Grade 10 Unit 15:

Writing an Argumentative Essay

Table of Contents

Introduction and Unit Objectives 2

Lesson 1: Parts of an Argumentative Essay 3

Warm-up! 3
Learn About It! 3
Check Your Understanding 5
Let’s Step Up! 6

Lesson 2: Creating an Outline for an Argumentative Essay 7

Warm-up! 7
Learn About It! 8
Check Your Understanding 11
Let’s Step Up! 12

Lesson 3: Composing an Argumentative Essay 13

Warm-up! 13
Learn About It! 13
Check Your Understanding 15
Let’s Step Up! 15

Lesson 4: Finalizing an Argumentative Essay 16

Warm-up! 16
Learn About It! 16
Check Your Understanding 19
Let’s Step Up! 19

Performance Task 20

Self-Check: How Well Did I Learn? 22

Wrap Up 22

Bibliography 23
GRADE 10 |English

UNIT 15
Writing an Argumentative Essay
Have you ever thought of which side to take about the
important issues around you? For example, what is
your stand regarding politics and religion? How about
your stance regarding feminism and gender equality?
Although it is easy to just say you agree or disagree
with a particular side, writing about your stance on an
issue will help you convince people to consider your
take, whether they are initially for or against it. In this
lesson, you will learn how to convince people by
writing an argumentative essay.

Unit Objectives
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
● identify the parts of an argumentative essay;
● create an outline for an argumentative essay; and
● compose an argumentative essay.

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 Lesson 1: Parts of an Argumentative Essay

Having an organized set of thoughts can aid you in

delivering your arguments well, and writing it down can
help you even more. By writing your arguments, you will
be able to see their connections and logical arrangement
more clearly. By knowing at which part of the essay to put
your arguments and counterarguments, the essay will be
easier to read and to follow.

Warm-up!
In groups of six, think of a ridiculous rule to implement in your school. For example, the first
student to get inside the classroom on the first day of school will be the class president. Then,
list down your arguments for it and counterarguments against it. Present your group work to
the rest of the class.

Learn About It!

An argumentative essay is written to persuade its readers

to agree with a particular argument made. It is different from
a persuasive essay since it provides solid evidence that will
support the claim. Unlike the persuasive essay, where you
need only to choose your side and present it, an
argumentative essay presents your valid arguments in order
for your readers to choose their side. It includes a
background of the topic, the writer’s stance or main
argument, as well as the stance’s pros and cons. One way to
write it is through a five-paragraph essay. It is made up of

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one paragraph for the introduction, followed by three paragraphs for the pros and cons as
well as rebuttal of the opposing arguments, and ends with one paragraph for the
conclusion. This kind of essay is divided into three parts: the introduction, body, and
conclusion.

The introduction paragraph of an essay establishes the purpose and tone of the essay,
which moves toward the thesis statement. It should start with sentences that will attract the
readers’ attention and sustain their interest. The thesis statement serves as the guide of the
whole essay, and everything written in the essay must support it. The subject and context of
the essay should also be found in the introduction. Background information should be
presented in this paragraph to help the readers assess the basis of the argument. Most
importantly, the reader must be intrigued to read further just by reading the first few
sentences. Here is an example of an introduction paragraph of an argumentative essay.

Is homework beneficial or harmful to students? This issue has been debated by

students, teachers, and parents, and while many students are in favor of abolishing
homework altogether, it may be better not to completely do away with it but rather
regulate when it is assigned and how much of it is assigned to students on a given day.

The body paragraphs of the essay are where the arguments are expounded and defended.
The writer must also refute any possible counterarguments in this part of the essay. Each
point must have its own paragraph to fully develop its idea and to make sure not to overlap
with the other ideas. Every idea must be supported by examples, details, facts, reasons, and
incidents. Here is an excerpt of a body--particularly a counterargument-- of an argumentative
essay.

However, it is true that homework can greatly affect a student’s family and social
life. If a student has too much homework most of the time, this would result in less time
spent with family and on other worthwhile endeavors such as hobbies and relaxation time.
The added pressure and workload that a homework puts on a student can lead to burnout
over time, which is harmful and can cause the student to resent school or studying.

