(A) the basic characteristics of argumentative writing

An argumentative essay is an article that puts forward opinions or opinions on an object and explains reasons to convince readers. Its basic feature is the persuasiveness of the argument-that is, convincing the reader. Because the purpose of discussion is to convince readers. No matter what problems and things it discusses, what opinions it expresses, what opinions it puts forward, what reasons it tells, or what opinions it refutes, it is to convince readers and convince them. If the basic feature of expository writing is its explanatory nature, and the object of explanation should be clearly explained to readers, then the basic feature of argumentative writing is its persuasiveness. An argumentative essay "Persuade others to succeed" (in Ye Shengtao's language) should not only discuss the viewpoint of an argumentative object, but also express the author's attitude (that is, the viewpoint) and explain why this viewpoint is put forward and why this attitude is held. This process of explaining "why" is the process of proof. A complete proof must consist of three parts: argument, argument and proof. These parts are the three elements that make up an argumentative essay. They have different tasks. If the argument is something to prove, then the argument is what to prove and the argument is how to prove it. Regardless of the length of an argumentative essay, these three elements are indispensable, and they all shoulder the task of "persuading readers".

(2) Six methods to skillfully start an argumentative essay. 1, direct entry type. That is, cut to the chase and show the point of the article. For example, the article "Talk about backbone" begins with only one sentence: "We China people have backbone." Directly put forward the central argument of the article, which laid the foundation for the following discussion. The advantage of this beginning is that it is simple and easy to master; Start over, a broken word. 2. introduction One is to directly quote the beginning of a famous aphorism and put it forward as a central argument. For example, "Talking about Diligence" begins by saying, "As the saying goes, nothing is difficult in the world. Han Yu, a writer in the Tang Dynasty, said that "industry is good at diligence". The profound attainments of learning come from diligence. " Quoting common sayings first, clicking on the word "present" and then quoting the beginning of famous aphorisms can make the central argument of the article more authoritative, profound and convincing and play a leading role. 3. Quote. Gradually draw an argument from someone, something or a phenomenon in life. For example, at the beginning of the article Whistle, I summed up a profound lesson by telling a life case of my childhood. At the beginning of the quotation, the argument comes from life and is easy for readers to accept; The form is lively and easy to arouse readers' interest. 4. Contrast. That is, two diametrically opposite phenomena in life are linked together, and their own unique opinions are put forward in comparison. For example, at the beginning of the article Thinking and Action, the author first wrote about people who can only dream but can't do things, and then wrote about people who can only do things but can't think, and then compared these two kinds of people, made an in-depth analysis, and put forward the central argument: "No matter whether you work or study, dreaming and not doing things will not make progress. Thinking and doing are inseparable, and there must be a connection. " The advantage of this opening way is that it helps readers to judge the merits through comparison, thus strongly supporting the argument. 5. metaphor. That is, figurative sentences skillfully lead to the central argument of the article. Such as "a brick and a tile, insignificant; However, a thousand bricks and ten thousand tiles can build a magnificent socialist building. A tree is insignificant; However, a thousand trees make a forest, which can change the climatic conditions such as smoking, dust retention, wind and sand fixation, and beautifying the environment. From this, I thought of changing the social atmosphere. " The advantages of this method are: using images to help reasoning, lively and attractive. Step 6 ask questions. That is, by asking and answering questions, introduce arguments or lead to central arguments. For example, From Three to 10,000 begins with a rhetorical question: "Is there a shortcut to learning cultural knowledge?" This paper leads to the dialectical analysis of advantages and disadvantages, and then puts forward the argument: "Learning culture should be accumulated bit by bit, especially for beginners." This opening is thought-provoking. Of course, there are more than these forms at the beginning of argumentative writing, and there is no fixed pattern at the beginning of argumentative writing. No matter how you start, you should consider how to express your views more concisely and quickly.

