What are argumentative texts?

A argumentative text It is one that seeks to convey a perspective on a specific topic with the aim of persuading the receiver. For example:a political speech.

Argumentative texts express opinions and points of view on a particular topic, and try to convince the recipients of certain ideas or call them to action. For this, a thesis is exposed in a logical and coherent way, with arguments that support it, which can be of a diverse nature.

These types of texts dominate public debates, negotiations and national parliaments. In addition, they are often used in genres in which ideas are confronted, for example: a court argument, an academic debate, a media editorial.

They are also used in everyday life, when we want to convince other people of our point of view or of the truth or falsehood of something, and in advertising discourse, whose objective is to persuade recipients to consume a certain product or service.

• See more at: argumentative speech

Characteristics of the argumentative text

Argumentative texts usually present the following characteristics:

• Its structure generally consists of an introduction, initial thesis, development of the arguments and conclusion.
• They seek to demonstrate a point of view, convince about something, or change someone's opinion on a topic.
• They allow different opinions to be expressed and discussed respectfully.
• Many times they appeal to emotional elements, in order to generate empathy or a certain predisposition in the recipient.
• They can use various types of arguments, among them:

• authority arguments. A specialist or an authority on the subject is cited to support or validate the issuer's position.
• Probabilistic arguments. They rely on probability to defend an idea.
• factual arguments. They are justified with verifiable evidence, obtained from an investigation.
• Arguments from individual experience. They are based on personal experiences of the issuer.
• Morality arguments. They are supported by universal moral values, such as justice, equality, respect, tolerance, among others.
• tradition arguments. It appeals to the customs or traditions of a society.

Careful:Not all arguments are equally valid. For example: an argument of fact based on verifiable data becomes irrefutable, while an argument from individual experience or tradition can be easily falsifiable. The arguments of a scientific and academic nature can only be supported by rational, objective and demonstrable arguments to be valid.

It can help you:

• short arguments
• instantiation arguments

Structure of the argumentative text

An argumentative text is usually structured as follows:

• Introduction. The topic to be discussed is presented. For example:

Water covers more than 70% of the surface of the earth's crust. However, only a small part is suitable for human consumption.

• Presentation of the thesis. The position that will be held in relation to the subject matter is raised. The thesis can be from a hypothesis scientific to a subjective opinion, depending on the genre in question. For example:

It is a priority to create a coalition between the different governments to take measures to preserve and care for water at a global level.

• Development or body of the argument. This is the argument itself, that is, the presentation of the arguments that support the thesis. They can also be offered counter arguments (contrary voices), with the aim of refuting them. For example:

In the first place, in the event of a lack of water, food production would be affected worldwide, which would bring problems for the vast majority of countries.

In addition, individual initiatives by national governments can be helpful, but the Coordination at the global level is essential, since regulatory mechanisms are needed international.

Finally, water is at the center of sustainable socioeconomic development and is essential for the survival of the life on the planet, for which the change in the link between society and the environment must occur on a scale world.

• Conclusion. The thesis and the most important parts of the development are usually taken up again to insist on the argued position. New elements can also be contributed for a future discussion. What is formulated in the conclusion must be consistent with everything previously stated. For example:

In view of the fact that the lack of water is a problem that affects human life throughout the planet Earth, it is necessary for governments to undertake coordinated actions to control its use.

Careful: The structure of an argumentative text may present variations depending on the objective pursued, and it may even happen that some element is missing. For example, many times the thesis is not at the beginning, but at the end of the argument, as a conclusion.

• It can help you: Argument with premises and conclusions

Argumentative Text Resources

Some resources that are usually used in argumentative texts are:

• direct quotes. They are used to literally introduce someone else's speech, either to support one's own argument or to refute a contrary argument.
• Definitions. They explain a concept or term relevant to the argument.
• exemplifications. They are used to illustrate some aspect of the thesis that one wants to sustain.
• generalizations. They are used in the deductive arguments (those who draw a conclusion from the premises) and inductive arguments (those who draw conclusions from particular observations or experiences).
• Paraphrasing and reformulations. They serve to affirm something with other words, in order to promote understanding.
• enumerations. Elements are added or accumulated to support a point of view or emphasize an idea.
• Rhetorical questions. These are questions that do not expect an answer, but rather invite reflection.
• Logical connectors. Different types of connectors are used (adversative and counterargumentative, causal, consecutive, of argumentative support, among others), in order to establish certain semantic relationships between the statements.
• analogies. They serve to establish parallels between a situation and a different but similar one, which is more similar to the receiver or easier to understand.
• Prolepsis. It is a way of anticipating possible counterarguments or objections, in order to refute them.

to take into account: Besides argumentative resources, these texts usually present expository resources (since they provide the reader with pertinent information), descriptive (since they characterize certain elements of reality) and also rhetorical (since they use formal tools to enhance the reception of the text).

