CEL 2103: Developing Arguments and Supporting Details in Essays

This document provides lecture notes for CEL 2103, focusing on developing arguments in argumentative essays. It details the characteristics of effective arguments, emphasizing logical order, understanding of the issue, accurate presentation of expert views, and acknowledgement of opposing arguments. The notes explain how to construct effective supporting sentences and details within body paragraphs, including the use of opposing and rebuttal arguments. The document uses examples to illustrate the concepts of supporting points and supporting details, and differentiates between these. It also contains activities that require students to analyze excerpts from journal articles and identify relevant information to support arguments, along with tables to complete supporting details. The importance of using credible sources to support claims is also highlighted.

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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).

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Activity 1A
Imagine that you are writing an essay to discuss this debatable statement:
DS: Parental conflicts have serious effects children’s development.
Stand: Agree
Read the excerpt from a journal article below. Find relevant information from the
excerpts given to support your arguments.
Excerpt from Journal Article
PARENTAL CONFLICT AND YOUNG ADULT WELL-BEING
Kelly Musick and Ann Meier
Soc Sci Res. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2011 Sep 1.
Published in final edited form as: Soc Sci Res. 2010 Sep 1; 39(5): 814–830.
doi: 10.1016/j.ssresearch.2010.03.002
The association between parental conflicts and child well-being is frequently cited: children
whose parents often argue score worse on measures of academic achievement, behaviour
problems, psychological well-being, and adult relationship quality; they are also more likely
to form families early and outside of marriage. Examining variation in conflict between
married parents is important for social scientists because it expands the understanding of
how families matter for children.
Growing up in families with parental conflicts is associated with a host of poor child
outcomes. Research show that these children have greater substance use and risk-taking
behaviour such as smoking, drinking, and drug use (Carlson, 2006). Further, these children
are more likely to have sex at an early age, to be young and unmarried when they form their
families, and to experience the dissolution of their own romantic unions.
This study set out to determine the effects experience by children who come from families
with high levels of parental conflict fare compared to those who come from happier and more
stable families. The results clearly illustrate that children from high conflict married-parent
families (compared to low conflict married-parent families) had higher odds (ranging from
about 50–75%) of dropping out of high school, reporting poor grades, smoking, and binge
drinking; they were at greater risk (on the order of about 50%) of early sex, nonmarital
childbearing, and union dissolution.

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Outline of Body Paragraph 1
Opponent’s view
Firstly, a child’s own personality is the factor that determines the effects of parental
conflicts in a family.
Supporting Point
Children who possess strong characters are not severely affected by parental
conflicts.
Supporting Details
- As these children are confident, optimistic, adaptable, flexible and possess
strong self awareness and ability to reason, they are able to view the conflicts
from various perspectives. Instead of becoming emotionally disturbed by the
events in the family and allow themselves to become victims, they tend to
work on finding a solution to resolve the issues faced by the parents.
Rebuttal argument (topic sentence)
Even though the claims made by the opponent is true to a certain extent, many
research have shown that generally, children from families with parental conflicts are
indeed severely affected by the problems.
Supporting Sentence
This is because most children lack the ability to cope with the conflicts, and this can
be seen from their behaviours, academic performance and ability to function well in
the society as they grow up.
Look at the excerpt given. Identify information that supports your supporting point.
Supporting Details
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

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Activity 1B
Complete the tables below by writing the supporting details for the each
supporting point. Use the information from Excerpts 1 and 2.
Excerpt 1
The Effects of School Uniforms on Student Behaviour in an Urban Middle School
Jacqueline M. McCarty, Old Dominion University (2011)
School uniforms emphasise the socio-economic divisions they are supposed to
eliminate. Most public schools with uniform policies are in poor neighborhoods,
emphasising the class distinctions that uniforms were supposed to eliminate.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 47% of high-poverty public
schools required school uniforms, while only 6% of low-poverty public schools
required them. On the issue of bullying, however, opponents have said that school
uniforms have no positive effect on behaviour. No evidence in bullying literature that
supports a reduction in violence due to school uniforms, instead bullies will simply
find another way to judge status. According to the Miami-Dade County Public
Schools Office of Education Evaluation and Management, fights in middle schools
nearly doubled within one year of introducing mandatory uniforms.
Excerpt 2
School Uniforms and Mental Health
Dianne Hamilton, Youth Development Institute, USA
Traditionally favoured by private and conservative institutions, school uniforms are
being adopted by US public schools in increasing numbers. About one in five US
public schools (21%) required students to wear uniforms during the 2015-2016
school year, up from one in eight in 2003-2004. Nevertheless, mandatory uniform
policies in public schools are found more commonly in high-poverty areas. This
results in a new conflict. The Children's Commission on Poverty (UK) found that over
"95% of parents on low incomes reported difficulties in meeting school-related
costs," including uniforms, despite their children attending tuition-free schools. In
York County, it is reported that some children were missing class because their
families couldn't afford to purchase the required uniforms.

