10

English
Quarter 2 – Module 2:
Identifying Key Structural
Elements of an Argumentative
Essay
English – Grade 10
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 2 – Module 2: Identifying Key Structural Elements of an Argumentative Essay
First Edition, 2020

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 What I Need to Know
This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you better
understand the key structural elements of an Argumentative Essay. The scope of this module
permits it to be used in many different learning situations. The language used recognizes the
diverse vocabulary level of students. The lessons are arranged to follow the standard sequence
of the course. But the order in which you read them can be changed to correspond with the
textbook you are now using.
After going through this module, you are expected to:
1. define argumentation and an argumentative claim;
2. identify with the basic components of an argument;
3. identify the key structural elements of an Argumentative Text; and
4. write an argumentative text on a given topic.

What I Know
Let’s find out how much you know about this module. Choose the letter that you think
best answers the question. After taking this test, your answer will be checked to find out your
score. Pay attention to the items that you failed to answer correctly and look for the right answer
as you go through this module.
1. What is NOT an Argumentative Writing?
a. A writer is required to investigate the topic.
b. The writer should be able to introduce a claim and support it with evidence.
c. The writer should be able to convince the reader to agree with the writer’s point
of view.
d. The writer should be able to tell a story.
2. What is a claim?
a. a sentence that gets the reader’s attention
b. an assertion of fact or the thesis statement
c. your views of a topic
d. the main idea of the paragraph
3. Which of the following do argumentative essays use to convince readers?
a. Evidence and facts
b. Ethical appeals
c. Emotional appeals
d. Information from other essays
4. What are the three parts of an essay?
a. Thesis, lead, hook
b. Claim, counterclaim, rebuttal
c. Introduction, body, conclusion
d. Rebuttal, reasons, conclusion
5. Which paragraph does the thesis go?
a. Body
b. Conclusion
c. Introduction
d. Reasons
To become a better and effective communicator in English, it is necessary to know the
different elements in writing an argumentative essay. The ability to write a convincing argument
plays an important role in your life—both personally and professionally. This module contains
lessons that aim to build your knowledge in argumentative text.
Of all the writing styles, it can be extremely advantageous for you to master the
argumentative essay. Use this module to know more about the elements and format of argumentative
texts.

What’s In
In the first module, you were able to differentiate research from campaign and
advocacies. Let us make a quick review on this lesson by answering the statement below.
List down 5 differences between research from campaign and advocacies.

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 What’s New

READ to WRITE
Have you ever watched a video of an animal being abused? How did you feel? What did
you do? Read an example of an argumentative essay below.

End Animal Cruelty!

By Mitzi Macaya

Every day around the world, animals are tortured, abandoned, or forced to struggle for survival. Left
along with no food or water, they have no hope as how to live out their days without compassion they too
deserved. Some got lucky to be rescued and to be given a chance to experience how to be taken cared of
but others aren’t so lucky at all. To grow as a society, we must fight for these abused animal rights and
must punish heartless owners and breeders. It is up to us to speak for these voiceless creatures, for who
will, if we don’t?

The first step in protecting animals and creating effective laws is of course knowing and understanding
what cruelty is. According to Bronze, there are two categories of cruelty: the passive and active cruelty.
Passive cruelty might seem less serious, but it is terrible. This happens as a result of neglect or lack of
action, which can lead to terrible pain, and untimely death. Examples of these are starvation, dehydration,
untreated disease, inadequate shelter in extreme weather conditions, and failure to seek medical care for
sick animals. Most of the time, this is due to the owner’s ignorance.

Active cruelty, on the other hand, is more well-known and much more disturbing. This type of abuse
involves deliberately inflicting harm on an animal in order to feel powerful over it. This type of abuse, in
fact, should be taken much seriously because it can be a sign that a person may have serious mental or
psychological issues and may commit more acts of violence in the future.

It is difficult to imagine what drives people to harm innocent animals. In a study done by Massachusetts
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Northern University, they found out that animal
abusers are more likely to commit violent crimes against other people and property than individuals without
history of animal abuse. Most animal abusers find satisfaction or power in torturing a victim who can’t
fight back, which is why crimes, like rape and child molestation, are committed. While it can’t be concluded
that animal abusers will become serial killers or rapists, it is vital to take each case seriously. Hence, it is
very important to report people who hurt and abuse animals.

For example, Carol Edward Cole was a West Coast serial killer who has murdered at least 35 women in
the 1970’s and was later on executed in 1985 admitted in his testimony that his first act of violence was
that of strangling a puppy to death. The Columbus School shooting is another example of animal abuse as
a predecessor to human violence. Eric Harris and Dylan Klebod had once bragged to friends about torturing
and mutilating animals. If these acts had been reported and taken seriously, these young men might have
been put in proper facility and helped, possibly avoiding the dreadful massacre.

Given these examples, it is hard to imagine why most countries don’t take animal cruelty seriously. Even
countries like the US and Canada who give much importance to democracy and equal rights have no
provision for cruelty to animals. The lawmakers in the Philippines passed a law on animal cruelty but
implementation of this law is still not enforced. According to the Humane Society, a good anti-cruelty law
should protect all animals, must apply to first time offenders, should carry large fines and prison time, have
no exemptions and must require offenders to get counselling and prohibit them from owning or living with
animals. Along with these laws, we need officials who will strongly enforce them.