The conclusion completes the essay by restating the main point of the essay in a new light as
supported by the points in the body of the essay. It could also include the summary of

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important ideas that would prove the argument presented. It serves as the writer’s final word
and last chance to fully prove the argument. Here is an example of a conclusion paragraph of
an argumentative essay.

What school administrators, teachers, parents, and students need to take note of is
this: homework in itself is not harmful, but it could be depending on the circumstances. As
such, the intensity and amount of homework given to students should be regulated in
order to make sure that homework still serves its purpose as a learning tool rather than
being a burden.

Check Your Understanding

1. What is the difference between an argumentative essay and a persuasive essay?

2. Which part of the argumentative essay contains the thesis statement?
3. Which part of the argumentative essay restates your claims and summarizes your
arguments?
4. On which part of the argumentative essay are you going to explain your arguments
further?
5. Why is it important that we present evidence in argumentative essays?

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Let’s Step Up!

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 Lesson 2: Creating an Outline for an
Argumentative Essay

In almost everything, organization matters. Whether it be

labeling your own things or writing down your ideas, it is
helpful that they are arranged categorically and logically. In
writing argumentative essays, an outline is beneficial, for it
contains a list of your arguments followed by their evidence.

Warm-up!
Think of an advocacy that you support strongly. List down your reasons for supporting it and
why other people should advocate for it as well. On the other side of the paper, list down
evidence or proofs that could convince others more.

Reasons Evidence

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 Learn About It!

The outline serves as the backbone of the essay. It maintains

the direction of the essay and saves time in writing it. The
following outlines are for six-paragraph essays. They maintain
the same introduction and conclusion but differ on how the
paragraphs in the bodies of the essay are organized.
Presenting the writer’s point in the body of the essay could be
discussed first and followed by the rebuttal of opposing claims
and vice versa, but it could also be done alternatingly
depending on the writer’s style.

Outline 1

This outline first discusses the writer’s points then refutes those of the opposing view. This
kind of outline is good for proving the opposing views wrong, for it leaves the impression that
the opposing claims should not be believed.

Introduction – must be written in one paragraph and must include the following:
● Hook – attention grabber
● Thesis statement/claim
● Background information
Body
● Paragraph 1 – 1st point and supporting evidence
● Paragraph 2 – 2nd point and supporting evidence
● Paragraph 3 – Opposing claim and rebuttal
● Paragraph 4 – Opposing claim and rebuttal
Conclusion – reiteration of the thesis

Outline 2

The second kind of outline deals with the opposing claims before presenting the writer’s
arguments. This leaves the readers with the writer’s arguments in mind because rebutting the

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opposing views beforehand builds the reputation of the presented arguments.

Introduction – must be written in one paragraph and must include the following:
● Hook – attention getter
● Thesis statement/claim
● Background information
Body
● Paragraph 1 – Opposing claim and rebuttal
● Paragraph 2 – Opposing claim and rebuttal
● Paragraph 3 – 1st point and supporting evidence
● Paragraph 4 – 2nd point and supporting evidence
Conclusion – reiteration of the thesis

Outline 3

This outline presents the opposing claims and the writer’s arguments alternatingly to make
the body more dynamic and exciting to read. However, it could also be unclear when each
paragraph or point overlaps with one another.

Introduction – must be written in one paragraph and must include the following:
● Hook – attention getter
● Thesis statement/claim
● Background information
Body
● Paragraph 1 – Opposing claim and rebuttal
● Paragraph 2 – 1st point and supporting evidence
● Paragraph 3 – Opposing claim and rebuttal
● Paragraph 4 – 2nd point and supporting evidence
Conclusion – reiteration of the thesis

Outline 4

This outline plans the essay up to the sentence level. It is a suggestion of the arrangement of
sentences for the introduction that can be changed according to the writer’s style. More
sentences can be added to this paragraph as the writer sees fit.

