Writing: Opinion, Argumentative & Persuasive Writing (B2) - Lesson 2: Supporting Arguments Effectively
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Hello B2 Persuaders! 👋
In an argumentative essay, your thesis statement presents your main claim. To make your argument strong and convincing, you need to support it effectively. This means providing evidence, examples, and logical reasoning for each point you make.
Simply stating your opinion isn't enough at B2 level – you need to show *why* your opinion is valid and well-founded.
In this lesson, you will:
- Understand the importance of supporting your arguments.
- Learn about different types of support: evidence, examples, and logical reasoning.
- Identify characteristics of effective support.
- Practice choosing and developing support for arguments.
Why Support Your Arguments?
Imagine someone tells you, "Cats are better than dogs." You might ask, "Why do you think so?" Without reasons or evidence, their statement is just an unsupported opinion.
In argumentative writing, supporting your claims (your thesis and topic sentences) is essential to:
- Build Credibility: It shows you have thought about your topic and have reasons for your views.
- Persuade Your Reader: Strong support makes your argument more convincing.
- Demonstrate Understanding: It shows you understand the topic well enough to explain and justify your position.
- Promote Critical Thinking: It encourages both you and your reader to think critically about the issue.
Unsupported arguments are weak and unlikely to convince anyone.
Types of Support
You can support your arguments using various types of information:
1. Evidence:
Evidence provides factual information to back up your claims.
- Facts: Statements that can be proven true or verified.
Example Claim: Regular exercise is beneficial.
Fact: "Studies show that regular physical activity can reduce the risk of heart disease by up to 35%." - Statistics: Numerical data.
Example Claim: Online shopping has become very popular.
Statistic: "In 2023, global e-commerce sales reached over $5 trillion." - Expert Opinions/Quotes: Statements made by recognized authorities on the topic.
Example Claim: Climate change requires urgent action.
Expert Quote: "As renowned climatologist Dr. Eva Rostova stated, 'The window for effective climate action is rapidly closing.'"
When using facts, statistics, or expert opinions from other sources, it's important to mention where you got the information (citing sources), especially in academic writing.
2. Examples:
Examples illustrate your point, making it clearer and more relatable.
- Real-life Examples/Anecdotes: Specific instances or brief personal stories that demonstrate your point.
Example Claim: Learning a new language can open up job opportunities.
Real-life Example: "For instance, my cousin Maria learned Japanese and was then able to get a job with an international company that has an office in Tokyo." - Hypothetical Examples: Plausible "what if" scenarios created to illustrate a point.
Example Claim: Good time management is essential for students.
Hypothetical Example: "Imagine a student who doesn't plan their study time; they might find themselves overwhelmed with assignments and unable to prepare properly for exams."
3. Logical Reasoning (Explanation/Elaboration):
This is where you explain how your evidence or examples support your claim. Don't just present evidence; explain its significance and connect it back to your argument. This often involves using logic like cause-effect or comparison.
Example:
Claim: Reducing screen time before bed can improve sleep quality.
Evidence: Studies show that the blue light emitted from screens can suppress melatonin production.
Explanation: Since melatonin is a hormone that helps regulate sleep, this suppression means that looking at screens late at night can make it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Characteristics of Effective Support
Not all support is equally good. Effective support is:
- Relevant: It directly relates to and proves the specific point or argument you are making in that paragraph (and your overall thesis).
- Sufficient: You provide enough support to make your point convincing. One small example might not be enough for a big claim. However, don't overwhelm with too much irrelevant detail.
- Credible (for evidence): If you are using facts, statistics, or expert opinions, they should come from reliable and trustworthy sources (e.g., academic journals, reputable organizations, recognized experts).
- Clearly Explained: The connection between your support and your argument must be made explicit to the reader. Don't assume they will see the link.
- Specific: Concrete details and specific examples are usually more persuasive than general statements.
- Accurate: Ensure any factual information or data you present is correct.
Remember the P.E.E. model (Point, Evidence, Explanation) for structuring your body paragraphs: your topic sentence is the Point, then you provide Evidence/Examples, and then you Explain how that evidence supports your point.
Practice Supporting Arguments!
Activity 1: Identify the Type of Support
Read the claim and the supporting sentence. What type of support is mainly being used in the supporting sentence?
Activity 2: Choose the Most Relevant Support
Read the argumentative claim (topic sentence). Which of the following sentences provides the most relevant and effective support for it?
Activity 3: Develop Support for a Claim
Read the argumentative claim. In the boxes below, write one piece of evidence or a specific example to support it, and then one sentence of explanation showing how your evidence/example supports the claim.
✨ Tips for Strong Support ✨
- Be Specific: General statements are weak. Use concrete facts, clear examples, and precise details.
- Explain Connections: Always explain how your evidence or example supports your point (your topic sentence and thesis). Don't make the reader guess.
- Consider Your Audience: What kind of support will be most convincing to them?
- Use a Variety of Support (if possible): Combining facts, examples, and logical reasoning can make your argument even stronger.
- Check for Relevance: Does every piece of support directly relate to the specific argument you are making in that paragraph?
Making Your Arguments Convincing! 🎉
By learning to support your arguments with relevant evidence, clear examples, and logical reasoning, your argumentative writing will become much more persuasive, credible, and effective!