The document argues that marine mammals should not be held in captivity for three main reasons: 1. Captivity causes many health problems in marine mammals due to poor water quality and lack of space, leading to diseases, injuries, and boredom. 2. Some marine mammals face abusive treatment by caretakers, as seen with the killer whale Keiko, which suffered from being underweight and dental problems. 3. Marine mammals breed poorly in captivity with high infant mortality rates, so births are often kept secret from mothers. Their lifespans are also shorter in captivity than in the wild. The document concludes by restating the opinion that marine mammals should not be held captive, and

1. Argumentative Essays
Format & Language

2. Introductory Paragraph
In my opinion there is no doubt that
marine mammals should not be held in
captivity. Marine mammals are a part of
nature and should not be bought, sold or
thrown in an aquarium. I believe that they
have the right to be kept in their natural
environment.

3. In my opinion there is no doubt that
marine mammals should not be held in
captivity. Marine mammals are a part of
nature and should not be bought, sold or
thrown in an aquarium. I believe that they
have the right to be kept in their natural
environment.
(i)State your opinion in the
introductory paragraph

4. Body
I have many convincing reasons to support my
opinion. Captivity causes many health problems in
marine mammals. Many tanks have water full of
chemicals and bacteria; this results in blindness
and many skin problems in dolphins and other
marine mammals. Marine mammals in captivity die
from pneumonia, ulcers and other stress-related
diseases. Most of these helpless creatures suffer
from boredom. Dolphins in the wild can swim up to
40-100 miles per day but in pools they go around
swimming repetitive patterns. Due to boredom and
limited space many dolphins abuse themselves;
they often bang their heads against tank and
aquarium walls.

5. Body
Argument I have many convincing reasons to support my
1 opinion. Captivity causes many health problems
in marine mammals. Many tanks have water full
of chemicals and bacteria; this results in
blindness and many skin problems in dolphins
and other marine mammals. Marine mammals in
captivity die from pneumonia, ulcers and other
stress-related diseases. Most of these
helpless creatures suffer from boredom.
Dolphins in the wild can swim up to 40-100
miles per day but in pools they go around
swimming repetitive patterns. Due to boredom
and limited space many dolphins abuse
themselves; they often bang their heads
against tank and aquarium walls.

6. Body
Argument
I have many convincing reasons to support my
1
opinion. Captivity causes many health problems
in marine mammals. Many tanks have water full
of chemicals and bacteria; this results in
Evidence/
blindness and many skin problems in dolphins
Explanation and other marine mammals. Marine mammals in
/Examples captivity die from pneumonia, ulcers and other
to support stress-related diseases. Most of these
Argument 1 helpless creatures suffer from boredom.
Dolphins in the wild can swim up to 40-100
miles per day but in pools they go around
swimming repetitive patterns. Due to boredom
and limited space many dolphins abuse
themselves; they often bang their heads
against tank and aquarium walls.

7. Some of these poor innocent creatures
face abusive treatment by their
caretakers, thus shortening their life span.
In fact Keiko, the killer whale, the star of
Free Willy, was a victim of this type of
abuse. It was known to be said that he was
1000 pounds underweight and developed a
wartlike disease. His teeth were ground
down from chewing the sides of the pool
due to boredom and he had a problem with
his dorsal fin.

8. Argument 2 Some of these poor innocent
creatures face abusive treatment by
their caretakers, thus shortening
their life span. In fact Keiko, the
killer whale, the star of Free Willy,
was a victim of this type of abuse. It
was known to be said that he was
1000 pounds underweight and
developed a wartlike disease. His
teeth were ground down from
chewing the sides of the pool due to
boredom and he had a problem with
his dorsal fin.

9. Argument 2 Some of these poor innocent
creatures face abusive treatment by
their caretakers, thus shortening
their life span. In fact Keiko, the
killer whale, the star of Free Willy,
was a victim of this type of abuse. It
Example to was known to be said that he was
support 1000 pounds underweight and
Argument 2 developed a wartlike disease. His
teeth were ground down from
chewing the sides of the pool due to
boredom and he had a problem with
his dorsal fin.

10. Marine mammals breed very poorly in
captivity with very high infant death rates.
For this reason, when a baby dolphin is
born into captivity, its birth is usually kept
a secret from its mother until it shows
signs of survival. Marine mammals do breed
in captivity, but the birth rate in captivity
is not as successful as in the wild.

11. Argument 3 Marine mammals breed very poorly in
captivity with very high infant death
rates. For this reason, when a baby
dolphin is born into captivity, its birth is
usually kept a secret from its mother
until it shows signs of survival. Marine
mammals do breed in captivity, but the
birth rate in captivity is not as successful
as in the wild.