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Introduction
● Sentence 1 – Attention grabber
● Sentence 2 – Background information
● Sentence 3 – Why is this applicable to them? / How does the issue affect
them?
● Sentence 4 – Thesis statement/claim

Body - The body is divided into four paragraphs with the first two dedicated to rebuttals
and the last two for the main points of the argument. The first sentence in each
paragraph will be for the statement of the opposing claim or point in the
argument and will serve as the topic sentence. The following sentences will be
supporting evidence or supporting sentences. The paragraph and sentences
could be added as the writer sees fit. Topic sentences could be placed in any part
of the paragraph; however, putting it in the first sentence gives more direction
and keeps the ideas on track.
Paragraph 1
● Sentence 1 – Opposing claim and rebuttal (topic sentence)
● Sentence 2 – Supporting evidence (supporting sentence)
● Sentence 3 – Supporting evidence (supporting sentence)
● Sentence 4 - Supporting evidence (supporting sentence)
Paragraph 2
● Sentence 1 – Opposing claim and rebuttal (topic sentence)
● Sentence 2 – Supporting evidence (supporting sentence)
● Sentence 3 – Supporting evidence (supporting sentence)
● Sentence 4 – Supporting evidence (supporting sentence)
Paragraph 3
● Sentence 1 – 1st point (topic sentence)
● Sentence 2 – Supporting evidence (supporting sentence)
● Sentence 3 – Supporting evidence (supporting sentence)
● Sentence 4 – Supporting evidence (supporting sentence)
Paragraph 4
● Sentence 1 – 2nd point (topic sentence)
● Sentence 2 – Supporting evidence (supporting sentence)
● Sentence 3 – Supporting evidence (supporting sentence)
● Sentence 4 – Supporting evidence (supporting sentence)

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 Conclusion - The conclusion, like the other parts of the essay, can be organized
according to the writer’s liking. More sentences can also be added as the writer
sees fit. The conclusion starts with the reiteration of the thesis, then the
summary of main points, reference to the introduction, and ends with a
challenging statement or thought-provoking question.
● Sentence 1 – reiteration of the thesis
● Sentence 2 – summary of main points
● Sentence 3 – reference to the introduction
● Sentence 4 – challenging statement/thought-provoking question

Check Your Understanding

1. In writing the introduction, what is the most important point you have to remember?
2. What is the most important role of a conclusion in an argumentative essay?
3. Which of the four outlines present all the rebuttals first before presenting own
arguments and evidence?
4. Which outline discusses the arguments first then rebuts the opposing view?
5. Why is the outline called the backbone of the essay?

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Let’s Step Up!

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 Lesson 3: Composing an Argumentative
Essay
Now that you have learned about creating an outline, it is
time to write the first draft of your argumentative essay.
Your outline is your guide as you write a well-thought-out,
well-substantiated, and detailed essay. In this part,
arguments and counterarguments are to be presented in
an organized manner.

Warm-up!
For five minutes, write anything about your chosen topic. You do
not have to take note of your spelling, punctuations, or grammar
at this point. After the five minutes, keep your rough draft for later
activities.

Learn About It!

In composing an argumentative essay, it is important to

follow an outline. Writing can be time-consuming without a
pattern to follow. In writing the introduction, think of ways
to capture the audience. It can be done through a
thought-provoking question or an interesting example that
would lead to the main claim of the essay. You can also give
the readers reasons why they should pay attention to the
issue you are about to argue about. You can give examples
of how it affects them.

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Your introduction’s goal is to state your thesis or main claim. Make sure your position is clear
so the readers know whether you are writing for or against something. Before stating the
main claim or thesis statement of the essay, remember to put it in context. Background
information is necessary to establish the main claim in the readers’ minds. Make sure that
your reader understands what you are trying to say. Do not assume that the readers know the
topic of your essay.

The body, as explained in the section about outlines, can be done in various ways. You must
choose the most effective arrangement for your argument. You may arrange it
chronologically, spatially, or emphatically. Starting with the reasons they relate to the most is
a good way to keep readers interested and persuade them to agree with your argument.

The body should support the thesis statement, so make sure that the main points are
connected to it. The body of the essay must work toward proving the thesis statement and
disproving arguments against it. Each paragraph within the body must have a clear topic
sentence and must only have one point for better elaboration. Do not forget to use
transitional devices for a smooth delivery of ideas.

Because the goal of the essay is to prove an argument, supporting evidence should be
presented with each point and rebuttal. Refuting an opposing claim also strengthens the
writer’s argument by dismissing the opposition. It reduces doubts toward the writer’s
argument. Also, consider the things that appeal to the intended audience and present
examples that are relatable to the readers.

The conclusion is where the essay ends and rounds up the loose ends of the arguments. It
includes the reiteration of the main claim and summary of the important points. Its purpose is
to synthesize the arguments and rebuttals in a clear and memorable way. It is also important
that the conclusion reflect the introduction and have a smooth transition from it. Relating the
conclusion with the introduction also proves to readers that you achieved the purpose of your
essay.

