First of all, how to write an argumentative essay
Argumentative writing focuses on convincing people with reasoning.
"Reasoning" is the key to argumentative writing. We must stick to our own views on the issues discussed. Argument is the soul of argumentative writing, and it must be correct and distinct. Factual arguments require truthfulness and credibility, while rational arguments require persuasiveness.
Argumentative writing is by no means a simple argument plus argument. Writing an argumentative essay emphasizes the process and method of proving an argument with arguments, which is an argumentative essay. Facts speak plainer than words. If you quote hard and typical facts, your point of view will be strongly proved. Therefore, examples are the most commonly used. According to the correct and credible scientific principles and celebrity speeches, it is a rational argument, which often makes the discussion authoritative and thus more convincing. Everyone must learn these two basic methods of argument. In addition, comparative argument is to compare positive and negative arguments or arguments and prove arguments in comparison; Metaphorical argument is to use familiar things as metaphors to prove arguments and so on.
As long as we have more contact with nature, know more about society, feel more about life, appreciate life, practice writing more and persevere, we will certainly be able to write good articles.
1. Argumentative essay is an article that expresses the author's views and opinions through argumentation.
2. The three elements of argumentative writing include argument, argument and argumentation.
3. Write a simple argumentative essay and try to be reasonable and well-founded.
Exam notes: Political papers, editorials, short comments, small comments, miscellaneous feelings, prefaces and postscripts, declarations, statements, opening speeches, written speeches and reports that we often see in newspapers and books are argumentative. Argumentative writing plays a great role in "the construction of two civilizations" and daily life. We must study hard and master this style of writing.
1, three elements of argumentative writing
Every argumentative paper is inseparable from arguments, arguments and arguments. Therefore, clear arguments, conclusive arguments and rigorous argumentation are the three basic elements of argumentative writing.
(1) parameter
Argument is the author's views or opinions on the issues to be discussed, and it is the soul of argumentative writing, which plays the role of guiding the whole text and making it clear at the beginning. Establishing arguments is the premise of writing argumentative essays. Argumentative argument has the following five requirements:
1 correct. The purpose of writing argumentative essays is to preach the truth, distinguish right from wrong, distinguish right from wrong, beauty and ugliness. Therefore, the correctness of ideological views is the first.
2 very different. In the article, the author must clearly express his views and express them unequivocally, so that readers can see at a glance and understand them clearly.
3 tight. The expression of arguments must be cautious, rigorous and impeccable, and people who disagree should not be given any chance.
4 concentration. An argumentative essay can only put forward a central argument, and the whole article always focuses on one argument, expounding the truth in depth and solving problems. The requirement of centralization is to avoid the shift of arguments, and the arguments in the latter part are different from those in the former part, or the concepts are confused.
⑤ profound. The arguments put forward in this paper should be the author's fresh and original views on things, which can profoundly reveal the essence of things, rather than general platitudes, so as to convince readers more effectively and give people profound enlightenment.
When writing an argumentative essay, we should pay attention to explaining the central argument and sub-arguments clearly. The central argument is the basic point of argumentative writing, the theme and core of the whole paper, and plays a leading role in the article. Subordinate argument is an argument that clarifies and serves the central argument.
There are various forms to put forward arguments, generally the following four: First, put forward arguments at the beginning. The second is to put forward an argument at the end. The third is the argument put forward by the article. Fourth, the argument runs through the whole paper. The usual writing methods are ① and ②, and the essay should also be based on these two methods, and then learn the latter two writing methods.
(2) arguments
Arguments are used to prove the facts and authenticity of arguments. So arguments include factual materials and truth, that is, theoretical materials. Fact materials include both positive and negative facts, and data materials are one of them. What principles should be followed in selecting factual and theoretical materials?
For positive factual materials, the first is the principle of authenticity. If the argument is true, the argument is credible; If the argument is not valid, the argument is suspicious. The second is the typical principle. It is required to use materials that can profoundly reveal the essence of things, that is, materials with broad representation as arguments. An argument often has many arguments to prove from different aspects and angles. But among many arguments that can prove it, there are always some most appropriate and convincing arguments, which are typical arguments. In addition, we must follow the principle of novelty. When reading articles, people are easily attracted by novel materials, and they are also easily disgusted with old materials. Therefore, the choice of factual arguments must also follow the principle of seeking novelty, belittle the old, seek near and far, and work hard on the word "new".
