Essay on Developing Arguments in Argumentative

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CEL 2103/ WRITING ACADEMIC TEXTS
TRIMESTER 1, 2021/2022
LECTURE NOTES 7
C
Developing Arguments in Argumentative Essays
In developing arguments for argumentative essay, it is important to remember that
these arguments are the foundation of the essay. These arguments determine the
structure, evidence and reasoning in reference with the writer’s stand.
Characteristics of an effective argument
 Arrange arguments in logical order
 Display writer’s understanding of the issue
 Present the views of experts accurately
 Acknowledge the opposing arguments
Information that can be used to develop arguments:
 fact
 statistics
 anecdotes
 cases
 textual evidence
Constructing Effective Supporting Sentences and Supporting Details for the
Body Paragraphs
In developing body paragraphs for argumentative essays, supporting sentences and
supporting details are used to construct opposing arguments and rebuttal
arguments. Take note that:
 Supporting sentences represent the claims and stands.
 Supporting details provides specific information such as examples, facts,
statistics and quotations to support these claims.

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Let’s look at the example below. Imagine that you are developing the body
paragraph of your essay based on this brainstorm outline.
Topic
Online Learning in Classroom
Debatable Issue
The Use of Online Learning in Classroom Enhances Students’ Academic
Achievement
Stand
Agree
Opposing Argument:
Only improves basic aspects of learning, not
academic performance
Rebuttal Argument:
Online learning is a better learning platform.
Will result in better academic results.
Opposing Argument:
- XXX
Rebuttal Argument:
- YYY
Let’s focus on developing the first body paragraph.
As you can see from the above outline, you only have the opposing argument and
the rebuttal argument which are the supporting sentences for this body paragraph.
To make your rebuttal convincing, you need to provide supporting sentence (point)
as well as supporting details- information to support your supporting point to make it
credible. As stated on page 1, you can use facts, statistics, anecdotes, cases or
textual evidence to support the each supporting sentence. This is where you have to
carry out your own research to find relevant information from journal articles, reports
etc. to support your supporting sentences.
Take note that information from Wikipedia, blogs, newspaper, magazines are NOT
considered as academic journals. Information from these sources are NOT
accepted.

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Now, let’s add the supporting details for each supporting sentences (points).
Topic
Online Learning in Classroom
Debatable Issue
The Use of Online Learning in Classroom Enhances Students’ Academic
Achievement
Stand
Agree
Opposing Argument:
Only improves basic aspects of learning, not
academic performance
- Bernard et al. (2004) found that overall
there was no significant difference
Rebuttal Argument:
Online learning is a better learning platform,
so will produce better academic results
SP: Online materials make learning fun; thus,
increases student motivation to learn.
SD: Navarro and Shoemaker (2000) found online
activities such as quizzes and games improve
students’ academic performance – students more
engaged. Also found that students can retain the
information learnt longer and better.
Opposing Argument:
- XXX
Rebuttal Argument:
- YYY
*Always remember that Supporting Point (SP) must support your topic sentence.
Supporting Details (SD) support the SP. All selected evidence must be related to the
SP.
Let’s look at the example below.
Add the supporting details to make your
supporting sentence credible. Provide
the evidence on how online learning
‘motivates’ students and thus, increases
academic performance
Add the supporting point to support your
rebuttal. You provide the ‘how’ online
learning produce better academic result.
‘how’? = because it motivates students

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Body Paragraph 1 (based on the outline)
Supporting Sentence (Opposing argument)
Until now, many have argued that students who practice online learning
in classroom can only improve their learning performance on basic
aspects as online learning does not provide any additional benefits
towards students’ learning performance.
Supporting Details
Bernard et al. (2004) found that overall there was no significant
difference in students’ achievement and academic performance
between students who practice online learning, and students who prefer
the traditional face-to-face education.
Rebuttal argument (topic sentence))
Regardless of the notion above, it can be argued that those who practise
online learning will have a better learning platform and thus, this practise
will produce better academic results.
Supporting Sentence
Online materials make learning fun; thus, increases students’ motivation
to learn in class and excel in examinations.
Supporting Details
A study done by Navarro and Shoemaker (2000) found that students’
academic performance was better as they became more engaged in
learning activities. Their findings also show that students can retain the
information learnt longer and better than merely listening to the teacher
in class. As a result, students were able to perform better in
examinations.
This the
supporting
sentence
representing the
opponent’s
claim/stand.
These are the
supporting details
to support the
claim made by the
opponent. Here,
the finding of a
research is used
to convince
readers.
The rebuttal (topic
sentence) to
directly oppose
the opponent’s
view.
These are the
supporting details
to support your SP
and to prove that
the opponent’s
claim is wrong.
Here, findings
from research are
used.
Since your task is
to convince
readers to accept
your stand, you
can have more
than one
supporting details.
This is to make
your stand
stronger.
This the SP to
support your view
(topic sentence).