It should not include something that is not mentioned in the essay. Rather, it should include a
statement that would challenge the readers to support or study the claim of the essay. Tell the
readers about the benefits of sharing the writer’s claim and the possible harm of ignoring the
argument presented. A question can also be a good way to end an essay to give the readers
something to think about.

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 Check Your Understanding
1. In writing the introduction, what are the important things to remember?
2. What are the three effective ways to arrange your arguments?
3. What is the goal of an argumentative essay?
4. Why is it essential that you refute an opposing claim in an argumentative essay?
5. Aside from the context and arrangement of arguments, what else should be taken into
consideration when writing an argumentative essay?

Let’s Step Up!

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 Lesson 4: Finalizing an Argumentative
Essay
The final step in writing an essay is polishing it. The writer
must check one final time for any errors or any additional
ideas that may be helpful in making an argumentative
essay more convincing to the readers. In this lesson,
several logical fallacies and techniques are presented to
help you write a better essay.

Warm-up!
In groups of five, share with one another the techniques you used to write the first draft of
your argumentative essay. Then on a piece of paper, synthesize what you discussed and share
it with the rest of your class.

Learn About It!

In finalizing an argumentative essay, it is important to look at

the essay objectively. Remove anything that does not agree
with the main claim or is not a strong argument. Check the
formality of the essay and use appropriate words for the ideas
presented. Check the relevance of the supporting evidence to
your points or claims. Do not include anything that might
weaken the argument. Review the essay to remove any logical
fallacies in the arguments.

Logical fallacies are statements that do not follow the rules

of argumentation. They throw the readers off track and

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mislead them to prove one’s point. Here are some examples:

A. Ad Hominem Fallacy
This happens when a person’s character is attacked in the place of the argument.

Maita has lied to me several times, so she should not be the class president.

B. Hasty Generalization
This happens when someone claims something based on a small percentage of the
population.

Katy Perry is the most popular female singer because all of my friends know her.

C. The Bandwagon Appeal

This happens when something is presumed to be right just because most people are
doing it.

All parents should permit their tweens to engage in romantic relationships because
most tweens are now in relationships.

D. Black-or-White Fallacy
This happens when an argument is just a result of an either/or choice when in fact
there are more options.

A working student can only work as a student assistant or as a waiter at a fast food
restaurant.

Aside from checking the logical connections in the essay, the kinds of words and sentences
used should also be evaluated. Check the essay for clipped or slang words that may indicate
informality and weaken the writer’s credibility. Avoid using words without precise meanings
like thing, good, nice, back then, soon, really, etc. Use different types of sentences to add
variation to your essay, such as simple, complex, compound, and compound-complex
sentences.

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Coherence and unity in the paragraphs and the whole essay is necessary. Make sure the
tense used throughout the essay is consistent. Sentences should carry a complete thought,
but be careful not put too much information, for it would result in a run-on sentence. The use
of transitional devices, coordinating conjunctions, and subordinating conjunctions help in
avoiding run-on sentences, sentence fragments, and comma splices.

Parallelism is another way to make the essay cohesive. It is characterized by the repetition of
grammatical structures, which in turn creates a pattern in the readers’ minds. This makes the
essay easier to digest. Here’s an example of parallelism: Teachers should be a parent, guide,
and friend to his or her students. They should not reject, embarrass, or give up on them no
matter how stubborn they may be.

Peer review is also one way to improve an argumentative essay. Ask for the help of your
classmates or friends in reviewing the essay. Here are some questions that they can answer in
reviewing the essay.

1. What is the purpose of the writer?

2. Is the thesis statement clear?
3. Does the writer acknowledge opposing claims?
4. Does the argument appeal to the readers’ intellect and emotion?
5. Does the writer present sufficient and appropriate evidence?
6. Does the conclusion include something that is not in the introduction or body?

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 Check Your Understanding
1. What kind of logical fallacy is used when someone attacks another person’s character
instead of presenting a sound argument?
2. What kind of logical fallacy is used when only two choices were given and all the other
possible options were ignored?
3. “This cosmetic product must be really good because my favorite artist promotes it.”
What kind of logical fallacy is used in the sentence?
4. “Basketball is an easy sport because all you do is run, dribble, and shoot.” What kind of
logical fallacy is used in the sentence?
5. Why must you observe formal language in writing an argumentative essay?

