Argumentative Essay body paragraphs

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 4,6

Argumentative Essay

Body paragraphs

Body paragraphs

This section is the core of the argumentative essay. 

Here you present your ideas that support the thesis statement in a clear and structured manner --> body par. 1+2
You then state the strongest point of the counter-side of your issue --> body par. 3

In the next paragraph you will refute the counter argument to show why your position is the correct one --> body par. 4

The body paragraphs are the most important paragraphs in your argumentative essay. They contain arguments to convince your reader to agree with you. If you do not offer plausible explanations, you are not likely to convince your reader.

POINT

The first sentence of the paragraph contains the POINT you want to make, (either in favour of or against the thesis statement. Starting with the point helps the reader understand what you are going to argue in that paragraph. 

POINT

Let’s have a look at an example of a sentence stating the point of a paragraph supporting the thesis statement Helmets should be obligatory for cyclists in the Netherlands.

First of all, a helmet will make sure fewer cyclists are killed or injured in traffic.

EVIDENCE

After the point you will present some EVIDENCE

First of all, a helmet will make sure fewer cyclists are killed or injured in traffic. A helmet is made of hard plastic on the outside and a few centimetres of polystyrene on the inside. Together, these layers protect the cyclist’s head in an accident. 

Example

First of all, a helmet will make sure fewer cyclists are killed or injured in traffic. A helmet is made of hard plastic on the outside and a few centimetres of polystyrene on the inside. Together, these layers protect the cyclist’s head in an accident. For example, if the cyclist falls off the bike and hits the asphalt, the helmet will break the fall and reduce the risk of serious head injuries. 

To help structure your ideas for the reader, you make use of linking words.

First of all, a helmet will make sure fewer cyclists are killed or injured in traffic. A helmet is made of hard plastic on the outside and a few centimetres of polystyrene on the inside. Together, these layers protect the cyclist’s head in an accident. For example, if the cyclist falls off the bike and hits the asphalt, the helmet will break the fall and reduce the risk of serious head injuries. 

Another example

The thesis statement is: 

Public transport should be free in the Netherlands.

POINT

Most importantly, free public transport will reduce global warming.

EVIDENCE

Most importantly, free public transport will reduce global warming. Cars emit great amounts of CO2, which is a gas that is harmful for the environment. It increases the greenhouse effect and therefore contributes to global warming. 

Example

Most importantly, free public transport will reduce global warming. Cars emit great amounts of CO2, which is a gas that is harmful for the environment. It increases the greenhouse effect and therefore contributes to global warming. So, if more people take the train or go by bus to work, there will be fewer cars on the road and thus less CO2 and that is better for the environment.

Linking words

Most importantly, free public transport will reduce global warming. Cars emit great amounts of CO2, which is a gas that is harmful for the environment. It increases the greenhouse effect and therefore contributes to global warming. So, if more people take the train or go by bus to work, there will be fewer cars on the road and thus less CO2 and that is better for the environment.

REFUTATION

In this paragraph you refute the counter argument of the paragraph before. Here you show the reader that you are aware of your opponents’ view, but that the opposition is still not as strong as your main argument. You really need to convince your reader in this paragraph.

This paragraph often starts with transitions like: Even though…..(summing up of counter arguments), or It’s true that…(summing up of counter arguments), However, …… followed by reasons refuting the validity of these arguments which helps in further strengthening the essay’s argument. 

ASSIGNMENT

Remember last week's introduction?

now write:

• one body paragraph in favour (of thesis statement)
• one paragraph against (thesis statement)
• refutation paragraph (here you refute the counter argument)