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Vocabulary for Argumentative Writing
When we write an argumentative essay, our opinions carry more weight if we look at both sides of the issue. In other words, we acknowledge our opponents’ views but try to convince the reader that our own argument is stronger.
Our essay would be extremely dull if we used the words supporters and opponents all the way through. Similarly, it would be unimpressive if we only used the verb say to refer to people’s opinions. The tables below contain lists of useful alternatives. Study them and then do the gap-fill task that follows.
+
-
Supporters
Opponents
Proponents
Those in favour of …
Those opposed to …
Defenders of …
Critics of …
Advocates of …
Objectors
Pro-… (e.g. Pro-abortionists)
Anti-… (e.g. Anti-abortionists)
say that …
argue
claim
maintain
assert
contend
allege
insist
suggest
point out
Tasks
1. Complete the text below using words/phrases from the tables above. (Solid lines relate to the first table; dotted lines relate to the second.)
______________ of TV …….…………….. that it exposes us to too much violence and, as a result, we become less sensitive to real-life violence. They also ………………………. that schoolchildren neglect homework and have problems concentrating in class as a result of spending too much time glued to the box. Finally, ____________ ……………….……. that television has turned many of us into over-weight, unfit "couch potatoes".
_______________________, on the other hand, …………..……… that it is a blessing for lonely, elderly or housebound people. Furthermore, they ………………….., it does not simply entertain; it can be very educational as well. Another argument _____ _________ of TV is that it sometimes plays an important role in fundraising for disaster relief and various charities. For example, the "Live Aid" rock concert in 1984 raised millions of pounds for victims of the Ethiopian famine.
2. Choose another controversial issue (e.g. hunting, car use, school uniforms, meat-eating, the use of animals in medical research, single sex schools, euthanasia). Write some sentences that express the views of people on both sides of the argument. Aim for variety in your choice of language.
Frankie Meehan
Notes for Five Argumentative Essays
§ The use of animals in scientific research
§ Should motor traffic be restricted?
§ Capital punishment (the Death Penalty)
§ Euthanasia should be legalised
§ Examinations should be abolished
These tables outline the main arguments used when debating five controversial topics. The points have been arranged into simple "For/Against" columns.
It is convenient to have a ready-made list of arguments, but to write an effective essay you must decide upon a structure. There are two basic options:
Option 1: Set 'em up and knock 'em downLook at my model essay on zoos for an example of this approach. Using this approach, you present each of your opponents' arguments in turn and demonstrate that it is false or weak - you "knock it down". This is a very effective approach because you acknowledge that other views exist but persuade the reader that yours are superior.
Option 2: The balanced approachYou will find an example of this approach for an essay about handgun ownership on the IGCSE Revision page here (produced by the Central European University language teaching centre). Using this approach, you look at both sides of the argument in a more balanced way. In the end, however, you must indicate your opinion. The basic structure is: Introduction >>> Points in Favour >>> Against >>> Conclusion (including your opinion). WARNING: This approach can sound weak because the writer seems to be "sitting on the fence", afraid to take sides.
The use of animals in scientific research
FOR
AGAINST
Animals are only used when really necessary and most animal experiments do not involve pain
o It is morally wrong to do things to laboratory animals which we would not do to our pets; lab animals are burned, poisoned, blinded, crippled and driven mad
o Human and animal brains are very different, so surgeons do not gain much from practising on animals
Brain surgery and "replacement surgery" (e.g. replacing hip joints, heart transplants) requires practice; we cannot practise on humans!
When surgery is necessary, an anaesthetic is always used so that the animal feels no pain
o We need to test new drugs/chemicals on animals in order to predict whether humans will suffer side-effects; if we don’t do this, we will never find cures for AIDS, cancer etc.
o Lots of research with animals helps to develop new treatments for animal diseases
o Most animal experiments are done for trivial reasons – e.g. to produce cosmetics, household goods, food additives etc.
o A lot of research turns animals into drug addicts or removes part of their brain, just so we can observe changes in their behaviour!
o Most new drugs are created in order to make profit for the drug companies; only 1-2% are essential for good health
o Tests on animals do not give reliable results since animals react differently to humans (e.g. aspirin causes birth defects in cats, dogs & monkeys but not in humans)
o We should be spending more money on preventing diseases instead of focussing so much on cures (many diseases are linked to smoking, bad diet and pollution)
Should motor traffic be restricted?
Cars are a major source of air and noise pollution, as well as numerous accidents that cause death or injury.
o Motor vehicles make travel more convenient, contribute to economic development and enrich our leisure; petrol is much "greener" than it used to be.
o The USA has more cars than any other country, yet its accident rate is less than half that of many European countries. The answer lies in better roads, better driver training and better vehicle maintenance.
Motorways are an eyesore in the countryside and disturb wildlife habitats .
Well-designed motorways blend into the countryside just as much as canals or railways.
Traffic in modern city centres moves at roughly the same speed as it did 100 years ago. The solution is to discourage drivers from entering city centres (e.g. by imposing taxes). The govt. should also improve the public transport system and provide free parking on the outskirts of cities.
Public transport is simply not adequate to handle the volume of people who need to enter cities. The real solution to road congestion is to build more roads and carparks.
Railways are more suitable (faster & safer) than cars for traffic between cities; they are also more suitable than large trucks for carrying goods
Railways are inflexible and do not suit our modern desire for "door-to-door" transport; goods deliveries by rail are often delayed
Capital Punishment (the Death Penalty)
It discourages criminals from carrying guns and carrying out serious crimes such as murder
o Capital punishment is not an effective deterrent: for example, the USA (where the death penalty exists) has a far higher murder rate than the UK (where there is no death penalty)
o Out of 30 countries that have abolished the death penalty none has reported an increase in murders
Some hardened criminals cannot be reformed; we know that so-called "life sentences" are often reduced, so they are a great risk to society if we do not execute them
The death penalty belongs to a time when punishments were cruel and society was less civilised; the destruction of human life is wrong
It is better for a society to get rid of its enemies than to pay for them to stay in prison
Where the death penalty is used, juries are often afraid to convict someone in case they are wrong; in this way, many criminals escape punishment (if the penalty was imprisonment, juries would be less afraid)
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