高级英语写作：WritingParagraphs

⾼级英语写作：WritingParagraphs

Writing Paragraphs

1. Argumentative Essay

Definition: In this kind of essay, we not only give information but also present an argument with the PROS (supporting ideas)and CONS (opposing ideas) of an argumentative issue. We should clearly take our stand and write as if we are trying topersuade an opposing audience to adopt new beliefs or behavior. The primary objective is to persuade people to changebeliefs that many of them do not want to change.

Argumentative or persuasive essays?

While some teachers consider persuasive and argument papers to be basically the same thing, it’s usually safe to assumethat an argument paper presents a stronger claim—possibly to a more resistant audience.

For example: while a persuasive paper might claim that cities need to adopt recycling programs, an argument paper on thesame topic might be addressed to a particular town. The argument paper would go further, suggesting specific ways that arecycling program should be adopted and utilized in that particular area.

议论⽂是⼀种议论说理的⽂章，以抽象的思维形式，通过运⽤概念、判断、推理等逻辑形式

论证和阐述作者的观点，表明作者赞成什么，反对什么。议论⽂的⽬的主要是说服别⼈接受

或⽀持某种观点、同意所提出的某项决策或采取所倡导的某种⾏动。

议论⽂写作必须做到论点明确、论据充分、论证严密。议论⽂强调准确性和逻辑性，注重篇

章结构，讲究修辞模式。另外，议论⽂常使⽤规范的书⾯语，更能增添⽂章的厚重感和读者

对⽂章的信任感。2. When to use argumentative essays

●When you are agreeing or disagreeing with sth or sb.

●When you have an opinion and try to convince your readers to accept your opinions.

3. Structure of argumentative essays

What are the features of an effective argumentative essay?

An effective argumentative essay needs to meet the following specific requirements.

It introduces and explains the problem or issue, sometimes tracing its causes,

In some cases it states the possible positions to be taken on the problem.

It states the position that this essay will take.

It offers proof that the position taken in this essay is reasonable to hold.

It anticipates objections to this specific position and refutes them.

It affirms this position and makes a final appeal.

Before starting writing, it is imperative to make a list of these ideas and choose the most suitable ones among them forsupporting and refuting.

Three possible organization patterns of an argumentative essay:

Pattern 1 Pattern 2 Pattern 3

Thesis statement Thesis statement Thesis statement

PRO idea 1 CON(s) + Refutation(s) CON idea 1 ----->

Refutation PRO idea 2 PRO idea 1 CON idea 2 ----->Refutation

CON(s) + Refutation(s) PRO idea 2 CON idea 3 ----->

Refutation

Conclusion Conclusion Conclusion

Note 1: the typical 3-unit/part pattern.

Note 2: the olive-shaped structure.

A model of a good argumentative essay

The following suggestion takes the form of a model that highlights what one might expect to find

in the three main parts of a good argumentative essay. In trying to master the model, you should

not inadvertently become a slave to it. Otherwise, your essays will become rigid and sterile. Instead, use this as a mentalchecklist that you can build upon and even be playful with, developing in the process a confident, independent and originalvoice.

A. Introduction

1. Identify and state your

objects of analysis. The topic or question will often ask you to discuss central texts, key ideas or concepts, issues, or acombination of these.

2. Provide some background to

the thesis and reveal the

motive for arguing it. An effective description of the context, situation or problem can demonstrate why the thesis is interestingand worth arguing. Here is your chance to convince your readers (including the marker) that your essay is worth reading—something not to be taken for granted!

3. Formulate and state your

thesis. A thesis is a clearly articulated general idea that expresses the main point you want to argue in your essay. It shouldbe:

sufficiently focused and narrow so that it can be fully discussed in your essay;

a position that is debatable, and dependent on the strength of evidence and logical

development; not a simple statement of

fact, a declaration of belief that cannot be

reasonably substantiated, a tautological or

circular expression, an obvious point, and

so on;

B. Body

1. Construct your arguments. To develop your thesis, you will need to construct a

series of smaller supporting arguments that are

relevant to the thesis. While every argument should

be directed to the thesis, the individual arguments should not simply be linked together as a random chain of implicitly relatedbut distinct reasons. Instead, they should follow a coherent and logical sequence that builds up, often dramatically, to aconvincing and satisfying restatement of the thesis in the conclusion.

Using clear topic sentences that state the main point of each paragraph can help you to be sensitive to the shape of your