V6 Writing an Argumentative Essay

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 6

Period 3 Argumentative Essay

The assignment (p. 31 - 32)

For this test you are allowed to use a dictionary and the language functions in Exam.net! You will not be able to use an online dictionary. You are to write a 5-paragraph essay of approximately 500-600 words with the following elements:

* an appealing title

* an introduction paragraph with a thesis statement

* three supporting paragraphs

* a concluding paragraph

The assignment (p. 31 - 32)

Choose one of the following issues:

(read the information given in the reader)
 

- Privacy for criminals

- Animal testing

- X-factor/The Voice of Holland/Popstars/So you think you can dance

- High wages in business

- Binge drinking 

Step 1: Choose a topic

Read the texts and choose the topic that you have the strongest opinion about.

Choosing a topic

Scan the five topics. 

- What is the main topic of each prompt?

- On which topic do you have the strongest opinion?

- Or: For which one do you find it easiest to find supporting arguments?

Read the text you chose carefully.

Step 2: Your outline

Writing an outline

Parts of the outline of an article of opinion:

• Hook
• Statement
• 2 or 3 arguments that support your statement
• Examples for every argument
• Concluding statement

Where in an argumentative essay do you write the statement?

1. At the start of the introduction
2. In the middle of the introduction
3. At the end of the introduction
4. In the first line of the body

The statement

You always start with the statement (your opinion).

The statement should be debatable: people should be able to disagree with you.

Tip: start with the word 'Therefore,' and use the verb 'should'.

Which of these is a good / the best statement?

1. The question is whether teenagers younger than 18 are responsible enough to vote.
2. People younger than 18 should not be allowed to vote.
3. Should teenagers younger than 18 be allowed to vote?
4. People younger than 18 are not responsible enough to vote.

Example

If you have to write about whether you are looking for job satisfaction or a high salary, you could write the following statement:

Therefore, finding genuine satisfaction in one’s work is more valuable than earning a high income.

Revision: Which of these is a good statement?

1. If people don’t have travel insurance, they have to pay a lot for emergency healthcare while on holiday.
2. The question is whether people need travel insurance.
3. Is travel insurance worth the money?
4. Everyone who travels abroad should have travel insurance.

New: Which of these is a good argument?

1. If people don’t have travel insurance, they have to pay a lot for emergency healthcare while on holiday.
2. The question is whether people need travel insurance.
3. Is travel insurance worth the money?
4. Everyone who travels abroad should have travel insurance.

Your arguments

For your argumentative essay, you have to come up with 3 arguments that SUPPORT your opinion (or 2 that support your opinion and 1 counterargument that you refute).

You could also say: your arguments are the reasons why you believe the statement to be true.

Example

Now you have to develop your arguments. Why do you believe finding genuine satisfaction in one’s work is more valuable than earning a high income?

Argument 1: Deriving genuine enjoyment from one’s job significantly enhances both mental and physical well-being.

Argument 2: Individuals who take pleasure in their work tend to demonstrate greater motivation, commitment, and productivity, qualities that often pave the way for professional success and, in many cases, increased financial rewards over time.

Argument 3: When people find genuine enjoyment in their work, maintaining a healthy balance between professional responsibilities and personal life becomes far more achievable, allowing them to remain positive, nurture relationships, and dedicate time to personal interests and leisure.

Your arguments

On your opinion organizer, state three arguments that support the statement that you have chosen.

Remember, arguments are REASONS why your statement is true.

Use a linking word (Choose from: Firstly, / Secondly, / Moreover, / In addition, / Finally, ) at the start of your argument.

Supporting Details

Now you have found your arguments, you will have to back them up. This is where you need the information from the lessons about media literacy.

The first sentence (the topic sentence) in a body paragraph is the argument. The rest of the paragraph consists of the explanation, examples and facts.

Example

The first body paragraph:

Argument (topic sentence)

Firstly, deriving genuine enjoyment from one’s job significantly enhances both mental and physical well-being.

Supporting details

- People who enjoy their jobs wake up feeling positive and excited to start the day.

- They are less likely to suffer from stress, anxiety, or burnout.

