Getting started
Compare these two paragraphs about a four-day school week.
A: I think a four-day week is good. Students are tired. Teachers are tired too. It would be nice. Also we could sleep longer on Fridays.
B: The most important argument for a four-day week is that students would learn more effectively. At the moment many students are exhausted by Thursday, and their concentration drops. With a long weekend to recover, they would start the week with more energy. For example, many students find it hard to follow the last lessons of the week, and teachers notice more mistakes in Friday tests.
Paragraph B is more convincing, although it has a similar idea. It has a clear topic sentence, a reason, a consequence and an example, and the sentences are linked. This lesson shows you how to build paragraphs like B.
Auf Deutsch: Ein guter Absatz enthält genau ein Argument. Er beginnt mit einem Kernsatz (topic sentence), dann folgen Begründung, Beispiel und eine kurze Folgerung.
Explanation
The structure of an argumentative paragraph
- Topic sentence: states the argument in one sentence. The reader knows at once what the paragraph is about.
- Explanation: gives the reason (because, as, since).
- Example or evidence: a fact, a number, an experience, a comparison.
- Concluding sentence (optional): links the argument back to your opinion.
Linking words
Linking words show how ideas are connected. Use a variety, but don't put one at the start of every sentence.
| function | linking words |
|---|---|
| adding | firstly, secondly, moreover, furthermore, in addition, what is more |
| giving reasons | because, as, since, due to, the reason is that |
| giving examples | for example, for instance, such as, a good example is |
| showing results | therefore, as a result, consequently, so |
| contrasting | however, although, on the other hand, nevertheless, while |
| emphasising | above all, the most important argument is, in particular |
Auf Deutsch: however steht meist am Satzanfang mit Komma: However, this is not true. although leitet einen Nebensatz ein: Although phones are useful, they distract students.
Dealing with a counter-argument
A comment is stronger if it shows that you know the other side. Use this pattern:
- Introduce the other view: Some people argue that … / It is often said that … / Critics claim that …
- Admit what is true: It is true that … / Admittedly, …
- Answer it: However, … / Nevertheless, … / This argument ignores the fact that …
Useful phrases for opinions
- In my opinion / In my view, …
- I am convinced that …
- There is no doubt that …
- It seems to me that …
- I strongly disagree with the idea that …
Examples
Example 1: Building a paragraph
Idea: Uniforms save time.
- Topic sentence: Another advantage of school uniforms is that they make mornings less stressful.
- Explanation: Students do not have to decide what to wear, so they need less time to get ready.
- Example: For example, in many families, choosing clothes leads to arguments before school.
- Concluding sentence: Therefore, uniforms can make the start of the day calmer for the whole family.
Example 2: A counter-argument paragraph
Critics claim that school uniforms take away students' individuality. It is true that teenagers want to express their personality through their clothes. However, students can still show their style through hairstyles, bags and accessories, and they are free to wear what they like after school. A uniform for six hours a day does not stop anyone from being an individual.
Rule
One paragraph = one argument. Topic sentence, explanation, example, concluding sentence. Connect ideas with linking words. Answer a counter-argument in three steps: introduce, admit, answer.
Exercises
Grundlagen
- Choose the best linking word: however, for example, therefore, moreover. a) Many students cycle to school. ___, there are not enough bike racks. b) The canteen food is unhealthy. ___, it is too expensive. c) Sport is good for your health. ___, schools should offer more PE lessons. d) Some subjects can be learnt online. ___, students can watch videos about history.
- Write a topic sentence for a paragraph about this argument: homework helps students to practise what they have learnt.
Weiter
- Improve paragraph A from the beginning of the lesson. Use a topic sentence, linking words and an example.
- Write a counter-argument paragraph with the three steps on this view: Young people spend too much time on social media, so it should be banned for under-16s. You are against a ban.
Knobeln
- Write two full argumentative paragraphs (one argument, one counter-argument) for your outline from the last lesson.
Lösungen
- a) However b) Moreover c) Therefore d) For example
- For example: One important reason for homework is that it gives students the chance to practise what they have learnt in class.
- For example: A four-day school week would be good for both students and teachers. Many students are tired by the end of the week because they have long days and a lot of homework. Teachers, too, need time to prepare lessons and correct tests. With an extra free day, both groups could rest, and as a result, lessons would be more productive. For instance, students could do sport or meet friends on Fridays and return to school with more energy.
- For example: Some people argue that social media should be banned for everyone under 16 because young people spend too much time online. It is true that many teenagers spend several hours a day on apps, and this can harm their sleep and concentration. However, a ban would be very difficult to control, and young people would find ways around it. It would be more effective to teach media skills at school and to give parents better tools to set time limits.
- Expected: each paragraph starts with a clear topic sentence, contains one argument with a reason and an example, uses at least three different linking words, and the counter-argument paragraph follows the steps introduce, admit, answer.