Let’s Step Up!

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 Performance Task
Social Networking Sites Damage Teenagers’ Minds: Argumentative Essay Writing

Goal: Your goal is to present your arguments for or against the topic social networking sites
damage teenagers’ minds and convince your audience to agree with you.

Role: You are your batch representative, and you are tasked to write an argumentative essay
that will be published in your school paper.

Audience: Your audience are the members of your school community, particularly your
schoolmates.

Situation: There is an ongoing debate among your schoolmates regarding the use of social
media and social networking sites. Everyone has their own say about it, whether
grounded on facts or purely based on their own opinions.

Product and Performance: You must write an argumentative essay that states your stand on
the given topic.

Standards and Criteria for Success: Your argumentative essay will be graded according to
the rubric below.

Criteria Beginning Developing Accomplished Score

(0-12 points) (13-16 points) (17-20 points)

Introduction The introduction The introduction The introduction

has a vague has a thesis has a clear thesis
thesis statement statement and statement,
and does not definition of the definition of the
clarify the problem; however, problem, and the
writer’s stand. there are details hook is
that are unclear and thought-provoking.
not entirely
thought-provoking.

Body The body The body contains The body contains

contains one to three three to four

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 arguments; arguments that are well-developed
however, they well-supported by arguments that are
are not evidence. well-supported by
well-supported evidence.
by evidence.

Conclusion The conclusion is The conclusion The conclusion

a simple restates the writer’s effectively restates
repetition of the claims. The the writer’s claims
introduction. synthesis missed without repeating
There is no some important most words and
synthesis at all. points. sentences. There is
a clear synthesis of
ideas.

Organization Neither the flow The flow of ideas is There is a coherent

of ideas nor the not always flow of ideas. The
arrangement of coherent, but the arguments are
arguments are arguments are arranged logically.
coherent and arranged logically.
logical.

Language There are many There are are one or Sentence structure,
(Grammar, errors in two errors in punctuations, and
mechanics) sentence sentence structure, grammar are all
structure, punctuations, and correct.
punctuation, and grammar.
grammar.

Total Score

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 Self-Check: How Well Did I Learn?
Do a self-check on how well you learned the lessons in this unit. Place a checkmark in the
appropriate box.
I am familiar and
I think I need more I am confident that I
can perform well
Skills practice and can perform this on
with minimal
assistance my own
assistance
I can identify the
parts of an
argumentative
essay.
I can create an
outline for an
argumentative
essay.
I can compose an
argumentative
essay.

Wrap Up
● The parts of an argumentative essay are the introduction, body, and
conclusion.
● The introduction establishes the purpose and tone of the essay, which
moves toward the thesis statement.
● The body of the essay is where the arguments are expounded and
defended.
● The conclusion includes the restatement of the main claim and summary
of the important points. Its purpose is to synthesize the arguments and
rebuttals in a clear and memorable way.

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 ● The outline serves as the backbone of the essay. It maintains the
direction of the essay and saves time in writing it.
● In finalizing an argumentative essay, it is important to look at the essay
objectively.
● Logical fallacies are statements that do not follow the rules of
argumentation.

Bibliography

Glenn, Cheryl. 2016. The New Harbrace Guide: Genres for Composing. Boston: Cengage
Learning.
Luis Nazario, Deborah Borchers, William Lewis. 2011. Bridges to Better Writing. Cengage
Learning.
Mesa Community College. 2017. Creating an Argument Outline. Accessed June 15, 2018.
https://www.mesacc.edu/~paoih30491/ArgumentsOutline.html.
Pamphlet Master. 2014. Argumentative Essays. Speedy Publishing LLC.
Roane State Community College. n.d. “Types of Papers: Argument/Argumentative.” Accessed
June 15, 2018. http://www.roanestate.edu/owl/argument.html.
Tucker, Kristine. 2017. “What Are the Five Parts of an Argumentative Essay?” Accessed June 16,
2018. http://classroom.synonym.com/five-parts-argumentative-essay-12064227.html.
The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. 2017. “Argumentative Essays.”
Accessed June 16, 2018. https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/685/05/.

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