UPM-CALC/SEM2/2019-2020/CEL2103/LN5

CEL 2103 WRITING ACADEMIC TEXTS

SEMESTER 1, 2019/2020

LECTURE NOTES 5
C
Structure of an Argumentative Essay

There can be no single structure that can fit all argumentative essay. Each structure
has a different purpose, and one should be careful to determine the audience of the
essay in order to use the right language, pattern and structure. Generally, an
argumentative essay contains four key elements:

 An explanation of the issue

 A clear thesis
 A summary of the opposing arguments
 Your own arguments

You can organise these elements of an argumentative essay in several ways. The
comprehensive way to present your arguments is by employing Point-by-Point
pattern in your argumentative writing. The outline below illustrates the pattern that
can be used to structure an argumentative essay.

Point-By-Point Pattern

I. Introduction
 Explanation of the issue, including summary of the other side’s arguments
 Thesis statement

II. Body

Paragraph 1:
A. Statement of the other side’s first argument (opposing argument)
B. Rebuttal with your own argument (rebuttal argument)

Paragraph 2:
A. Statement of the other side’s first argument (opposing argument)
B. Rebuttal with your own argument (rebuttal argument)

III. Conclusion
 May include a summary of your point of view
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Activity 1

Read the article. Then use the information given earlier on the Point-by-Point of an
argumentative essay to answer the following questions.

Replaced By A Robot

Para Ever since the invention of computers, technology has done more of the job of an
1 average worker. From making mathematical calculations to sorting out mailing
lists, computers have been proven to be more efficient than their human
counterparts. Over the last decade, robotic advancement and the use of robots in
factories and many other sectors have attracted attention from various parties. In
fact, many different arguments have been put forward by those who support and
oppose the use of robots in industries. Although some argue that robots will never
replace human, the advancement in robotic technology seems to indicate that it is
inevitable.

Para 1Until now, many have argued that robots can only replace humans in certain less-
2 skilled jobs. 2They might, for example, be able to perform routine tasks on an
assembly line.3However, these opponents of a mechanised workforce may not be
aware that technology has progressed in the areas of decision-making and
creativity. 4In fact, some interactive robots are so well-designed that soon, it will be
possible to talk with them almost endlessly before realising that they are not
human. 5A robot has even emerged as the winner of Jeopardy, a famous game
show, not long ago. 6These examples show that robots are clearly capable of more
than just simple tasks.

Para Next, there are those who argue that even though robots may someday be able to
3 approximate human behaviour, humans will always be able to do the job better.
While that may be true for general-purposes robots, highly-specialised machines
can often do specific tasks better than a human being, no matter how well-trained
the person is. For example, human lawyers may miss important evidence. This is
particularly true when sifting through millions of emails to prosecute crime in a so-
called ‘white collar’ jobs. Robots, on the other hand, can sort through this
information quickly and accurately. In fact, there is now a software programme that
can detect not just obviously illegal proposals but also changes in style that can
point suspicious activities. Computer programmes in robots can identify a switch
from formal to informal tone, particularly urgent wording. Within seconds, robots
can identify the most questionable language and alert investigators. In this case,
the human legal experts cannot begin to compete with their electronic colleagues.

Para Finally, some may say it is morally wrong to replace human beings with robots.
4 They argue that it is unethical to deprive real people of their jobs merely due to
their sickness of lack of efficiency. If efficiency were the only concern, they might
be correct; however, this argument does not take into account the consequences
of human failings in the workplace. In surgery, for example, a doctor’s arm may
shake. A minimally invasive surgical robot, on the other hand, will always make the
right cut. It would be truly immoral for the society to be concern about the doctor’s
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job at the expense of the patient’s health.

Para In conclusion, employers need to decide when and how to replace human workers
5 with computers. This decision is not easy, and a robot will not always be the right
answer. However, the arguments given earlier show clearly that as robots
approach human ability to reason, they will become more reliable, and there will be
more circumstances in which replacing a person with a robot is not just the most
efficient choice, but the most ethical one.

1. In which paragraph does the writer give background information to help readers
understand the issue?

2. Look at paragraph 1. Which sentence is the thesis statement?

3. Does the thesis statement mention both sides of the issue, or does it give the
writer’s point of view only?

4. Look at paragraph 2. How many opposing arguments are given? State the
sentence numbers.

5. Where does the writer respond to these opposing arguments? State the sentence
numbers.

6. The last paragraph begins with ‘In conclusion’. What is the function of this
transitional signal?

7. Read the last paragraph. What can you say about its content?
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Activity 2
Complete the outline below based on the model essay from Activity 1.

I. Introduction (explanation of the issue)

Thesis statement: Although some argue that robots will never replace human, the
advancement in robotic technology seems to indicate that it is
inevitable.

