Hello there! In my English class, we've been focusing a lot on argumentative writing, and I've been finding it a bit challenging. I was wondering if anyone could point me to some examples of well-written argumentative paragraphs to serve as a kind of model for me? Thanks in advance!
Absolutely, I'd be happy to provide you with a couple of examples to guide your argumentative writing. An exemplary argumentative paragraph not only presents a claim but also supports it with evidence and provides a rebuttal to any potential counterargument.
Example 1:
Consider the following argument about social media use in education:
"Social media can be a powerful tool in the educational sector and should be adopted as one of the tools for teaching and learning. Given its popularity among students, it can act as an engaging alternative learning environment that promotes interaction and collaboration. For instance, platforms such as Twitter can be used to share relevant resources and generate discussions. However, some may argue that social media use could result in distractions and enable cyberbullying. While these concerns are valid, this should not deter the adoption of social media but instead encourage the effectiveness of implementing guidelines, regulations, and digital citizenship education to ensure safe and focused use of these platforms within school boundaries."
Example 2:
Now let's take a look at an argument about college tuition:
"Free college tuition can be a significant force towards ensuring equal opportunities for all students, regardless of their financial background. The alignment of education access with income propagates societal inequality by restricting opportunities and resources for low-income students. Institutions, such as New York's Excelsior Scholarship program, have demonstrated the feasibility and positive benefits of this approach. Critics may contend that free tuition would place an unwarranted fiscal burden on the government and taxpayers. However, potential funding mechanisms, such as a marginal tax increase on corporations and high-income individuals, could alleviate this concern. Therefore, addressing the financial barrier to higher education not only promotes social equity but also reduces long-term societal costs associated with income inequality."
These examples follow the structure of claim, evidence, counterargument acknowledgement, and rebuttal. But remember, one key aspect of writing a successful argumentative paragraph is ensuring you refine your writing based on feedback from your teacher or peers, so don't hesitate to revise, ask for clarifications, and constantly work on your writing skills!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.