English 10

Quarter 3-Module 6: ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY

Name of Learner: _____________________________________

Grade and Section: ___________________________________
Name of School: ______________________________________

What I Need to Know

In this module, you are expected to:

a. Discuss the structure of a good argumentative essay;

b. Explain the importance of writing an argumentative essay; and
c. Compose an argumentative essay.

What I Know

Directions: Choose the letter of the best answer. Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.
1. What does the background information provide the readers?
A. to have more information about the topic C. to have warnings for an opposing view
B. to have distractions about the claim D. to have a summary outline of the topic
2. Where would you find evidence and details?
A. introductory paragraph C. body paragraphs
B. conclusion part D. thesis statement

3. What does a statement of opposing view or claim show?

A. what someone would argue for the claim C. what the reader should believe
B. what someone would argue against the claim D. what the writer tries to prove

4. What is an incorrect way to get the audience's attention?

A. use a story C. use statistic
B. use an insult D. use a quotation

5. What is the purpose of the conclusion?

A. to restate the attention-getter and background C. to give the evidence and details
B. to restate the arguments and the reasons D. to give new information

LESSON1 : ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY

Writing an argumentative essay needs more than just an opinion to make your voice
heard. It is a piece of writing that takes a stance on an issue. Your stance must be compelling
and structured properly and reinforced with solid reasoning and evidence to persuade readers
to support your views and opinions. There are elements of an argumentative essay that must
be considered.

Argumentative essays are essential in the academe. They allow students to develop an
argument presented in a measured and concise manner. The most important thing you need
when composing your essay is the desire to win, with your main objective of changing the
reader's opinion. You need to be very convincing with your claims by presenting all the facts
and address all the pros and the cons.
 What's In
Directions: Read the essay and answer the questions that follow. Write only the letter of the
correct answer of each item on a separate sheet.
As online learning becomes more common and more resources are converted to
digital form, some people have suggested that public libraries be shut down. In their
place, everyone should be given an iPad with an e-reader subscription.

Proponents of this idea state that it will save local cities and towns money because
libraries are expensive to maintain. They also believe it will encourage more people to
read because they won't have to travel to a library to get a book; they can simply click
on what they want to read and read it from wherever they are. They could also access
more materials because libraries will not have to buy physical copies; they can simply
rent out as many digital copies they need.

However, it would be a serious mistake to replace libraries with tablets. First, digital
books and resources are associated with less learning and more problems than print
resources. A study done on tablet vs. book reading found that people read 20-30%
slower on tablets, retain 20% less information, and understand10% less of what they
read than people who read the same information in print. Additionally, staring too long
at a screen has been shown to cause numerous health problems, including blurred
vision, dizziness, dry eyes, headaches, and eye strain, at much higher instances than
reading print does. People who use tablets and mobile devices excessively have a
higher incidence of more serious health issues such as fibromyalgia, shoulder and back
pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and muscle strain. I know that whenever I read from my
e-reader for too long, my eyes begin to feel tired, and my neck hurts. We should not
add these problems by giving people, especially young people, more reasons to look at
screens.

Second, it is incredibly narrow-minded to assume that the only service libraries offer
book lending. Libraries have many benefits, and many are only available if the library
has a physical location. Some of these benefits include acting as a quiet study space,
giving people a way to converse with their neighbors, holding classes on various topics,
providing jobs, answering patron questions, and keeping the community connected.
One neighborhood found that, after a local library instituted community events such as
playtimes for toddlers and parents, job fairs for teenagers, and meeting spaces for senior
citizens, over a third of residents reported feeling more connected to their community.
Similarly, a Pew survey conducted in 2015 found that nearly two-thirds of American
adults feel closing their local library would greatly impact their community. People see
libraries to connect with others and get their questions answered; benefits tablets cannot
offer nearly as well or as easily.

While replacing libraries with tablets may seem like a simple solution, it would
encourage people to spend even more time looking at digital screens, despite the
myriad issues surrounding them. It would also end access to many of the benefits of
libraries that people have come to rely on. In many areas, libraries are such an
important part of the community network that a simple object could never replace them.
(Source: https://blog.prepscholar.com/argumentative-essay-examples)

1.What is the essay all about?

A. Public libraries to be shut down
B. The rise of digital books in the new era
C. The advantages and disadvantages of maintaining public libraries
D. A new reading world
 2. What is the writer's proposition?
A. Shutdowns of public libraries is the solution.
B. Increase reading comprehension level through e-books.
C. The vital roles public libraries take part in community building.
D. E-learning is the new way to progress.

