B2 Lesson 2: Supporting Arguments Effectively
In our last lesson, you learned how to write a strong thesis statement, which is the central claim of your essay. Now, we must learn how to prove that claim is true. A strong writer must support1 their arguments with effective evidence2 and clear explanation.
Simply stating your opinion is not enough; you must show the reader *why* your opinion is valid and logical.
Types of Strong Evidence
To make your argument convincing, you can use different types of evidence. A strong essay often uses a mix of these.
- Facts and Statistics: Verifiable information, numbers, and data from reliable sources. This is very powerful for logical arguments.
Example: According to the Ministry of Tourism, international arrivals increased by 15% last year. - Expert Opinion: Quoting or referring to a person or organization with authority and expertise on a topic.
Example: Dr. Chan Sokha, a leading environmental scientist, argues that... - Specific Examples / Anecdotes: A real-world case or a short story that illustrates your point.
Example: For instance, the community-run ecotourism project in Chi Phat has successfully created jobs while protecting the local forest.
The Most Important Step: Explanation ("So What?")
Presenting evidence is not enough. You must always explain to the reader *how* and *why* your evidence proves your point. After you state a fact or example, always ask yourself, "So what?" Your answer is your explanation.
P (Point) → Investing in renewable energy is essential for Cambodia's sustainable development.
E (Evidence) → For example, recent industry reports show that the cost of installing solar panels has decreased by over 50% in the past decade.
E (Explanation - "So what?") → This significant price reduction makes solar power a financially viable alternative to fossil fuels. It allows the country to expand its energy capacity to support economic growth without increasing air pollution or relying on imported fuel.
L (Link) → Therefore, the economic accessibility of solar energy makes it a critical component of a modern, sustainable strategy.
✍️ B2 Argument Support Checklist
🧠 Practice Quiz: Identify the Weakness
Read the topic sentence and the supporting sentence. What is the biggest weakness of the support?
Topic Sentence: "Learning English is crucial for anyone wanting a career in Cambodia's tourism industry."
Supporting Sentence: "For example, my cousin speaks English and he is a doctor."
What is the weakness?
Answer: The supporting sentence is not relevant. While it's great that the cousin is a doctor, it does not provide evidence to support the point about the *tourism industry*. A better example would be about a tour guide or a hotel manager.
📝 Homework: Build a Supported Paragraph
Your homework is to practice building a well-supported paragraph.
Take one of the Thesis Statements and its corresponding Topic Sentence from the homework outline you created in the last lesson.
Your Task: Write one full P.E.E.L. body paragraph in your notebook.
- Start with your Point (your topic sentence).
- Add a sentence with specific Evidence. For this exercise, it is okay to invent a simple statistic or example (e.g., "According to a recent university study..." or "For instance, in my own experience...").
- Write 1-2 sentences of Explanation that analyze your evidence and explain why it matters.
- Write a Link sentence to conclude the paragraph.
Vocabulary Glossary
- To support (an argument): (Verb) - គាំទ្រ - To provide facts and evidence to prove that an idea or claim is true. ↩
- Evidence: (Noun) - ភស្តុតាង - Facts, information, or examples that show something is true or valid. ↩
- Relevant: (Adjective) - ពាក់ព័ន្ធ - Closely connected or appropriate to the topic being discussed. ↩
- Credible / Reliable: (Adjective) - អាចទុកចិត្តបាន - Able to be believed or trusted. ↩
- Viable: (Adjective) - អាចសម្រេចបាន - Feasible; capable of working successfully.