Continuous Writing: Argumentative Writing – I

What is an Argumentative Essay?

An argumentative essay is one that requires the writer to present a subject with a view to persuading the reader to agree with the writer’s point of view. 

The essence of the essay is an argument and it covers all forms of debate. An argument may be developed to prove a point or to present a viewpoint.

Examples of Argumentative Essay Questions:

1.      You are the chief speaker in a school debate the topic of which is: ‘’Public Secondary Schools are better than the Private Ones’’.
Write your speech for or against the topic.

                                                                        WASSCE, June, 1998.

2.      You have been invited to participate in a debate the topic of which is: ‘’Free education is more advantageous than Paid Education’’.
Write your speech for or against the proposition.

                                                                        NECO SSCE, 2000.

Formal Features:

a.     Salutation:

        Use vocatives such as:

•         The Chairman,

•         The Moderator,

•         Panel of Judges,

•         Accurate Timekeeper,

•         Co-debaters,

•         Distinguished Audience,

b.     Introduction:

Since you are not permitted to write on both sides of the argument, that is, to argue