argumentative writing (学案)

第1页/共5页 Argumentative Paragraph Writing

Task 1: Analysis of an argumentative paragraph

Study a sample argumentative paragraph and find out how it is organized.

In my view, working as a volunteer is a good way to improve young

people’s sense of social responsibility. First of all, working as a volunteer is a

big challenge to youth, for it provides them chances to engage in various

activities, such as serving the elderly, educating the illiterate and preserving the

environment. When they find they really can be of some help to others, they’ll

become more confident of their abilities. Also, there is a widespread proverb,

“a good exercise for the heart is bending down and helping someone to get up”,

which means that by offering help, young people touch the lives of others and

enrich their own. They learn to be helpful, and thus develop a good

understanding of love---to love is to give. Moreover, they gain experience from

voluntary work, which might be helpful to their future job. Nowadays, it’s

estimated that there have been 30 million registered volunteers in China,

which reflects the increasing social responsibility among youth.

Here are some suggested ways of writing an argumentative paragraph:

① Express your opinion clearly in a topic sentence.

② Give relevant and accurate reasons or facts as evidence.

③ Give examples or quotations.

④ Use transition words and phrases that signal your supporting evidence.

Task 2: How to present an argument

Go through a List of various ways to express an opinion as an argument and

voice your opinions based on some given topics.

I can’t agree more (with sb).

In common with sb, I agree that…

I firmly believe that…/ I entirely agree that …

When it comes to… / with regard to…, I prefer (to)…

As I see it/As for me/ personally/ from my point of view, I am in favor of…

Undoubtedly/ obviously…

It is advisable/ sensible/obvious that…

It seems to me that…

In fact/ indeed/ as a matter of fact, …

In my opinion, this point of view doesn’t hold water.

I don’t think it wise/ advisable to…

Voice your opinion with the help of the above expressions:

ways of travelling: Travel alone?

Career is more important than personal happiness!

health or wealth? 第2页/共5页 more time for individual study or less time?

wear school uniforms?

buy or rent before you are married?

Task 3: How to present an example

There are flexible expressions of presenting examples:

For example/ for instance/ for another example, …

Let’s take … as an example.

…is a typical example of …

A case in point is … / A good example to illustrate is …

Study how to present an example to support your argument.

① If we are to achieve our final goal, we have to do it step by step.

For example,

__________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

(为了短期内提高孩子的学业成绩，一些父母和老师倾向于给孩子增负，而这只会给孩子带来极大压力。)

A case in point is the ancient Chinese story of “helping the shoots grow by

pulling”. The story proves that the haste causes not only waste but great loss.

Or : For example, _________ is an ancient Chinese Story of “helping the

shoots grow by pulling”, ________ proves that the haste causes not only

waste but great loss.

② Here is an example of someone who keeps learning all the time:

Nola, An American woman, 95, the oldest college graduate,

love learning, interrupted education

Possible Versions:

___________, a 95-year-old American woman named Nola is the oldest

college graduate in history. She loved learning all her life although her

education was interrupted several times.

Nola, a 95-year-old American woman, __________________those who stick

to learning all the time. In spite of her interrupted education for several times,

she still ended up becoming the oldest college graduate in America. 第3页/共5页 ________________________is a 95-year-old American woman named Nola.

What surprises us is that she turns out to be the oldest graduate in history.

Though her education was once interrupted several times, she still had a great

passion for learning.

Task 4: How to give quotations

Brainstorm some sayings or proverbs you are familiar with and briefly discuss

what context they may fit in with.

Opportunities are only for the prepared minds.

Good health is the best wealth.

Actions speak louder than words.

Learn to walk before you run.

Do not teach fish to swim.

1. There is a widespread proverb, “_________________”, which means that

only when we are well prepared can we seize opportunities and become a

success.

2. We are all familiar with the Chinese saying that “________________”, so

health is what we should value most in our life.