Argumentative text

Content

• Examples of argumentative texts

A argumentative text It is one in which the author aims to transmit a subjective perspective on a specific topic or series of topics.

Argumentative texts have persuasive purposes, that is, they seek to make a point of view or a specific approach to any topic convincing.

In addition to the argumentative resources, these texts have expository resources (since they provide the reader with relevant information), and also narrative or rhetorical (formal tools that enhance the reception of the text).

Some argumentative resources are:

• Verbatim quotes
• Arguments from authority
• Paraphrase and reformulations
• Descriptions
• Examples
• Abstractions and generalizations
• Visual Enumerations and Schematics

An argumentative text is made up of at least two fundamental stages:

• Initial thesis. It is the starting point that you want to demonstrate through arguments.
• Conclusion. Synthesis to which the arguments lead and which summarizes the point of view displayed throughout the text.

Examples of argumentative texts

1. Academic articles. They are generally focused on very specific areas of knowledge and are published in peer-reviewed journals, using technical language accompanied by citations, references, statistical data and even graphic support (tables, graphics). They are the means of validation and legitimation of knowledge of the scientific, humanistic and educational professions. For example:

“The recent worldwide interest in the cultivation of microalgae for energy purposes, coupled with the need for more environmentally sustainable wastewater treatment technologies, has made wastewater treatment processes using microalgae a promising alternative since the economic and environmental point of view compared to their aerobic and anaerobic counterparts. The oxygen produced photosynthetically by the microalgae is used for the oxidation of the organic material and NH4 + (with the consequent savings in aeration costs), while the growth autotrophic and heterotrophic algal and bacterial biomass leads to higher recoveries of nutrients.” 

1. Artistic criticism. Contrary to popular belief, the professional approach to artistic texts is far from being a matter of mere opinion or taste. Critics professionals, for example, use their knowledge, their sensitivity and their argumentative abilities to support an interpretive hypothesis around the artistic event. For example:

"On The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera, says Antonio Méndez (excerpt):

With a critique of Soviet communism, the book, although it may seem otherwise after the above, stands out for its humor, with irony, blackness and cynicism, to place us in an absorbing multi-emotional story that, in its essence as a novel of ideas of multiple and complex textures, it mixes eroticism, search and love conquest and political commentary, with a philosophical but diaphanous and direct style. "

1. Political speeches. Although they can use arguments related to the emotional and even manipulate the truth, a political discourse is usually based on the conviction of the mass of a point of view regarding the economic, social or political situation of the country. For example:

"Adolf Hitler - 'We will defeat the enemies of Germany', April 10, 1923

My dear compatriots, German men and women!

In the Bible it is written: "What is neither hot nor cold I want to spit out of my mouth." This phrase of the great Nazarene has preserved its deep validity to this day. Anyone who wants to wander the golden middle road must renounce the achievement of great and maximum goals. To this day, mean and lukewarm have also remained the curse of Germany. "

• It can help you: Short speeches

1. Political pamphlets. Like political rallies, they tend to target a mobilizing argumentation of popular discontent in favor of a specific, often revolutionary or protest political agenda. For that they are based on slogans, arguments and complaints, although they do not usually have much space to develop them in depth. For example:

Anarchist pamphlet (fragment):

Only with the self-organization of education can we build a libertarian, secular, non-sexist, non-racist pedagogy. Where knowledge is built in a mutual learning relationship that includes our cultural diversity, where our personality develops and we are not flattened in a factory of homogeneous students. Towards self-management of education! "

1. Opinion articles. Published in the daily press and signed by their author, they seek to convince readers of their vision of a specific topic through various arguments or stories. For example:

“Article‘ The fable ’by the writer Alberto Barrera Tyszka (January 23, 2016, daily The National):

I tried. I swear. I sat down in front of the decree seriously, ready to deal with every line, with every statement. It is true that I had some prejudices, a natural distrust of a president who, after enjoying super-empowering powers, has not even managed to manage his own failure well. Even so, I decided that this time, with all my mathematical weaknesses, I was going to try to understand the decree of economic emergency that the government proposed. "

• More in: Opinion articles

1. Judicial arguments. During a trial, lawyers often have the final opportunity to make a plea, that is, a summary of the trial and a timely interpretation of the evidence to try to convince the jury of their case. For example:

“Judge, I agree with the prosecutor that the crime of rape is a reprehensible act, a clear stigma of the degradation of the civic spirit of an absent society. But it is not the present case. As we indicated at the beginning of this debate, those of January 8, two thousand and sixteen do not constitute a crime because they are atypical behavior, since Miss X and my client agreed to have sexual relations without mediating any type of violenceon the contrary, they were consensual relationships. "

1. Essay writings. Literary essays are subjective approaches to a specific reality based on the sensibilities (political, social, aesthetic, philosophical or of any kind) of the author. They can freely argue about anything and discuss a topic. For example:

"From essays by Michel de Montaigne (excerpt):

Of cruelty
I understand that the virtue it is something different and higher than the tendencies to goodness that are born in us. The souls that by themselves are ordered and that good character always follow the same path and their actions represent a similar aspect to that of those who are virtuous; but the name of virtue sounds in human ears as something greater and more alive than letting oneself be carried away by reason, thanks to a blissful, smooth and peaceful complexion. "

1. Advertising. Although their arguments are usually fallacious or of a merely emotional and manipulative nature, the advertising texts are argumentative since they seek to convince and incite the consumption of a specific product above its competition. For example:

“Powerful Starcuts Fat Burners: Buy Them Now!