The principle of negative facts should be adopted. In order to explain the truth thoroughly, argumentative papers need to analyze and demonstrate arguments from multiple angles, which requires us to choose arguments from different angles, not only to choose positive materials, but also to explain things from the front; We should also choose negative materials, analyze things from a negative perspective, compare positive and negative, compare positive and negative, and highlight the central argument. Negative materials complement incomprehensible results.
Data materials should follow scientific principles. On the surface, the data is just a few simple numbers, but in fact, it has rich connotations, often the crystallization of a lot of labor, the performance of brilliant achievements and the reflection of unremitting efforts. Introducing scientific data into argumentative writing can enhance the effect of argumentation and has irrefutable persuasion.
Second, the argumentative essay structure
Argumentative writing has some basic structural forms, such as total score, parallel, progressive, positive and negative, comparative, inductive and so on. The following essay topic "Say" Thinking "is taken as an example to explain it separately:
First, the total score formula
First put forward your own point of view, that is, argument, then analyze and demonstrate, and finally draw a conclusion. This structure is discussed in the order of asking questions, analyzing problems and solving problems.
Say "think":
1, learning to use your brain is a very important question (question)
2. Do a good job in study, work and scientific research. Everyone needs more brains (analyzing problems).
3. Get into the habit of thinking more (solving problems)
Second, parallel type.
First put forward the general argument, and then discuss the general argument in parallel from several aspects, that is, the discussion part consists of several parallel sub-arguments. Several parallel arguments are often placed at the beginning of each paragraph to show the hierarchy. The key to using this structure is to understand a general argument from different aspects and to arrange several sub-arguments that can explain the general argument side by side.
Say "think":
1, to develop the habit of thinking more (general argument)
2, think more about learning knowledge (parallel argument 1)
3. Think that more can be invented (parallel argument 2)
The more you think, the more you use your brain (tied with argument 3)
Third, progress.
According to the internal relationship of objective things, from this to that, from the outside to the inside, demonstrate layer by layer. There are many ways to "go deep": from phenomenon to essence; It can be said that from possible to inevitable; We can talk about problems from experience and then talk about solutions to problems; We can talk about "why" from "what" and then "how" ... This structure can make the analysis of the problem step by step like peeling bamboo shoots.
Say "think":
1, "thinking" means advocating thinking (what is it)
2. The importance of "diligence" (why)
3, but also "how"
Fourth, positive and negative
After the argument is put forward, it is demonstrated from both positive and negative aspects. Any argument can be discussed from both sides; Combining two aspects, the explanation is more thorough. Some arguments can be based on positive discussion and combined with negative discussion; Some arguments can focus on negative arguments and combine them with positive arguments.
Say "think":
1, we should advocate more brains (putting forward arguments)
2. The importance of thinking more (positive discussion)
3. The harm of not thinking (negative discussion)
Comparison of verbs (abbreviation of verb)
Prove an argument by comparison. There are positive and negative contrasts, there are contrasts between the present and the past, there is a contrast between one thing and another, there is a contrast between the same thing at different stages of development, and so on. Contrast can make the point more distinct.
Say "think":
1, two kinds of people in life: people who are diligent in thinking; A person who is lazy in thinking. (Attitude contrast)
2. Different results of different attitudes (result comparison)
3. Different ideological roots of different attitudes (ideological roots comparison)
We should learn the first attitude and be a diligent thinker (conclusion).
Six, inductive type
First put out a series of facts that can explain the general argument, and then summarize the general argument. Inductive expression is often used to demonstrate a certain point in a paragraph, but it is rarely used as a full-text structural form and is generally used in combination with other forms.
