Essay
  
  

Lesson Modules 1. Unit One 2. Unit Two 3. Unit Three4. Unit Four 5. Unit Five Site Index


 
Answer to Task 1: Changing an informal argumentative text into a formal argumentative paragraph

There are, of course, a number of ways you could order the arguments in your answer. You are correct if you:

.

a.

have placed the arguments that oppose the main conclusion in the first half of your paragraph

b.

have used problematising phrases to mark the opposing statements as debatable and possibly untrue

c.

have used a contrasting connective, such as "However", to mark where you are shifting from arguments that oppose your main conclusion to arguments that support your main conclusion

d.

have used listing connectives, such as "Moreover", "Furthermore", and "In addition" to list the arguments that support your main conclusion

The following is one suggested translation of the informal text into a formal paragraph:

Main conclusion: The government should introduce tighter gun controls

Jack Spring maintains that everyone should have the right to own a gun. This position asserts that the government is infringing our democratic rights when it restricts gun ownership. Most people who own guns, so this argument goes, are responsible citizens who keep the guns for sport and recreation. It is further contended that the police are unable to stop violent crime and we need guns to protect ourselves. However, as Josephine Bluff states, guns increase the amount of violent crime in the community. Moreover, human life is worth more than sporting shooters right to go shooting on the weekend. In addition, many of the guns that are kept around the house end being used in violent domestic disputes or teenage suicides.
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