It is our duty to be the voice for creatures who cannot defend and speak for themselves. As a humane
society, we need to make this a priority and must come together to ensure the safety of these voiceless
creatures.

Reason out!
In the table provided below, give three reasons why animal abuse should be stopped. Write your
explanation in the next column.

● ____________________________________
● ____________________________________
● ____________________________________

● ____________________________________

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 ● ____________________________________
● ____________________________________

● ____________________________________
● ____________________________________
● ____________________________________

What is It
The Argumentative Text

The argumentative text is a genre of writing that requires the writer to investigate a topic;
collect, generate, and evaluate evidence; and establish a position on the topic in a concise
manner.

In argumentative writing, you should be able to introduce your claim, then support you
claim with evidence. You goal is to persuade your audience to agree with you.

In simple words, an argumentative text tries to change the reader’s mind by convincing
the reader to agree with the writer’s point of view.

Characteristics of Argumentative Text

An argumentative essay attempts to be highly persuasive and logical. It usually assumes

that the reader disagrees with the writer, but it should be noted that the reader is no less
intelligent than the writer. Hence, an argumentative essay should be written objectively and
logically.

An argumentative essay includes the following:

● presents and explains an accurate issue, case, or claim

● gives reasons and supports these reasons with evidence
● refutes (proves wrong) opposing arguments
● gives a clear and logical reasoning and a strong conclusion

The Argumentative Claim

In academic writing, an argument is usually a main idea, often called a “claim”
or “thesis statement,” backed up with evidence that supports the idea. An
argument means for one to express himself. Every person is judged based upon
his own opinions. It would be a great tragedy, then, for others to
misunderstand your opinion and to mistake you for believing in something
with which you most definitely disagree. It is through argument, then, that all persons can
adeptly learn how to effectively communicate beliefs, opinions, and ideas to a variety of different
people and groups.
The Basic Components of an Argument

• Claim
A claim is a debatable opinion that can be proven with evidence. It asserts the truth and must
require supporting evidence.

• Reasons
Reasons are statements of support and expands ideas for a claim, by offering evidence to
support it, thus, making those claims something more than mere assertions.

• Evidence
Evidence are materials that are offered to support an argument. It comes in different sorts and
it tends to vary from one argument to another.

• Counterclaim
A counterclaim is just the opposite of a claim. It should be proven and supported by reasons
and evidence. An effective argumentative essay addresses what the other side might say and
explains why that point of view is wrong. This is called the counterclaim.

Parts of an Argumentative Text

The Introduction

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 Introduction paragraph introduces the problem and gives the background information
needed for the argument and the thesis statement.

The Body
The body of the essay contains the reasons. Each paragraph talks about one reason.
The reason is included in the topic sentence and is supported by details or materials. These
supporting materials can be examples, statistics, personal experiences, or quotations.

The Conclusion
The conclusion restates the main claim and gives one or two general statements which
exactly summarize the arguments and support the main premise.

Introduction • Introduce the topic (Give a background information about the topic)
• State the argumentative claim (This will be expanded further)

• Introduce the first supporting reason

Claim 1 • Cite the details or evidence (factual evidence)
• Explain why this detail is important

Body Claim 2 • Introduce the first supporting reason

• Cite the details or evidence (factual evidence)
• Explain why this detail is important

Claim 3 • Introduce the first supporting reason

• Cite the details or evidence (factual evidence)
• Explain why this detail is important

• Thesis or the main points will be restated in a different and interesting manner.
• Summarizes the argument
• Call to some action or response
Conclusion (An assertion is made is to why the given arguments are better than what others
presented)

What’s More

Activity 1: Plan Ahead

Directions: Fill in the planning sheet with information.

My Topic and my side Hunting for fun and sports is ethical/

unethical and must get banned

Claim/Reason 1 and 3 evidence and/or Claim 1:

facts and/or stats that support the
claim 1.

2.

3.

Sources:

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 Claim/Reason 2 and 3 evidence and/or Claim 2:
facts and/or stats that support the
claim 1.

2.

3.

Sources:

Claim/Reason 3 and 3 evidence and/or Claim 3:

facts and/or stats that support the
claim 1.

2.

3.

Sources:

Counterclaim 1 and proof to refute 1.

Sources:

http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/lesson-docs/Argumentative_Essay_Planning_Sheet.pdf

What I Have Learned

In this module, you were taught to identify the essential parts and features of argumentative text
and to be familiarized with the basic components of an argument by stating a claim and listing
the reasons and providing evidence.

The Minute Paper

Directions: Write a minute paper by applying what you learned from this lesson of the module.
Be guided by the following questions and write your answers in the space provided.

1. What are the most significant things you have learned in this lesson?
2. Is there anything you did not understand?

My answer to the Essential question

How do we build a strong argument and justify our stance?

