Mastering Argumentative Essays: Structure and Techniques

Posted on Nov 19, 2024 in Philosophy and ethics

The Argumentative Essay: Definition

To argue is to provide data, reasons, or examples to prove a fact or defend an opinion with the intention to convince or persuade the listener. Argumentation is a discursive activity where an issuer justifies a thesis based on arguments or evidence to support that thesis or conclusion. Its purpose is to influence and convince the receiver of the validity of its reasoning, which dominates the conative function or appeals.

Linguistic Features:

  • The use of an orderly and logical syntax, with a predominance of causal connectors (because, that, etc.), consecutive (and therefore, so, etc.), final (so that, etc.), adversative (but, however, etc.), order (first, second, below), and completion (in short, to conclude, etc.) that give cohesion to the text.
  • The adaptation of the lexicon to the type of argument. If it is scientific, religious language prevails; if general, standard language.
  • The predominance of present tense verbs and frequent use of opinion in the first person (I think, I believe, etc.).
  • The presence of personal references in subjective arguments, such as personal and possessive pronouns and verb endings.
  • The appearance of deictic, mostly temporal (now, then, etc.).

Structure and Elements:

Introduction

Aims to present the thesis to be defended.

Thesis

It is the main idea around which the text is organized. The location of the thesis determines the argumentative text structure. This can be either inductive (the author develops their argument to reach the thesis) or deductive (the most common; the author presents the thesis or general idea supported by arguments).

Development

Must prove the accuracy of the hypothesis. It is the center of discourse and argues the reasons and refutes the thesis or conclusions of the adversary. It consists of the arguments or reasons provided by the issuer to defend their ideas (body of the argument).

Conclusion or Final Summary

It derives from the thesis and argument. It recalls the most relevant points and insists on the position adopted.

The Arguments

The arguments are the reasons, quotations, information, or evidence used by the issuer to defend their thesis. They provide informational support to the idea that is exposed, a justification of the opinion that is supported, and an explanation of the actions and feelings in colloquial speech, opinion, literary and personal letters, diaries, and poetry.

The most common are:

  • Arguments of Exemplification: They are based on concrete facts that support or refute the thesis.
  • Arguments of Evidence: They are based on citations, dates, or facts proven that do not depend on the person who argues.
  • Arguments of Authority: They rely on the opinion of recognized personalities who endorse the ideas defended by appointment by the issuer.
  • Arguments Based on Personal Experience: Personal arguments are unquestioned but do not provide objectivity. They are very effective in persuading the receiver.
  • Arguments in Rebuttal: They are the negation of the opposing arguments.
  • Fallacies: These are flawed arguments that are used voluntarily.

Areas of Arguments:

  • The scope of the media: Press releases and publicity.
  • Academic scope: Reports, monographs, some encyclopedias, factual texts, scientific and humanistic.
  • Social scope: Some legal texts and judgments and certain jobs, like commercials.

The Language of Argument:

The persuasive intent and degree of subjectivity of the arguments themselves determine the main features of these texts.

Lexical Features:

  • Using an abstract and connotative vocabulary (suggested another meaning other than their own, without exact correspondence with reality).
  • Use of maxims, proverbs, and concrete data. Arguments that do not depend on the person who argues.
  • Use of examples and references.
  • Prevalence of verbs of will, through which the opinion of the issuer is expressed. Verbs of thought and language are also used.
  • Use of evaluative expressions. There are plenty of adverbs and adjectives of evidence and reassurance.

Syntactic Features:

  • Prevalence of long sentences (declarative, interrogative, exclamatory, and hesitant).
  • Use of subordinate clauses.
  • Use of impersonal and passive reflexive sentences.
  • Using the first and third person because of the subjective nature of the argument.

Textual Features:

Discourse markers are used to organize ideas in a subjective way. These include: computers (first, second), oppositional (albeit, but nonetheless, etc.), causative (because), straight (well, then, etc.), and closer (I think, as we all know, etc.).

Variations of Argumentative Text:

  • The Subjective or Opinion Argument: It speaks from the arguer’s subjectivity and refers to their particular system of thought, giving rise to appreciative, ironic, and informal arguments. We find it in debates, interviews, discussions, letters, and opinion articles.
  • The Scientific Argument: The arguer speaks from objectivity and is based on documentation and research. The issuer usually presents their argument opposing it to others and then expresses their own conclusions. Often appears related to explanations, definitions, and exhibitions.