Say "think":
1, Newton from observing the apple falling to discovering the law of gravity (for example 1)
2. Watt from observing boiling water to inventing steam engine (Example 2)
3, Marx from observing commodity exchange to publishing surplus value theory (Example 3)
4, everything must be more brains (induction)
Third, how to decompose the argument
When the central argument of an argumentative paper is clear, how to accurately decompose it into several sub-arguments is an important link in writing an argumentative paper. The sub-argument is relative to the central argument, but it belongs to the central argument and is used to demonstrate the central argument. If an article has no sub-argument, or the sub-argument is not well established, then the central argument cannot be proved or the argument is weak. So, how to set up a sub-argument? Here are some common decomposition methods.
1, concept analysis. The concept here refers to the key words in the central argument of the article. Analyzing these words and making clear their connotation and extension will help us to decompose the central argument.
For example, the center of an article is that "the face of safeguarding the dignity of the people of the country cannot be lost, and the idea of paying too much attention to personal face cannot be lost." The discussion of this center must be divided into two levels: one is to emphasize the need to safeguard the dignity of the country and the people; The second is to emphasize not to care too much about personal vanity. These are two sub-arguments decomposed from the central argument.
2. Causal analysis. The "cause" here refers to the partial argument, and the "effect" refers to the central argument. After establishing the central argument (fruit), analyze the reasons for this result.
To prove that "youth is the golden age", you can ask questions first. Why is youth the golden age? The following points can be cited: ① Youth is an era of physical strength and energy; Youth is an era of accumulating knowledge and increasing talents; (3) Youth is an era of making contributions. These three sub-arguments prove the central argument from three different angles.
3. Dialectical analysis. It includes two aspects: ① the positive and negative comparative analysis of the central argument, and ② the analysis of the split of the central argument.
① Contrastive analysis, if we want to prove that "practice makes true knowledge", we can demonstrate it from two aspects: a. Only through practice can we understand things and grasp the development law of things; B, don't participate in practice, don't proceed from reality, behind closed doors, you can't find the key to solve the problem. This can further clarify the view that "practice makes true knowledge".
② Analysis of two places. If we want to prove that "adversity is not the key to success", we should analyze it from two places: a. adversity can make talents, which has been proved by many facts at home and abroad; B, not all adversity can make talents. These two arguments seem to be contradictory, but they are all unified under the general point of "Can adversity make talents?"
4. Condition analysis. The central argument here refers to the result, while the sub-argument refers to the "conditions" to meet the result.
If we want to demonstrate "striving to be a cross-century successor", we can adopt the method of conditional analysis on this topic. First of all, imagine, "What conditions do we need to become successors across the century?" In this way, we can get the following three arguments: ① determination to serve the motherland, ② excellent skills and ③ good psychological quality.
5. Comparative analysis method. This is a relatively simple method to expand the central argument into sub-arguments.
For example, the center of this article is to advocate lofty aspirations, rather than fishing for three days and drying the net for two days. During the discussion, we can compare the two methods, namely, "always determined" and "established wisdom", and analyze their respective characteristics and different results. Through comparison, we can make it clear that only by setting up lofty ideals and fighting for them can we achieve something.
The above are several methods we often use. If you can't think of a good analysis method at the moment, you can also use the conventional analysis method, that is, you can ask some questions, such as "what", "why" and "how to do it", then list the arguments and then filter them. Mr. He Yongkang once said: "In the college entrance examination composition, due to the limited number of words in the whole article, it is best to control the elaboration of each small argument to about 260 words. Generally speaking, the process of elaboration is: first point out the small argument in a few sentences, then briefly analyze and discuss it, then put forward the facts in combination with the reality, and finally summarize it. " This passage explains in detail the realization process of a sub-argument.
model essay
People regard good words as virtues.