What I Can Do
Activity 2: The Voice Within
Directions: Based on the information you have listed in activity 1 write an argumentative text
in your activity notebook. Refer to the rubrics for scoring.
Hunting animals for fun and sports is ethical/unethical

Category 4 3 2 1

Introduction The The introduction The The introduction

introduction is includes the introduction is is missing.
inviting, states thesis and missing either
the thesis, and provides an the thesis or
provides an overview of the the overview of
overview of the issue, but not the issue.
issue. inviting to the
reader.

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 Content There is one Main idea is Main idea is The main idea is
clear, well- clear but the somewhat clear not clear. There
focused topic. supporting but there is a is a seemingly
Main idea information is need for more random
stands out and general. One supporting collection of
is supported by claim from the information. information.
detailed opposing side is One claim from Missing are
information. fully mentioned. the opposing claims from the
More than one It is easy to viewpoint is opposing
claim from the discern which mentioned but viewpoint. The
opposing side the writer is not explained. reader cannot
viewpoint is on. The reader can even guess
fully addressed. probably guess which side the
It is easy to which side the writer is on.
discern which writer is on.
side the writer
is on.

Support All supportive Almost all Most supportive NO facts are

(Sources) facts are supportive facts facts are reported OR
reported are reported reported most are
accurately and accurately and accurately and inaccurately
cited correctly. cited correctly. It cited correctly. reported OR
Facts, is obvious that But more cited incorrectly.
statistics, and the writer research is It is obvious that
other evidence somewhat needed to the writer did
demonstrate researched the provide more not research the
thoughtful topic. facts, reasons, topic.
research. and evidence.

Word Choice All words are Most of the Some of the The writer has
not emotionally words are not words are used many
charged. A emotionally emotionally emotionally
variety of charged. charged. Some charged words
thoughtful Transitions transitions and phrases.
transitions are clearly show how work well, but The transitions
used that ideas are connections between ideas
clearly show connected, but between other are unclear or
how ideas are there is little ideas are fuzzy. nonexistent.
connected. variety.

Mechanics There are no There are two or There are three There are four or
misspellings or fewer misspellings more spelling or
grammatical misspellings and/or grammar errors.
errors. and/or grammatical
mechanical errors.
errors.

Conclusion The conclusion The conclusion The conclusion The conclusion

clearly restates somewhat is missing is missing.
the thesis and restates the either the
sums up the thesis and restatement of
essay. partially the thesis or
summarizes the the summary of
topic. the topic.

http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/lesson-docs/Argumentative_Essay.pdf

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 Assessment
Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate sheet
of paper.

1. What are the basic components of an argument?

a. Claim, reasons, evidence, counterclaims
b. Words, insults, defiance, facts
c. Diagnosis, meditation, art, language
d. Transition words, introduction, body, conclusion
2. The part of an essay that reveals the prompt is called __________________.
a. Conclusion b. Annotation c. Claim d. Evidence
3. What is the purpose of a claim?

a. To show both sides of an argument

b. To show which side of argument the author is on
c. To show why the other side is wrong
d. To show the purpose of the paragraph
4. In which part of an argumentative text does the thesis statement belong?

a. Body b. Introduction c. Conclusion d. Counterclaim

5. What is the wrong way to introduce a claim?
a. insult b. statistics c. quotation d. story
6. In what part of the essay does the author introduce the point on the argument?
a. Conclusion b. Introduction c. Objective d. Reply
7. The purpose of the conclusion is to ___________________.
a. Restate the argument and reasons
b. Give new information
c. Give evidence and details
d. Restate the attention-getter and background
8. An opposing view/claim is a statement that shows _______________.
a. What the writer will try to prove
b. What the writer should believe
c. What someone would argue for the claim
d. What someone would argue against the claim
9. Which of the following is NOT a likely source of evidence or support in an argumentative
essay?
a. Current Events c. Literature
b. Personal Anecdotes d. Urban Legends
10. I believe that college students should control all of their own finances because they possess
the intellectual capability and emotional maturity to do so.
This is Isa’s _____ statement.
a. position b. evidence c. reason d. counterclaim

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References:

“Argument.” Writingcenter.unc.edu, University of North California, writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-

and-tools/argument/.

Bennett, Kimberly. “Writing Standards.” Study.com, Study.com, 2018,

study.com/academy/lesson/parts-of-an-argument-claims-counterclaims-reasons-and-
evidence.html.

"Linking Animal Cruelty to Human Violence" [Online] located

at: http://www.cfhs.ca/Programs/HumaneEducation/ViolenceLink/cc backgrounder4.htm

Montgomery, Courtney. How to Write an A Argumentative Essay, 29 July 2016,

blog.prepscholar.com/argumentative-essay.

Oldham, David. “Evidence.” English 101 & 102: Assessing Evidence, Shoreline Community
College, app.shoreline.edu/doldham/SRR.html.

“Printouts - ReadWriteThink.” Readwritethink.org, Readthink.org, 2018,

www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/printouts/.

Purdue Writing Lab. “Argumentative Essays // Purdue Writing Lab.” Purdue Writing Lab,
owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/academic_writing/essay_writing/argumentative_essay
s.html.