Week 007-Module The Argumentative Text PDF

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English for Academic and Professional Purposes The Argumentative Text

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Week 007: The Argumentative Text This module discusses the features of argumentative text and word formation. An argument paper presents a strong claim to an issue . This kind of discourse is commonly used in writing and speaking. As students learning the language for academic and professional purposes, exposure to varied writing activities will prepare them for a more advanced academic writing. On the other hand, understanding origins of words expands vocabulary knowledge.

Objectives: At the end of this module, you will be able to: a. define an argumentative text. b. analyze the textual features of argumentative text; c. classify the argument. d. differentiate the type of argumentative text. e. identify the type of word formation; f. differentiate the type of argumentative text. g. define words using word formation technique; h. compose a well-written argumentative essay .

Features of Argumentative Text Argumentative style is not just a matter of linguistic ability ; on the contrary, it means ability to defend our personal point of view about an issue , by being aware of the social issues which enables us carry out everyday tasks. On defining Argumentation: In terms of communicative function, the term “argumentation” is used to define the operation of justifying an opinion or thesis through reasoning or argument with the aim of changing the views of other person. Argumentative Text – defined as a type of discourse concerned with presentation and evaluation of arguments to persuade and convince the audience.

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Arguments are classified into: 1. Positive Arguments – aimed to reinforce the truth of the thesis based on relevant authors, personal experience or analogy. 2. Negative Argument – aimed to refute the arguments or ideas against the main thesis to be developed. TYPES OF ARGUMENTATIVE TEXT 1. Subjective – the speaker or writer desire to communicate certain ideas to provoke the audience. The speaker or writer starts by presenting an argument either explicit or implicit before arriving at a conclusion. This type of argumentative text are found in the following: a. Speeches : political speeches, debates, interviews, radio and T.V reports, and informal conversations b. Written discourse: letters, press articles, opinion columns, business letters 2. Objective – also called scientific type, the speaker or writer speaks in an objective point of view based on a given data from bibliographic references of relevant authors, from author’s personal experience and by analogy. It involves exposition, explanation, definition or interpretation of a given issue. This type of argumentative text are found in the following: Research documents Experiments Direct observations Field reports Analysis reflecting statistics, tables diagram, illustrations photos, maps There Are 6 Main Steps in Developing Argumentative Text 1. Choosing an issue 2. Seeking an information 3. Planning 4. Writing down an argument 5. Presentation 6. Convince the audience in a reasonable way, a universal truth or idea.

English for Academic and Professional Purposes The Argumentative Text

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Structure of Argumentative Text I - Introduction : the proposition is presented in the thesis statement. The author can present the main argument in two ways: a. thesis statement – a problem to be solved b. by means of a suggestive and entertaining introduction to the theme through examples or references with the goal of getting the reader’s/ listener’s attention. II- Developmental Paragraphs a. Explanation of the Issue– the author can modify the opinions of the audience by making effective discourse when introducing the different approaches to the issue. b. Outline of argument – difficult points of the argument which must be presented in a concise, organized and coherent way. The argument is more effective in this part because the audience is better informed. c. Proofs/ evidences – supports main arguments with contributions from literary authorities and references ( uses cues such as “ as a matter of fact” , “ historically”, “what’s more”) , the purpose of which is to invite the audience or readers to reflect on them and consider the references to strengthen the arguments. d. Refutation – opposite thoughts of the argument are presented. Presenting the other side of the issue will establish more interest on the part of the audience. III – Conclusion - end the argument with a good summary of the opposite arguments, positive and negative which reflects the author’s position of an issue. The concluding statement will either present a universal truth or additional contribution to the issue.

In writing an argumentative text, you must choose one side and you’ll need to gather evidence and present a wellreasoned argument on a debatable issue.

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Textual Features of Argumentative Text 1. Cohesion - concerns unity of all sentences in a paragraph. A piece of writing has unity when all the ideas and information relate to the topic sentence or the thesis statement. In the example below, notice that the sentences relate to the topic sentence.

Summertime is the best time of all. The weather is warm and many people can participate in outdoor activities such as swimming, biking ,and hiking. Colorful trees and flowers are everywhere. The sounds of nature are good to hear, too. What’s more? There’s lot of activities to use the long days. Indeed, many will also enjoy summer time In the next paragraph, notice that the topic sentence is never developed:

Interviewers judge a job applicant on the basis of two chief factors: the person’s achievements and the person’s personality. Of course, some interviewers consider other factors as well. It’s also wise to learn as much as possible about a job before an interview.

