ARGUMENTATIVE TEXT

     A.  Definition of Argumentative Text

1.      According by Winifred Belmont and Michael Sharkey, argument deals with speech or writing result.

2.      According to Jack Baker (2012) argumentative writing is a genre of writing that requires the student to investigate a topic, collect, generate, and evaluate evidence, and establish a position on the topic in a concise manner

3.      Based on the definition above we can conclude that an argument paragraph presents a point of view and provides evidence for the point of view taken.


An argument is an opinion supported by facts. It purpose to persuade the listeners or the consider the topic from the author’s view. Writers refer to opinions as claims and facts as evidence. The claim clearly states a stance on a topic or issue. Evidence to prove this claim can include reasons, personal experience, statistics, confirmed facts, and expert research For the claim to be persuasive, an argument writer must support it with the most effective evidence that comes from a variety of credible sources. Credible sources are websites, reports, and articles developed by experts and journalists.


    B.     Generic Structure of argumentative text

ü  Introduction à Lead in to the topic/question.

ü  Main Body à a.Argument in taver of (pros) + example of explanations

b.Argument again it + example of explanations

ü  Conclusion à Rounding off with your personal opinion.


a.       Topic Sentence identifies what is being argued for or against.

b.      Support Sentences include facts, examples, appeals to authority or counter-argument to back up your point of view. Present your reasons in order of importance: from most important to least important.

c.       Concluding Sentence restates what is being argued for or against and why.

d.      Useful transitional words and phrases

·        For giving reasons

first, second, third, another, next, last, finally, because, since, for

·        For counter-argument

but, however, of course, nevertheless, although, despite

·        For concluding

therefore, as a result, in conclusion, thus

    C.     FEATURES - FEATURES  ARGUMENTATIVE TEXT

Here are the characteristics of the argumentative text:

1.     Requires facts for evidence in the form of images / graphics Digging source of ideas from observation, experience, and research.

2.     Statements, ideas or opinions expressed authors reason, data, or facts that support the justification based on data and facts presented.

3.     At the end of a paragraph or essay, needs to be presented conclusion.


Compose stage of argumentative text
Here is the argument Determining the stage of preparing paragraphs:

1.      objectives topic / theme Setting

2.     Collecting data from various sources

3.     Prepare according to the outline of the selected topic

4.     Developing into a bouquet argumentative framework, ideas, or opinions of the author, accompanied by evidence and facts.


Three things are most important to make argumentative text:

1.      Make your reader curious and interested in the topic by referring to:

·        a recent event

·        a personal / funny experience (it is perfectly ok to invent one)

·        a well-known person talking about the topic / quotation of a scientist

·        a topical (aktuell) article / news report / TV programme

·        statistics

2.      State the topic under discussion and establish its importance and relevance by giving e.g. a brief explanation of historical background or by defining central terms.

3.      Give a spontaneous personal reaction to the topic.



   D.    How to Write argumentative text

1.      Determine paragraph Argumentative Topics
Before you write a paragraph argumentative, the thing to do is determine the topic.First specify in advance what topics would you write before writing. Topic is a subject that will be the main idea of ​​a text. What could be the topic of writing. The important thing you master the problem and of interest to you. If the topic of writing has been determined, the next step is to set limits on the topic. Because sometimes the topics you specify it is still very common and widespread, so that later developed to become less focused. It is necessary for the restrictions on the topic so that you develop writing becomes more clear and focused.

Ex:             -Topic: Entrance Islamic Boarding House

-Subtopic: Entrance Islamic Boarding House when Elementary School

2.      Collecting Material Authorship

After determining the topics and viewpoints are clear, then the next step is to gather materials in accordance with the topic. In collecting this material, you can perform a variety of ways, such as looking for books that discuss the issue, read journals or scientific papers ever published, observation, conducting interviews with sources, search for information from newspapers, or the Internet, and it could be other ways that are important material for your writing is obtained

3.      Developing a framework

Outline is an outline of the things that are about to be written. With the framework, the authors should be eased for ideas systematically, directed, and the possibility of getting the completeness of the material.

Step-by-step writing process ultimately remains equally make a writing frame, both conventional and freestyle. The difference conventional style used to create a new framework developed in the form of sentences and paragraphs. Meanwhile, freestyle. write out what dikethaui and flowing course, only after all the writing, then the core determined the sentence and sorted so that a framework

For example:

a. get best education

b. save memory better

c.  can socialize and make many friends

d. get basic knowledge

4.      Develop a framework for a paragraph

Framework paragraph that you specify, and then developed into a paragraph consisting of the main sentence (main sentence is a sentence paragraphs poured topic / main thoughts / ideas staple), if any and explanatory sentences (explanatory sentence is a sentence that describes the mind mind explanatory). The main sentence can be poured at the beginning of the paragraph (deductive), at the end of paragraph (inductive), or at the beginning and repeated at the end of paragraph (deductive-inductive). The development of such a framework should be in a way of the mind descriptors developed into an explanatory sentence.


   E.     Example of argumentative text

Entrance Islamic Boarding House when Elementary School

            Nowadays many kids stay in Islamic boarding house since they are in elementary school. It happens because parents want their kids to get best education.

The kids in elementary school can save memory better. They can understand and remember about duties in islam religion. At same time, they can socialize and make many friends there. Beside, they can be independent because they learn to manage themselves.

In conclusion, the fact that the kids in Islamic boarding house when they are in elementary school is good because they get basic knowledge which is good for their future.