- A happy worker is more likely to have good relationships with colleagues and family.

Your supporting details

On your opinion organizer, state at least two supporting details per argument.

Use key words (you don't need entire sentences yet)!

The hook

How can you grab the reader's attention? You will have to make the first sentence(s) interesting enough.

An intriguing rhetorical question

A surprising fact or statistic

An interesting anecdote

An evocative image or description

A common misconception

Example

If this is your statement:

Therefore, finding genuine satisfaction in one’s work is more valuable than earning a high income.

Your hook could be:

In a world where success is often measured by salary figures, the true value of personal fulfillment in the workplace is frequently overlooked.

Or:

Have you ever thought about whether it is better to earn a lot of money or to truly enjoy your job?

Your hook

On your opinion organizer, write down what your hook will be. How do you grab the reader's attention?

Choose from:

An intriguing rhetorical question

A surprising fact or statistic

An interesting anecdote

An evocative image or description

A common misconception

The concluding statement

An ending or concluding statement should give a sense of closure to your readers. Your last statement should be catchy and prove the importance of your ideas/opinions.

Your last sentence could also be a call to action, if you believe something has to change.

Example

If this is your statement:

Therefore, finding genuine satisfaction in one’s work is more valuable than earning a high income.

This could be your concluding statement:

Money may pay the bills, but only doing what we love can bring real joy and satisfaction to our life.

Your concluding statement

On your opinion organizer, write down what your concluding statement will be. Just like the hook, this needs to grab the reader's attention and leave them with something to think about.

Your final outline

What you have now created is the outline for your argumentative essay. Creating the outline takes up most time in the writing process. If you have created a good outline, you will have a much easier time writing the rest of your essay.

Tip: start the test by creating this outline!

Step 3: From Outline to Essay

Using the outline

This is the outline for the article about high salary versus job satisfaction:

Hook: In a world where success is often measured by salary figures, the true value of personal fulfillment in the workplace is frequently overlooked.

Statement: Therefore, finding genuine satisfaction in one’s work is more valuable than earning a high income.

Argument 1: Deriving genuine enjoyment from one’s job significantly enhances both mental and physical well-being.

Argument 2: Individuals who take pleasure in their work tend to demonstrate greater motivation, commitment, and productivity, qualities that often pave the way for professional success and, in many cases, increased financial rewards over time.

Argument 3: When people find genuine enjoyment in their work, maintaining a healthy balance between professional responsibilities and personal life becomes far more achievable, allowing them to remain positive, nurture relationships, and dedicate time to personal interests and leisure.

Concluding statement: Money may pay the bills, but if only doing what we love can bring real joy and satisfaction to our life.

From outline to article

What you have to do now is connect the ideas on your outline with complete sentences.

In the introduction, you have to get from the hook to the statement. How do you link those two?

In the body paragraphs, you have to use complete sentences to give examples and facts.

In the conclusion, you have to summarise your arguments and restate your statement. You have to use different sentences than in the rest of the essay.

Example: Introduction

The first sentence in your introduction is your hook:

In a world where success is often measured by salary figures, the true value of personal fulfillment in the workplace is frequently overlooked.

The last sentence in your introduction is your statement:

Therefore, finding genuine satisfaction in one’s work is more valuable than earning a high income.

What can you write to connect these two?

-> Give some background information about the problem.

-> Use linking words to connect your ideas and sentences

Example: Introduction

In a world where success is often measured by salary figures, the true value of personal fulfillment in the workplace is frequently overlooked. Many people are taught from a young age to chase high-paying careers, believing that financial success guarantees happiness and security. However, this mindset often leads to stress, dissatisfaction, and even burnout. While money can provide comfort and meet basic needs, it does not necessarily bring lasting contentment. In contrast, those who find meaning and enjoyment in their work tend to lead healthier, more balanced lives. Therefore, finding genuine satisfaction in one’s work is more valuable than earning a high income.

Your introduction

Which topic did you choose?

What is your hook?

What is your statement?

What can you write to connect the two?

Body Paragraphs

You start a body paragraph with a linking word (Choose from: Firstly, / Secondly, / Moreover, / In addition, / Finally, ).