12. Argument 3 Marine mammals breed very poorly in
captivity with very high infant death
rates. For this reason, when a baby
dolphin is born into captivity, its birth is
Supporting usually kept a secret from its mother
evidence to until it shows signs of survival. Marine
Argument 3 mammals do breed in captivity, but the
birth rate in captivity is not as successful
as in the wild.

13. Does this paragraph introduce Argument 4
to support the writer’s opinion?
Many people think that marine mammals should
remain in captivity. I realise that some people may
believe that captivity increases the life span of
certain animals, but the truth is if these
creatures are so happy in captivity, why do they
die so fast? Captivity shortens animal life spans,
not increases them. Wild dolphins can live 40
years in the wild and orcas can live 90 years, but
when held in captivity they rarely survive their
teens. Twenty-three out of 25 orcas have died in
captivity. Some people think that holding animals
in captivity helps in study and research. But the
truth is scientists prefer to learn about animals in
their natural environment so they get firsthand
knowledge.

14. Does this paragraph introduce Argument 4
to support the writer’s opinion?
Many people think that marine mammals should
remain in captivity. I realise that some people may
believe that captivity increases of an
What is the point the life span of
certain animals, but the truth is if these
“opposing argument”?
creatures are so happy in captivity, why do they
Opposing
die so fast? Captivity shortens animal life spans,
Why oppose your own opinion?
Argument
not increases them. Wild dolphins can live 40
years in the wild and orcas can live 90 years, but
when held in To show that you do have
captivity they rarely survive their
a balanced view
teens. Twenty-three out of 25 orcas have died in
captivity. Some peoplethe topic. holding animals
of think that
in captivity helps in study and research. But the
truth is scientists prefer to learn about animals in
their natural environment so they get firsthand
knowledge.

15. Many people think that marine mammals should
remain in captivity. I realise that some people may
believe that captivity increases the life span of
certain animals, but the truth is if these
creatures are so happy in captivity, why do
they die so fast? Captivity shortens animal life
Counter argument = facts you use to
Counter spans, not increases them. Wild dolphins can
argument live 40 years the opposing argument live 90
show that in the wild and orcas can
to the years, but when held valid
is not in captivity they rarely
opposing
survive their teens. Twenty-three out of 25
argument
orcas have died in captivity. Some people think
that holding animals in captivity helps in study and
research. But the truth is scientists prefer to
learn about animals in their natural environment
so they get firsthand knowledge.

16. Concluding Paragraph
In conclusion, I think marine mammals
should definitely not be held in captivity. I
think Ghandi said it best when he
mentioned, “The greatness of a nation and
its moral process can be measured by the
way its animals are treated.” In a world
where much of nature and the wild has
already been lost to us, it is up to us to let
these beautiful marine mammals free.

17. Concluding Paragraph
Restate In conclusion, I think marine mammals
your should definitely not be held in captivity. I
opinion
think Ghandi said it best when he
mentioned, “The greatness of a nation and
its moral process can be measured by the
way its animals are treated.” In a world
where much of nature and the wild has
already been lost to us, it is up to us to let
these beautiful marine mammals free.

18. Concluding Paragraph
Restate In conclusion, I think marine mammals
your should definitely not be held in captivity. I
opinion
think Ghandi said it best when he
mentioned, “The greatness of a nation and
its moral process can be measured by the
way its animals are treated.” In a world
where much of nature and the wild has
already been lost to us, it is up to us to let
Call for
these beautiful marine mammals free.
action by
readers

19. What TENSE is used throughout?
In my opinion there is no doubt that
marine mammals should not be held in
captivity. Marine mammals are a part of
nature and should not be bought, sold or
thrown in an aquarium. I believe that they
have the right to be kept in their natural
environment.

20. What TENSE is used throughout?
In my opinion there is no doubt that
marine mammals should not be held in
captivity. Marine mammals are a part of
nature and should not be bought, sold or
thrown in an aquarium. I believe that they
have the right to TENSE in their natural
Use PRESENT be kept
environment.

21. What tense should be used in the supporting
explanations eg. Paragraph 3?
Some of these poor innocent creatures
face abusive treatment by their
caretakers, thus shortening their life span.
In fact Keiko, the killer whale, the star of
Past tense is used here a victim of this type of
Free Willy, was
because the writer known to be said that he was
abuse. It was
is writing aboutpounds underweight and developed a
1000 an incident
wartlike disease. His teeth were ground
that is already over
down from chewing the sides of the pool
due to boredom and he had a problem with
his dorsal fin.