II. Body Paragraphs

Body Paragraph 1: Robot and human skills

Opposing argument 1: Until now, many have argued that robots can only replace
humans in certain less-skilled jobs.

Supporting details : ________________________________________________

________________________________________________

Rebuttal to argument 1: However, these opponents of a mechanised workforce may

not be aware that technology has progressed in the areas of
decision-making and creativity.

Supporting details : a. Conversation ability

b. ______________________________________________

Body Paragraph 2: Robots and human behaviour

Opposing argument 2: ________________________________________________

________________________________________________

Supporting details : ________________________________________________

________________________________________________

Rebuttal to argument 2: While that may be true for general-purposes robots, highly-
specialised machines can often do specific tasks better than
a human being, no matter how well-trained the person is.

Supporting details : a. Specialised legal task- failings of human lawyers

b. Specialised legal task- strength of computer research
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Body Paragraph 3: Ethics of using robots

Opposing argument 3: _______________________________________________

_______________________________________________

Supporting details : ________________________________________________

________________________________________________

Rebuttal to argument 3:________________________________________________

________________________________________________

Supporting details : a. ______________________________________________

b. Patient’s life is more important than doctor’s job.

III. Conclusion

Activity 3

Rearrange the sentences in the body paragraphs below to form the body of an
argumentative essay.

Thesis statement

Despite the issues raised by those who are against this proposal, making it
compulsory for first year college students to take a finance course would greatly
benefit the students.

Body Paragraph 1

1. Besides, most of these students go to college straight after secondary school,

and many take out loans such as the PTPTN to cover their education costs
without knowing how much money they actually owe.
2. Even though students have to take an extra course, it would not be burdensome
if colleges can design the course in such a way that it does require students to sit
for examinations, thus reducing the course workload.
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3. Firstly, those who disagree with the proposal feel that it would burden the
students as taking on an extra course will affect the amount of time they should
be spending on their core courses.
4. As a result, they might spend much of their adult lives paying off the loan,
together with the interest.

Correct sequence: _____________________________

Body Paragraph 2

1. Though this may be right, one should not forget that managing money is a
serious issue and learning merely from peers or experience would not be
enough.
2. For example, students who are on scholarships would definitely learn to manage
their money so that they would be able to use the scholarship to support
themselves throughout their studies.
3. In order to be stable financially, students need to know not only how to manage
their money, but also how to multiply their money though investments, and the
only way to acquire the knowledge is by attending a proper financial course
managed by certified lecturers.
4. Next, opponents may also claim that the course is unnecessary as they can
learn financial planning from peers or through their own experience.

Correct sequence: _____________________________

Thinking Ahead

Read on the use of the following aspects in developing the body paragraphs of an
argumentative essay.

i. Developing opposing argument

ii. Developing rebuttal argument
iii. Establishing relationship between evidence and arguments
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Answer Key

Activity 1

1. Paragraph 1
2. The last sentence
3. Both sides of the issue
4. 1. Sentence 1. Sentence 2 only provides the supporting details.
5. Sentences 3-6
6. To signal the ending of the essay
7. It repeats the writer’s stand.

Activity 2

Body Paragraph 1: Robot and human skills

Opposing argument 1: Until now, many have argued that robots can only replace humans in
certain less-skilled jobs.

Supporting details : 2They might, for example, be able to perform routine tasks on an
assembly line.

Rebuttal to argument 1: However, these opponents of a mechanised workforce may not be

aware that technology has progressed in the areas of decision-
making and creativity.
Supporting details : a. Conversation ability
b. Able to think creatively

Body Paragraph 2: Robots and human behaviour

Opposing argument 2: Next, there are those who argue that even though robots may
Someday be able to approximate human behaviour, humans will
always be able to do the job better.

Supporting details : none

Rebuttal to argument 2: While that may be true for general-purposes robots, highly-
specialised machines can often do specific tasks better than a
human being, no matter how well-trained the person is.

Supporting details : a. Specialised legal task- failings of human lawyers

b. Specialised legal task- strength of computer research
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Body Paragraph 3: Ethics of using robots

Opposing argument 3: Finally, some may say it is morally wrong to replace human beings
with robots.

Supporting details : They argue that it is unethical to deprive real people of their jobs m
merely due to their sickness of lack of efficiency.

Rebuttal to argument 3: If efficiency were the only concern, they might be correct; however,
this argument does not take into account the consequences of
human failings in the workplace.

Supporting details : a. Robot will always make the right cut.

b. Patient’s life is more important than doctor’s job.

Activity 3

Body Paragraph 1
Correct sequence: 3,2,1,4

Body Paragraph 2
Correct sequence: 4,2,1,3