Once upon a time, the creed of "silence is golden" was regarded as the criterion of being a man by many people, and it worked well every time. The theory that "the fragrance of wine is not afraid of the depth of the alley" is regarded as a classic and worshipped by many people. It seems that only by being reserved and taciturn can you show your profound self-restraint. As Zhuangzi said: "Dogs don't take good barking as good, and people don't take good words as virtue." Starting from some golden rules, this paper expounds that "silence", "reserve" and "silence" are not desirable. )
However, when the whole family is asleep and the thief comes, a barking dog is needed at this time; When the master is in danger, he needs a barking dog. People need a talking mouth when establishing interpersonal relationships; Sometimes in embarrassing situations, you need a smart mouth; When solving the crisis, we need a mouth that can hold hands and fall down ... so, people have good words! Introduce from familiar life phenomena and put forward the central argument more convincingly. )
Although Ji Xiaolan and Emperor Qianlong were ministers of the Qing Dynasty, they were friends. On one occasion, because of the hot weather, Ji Xiaolan took off his clothes to enjoy the cool. Ganlong suddenly came, but he couldn't hide, so he hid under the bed. After a long time, I thought that the emperor had left, and I was extremely puzzled and asked, "Is the old man gone?" Unexpectedly, Gan Long didn't leave and asked him to explain what "old man" meant. Ji Xiaolan said, "Long live is' old', people call it' head' and' son' is the honorific title of sages." Gan Long heard this and laughed it off. Calling the emperor an "old man" is disrespectful to the emperor, but after witty rhetoric, it has become noble. Of course, Gan Long is not without culture. I didn't know he was improvising. Let him go. Obviously, he appreciates his humor and interest. Didn't these kind words save Ji Xiaolan's life? Therefore, an easy-going person can sometimes save himself by his own "good words". Ji Xiaolan's clever words about "the old man" are cited to demonstrate argument one: a talkative person can sometimes save himself through his own "kind words". )
Sui Tang is also a kind person. With only one mouth, Qin Shihuang was persuaded to give up the trick of annexing Jinling. He was scared and apologized, and Qin Shihuang was so impressed that he was "kind"! It can be seen that a good confidante can sometimes resolve the disaster that an ideal city or even a country is on the verge of extinction. (This passage transits from the last paragraph [personal safety] to this paragraph [national crisis], which leads Sui Tang to persuade Qin Shihuang to abandon the annexation of Jinling, and convincingly demonstrates the second argument: a good confidante can sometimes resolve the disaster that an ideal city or even a country is on the verge of extinction, making the meaning of the text more profound. )
When Zhuge Liang arrived in Jiangdong, he fought against Confucianism with his golden tongue, and finally unified Sun and Liu, laying the foundation for three-thirds of the world in the future. Su Qin, who is proficient in military affairs, has achieved something by his "kind words". This passage further explains the transition from the individual to the universal, and discusses the third argument: a nice person can achieve something with "nice words". )
Aren't Ji Xiaolan, Sui Tang and Zhuge Liang virtuous?
In fact, not only ancient sages need "good words", but also the highly competitive talent market in modern society is like waves of sand. "Sages" have a skill, and it is not enough without "kind words". After all, not everyone is as famous as Zhuge Liang and can be taken care of by Liu Bei. There is nothing worse than Jiang Ziya. Straight hook fishing has attracted Zhou Wuwang's attention. Just think, if Liu Huangshu has never really heard of Mr Zhuge, then Mr Zhuge, no matter how knowledgeable and balanced he is, will also be buried in Nanyang. As for Jiang Taigong, when he was appreciated and valued by Zhou Wuwang, he was over 80 years old. Even though Wen Tao is skilled, he is still in his prime, and his heart is willing, but his strength is weak. (This paragraph follows the previous article, talking about "ancient" and "present", from history to reality, and talking about the necessity of "good words" for modern talents, which makes the article have practical significance; At the same time, it also broadens the ideological depth of the article. )
People regard good words as virtue, laugh and laugh in the face of difficulties, talk with Kan Kan in front of friends, talk eloquently in front of superiors, talk with Kan Kan in interviews, and argue with reason in adversity ... This is a kind of wisdom, a kind of demeanor and a kind of realm. Let's be sages in the new era, with strength as the shield and "kind words" as the spear, enjoy life and look down on others! Summing up the full text, it is pointed out that "people regard good words as sages" is a kind of wisdom, a kind of demeanor, a realm and a unique and profound insight. )
General Comment This article is a typical argumentative essay with the following highlights: First, it has a new angle and profound views. Second, the materials are informative and the arguments are strong. Thirdly, the sentence patterns are flexible and changeable, and the use of parallelism and rhetorical questions makes the language quite imposing.