The first sentence is the topic sentence: your argument.

The rest of the paragraph consists of the explanation, examples and facts. In addition, you have to link your argument back to the statement.

Example: Body paragraphs

Statement: Therefore, it is more important to enjoy a job than to earn a lot of money.

Argument 1: Deriving genuine enjoyment from one’s job significantly enhances both mental and physical well-being.

Argument 2: Individuals who take pleasure in their work tend to demonstrate greater motivation, commitment, and productivity, qualities that often pave the way for professional success and, in many cases, increased financial rewards over time.

Argument 3: When people find genuine enjoyment in their work, maintaining a healthy balance between professional responsibilities and personal life becomes far more achievable, allowing them to remain positive, nurture relationships, and dedicate time to personal interests and leisure.

Argument (topic sentence)

Firstly, deriving genuine enjoyment from one’s job significantly enhances both mental and physical well-being.

Supporting details

- People who enjoy their jobs wake up feeling positive and excited to start the day.

- They are less likely to suffer from stress, anxiety, or burnout.

- A happy worker is more likely to have good relationships with colleagues and family.

Example: First body paragraph

Firstly, deriving genuine enjoyment from one’s job significantly enhances both mental and physical well-being. Individuals who find their work meaningful and satisfying tend to wake up each day with a sense of purpose and enthusiasm, which sets a positive tone for the hours ahead. This optimistic mindset not only reduces the risk of stress, anxiety, and burnout but also contributes to overall emotional resilience. Moreover, people who feel content at work are more likely to build and maintain healthy relationships with colleagues and loved ones, as they are less likely to carry work-related frustration into their personal lives. This is why a high salary is less important than job satisfaction.

Your body paragraphs

What is your first argument?

And your second? 

and third? (or counterargument)

Write your three body paragraphs in which you develop your arguments.

Pay attention to linking words and linking your argument back to your statement.

Conclusion

In the conclusion, you summarise your arguments with different words than you've used in the body paragraphs. In addition, you restate your statement. Finally, you end with a catchy sentence, or a call to action.

Example: Conclusion

In conclusion, while financial stability is undeniably important, it should not come at the cost of personal fulfillment and well-being. Individuals who derive satisfaction from their work tend to experience greater happiness, enhanced motivation, and a healthier balance between their professional and personal lives. These factors not only contribute to long-term success but also to a more meaningful and enjoyable existence. Ultimately, the pursuit of wealth alone is unlikely to bring lasting happiness. Money may pay the bills, but only doing what we love can bring real joy and satisfaction to our life.

Your conclusion

How do you start the concluding paragraph?

Summarize your arguments in different words.

Link them to the statement.

End with a catchy sentence, or a call to action.

Title

The final part of your article that you have to come up with is the title. The title is always last, because it has to reflect the opinion as you have stated it in your article.

A title should follow four rules :

1. It should be catchy. If a title is not interesting, people are not going to read an essay.

2. It should be between one and eight words long.

3. It should not be a complete sentence, so leave out the main verb.

4. It should give readers an idea of what is to come.

Example: Title

If this is the topic, what could be the title?

In a world where success is often measured by salary figures, the true value of personal fulfillment in the workplace is frequently overlooked. Many people are taught from a young age to chase high-paying careers, believing that financial success guarantees happiness and security. However, this mindset often leads to stress, dissatisfaction, and even burnout. While money can provide comfort and meet basic needs, it does not necessarily bring lasting contentment. In contrast, those who find meaning and enjoyment in their work tend to lead healthier, more balanced lives. Therefore, finding genuine satisfaction in one’s work is more valuable than earning a high income.

What would be the best title?

1. It is more important to enjoy your job than to earn a lot of money.
2. How to Get Rich Fast
3. Doing What We Love
4. Jobs and Money

Your title

What could be a good title for your own practice essay?

Remember - A title should follow four rules :

1. It should be catchy. If a title is not interesting, people are not going to read an essay.

2. It should be between one and eight words long.

3. It should not be a complete sentence, so leave out the main verb.

4. It should give readers an idea of what is to come.