Argumentative Essay – JSS2 English Lesson Note (Second Term)

An argumentative essay is a piece of writing that deals with an issue that has two sides and proves that one side has more merit than the other.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. explain what an argumentative essay is and what it demands;
2. apply the guidelines for handling an argumentative essay to the topic on herbal and orthodox medicine;
3. identify the rhyming pattern of the lines in the poem “Leisure”;
4. report a statement of a general truth without changing the tense of the verb;
5. look for the listed figures of speech in Acts 1 and 2 of “The Dangerous Rewards”.

Lesson 1: Composition, the argumentative essay

What is an argumentative essay?

An argumentative essay is an essay that makes you weigh an issue with two sides and prove that one side is stronger.

• Like a debate: you must decide which side has more merit and defend it.
• Two sides: the topic always allows a “for” view and an “against” view.
• Written, not spoken: your points must be clear enough for a reader to follow without you present.

What does an argumentative essay demand?

An argumentative essay demands three things: prove a point, express an opinion and strike a balance between the two sides of the issue.

1. Prove a point: support your view with reasons and examples.
2. Express an opinion: state clearly the side you support.
3. Strike a balance: mention the other side fairly before showing why it is weaker.

How do you handle an argumentative essay?

You handle it by choosing a side you believe in, giving enough logical points, and meeting the opposing points.

Sample topic: Herbal medicines are more potent than orthodox medicine.

1. Make sure you are convinced about the side you are supporting, that is, the side you truly believe in.
2. Do not draw general conclusions from only one example or a few points. To reach a convincing conclusion, you need at least three or four.
3. Do not be illogical in your arguments. Be sure that your points can support the conclusion you want to reach.
4. Have many good points at your disposal, for and against. For every point you have for an argument, there is most likely to be another point against it.

How is an argumentative essay arranged?

An argumentative essay has an introduction, body paragraphs and a conclusion.

• Introduction: explain the issue and state your side.
• Body paragraphs: give one point per paragraph, with a reason or example.
• Opposing view: state a point from the other side and answer it.
• Conclusion: restate your opinion and end firmly.

What points can be used on the sample topic?

Points for and against the sample topic can be placed in a table to help planning.

• Tip: choose your side, then use the points from the other column as the opposing view to answer.

Which linking words help an argument?

Linking words join your points so that the argument flows.

• Adding a point: firstly, secondly, in addition, moreover.
• Showing the other side: however, on the other hand, although.
• Ending: in conclusion, therefore, to sum up.

Reference: New Oxford for Junior Secondary School, Book 2, page 107.

Lesson 2: Speech work, rhythm in a poem

What is rhyme in a poem?

Rhyme is the repeating of the same end sound in two or more lines of a poem.

• Rhyming words: words with the same ending sound, such as care and stare.
• Rhyme pattern: the order of end sounds, shown with letters (a, b, c and so on).
• Same letter: lines with the same letter rhyme with each other.

What is the rhyme pattern of “Leisure”?

The lines below are from “Leisure”, with the rhyme label of each line. The pattern is aabbccddee.

Which words rhyme in “Leisure”?

• care and stare: lines 1 and 2.
• boughs and cows: lines 3 and 4.
• pass and grass: lines 5 and 6.
• daylight and night: lines 7 and 8.
• care and stare: lines 9 and 10 repeat the sounds of lines 1 and 2.

Reference: New Oxford English for Junior Secondary School 2, page 16.

Lesson 3: Grammar, reported speech (statements of general truth)

Reference: week nine (9), lesson two of the second term.

What is reported speech?

Reported speech is a way of telling what someone said without using their exact words.

• Direct speech: gives the exact words, inside quotation marks.
• Reported (indirect) speech: gives the meaning, with no quotation marks.

What happens when the statement reported is always true?

If what is being reported is always true, the verb in the direct speech does not change from present to past tense.

• Direct speech: “The moon shines at night,” Bola said.
• Reported speech: Bola said that the moon shines at night.
• Another example: The teacher said, “The earth goes round the sun.” becomes The teacher said that the earth goes round the sun.

What steps do you follow to report a statement?

1. Remove the quotation marks.
2. Add the word “that” after the reporting verb.
3. Change the pronouns where the meaning needs it.
4. Keep the verb in the present tense if the statement is a general truth.

Lesson 4: Literature-in-English, figures of speech

Topic: identification of some figures of speech in the recommended prose text, “The Dangerous Rewards”.

What is a figure of speech?

A figure of speech is a way of using words so that they mean more than their plain meaning.

What are the figures of speech to look for?

There are five figures of speech to look for: simile, metaphor, proverb, irony and hyperbole.

Evaluation

1. State the three things an argumentative essay demands.
2. Why should you not draw a general conclusion from only one example?
3. Write out the rhyme pattern of the poem “Leisure” using letters.
4. Report this sentence: “The moon shines at night,” Bola said.
5. Name the figure of speech in this sentence: “He is as slow as a snail.”

Assignment

Lesson 1

Write an essay of 200 words on the topic: Herbal medicines are more potent than orthodox medicines.

Lesson 3

Progressive English: An elaborate coverage, Exercise 18A, page 143, numbers 11 to 20. Change from direct to indirect speech.

Lesson 4

Look out for the following figures of speech in Acts 1 and 2 of “The Dangerous Rewards”:

1. Simile
2. Metaphor
3. Proverbs
4. Irony
5. Hyperbole