Grade 11
English Language
Argumentative Writing
Lesson #3
In an Argumentative essay, your job is to make
the reader agree with your opinion about a
controversial topic. You have to:
1. State your opinion
2. Give reasons to support your opinion (at least 3
logical reasons)
3. Argue against the opposite opinion
Overall, you must convince the audience that
your side of the argument is correct. To convince
the audience, your essay must be balanced - it
must include your viewpoint and the opposing
viewpoint, or counter-argument.
Even though you are arguing only
one side of an issue, you must think
about what the other side will say
about your opinion. After you give
your counter-argument, you must
refute it by showing that it is wrong.
If your essay is balanced, your reader
is more likely to agree with you.
A counter-argument can be a
very powerful technique to
reinforce your point of view and
influence the reader’s
response.
The Counter- A counter-argument paragraph:
argument ● Presents an argument from
the opposing point of view
to your own.
● Points out that this opposing
argument is flawed. (This is
known as the rebuttal.)
be extremely persuasive
because:
● It suggests the
strength of your
argument: you are
The Counter- prepared to
argument acknowledge that
there are opposing
points of view.
● It allows you to
undermine and weaken
an opposing point of
How to Create a Counter-Argument Paragraph
[Link] the counter-argument with a connective phrase such as:
● Some people might argue that…
● It has been suggested that…
● It could be said that...
1. Select a counter-argument which opposes your own point of view:
● The vaccine against covid-19 will prevent you and your loved ones from
dying from the virus but if you take the vaccine against covid-19, you are
still likely to catch and pass on the virus.
1. Link your response to the counter-argument with a connective that
introduces a contrasting idea:
● However
● On the other hand
1. Explain why the counter-argument is flawed: (See other slide for
example)
The Counter Paragraph - Sample
Many people may argue that one should take the
vaccine against Covid-19 as it will save you and your
loved ones from dying from the Coronavirus, however,
medical research has proven that if you take the
vaccine, you are still likely to catch the virus and also
pass it on to your loved ones. So, do you really believe
this vaccine is as effective as they say it is?
From your discussion
about the covid vaccine,
can you create a counter-
argument?
Let us try.
Watch this video to better
understand the counter-
argument
[Link]
watch?v=zN4fF9jIoic
Organizing your
Argumentative Essay
The most common type of Argumentative
essay has six paragraphs. Like all essays,
it begins with an introduction and ends
with a conclusion. In between are the
body paragraphs where you must do
three things:
1. Support your opinion (3 reasons)
2. Present the opposing point of view
3. Tell why that viewpoint is wrong
Paragraph 1 -
Introduction
Introductio The introduction should
have:
n a) hook/attention
grabber
b) connecting/
background
information
c) Thesis statement
Paragraph 2 - First reason
Make sure this is a solid
reason that you can fully
support. Put your best
reason first. Develop your
Paragraph 2 paragraphs in this format:
P - Point
E - explanation
E- example
L - link
Paragraph 3 - Second
point
P- Point
Paragraph 3
E- explanation
E- example
L - link
Paragraph 4 - Third
point
P - Point
Paragraph 4
E- explanation
E- example
L- link
Paragraph 5 - Opposite side
This is your counter-paragraph, state
one reason that is against your opinion
and show that it is weak/flawed.
Structure
Paragraph 5 Counter-argument 1
Transition of contrast
Refutation
Tip: Remember you can start this
paragraph with:
Some people may say…
Many people believe that…
Paragraph 6 -
Concluding paragraph
Paragraph 6 Repeat your thesis
statement in different
words. Offer
suggestions/opinions/pr
edictions for the future.
Watch this video to review
P.E.E.L paragraph writing
[Link]
atch?v=h1dQvPtwp0I&t=9s
See Google doc to discuss
the topic:
Topic: Driving lessons should be
introduced at the secondary level for all
students.