3. Is the essay an example of an argumentative essay?

A. Yes, it is. C. No, it is not.
B. Maybe it is. D. None of the above.

4. Is the essay written properly, concise, and well structured?

A. Yes, it is. C. No, it is not.
B. Maybe it is. D. None of the above.

5. Did the body paragraphs provide facts with examples, research, statistics, and studies?
A. Yes, it did. C. No, it did not.
B. Maybe it did. D. None of the above.

What's New

Read and understand the essay. Then answer the questions. Write the letter of the
correct answer of each item on a separate sheet.(Source: Michael Roberts, M.D.)

The issue of wearing face coverings in public comes up frequently these days. A
common sentiment is, "If I am not personally at high risk for COVID-19, why should I
wear a mask?" I suspect this is why I see so many people in public places who are not
covering their nose and mouth. The CDC has recommended "wearing cloth face
coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to
maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies) especially in areas of significant
community-based transmission."
The reason for this is that the virus that causes COVID-19 can be spread even before
symptoms appear, by such things as coughing, sneezing, or even speaking at close range.
Cloth face coverings have been recommended due to their low cost and ready availability.
Using cloth face coverings preserves surgical masks and N-95 masks for healthcare
workers who may be involved in the direct care of patients with COVID-19.

The importance of using face coverings in public is illustrated in the graphic seen
here. If I wear my face covering to protect you from me, and you wear your face covering
to protect me from you, then we can all dramatically decrease our risk of transmission of
the virus that causes COVID-19. This, in conjunction with social distancing and frequent
handwashing or use of hand sanitizer, will be important in limiting the spread of COVID-
19 as we return to our usual activities.

Comprehension Check:
1. What details are given in the introduction of the essay?
A. Restatement of the main claim C. Background information of the issue
B. Reasons supporting the claim D. Summary
2. How did the writer express his proposition?
A. through Definition C. through Facts
B. through Policy D. through Value
3. Does the writer try to change the views of the readers?
A. Yes C. Maybe
B. No D. Both A and B
 What Is It
An argumentative essay is a type of essay that presents arguments about
both sides of an issue. It could be that both sides are equally balanced, or it
could be that one side is presented more forcefully than the other. It all
depends on the writer and what side he supports the most.
Structure of a good argumentative essay

1. Introductory paragraph- The first paragraph of the essay must outline the topic, give
background information of the argument, outline the evidence, and state the thesis.
2. Thesis statement- This is part of your first paragraph. It is concise, one-sentence
summary of your main point and claim.
3. Body paragraphs- This part consists of three (3) or more paragraphs that explain the
reasons why you support your thesis. Each paragraph covers different idea or piece of
evidence and contains a topic sentence which explains why the reader should agree with
your position. The body paragraphs back up your claims with examples, research, statistics,
studies and text citations.
4. Conclusion-This one paragraph restates your thesis and summarizes all the arguments
made in your body paragraphs. A good conclusion appeals to the reader’s emotions. In some
cases, writers use personal anecdote explaining how the topic personally affects them.
(Source: MasterClass, Nov.8, 2020)
Steps to writing a great argumentative essay
1. Research. Before writing an argumentative essay, read and know more about your
argument.
2. State your proposition. Define a short proposition or thesis statement as this is
important to help you concentrate and be focused on your topic. Make sure that the
statement is making a debatable assertion.
3. Think about the opposition. Always remember that someone somewhere will disagree
with your opinion. Your objective is to anticipate what someone who is opposed to your
argument may say and to counter and overcome their objections by noting the following
subsequently:

 Who may disagree with me?

 What points will they disagree with?
 How strong will the opposition be?
 How can I refute their opinions?
 Which points are the most debatable?

4. Structure your argument. Think of your essay in terms of paragraphs, with each
paragraph addressing a separate element of the argument following a good argumentative
essay writing structure

To persuade the readers through logical reasoning and analysis, you may use the
suggested techniques in argumentation.
Five (5) types of argument claim that can drive your essay:

1. Fact: This technique presents the argument, whether true or false, clearly, and
concisely. It asks you to answer the question with a "Yes" or "No" that supports
the facts.
2. Definition: This technique gives meaning to a concept that forms the argument
through the dictionary definition of what you are arguing, plus your interpretation
of it.
3. Value: this technique gives importance to the value of your stance. It usually asks
you to choose between things, ideas, beliefs, or actions and explain why you did
so.
4. Cause and effect: This technique presents the causes of the problem in your
 argument and its effects.
5. Policy: This technique appeals to the reader's emotions by stirring up the reader's
thinking about why they should care about your stance and what they should do
about it after reading.
Any of the above argument claims can be presented in three (3) ways, namely:

