already have a rough draft of the content of your argument and can start writing!

Argumentation English – Structure

In order to write a meaningful argument and provide persuasive arguments, you should follow a clear structure. The structure consists of classic Introduction Main Part and Conclusion.

introduction

In the introduction or Introduction, you get into the topic and arouse the interest of the readers. If you remember the sample topic from above, an introduction to an argument might look like this:

Should tablets be used in schools?

In the following argument, I discuss whether tablets should be used in schools.

As you can see, the topic is mentioned here and it is mentioned that you are writing an argument.

Formulations and sentence beginnings for the introduction

You can start your argumentation with the following formulations and sentence beginnings:

EnglishGermanIn the following argumentation, I show that…In the following argumentation, I show that…The topic of this argumentation is…The topic of this argumentation is…Due to recent events, the subject of … has come up time and time again. Because of current events, the topic has come up again and again.

Bulk

Of the main part or main part is the heart of your argument. Here you deliver your previously collected and ordered arguments. Start with the weakest argument and bring the strongest arguments last so that you convince the readers at the end of your argument.

structure of an argument

So you know that your strongest arguments come towards the end of your body. But how do you write an argument? You start with that claimthat of a Reason followed and with one example ends. You can see this structure as the three B’s remember that make up an argument.

Write a separate paragraph for each argument to make the text easier to read. The following table shows you three arguments that can appear one after the other in the main part. On the left you can see the individual elements of the argument to make the difference between the three B’s clearer.

Structure of the argumentsExampleAssertionAn aspect to consider is the fact that tablets are capable of more than school related tasks and therefore create distractions.JustificationStudents may be tempted to use other features of the tablet. This will lead to them not following the teachers instructions and hence they will not understand what is tought at school. ExampleThese distractions come especially in the form of games since students only have to open the App Store and download whatever game they want.ClaimHowever, the input of school books can become outdated, while the internet stays up to date. Hence the tablet enables students to be well informed about a topic. Justification Letting students use tablets to research topics will help in getting the newest input possible. Therefore they get educated on topics that are changing, making them able to think critically and not only rely on old text book material.ExampleThis helps for example in subjects like politics or economics where new strategies or resolutions are adopted quite often.Another argument for using tablets in school is the importance of new technologies in the job market. JustificationMany companies expect that new employees not only were trained in digital competences but also know how to use the hardware that is given to them. ExampleFor example do craftspeople use a tablet quite often when driving from one client to another. To have all the important information with them they usually have a tablet, which provides everything needed about the client, the needed materials, ect.

Depending on the required scope of your argument, you do not have to provide an example for every assertion. It is a good idea to add an example to the last and strongest argument to demonstrate the scope of the argument. The individual arguments were introduced with a connecting word (moreover) and a previously inserted paragraph.

Formulations and beginnings of sentences for the main part

You can supplement the main part of your argument with the following formulations and sentence beginnings:

EnglishGermanFurthermore/Moreover/Additionally…Besides…Firstly/Secondly/Thirdly…Erstens/Zweits/Drittens… However…Allerdings…

For more connecting words check out the «Connectives» explanation!

Conclusion

After you have written the main part, you can go to the Conclusion or the Conclusion pass over Here you write a short and concise summary of your opinion, which you have justified in the previous paragraphs with strong arguments. Here is the conclusion of the example topic:

All in all, I think there is no right or easy answer to whether or not tablets should be used in school. A regulated use of technology is helpful and necessary in today’s learning and teaching world. While tablets can become a distraction, the arguments for using them outweigh the possibility of misuse.

In the conclusion you bring no new arguments! You just summarize the argument.

As you can see, you don’t have to be unique for a page either. Your conclusion can also be that an intermediate route would be the right choice.

Formulations and sentence beginnings for the conclusion

You can introduce the conclusion of your argumentation with the following phrases:

EnglishGermanTo conclude/All in all/To sum up…In summary…Having considered all these reasons…Under consideration of all these reasons…It is clear that…It is clear that…

Argumentation English – The most important thing

  • With an argument you take a position on a certain topic and show your opinion through strong arguments.

  • You can find arguments through school material, specialist books, in conversations with friends, family or experts or with the help of the Internet.

  • In preparation for an argument, a list of pros and cons can help you. You list all the arguments that you can think of, see which side is more convincing for you and sort the arguments by strength. You do this so that when you write, you put your strongest argument last…