This document provides guidance on writing a formal argumentative essay. It discusses the key components of an argumentative essay including the introduction, body, and conclusion. The body should include multiple arguments supported by evidence. One should anticipate and refute counterarguments. Formal language requires an objective tone without informal language or contractions. Paragraphs need topic sentences, and coherence is created through linking words.

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Formal Writing
English 6, Autumn 2013

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Knowledge requirements
 What is an argumentative essay ?
 How do you structure the essay?
 Introduction, body conclusion
 Paragraphs
 Topic sentence
 What is the appropriate language to use?
 Difference between informal and formal language
 Linking words

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What is an argumentative essay?
 An argumentative essay is a text where you try to win readers over to
your point of view and make the reader take a particular action.
Examples of topics
Make public transport free
Change to organic food in the cafeteria
Forbid experiments on animals
Arrange more activities for young people in Karlskrona
Buy more vintage and second hand

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Structure
 An argumentative essay follows a relatively strict pattern.
 Title
 Introduction
 Background information
 Thesis statement
 Body
 Argument 1 + supporting information
 Argument 2 + supporting information
 Refutation of counter argument
 Conclusion
 Repeat your thesis statement and best argument

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Title, introduction, background and
thesis statement
 Capitalise the letters of all the important words in the title
 Why Vintage is the Way to Go
 Catch the audience attention by using a rhetorical question, a
story or a shocking piece of information
 Christmas is approaching. How many Christmas present are you
intending to purchase? Have you ever thought about those who
cannot afford even a small piece of ham?
 Give the reader some background information. Use sources to
establish yourself as trustworthy and well-informed.
 Clearly state where you stand in the question and what action
you want people to take

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Arguments
 Choose two or three main arguments that support your thesis
statement.
 Introduce each argument in a new paragraph and support your
arguments with evidence. Try to use at least one external
source e.g. an article, website or a book.

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Refutation of counter arguments
 Introduce you major counter argument and refute it by proving
it wrong. In this paragraph it is suitable to use linking words
indicating contrast such as however, but, on the other hand etc.

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Conclusion
 Repeat your thesis statement and main argument

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Useful language
Listing arguments
 Firstly… secondly….lastly
 Furthermore/moreover…
 In conclusion…
Expressing opinions
 In my opinion
 I am of the opinion that…
 I am convinced that…
 I am strongly opposed to
 It seems to me that…
 There is no doubt that…
Dismissing counter arguments
 I totally disagree with/that…¨
 It is questionable whether…
 I would dispute the claim that…

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Paragraphs and topic sentences
 Now you know the different parts of the argumentative essay.
However, when writing academic texts in English you need to
divide it even further; into paragraphs.
 Key rule: every paragraph should discuss just one main idea
and that idea should be clear to the reader. Each new
paragraph should indicate a change of focus.
 Paragraphs should be started with a topic sentence. That is
the main idea of the paragraph and everything that follows
should be related to that sentence.
 In an argumentative essay; your arguments should preferably
be your topic sentences.

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Informal and informal language
 An argumentative essay requires a more formal language.
 There is a difference between spoken and written language
where written language normally is more formal than spoken
Spoken Written
Wanna Want to
Cuz Because
Gonna Going to

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 But also when it comes to the written language, there are a stylistic
difference between different kind of language. Consider the following
words; which do you think have a higher register? Try to use
synonyms to common words, and avoid phrasal verbs if you can.
Look at Examine
Subsequently Next
Guy Man
Reprimanded Told off
Start Commence
Kid Child

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Contractions
 Another sign of more formal language is to avoid using
contracted forms.
He is he’s
Cannot can’t
It is It’s
I have I’ve
She will She’ll

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Avoid being to personal, or specific
 Even though you are expressing your opinion, it is crucial to
stay objective and not get emotional.
 Avoid expressions like: I think… I feel…
Instead rephrase and use e.g. It is my opinion that… I
believe that… It could be argued that… One could say
that…
 Avoid using the pronoun “You” when referring to people in
general
 One should sleep eight hours per night
 Most people should sleep eight hours per night

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Linking words
Linking words are used
to create coherence and
connections within the
text, linking one
idea/argument to
another.
Cause or reason
 Due to, on account of
 Because
 Since
Contrast
 Although, still, yet
 Despite, in spite of
 Nevertheless, however
Addition
 Furthermore, moreover
 In addition
 Besides

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Example
 For instance
 Such as
 Namely
Sequence
 Next, last, finally
 Firstly, secondly, lastly
 Also
Comparison
 Likewise
 Equally
 Similarly
Result
 Therefore
 As a result
 Consequently