The document discusses the structure and components of an effective argument paragraph, including a topic sentence stating the claim, support sentences with evidence to back up the claim, and a concluding sentence restating the position. It provides examples of transitional words and phrases that can help structure arguments. The document also includes a sample argument paragraph arguing against smoking that follows the recommended structure.

1. Argumentative
Paragraphs
Angie Sisquiarco Acevedo

2. An argument paragraph presents a point of view and provides
evidence for the point of view taken.
• An argument is an opinion supported by facts. Writers refer to
opinions as claims and facts as evidence. The claim clearly states a
stance on a topic or issue.
• Evidence to prove this claim can include reasons, personal
experience, statistics, confirmed facts, and expert research.

3. Structure
Topic Sentence Identifies what is being argued for or against.
Support Sentences Include facts, examples, appeals to authority or
counter-argument to back up your point of
view.
Concluding Sentence Restates what is being argued for or against
and why.

4. Useful transitional words and phrases
For giving reasons
first, second, third, another, next, last, finally, because, since, for.
For counter-argument
but, however, of course, nevertheless, although, despite.
For concluding
• therefore, as a result, in conclusion, thus.

5. Example
There are many reasons why I don’t smoke. First, smoking is unhealthy.
It can cause lung cancer, and it can lead to an early death. Furthermore,
smoking is expensive. A pack of cigarettes costs five dollars. If I bought
one pack of cigarettes every day, I would spend over $1500 each year.
Lastly, cigarettes smell bad. When people smoke, you can smell the
cigarettes on their clothes all day. To sum up, I don’t smoke because it
is unhealthy, expensive, and unattractive.

6. References
• All the information was retrieved from
https://www.une.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/10540/paragraph-
argument.pdf
• http://annas-eslmaterials.com/index.php/writing/argumentative-paragraphs-
and-essays/157-example-argument-paragraph-and-activity