Essay
 
  

 
Appendix One

Language Summary:

Structure of paragraphs in the body of an argumentative essay

X

=

another writer on this issue

Y

=

a conclusion

who you are citing

Stage

Language to use at this stage

1.

Give the most general statement about the opposing position on this topic. Attach a problematising phrase to the statement to make it appear debatable and possibly untrue.

X

asserts

that....

contends

maintains

argues

claims




It

has been

asserted

that....

is

contended

could be

maintained

might be

argued

may be

claimed




It is the

assertion

of X that ....

contention

argument

claim




One of the

assertions

in support of

Y is that....

in favour of

contentions

supporting

for

arguments

opposing

against




One

objection to Y is that ...

A common

A frequently heard



2.

Expand or develop that opposing position. Attach a problematising phrase to each further opposing argument to make it appear debatable and possibly untrue.

It is

also

argued

that ....

claimed

asserted

further

maintained

contended

said




.... so this argument goes .....




This position goes on to further

argue

that ....

contend

claim

maintain

assert



3.

Signal that you are shifting to arguments that support your main conclusion ...

However, .....



... and begin with a general supporting argument on the topic of the paragraph drawn (preferably) from an authoritative published source

... as X

explains

....

states

shows



4.

Expand and develop the arguments on this paragraph topic that support your main conclusion.

Moreover,

......

In addtion,

Furthermore,

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