Guidelines to achieve unity or cohesion in writing: a. Circle any sentence that do not relate to the topic sentence or the thesis statement. b. Rephrase those sentences – if possible – so that they fit with the topic sentence or thesis statement. c. Remove any sentences that you can not rephrase. 2. Coherence –It is presenting the ideas and sentences in a logical way. The text is semantically connected when ideas are related to each other, thus, the reader understands the concept. Guidelines in a coherent paragraph: a. Check for smooth flow from one sentence to another in a paragraph and from the paragraph to another in a longer piece of writing. b. Make sure each detail fits logically into your method of organization. c. Use transitions to show the relationship between sentences and between paragraphs.

English for Academic and Professional Purposes The Argumentative Text

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Argumentative text and persuasive writing are sometimes considered the same thing. However, an argument paper presents a stronger claim, suggesting specific ways, grounded on reasons supported and validated by facts. While a persuasive paper presents reasons and facts in a general way.

In presenting your argument, REMEMBER the guidelines below: 1. Avoid offending the readers with insults and abusive language. 2. Use facts to support your opinion. Facts are the most convincing evidence. 3. Organize your argument from the least important facts to the most important facts. If you do, you will end with your most convincing evidence. 4. Summarize your argument at the end by stating the course of action you feel the readers should take.

Understanding a Word through Word Formation English language has many words formed from other languages, historical facts or phenomena. It is advantageous in understanding academic texts when a learner has knowledge of how English words are formed. This lesson will discuss the different types of word formation, the meaning of each type and examples. 1. CLIPPING – a very common process in word formation. It is a shortened form of a word. To clip means to cut off the beginning or last part of the word. It may means cutting from both ends and leaving a part to stand for the whole.

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Phone – is a clipped form of telephone. Psycho – a clip form of psychology, the study of human behavior. Tarp – tarpaulin Net - from internet 2. BLENDING - fusing of two words together into one. Usually the first part of the word is blended with the last part of another word. The newly formed combined word then gets its meaning from the two words put together. Also called portmanteau, a combination of two words blended into one. First used by Lewis Caroll in “Through the Looking Glass”. Examples: Eurasian – either parents come from European and Asian Medicare – medical care Cosmonaut - cosmos ( meaning universe) and astronaut ( person who explore the outer space) Brunch - breakfast and lunch 3. COMPOUNDING – two or three words put together to make a full form. These two words are often written as separate words. It is also separated by a hyphen. Example: Runner –up – the second winner Pick up – a small truck used for transportation Walk out Self-service Trigger-happy 4. ACRONYMY - Words formed from initial letter or syllables of several words in succession Example: AWOL - Absence without leave LASER – Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation SCUBA – Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus UNESCO – United Nations Educational , Scientific and Cultural Organization 5 . FOLK OR POPULAR ETYMOLOGY – a change of word in part or in whole to make it more like a familiar word. This process is actually a misunderstanding of a word which later accepted as the correct meaning.

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Example: Bachelor – comes from the word baccalaria , meaning a grazing farm. A baccalarius was a person employed on a grazing farm. Later it came to mean a simple young knight who followed the banner of another.. Later in 1809, it refers to a man or woman taking a first degree at a university. The name was changed to baccalareaus which means an unmarried man. Caesarean – a birth delivery by surgical incision in the abdominal wall. The term is derived from the name Julius Caesar, a great Roman Emperor believed as the first to have been delivered in this manner. Achilles’ heel – from the story of Achilles, a Greek warrior, whose heel remained vulnerable . It means vulnerable point. Waterloo - means place of defeat. From Waterloo, Belgium – Napoleon Bonaparte’s Place of defeat.

Glossary: Argumentative Text - A kind of writing that involves presentation and evaluation of arguments to persuade and convince the audience. Acronymy – A process by which a new word is formed from the initial letters of several words in succession. Blending – Fussing or putting two words or parts of two words together to form a new word. Clipping – Cutting off the beginning or end of a word, leaving a part to stand for the whole. Coherence –A Systematic or logical connection of ideas and paragraphs within a piece of writing. Cohesion – Unity within the sentences and paragraphs of a piece of writing. Ideas and information are related to the topic sentences and thesis statement. Compounding – Forming a new word (with a possible new meaning) by putting two or more words together. Folk or Popular Etymology – A change in a word, either in part or in whole, to make it more like a familiar word or words.

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References: Books and Journals Brantley, C. and Miller, M. ( 2007) Effective Communication for Colleges. Singapore. Thomson South Western Villamin, A.M. et al (1994) Innovative Strategies in Communication Arts. Quezon City, Phoenix Publishing, Inc. Online Supplementary Reading Materials Argumentative Texts: Structures and Characteristics. Retrieved from https://oposinet.cvexpres.com/temario-de-ingles-secundaria/temario-2ingles-secundaria/topic-34-argumentative-texts-structure-andcharacteristics/ Retrieved on July 21, 2016. Online Video Resources Argument Essay https://www.coursera.org/learn/advanced-writing/lecture/K2pRt/writinglonger-essays-video-lecture...