1. Classical- This is also called Aristotelian. This is the most popular strategy for
making an argument because it is the simplest line of thinking. Present the main argument,
state your opinion, and do your best to convince the reader why your stance is the right one.
2. Rogerian- This is also called the "common ground" argument. The writer
acknowledges the opposing side of the argument with the assumption you and the readers
share common ideas, beliefs, and arguments. Hence, the writer's task is to identify these
commonalities and use them to argue further. This type of argument is effective for
polarizing topics, as it acknowledges both sides and presents the middle ground.
3. Toulmin- Present your claim, present grounds to back up that claim, and justify that
the grounds are linked to the claim. This type of argument is also effective for polarizing
topics, but rather than present both sides, it presents one, hinging particularly on facts
presented in a way that makes a claim difficult to argue with.
The key to a good argumentative essay is knowing how to structure your point of view
correctly.

What's More

Activity 1. Word search. Pick up five (5) words inside the box associated with an
argumentative essay and write these on your answer sheet.
A B C D E F G E Y R O T C U D O R T N I
R C Q E F G A P Q R R B W E R T Y U I L
G D R F E H N O R Q S O B N M H S T Y U
U E S G D D D N P P T P C F G N J K K L
M F T H C O N V I I C I N G S B M X D G
E G U I B P G L U N N N H I D I H J K L
N H V J A E H K V M B I R W E U S T Y U
T O N C L A S S I C A L O C A L R E P O
U I W K Z S T R U C T U R N F G H A H K
T J T L Y U K I X O D I C N I M L U O T

What I Have Learned

Match the key terms found in column A with its appropriate description found in column B.
Write only the letter of your answer. Write your answers on a separate sheet.
Column A Column B
1. Body paragraphs A. It answers the question with a "Yes" or "No."
then supports the fact.
2. Argumentative essay B. This is a one-paragraph that restates your
Thesis and summarizes all the arguments
made in the body paragraphs.
3. Thesis C. This part consists of three (3) or more
Paragraphs that explain the reasons why
you support the thesis.
4. Conclusion D. A type of argumentative essay which is also
called Aristotelian.
 5. Rogerian E. A type of essay that presents arguments
about both sides of an issue.
6. Fact F. This is part of the first paragraph. It is a
a concise one-sentence summary of your main
point and claim.
7. Introductory paragraph G. This technique gives importance to the value
of your stance.
8. Policy H. This technique appeals to the reader's
emotion and thinking as to why they should
care about your stance.
9. Classical I. It is the type of argumentative essay where the
the writer acknowledges the opposing side of
the an argument with the assumption that they
share
common ideas, beliefs, and arguments.
10. Value J. It outlines the topic, gives background
information of the argument, outline the
evidence, and state the thesis.
K. This technique gives meaning to a concept
that forms the argument through the
dictionary definition of what you are
arguing.

What Can I Do

Directions: Read the argumentative essay carefully. Identify the parts of the essay. Afterward, fill
in the boxes with the details of the different parts of the essay—answer on a separate sheet.
Every Little Girl Wants to Be a Princess, Right?
Beauty pageants have become a staple in American culture. Winners of pageants
such as Miss America are icons, representations of the ideal woman, and positive role
models for young girls. So, society says. More recently, however, a new type of
pageant has increased in popularity to the point of being considered a national
phenomenon. These pageants are just as glitzy, and the competition is just as fierce;
the only difference is that these contestants are the miniature model. They are child
beauty queens.
The world of child beauty pageants has become a source of fascination, as well
as contention, in our society. Networks such as TLC and WE TV have produced hit
reality shows featuring the munchkin-sized divas because it sells, but one cannot help
but wonder, how can parading children about on stage like show ponies be a positive
thing?
The truth is it is not. Beauty pageants are not a healthy activity for children
because they force young girls to act like little adults, exhibit age-inappropriate
sexuality, and have negative body image and mental health problems later in their
lives.
Children are the future of society, and even those who do not have children
should be concerned about the direction of the culture they have to live in. Just
because child beauty pageants are socially acceptable does not mean they should be.
Our culture needs to eliminate child beauty pageants, at least in their current form.
(Source: https://owl.excelsior.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/05/ToulminArgument.pdf)

2.
3.
4.

5.

Assessment

A. From the given topics and arguments, choose one topic, and write an argumentative essay
about it. Please be guided with the following criteria in writing your essay.
(Content 20 points, Organization 15 points, Mechanics 15 points)

Topics Arguments
1. Cancel culture What is your stand about cancel culture?

2. Rise of Digital Entertainment platforms Are the Filipinos ready to shift from
"free to air" to "digital media?

3. Gas Lighting Are victims always wrong?