It can help you:

• Themes for an argumentative text
• Topics to discuss in class

Examples of argumentative texts

1. environmental campaign

Let's stop oil exploitation in the Argentine Sea

Hydrocarbon exploration in the Argentine Sea is advancing. Despite the constant rejection of the population, the State and companies intend to move forward with the development of the offshore hydrocarbons industry. There are new instances that give us the opportunity for our claim to be heard: ARGENTINE SEA WITHOUT OIL.

Now add your signature to demand an Argentine Sea without oil.

Taken from greenpeace.

1. opinion article

Food waste: a global problem 

Food is wasted throughout the entire chain, from the moment of agricultural production which includes seasonal overproduction and handling inadequate sales routes for fresh food, especially fruit, vegetables and fish, to household waste that turns food into waste. This is not only an economic problem, but also an ecological one. […] 

Even when the percentages of losses are different from country to country, the results are worrisome and require the approach and implementation of coordinated actions to reverse the situation. The order of priority proposed by FAO ranks the actions with a degree of coherence: prevention, use, recycling, replacement, incineration of waste with energy recovery and disposal without Energy Recovery. […]

The loss of food is a serious global problem that needs to be addressed and that should promote the generation of virtuous circles to transform the loss into use.

Alice Gallo, “Food waste: a global problem”, in Page 12, October 13, 2022.

1. Advertising text

Space for all your adventures

From scheduled trips to impromptu drives, with Chevrolet SUVs, you've got plenty of room to enjoy any adventure. Choose your next destination with all the sophistication, performance, safety and technology of Chevrolet SUVs.

brand advertising Chevrolet.

1. artistic criticism

The Fabelmans: the trailer for Steven Spielberg's autobiographical epic is a declaration of love for cinema in all its aspects

For a film director to tell us about his life and how he was attracted to celluloid since he was a child can make us infinitely lazy. But when that director is Steven Spielberg, laziness dissolves: after giving us one of the most incredible visual spectacles in recent years in west side story, Spielberg has poured everything he knows into The Fabelmans, a film in which he shows his fascination for watching and making movies since he was a kid. And it looks scandalous.

After this year he was ignored in the most important awards (no matter how weak they are) in the world of cinema, Spielberg seems ready to break the Oscar deck with a film that seems as classic as it is beautiful, with a tone Irresistible. So far, in Toronto it has caused a sensation. […]

If we were talking about another director, we would be fearing an overly good-natured portrait of himself, or the inevitable fall into cake, but being Spielberg we know that, at the very least, we are going to be glued to the seat and rediscover the cinema next to his childish. Great movies, even by intention, must always be applauded.

Randy Meeks, critic of The Fabelmans, taken from Espinof.

1. Health promotion and prevention campaigns

stop using tobacco

Every cigarette smoked and every tobacco product consumed wastes valuable resources on which our lives depend. Quit the habit for your health and the health of our planet.

World No Tobacco Day 2022, fragment of the campaign of the World Health Organization for the prevention of smoking.

1. gastronomic recommendation

The new branch of Prosecco Oasis Coyoacán delights us with its exquisite Italian table

What is Prosecco Mx?

It is an Italian food restaurant, which inspires its recipes in the classic gastronomy of the regions of Naples and Verona mainly.

Its rustic style with a relaxed atmosphere and harmonious decoration make it a versatile destination ideal to share with friends, surprise your partner, have a pleasant moment and pamper your palate. […]

From the beginning, the attention in the restaurant was cordial and very good; Its captivating atmosphere will make you want to return, plus its excellent service and covid protocols make you feel comfortable and confident.

As for the culinary experience, the restaurant's star dishes are sensational to the eye and the palate; The high quality of its ingredients are a guarantee of its professional cuisine.

Loreley Garcia Sandoval, “New Prosecco Oasis Coyoacán Restaurant”, gastronomic critic published in Gastronómadas, July 20, 2021.

• More examples at: Examples of argumentative texts

How to write an argumentative text?

To write an argumentative text, you should follow a series of steps:

• Choose the topic to be discussed.
• Organize ideas in an outline or sketch.
• Write the text itself:

• Introduction. It must be clear and concise. The topic is presented and seeks to capture the interest of the reader.
• Thesis. The position that will be taken regarding the subject is proposed and that will be defended throughout the argument.
• Presentation of the arguments. The arguments that support the thesis are presented in order of importance.
• Conclusion. The initial thesis is resumed and the most important points of the argument are highlighted.

• Review and correct the text to reach its final version.

Interactive test to practice

Follow with:

• poetic texts
• dramatic text
• Narrative text
• discontinuous texts