(3) Demonstration method. Argumentative writing is mainly argumentative writing. Argumentation, from the perspective of formal logic, is the whole logical reasoning process of proving an argument with arguments. This process shows what logical methods are used to connect or unify arguments. So, how are arguments and arguments related? Or how does the argument prove the argument? This is the problem of argumentation method. The method of argument is related to the form of reasoning, but it is not the same. It is varied, and people can use it flexibly according to different needs. Here are some of the more commonly used:

1, for example. An example is to use typical concrete facts as arguments to prove the argument. This is the usual way of "putting the facts". This is a method to demonstrate by inductive reasoning, which is easy to master and widely used. For example, Rousseau did not leave a bad name because he exposed his meanness in the article "Be brave enough to kneel in front of yourself"; Mr. Lu Xun dissected himself strictly, dissected our nation strictly, and criticized the people's inferiority without mercy, and was not resented by the people for this; Ba Jin's old man was not spurned for exposing ugliness. These examples of the author highlight the significance of self-reflection and prove the argument well. For example, in the article "The Sound of Underwater", the author cited several examples: In Iran, thirsty wild boar rushed into urban and rural areas in search of drinking water due to drought. Sometimes a large group of wild boars flood into the village, scaring the local villagers to flee everywhere ... This case seems dull, but it is a good proof of the inner worries and expectations of human beings.

For example, the most important thing is to pay attention to the consistency and close unity of arguments and arguments, and there can be no distance. On this basis, the cited examples should be contemporary and novel. For example, when an article talks about observing and thinking attentively in writing, it gives an example: Shakespeare, a famous great writer and poet, is good at observing life, refining materials, writing a lot of tragicomedy and poetry, and finally becoming an immortal master of art. Newton, a great physicist, found that the apple fell to the ground while enjoying the cool in the evening. Why not fall into the sky? After repeated practice, it is finally concluded that all objects on the surface of the earth are affected by gravity. Here is an example of Shakespeare. Although not thorough enough, it is still directly related to the argument. It is inappropriate to quote Newton's example, because although he also observed and thought, he did not use words.

2. Be reasonable. This method is to prove an argument with what people know. For example, the following passage: Mr. Lu Xun once said: "A great mind should show such a spirit-greet tragic bad luck with a smiling face and deal with all misfortunes with a hundred times of courage." Edison also said: "The most obvious sign of a great man is a strong will. No matter how the environment changes, his original intention and hope will not change at all. And finally overcome obstacles to achieve the expected goals. " Great people are still like this, and we should be more like this. "What matters here is a strong spirit and a hundred times of courage" is a well-known "truth", which convincingly proves the argument that "laughter is life".

However, when using reasoning, especially when quoting famous aphorisms, we should pay attention to the following points: A. The quoted content and arguments do form a close memory connection. B. generally, the quotation should be clarified and explained. Don't draw conclusions after quoting, so as not to give people a superficial feeling. C, in addition to the need for debate, a large number of arguments must be quoted, and the quotation should be concise. The author should be good at grasping the essence of quotation.

3. Comparative demonstration. Contrast is two diametrically opposed situations in a comparative argument. Because the two sides of the comparison form sharp contrast and set off each other, this method can especially highlight the nature of the one hand and has strong argumentation, so it is also widely used. For example, there is a passage in the article "Waiting for Liu Bei": Today is an era of advocating knowledge and talent. However, influenced by traditional ideas, most people are used to hiding but not revealing, and "live in seclusion." I am eager to develop my talents, but I dare not stand out. As a result, a person's talents are often not brought into full play, while society has lost a valuable fortune. If he volunteered, when will his talent be recognized? How did Ping Yuanjun reach an agreement with Chu? Therefore, we can't wait for the arrival of "Liu Bei" and place too much hope on "Bole". We should control our own destiny. There is a young party secretary in Huangxiu Township, Yueyang City. He used to be a logistics cadre of Yueyang Nitrogen Fertilizer Plant, and he is known as "Little Zhuge" among young people. He thought, "I'm still useless in the factory." But I can't wait to do something. "So he recommended himself as secretary of the township, Yueyang municipal party committee approved. He did a good job and became a news figure in Yueyang city. Golden Age magazine reported his deeds. If he waits there like many people, then Liu Bei can't find a logistics cadre with the talent of party leader no matter how thirsty he is. Here, the two situations of waiting for Liu Bei and not waiting for Liu Bei are compared together. The result tells the reader that it is self-evident: there is no need to wait for Liu Bei, thus effectively proving the argument.

As a reflection of human thinking activities, the method of argumentation is not difficult to master. Sometimes, we find it difficult, not only because books are too fragmentary and abstract when introducing relevant knowledge, but also because learning is divorced from reality. Connecting with practice, any theory and knowledge is easy to understand and master, and so is the demonstration method. As long as we link the study of these knowledge with our daily cognitive activities, learn more excellent articles in newspapers and keep practicing writing, we will be able to skillfully use these methods.