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Body Paragraph 1
Opposing view
School uniforms reduce peer pressure and are effective in eliminating incidences of
bullying.
Supporting Point
When students wear school uniforms, no one will be ridiculed for the clothing worn to
school. Students from wealthy or poor families wear the same attire, and this helps
to bridge the gap between the two social-economic groups. Poor students will no
longer experience humiliation or mocking from their peers due to their ‘less fancy’
clothings.
Topic sentence (Rebuttal Argument)
However, despite this claim, there is no clear evidence that school uniforms reduce
bullying cases.
Supporting Point
School uniforms may eliminate one type of bullying but not the others, so bullying
continues.
Supporting Detail
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Body Paragraph 2
Opposing view
Next, having a school uniforms helps parents save money.
Supporting Point
Many schools which require one specific daily uniform can purchase clothing in bulk,
saving money for poor families.
Topic sentence (Rebuttal Argument)
Rather than saving parents’ money, the annual cost of buying school uniforms
imposes an extra expense on families.

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Supporting Point
Many families are actually experiencing difficulty to buy school uniforms for their
children.
Supporting Detail
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

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Answer Key
*Possible answers are highlighted in yellow
Supporting Sentence
This is because most children lack the ability to cope with the conflicts, and this can be seen from
their behaviours, academic performance and ability to function well in the society as they grow up.
Find the evidence for the supporting sentence.
Possible answers.
The association between parental conflicts and child well-being is frequently cited: children whose
parents often argue score worse on measures of academic achievement, behaviour problems,
psychological well-being, and adult relationship quality; they are also more likely to form families early
and outside of marriage. Examining variation in conflict between married parents is important for
social scientists because it expands the understanding of how families matter for children.
Growing up in families with parental conflicts is associated with a host of poor child outcomes.
Research show that these children have greater substance use and risk-taking behaviour such as
smoking, drinking, and drug use (Carlson, 2006). Further, these children are more likely to have sex
at an early age, to be young and unmarried when they form their families, and to experience the
dissolution of their own romantic unions.
This study set out to determine the effects experience by children who come from families with high
levels of parental conflict fare compared to those who come from happier and more stable families.
The results clearly illustrate that children from high conflict married-parent families (compared to low
conflict married-parent families) had higher odds (ranging from about 50–75%) of dropping out of high
school, reporting poor grades, smoking, and binge drinking; they were at greater risk (on the order of
about 50%) of early sex, and nonmarital childbearing.
All this information can be used as they are relevant to support the SP. They provides
examples on problematic behavior, academic performance as well as the problems that
these children experience as they grow up. However, this does not mean that you have to
use all this information. Just choose the most relevant information.
*Important note: Take note that when you are actually using any of this information in your
essay, you cannot simply ‘cut and paste’ (copy) these sentences.
You need to acknowledge the original authors. Otherwise, you will be guilty of plagiarism.
Read Lecture Notes 8: Plagiarism and Lecture Notes 9: Paraphrasing

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Activity 1B
Excerpt 1
School uniforms emphasise the socio-economic divisions they are supposed to eliminate. Most public
schools with uniform policies are in poor neighborhoods, emphasising the class distinctions that
uniforms were supposed to eliminate. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 47%
of high-poverty public schools required school uniforms, while only 6% of low-poverty public schools
required them. On the issue of bullying, however, opponents have said that school uniforms have no
positive effect on behaviour. No evidence in bullying literature that supports a reduction in violence
due to school uniforms, instead bullies will simply find another way to judge status. According to the
Miami-Dade County Public Schools Office of Education Evaluation and Management, fights in middle
schools nearly doubled within one year of introducing mandatory uniforms. (supports SD for
paragraph 1)
Excerpt 2
Traditionally favoured by private and conservative institutions, school uniforms are being adopted by
US public schools in increasing numbers. About one in five US public schools (21%) required
students to wear uniforms during the 2015-2016 school year, up from one in eight in 2003-2004.
Nevertheless, mandatory uniform policies in public schools are found more commonly in high-poverty
areas. This results in a new conflict. The Children's Commission on Poverty (UK) found that over
"95% of parents on low incomes reported difficulties in meeting school-related costs," including
uniforms, despite their children attending tuition-free schools. In York County, it is reported that some
children were missing class because their families couldn't afford to purchase the required uniforms.
(supports SD for paragraph 2)
*Important note: Take note that when you are actually using any of this information in your
essay, you cannot simply ‘cut and paste’ (copy) these sentences.
You need to acknowledge the original authors. Otherwise, you will be guilty of plagiarism.
Read Lecture Notes 8: Plagiarism and Lecture Notes 9: Paraphrasing