22. The underlined phrases
Other examples of words
are known as…
of belief:
In convinced, definitely,no doubt that
I am my opinion there is
marine mammals should not be held in
certainly, I am certain,
captivity. Marine mammals are a part
surely, I strongly believe
etc nature and should not Words of belief-
of be bought,
sold or thrown in an aquarium. Ito show
Words
believe that they have the right believe
that you to
be kept in their natural environment.
in what you are
writing

23. What effect do these highlighted
words have on you?
These have known as causes many health they my in out
I are many convincing reasons to support bring
opinion. Captivity emotive words – problems
some feelings in the readers.
marine mammals. Many tanks have water full of
Purpose – toand problems in dolphins andblindnessfor
chemicals cause readers to feelin
and many skin
bacteria; this results strongly
other
marine mammals.writer is arguing about. die
what the Marine mammals in captivity
from pneumonia, ulcers and other stress-related
diseases. Most of these helpless creatures suffer
from boredom. Dolphins in the wild can swim up to
40-100 miles per day but in pools they go around
swimming repetitive patterns. Due to boredom and
limited space many dolphins abuse themselves;
they often bang their heads against tank and
aquarium walls.

24. Look for examples of emotive words in
Paragraph 3
Some of these poor innocent creatures
face abusive treatment by their
caretakers, thus shortening their life span.
In fact Keiko, the killer whale, the star of
Free Willy, was a victim of this type of
abuse. It was known to be said that he was
1000 pounds underweight and developed a
wartlike disease. His teeth were ground
down from chewing the sides of the pool
due to boredom and he had a problem with
his dorsal fin.

25. Look for examples of emotive words in
Paragraph 3
Some of these poor innocent creatures
face abusive treatment by their
caretakers, thus shortening their life span.
In fact Keiko, the killer whale, the star of
Free Willy, was a victim of this type of
abuse. It was known to be said that he was
1000 pounds underweight and developed a
wartlike disease. His teeth were ground
down from chewing the sides of the pool
due to boredom and he had a problem with
his dorsal fin.

26. Look for examples of emotive words in
Paragraph 3
Some of these poor innocent creatures
face abusive treatment by their
caretakers, thus shortening their life span.
In fact Keiko, the killer whale, the star of
Free Willy, was a victim of this type of
abuse. It was known to be said that he was
1000 pounds underweight and developed a
wartlike disease. His teeth were ground
down from chewing the sides of the pool
due to boredom and he had a problem with
his dorsal fin.

27. Look for examples of emotive words in
Paragraph 3
Some of these poor innocent creatures
face abusive treatment by their
caretakers, thus shortening their life span.
In fact Keiko, the killer whale, the star of
Free Willy, was a victim of this type of
abuse. It was known to be said that he was
1000 pounds underweight and developed a
wartlike disease. His teeth were ground
down from chewing the sides of the pool
due to boredom and he had a problem with
his dorsal fin.

28. Look for examples of emotive words in
Paragraph 3
Some of these poor innocent creatures
face abusive treatment by their
caretakers, thus shortening their life span.
In fact Keiko, the killer whale, the star of
Free Willy, was a victim of this type of
abuse. It was known to be said that he was
1000 pounds underweight and developed a
wartlike disease. His teeth were ground
down from chewing the sides of the pool
due to boredom and he had a problem with
his dorsal fin.

29. Look for examples of emotive words in
Paragraph 3
Some of these poor innocent creatures
face abusive treatment by their
caretakers, thus shortening their life span.
In fact Keiko, the killer whale, the star of
Free Willy, was a victim of this type of
abuse. It was known to be said that he was
1000 pounds underweight and developed a
wartlike disease. His teeth were ground
down from chewing the sides of the pool
due to boredom and he had a problem with
his dorsal fin.

30. Look for examples of emotive words in
Paragraph 3
Some of these poor innocent creatures
face abusive treatment by their
caretakers, thus shortening their life span.
In fact Keiko, the killer whale, the star of
Free Willy, was a victim of this type of
abuse. It was known to be said that he was
1000 pounds underweight and developed a
wartlike disease. His teeth were ground
down from chewing the sides of the pool
due to boredom and he had a problem with
his dorsal fin.

31. 1 more language feature of
argumentative writing:
Use RHETORICAL QUESTIONS
• You A Rhetorical need to answer question
obviously don’t
question is a this question but it
that has the obvious answer.
forces an reader to think about this image and
• Purpose: To force the reader to think
he would most likely support your opinion.
about that question / issue.
• Eg. Could dolphins possibly be happy
swimming in the same tank day after
day?

32. Now tackle this question:
The media shows me that we need
to look good in order to succeed.Do
you agree?
Work on your OPINION &
ARGUMENT 1 & 2