STAR NUTRITION STARCUTS The Ultimate Ripped is an ephedrine-free energy source that helps regulate the basal metabolic rate. Contains natural herbal extracts, caffeine, vitamins and minerals, Everything you need to boost your muscles and more! "

• More in: Advertising texts

1. Ecological campaigns. These texts seek to warn about environmental damage and argue in favor of the undertaking of an ecological culture, which requires the use of data and convincing reasoning. For example:

"FOR A BETTER ENVIRONMENT, EVERY THING IN ITS CONTAINER

Did you know that in our country the presence of solid waste has been continuously increasing, being among the countries that generate the most garbage per capita, 62% of domestic origin and 38% of industrial origin (BIOMA, 1991)? It is estimated that, on average, each person produces 1 kg of garbage per day. If waste from shops, hospitals and services are added, the amount increases by 25-50%, reaching up to 1.5 kg per person / day (ADAN, 1999). We must do something about it! "

1. Gastronomic recommendations. Although tastes are totally subjective, there is a gastronomic journalism dedicated to evaluating, promoting or rejecting restaurants, based on their experience and knowledge. To do this, they argue and state their reasons and try to convince the reader about it. For example:

“Our gastronomic recommendation for today is called RANDOM MADRID and it is located on Calle Caracas, 21. From the owners of two great references El columpio and Le cocó this summer we can enjoy one of the most fashionable places in Madrid and its exquisite international market cuisine. A fusion between our traditional Spanish cuisine with French, Italian, Peruvian, Japanese or Scandinavian haute cuisine. The best of each house for the enjoyment of our palates. "

1. Media publishers. The "editorial" is the segment of the press in which the argued opinion of the editors of the newspaper or the program is expressed on a topic of their interest, to try to convince their audience. For example:

"From the editorial of the Spanish newspaper The country, of September 12, 2016 (fragment):

Finish him off roaming

Citizens of the European Union have the freedom of movement to move from one country to another, but their mobile phones are subject to significant surcharges if they are activated from abroad to make calls, check email or access the Internet. Make use of mobile roaming -the famous roaming-it implies facing special rates, often abusive and of which users are not always aware. "

1. Recommendation letters. Labor, academic or personal, these letters argue in favor of an individual advocating the experience of a third party who, through their opinion, attests to the virtues of the recommended. For example:

"Buenos Aires, January 19, 2016

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

I have known Mr. Miguel Andrés Gálvez, the bearer of national identity document number 10358752, for 2 years, and I can attest that during that period his moral qualities and high spirit of personal improvement were completely exemplary. El Gálvez worked under my supervision as a Sales Assistant, and his development was very satisfactory, both for the signer and for the company he represented, therefore I recommend hiring his professional services. " 

• It can serve you: Elements of a letter

1. Public speeches. Speeches made by celebrities or intellectuals at public events or award ceremonies usually consist of a more or less moving and informed argumentation on a topic of social sensitivity. For example:

"From The loneliness of Latin America, speech by Gabriel García Márquez in acceptance of the Nobel Prize (excerpt): 

Independence from Spanish rule did not save us from dementia. General Antonio López de Santa Anna, who was three times dictator of Mexico, had the right leg that he lost in the so-called War of the Cakes buried with magnificent funerals. General Gabriel García Moreno ruled Ecuador for 16 years as an absolute monarch, and his corpse was veiled in his dress uniform and his armor of decorations sitting on the presidential chair. "

1. Letters from the reader. In the newspapers there are segments in which readers can freely express their opinion on various topics, arguing them in the way they prefer. For example:

"Diary The nation, letter from the reader of Saturday, September 10, 2016 (excerpt):

Imports

For more than sixty years we have suffered from projects and ideas with magical solutions from Peronism, in any of its different versions. I don't think it is necessary to recall that, after so long, most have ended in costly failures, like the rent law in its infancy. Now we have the bill to restrict imports for 120 days. In addition to being absurd, it must be remembered that the application of this type of measure opens the way to corruption, by allowing the creation of exceptions that make it possible to "distribute" facilities after paying a toll. There is no way to create difficulties to sell facilities. "

1. Poetic art. Although they are texts written aesthetically, they are also very personal and subjective arguments about what the artistic fact means and how it is achieved, prepared by authors with a recognized career. For example:

"Vicente Huidobro -‘Poetic art’

Let the verse be like a key
That opens a thousand doors.
A leaf falls; something flies by;
How much the created eyes look,
And the listener's soul remains trembling.

Invent new worlds and take care of your word;
The adjective, when it does not give life, it kills. "

• It can serve you: Poetry