Argumentative Essays

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Health Sciences Business Ethics

What is unique about an argumentative essay is that you do not just give reasons to support your point of view. You must also discuss the other sid~'s reasons and then rebut them. (Rebut means to point out problems with the other side's reasons to prove that they are not good reasons. ) We do this because we want readers to know that we have considered all sides of the issue. When we show that we are reasonable and open-minded, readers are more likely to listen to our point of view.

Organization of Argumentative Essays

There are several ways to organize an argumentative essay. You can use a block pattern or a point-by-point pattern. The outlines in the following chart show these two possible patterns. Block Pattern:

I. Introduction Explanation of the issue Thesis statement Point Pattern I. Introduction Explanation of the issue, including a summary of the other side's arguments. Thesis statement.

II. Body A. Statement of the other side's first argument and rebuttal with your own counterargument B. Statement of the other side's second argument and rebuttal with your own counterargument C.Statement of the other side's third argument and rebuttal with your own counterargument

III. Conclusion-may include a summary of your point of view II. Body A. B. C. D.

Block 1 Summary of other side's arguments Rebuttal to the first argument Rebuttal to the second argument Rebuttal to the third argument Block 2 E. Your first argument F. Your second argument G. Your third argument. There are many variations on these two patterns. Which pattern you use will depend on your topic.With some topics, one pattern works better than others.

The important thing

is to present your side and rebut the other side in a logical and organized way. As you read the following model essay, study its organization.