ARGUMENTATIVE TEXT: CHARACTERISTICS, STRUCTURE, TYPES, EXAMPLES - LITERATURE - 2025

An argumentative text is a written speech that aims to convince readers of a certain point of view; This is achieved through a series of coherent arguments that support the idea.

In general terms, it can be established that argumentative texts seek to persuade recipients so that they think or act in a particular way. These texts are very common; We can find them in journalistic, philosophical, judicial, scientific articles and especially in advertising texts.

The argumentative texts seek to convince their readers. Source: pixabay.com

The argumentative texts are not presented in their pure state; that is, no text is solely argumentative, which happens because these discourses are hybrid texts that link the narrative with the exposition. The latter is dedicated to showing and informing the receiver, while the purpose of the argument is to demonstrate the veracity of said exposition.

In other words, an argumentative text is the combination of an expository text with a logical support that allows defending what is being exposed or reported.

When is an argumentative text used?

Argumentative texts are widely used in daily life by teachers, students, scientists, writers, philosophers and politicians; It can be said that argumentation is an elementary characteristic of the human being, like persuasion and any type of reasoning.

Likewise, the argumentative texts are very old; some authors consider that they are as old as writing, since they have their origins in the debates and meetings that took place in the tribes and in the first civilizations.

Subsequently, the argumentation as a study was refined and today its teaching is fundamental in all educational institutions. In addition, it is required in various areas of both everyday life and the academic world.

Characteristics of the argumentative text

- Seeks to obtain the acceptance of the reader or receiver

The main objective of any argumentative text is to convince the reader of a certain point of view or perspective. Via pixabay

The main objective of any argumentative text is to convince the reader of a certain point of view or perspective; this is what distinguishes argumentative texts from other types of texts. In order for the reader to accept the information, the argument must state your logical reasoning clearly and precisely.

- Defend a particular position

In general, argumentative texts are based on themes that necessarily require the choice of a position or point of view.

For example: if you want to write a text that addresses the relationship between technology and society, the writer must take a position on whether to focus on the advantages or disadvantages that technology has for human beings.

- Use logical reasoning

Every argument requires reasoning and logic, even if the point of view being defended is not correct (as is the case with fallacies, which are arguments that seem valid but are not really valid).

In reality, the simple act of writing any type of text implies the application of logical reasoning, since organizing and linking ideas requires the use of logic.

Structure (parts)

The argumentative texts have the following parts:

1. Thesis or proposition

It refers to the main idea of ​​the text, the one that leads or guides the rest of the speech. It is closely related to the point of view you want to defend and can be easily identified by the following:

- It is a strong but brief phrase or sentence.

- It is expressed clearly and precisely, since its objective is to avoid possible confusion for the reader.

- It is defensible, which means that the idea opens a space for debate and arguments.

An example of a thesis or proposition for an argumentative text could be: "Disadvantages in the use of social networks by minors."

2. Development or body of argument

It refers to the support of the thesis; that is, the reasoning or arguments that will serve to defend the main idea. These arguments are placed following a logical structure and can contain concepts, comparisons, examples, quotes, among others.

In other words, the development of the argumentative text is composed of a series of statements that contain information -whether data, evidence or opinions-, which serves to support the thesis.

3. Conclusions

The conclusions are phrases or statements that close the argumentative text. In them the final resolution of the author is placed, together with his main observations. Consequently, the conclusions function as a synthesis of everything that was argued in the previous parts.

Types of argumentative texts

The argumentative texts can be classified as follows:

- According to the inclination of your arguments

Supporting arguments

They are those texts whose arguments defend the thesis from redundancies or reiterations. This happens, for example, when the author places citations or examples from other authors who agree with the idea that he is defending.

Counter arguments

Counter arguments work in the opposite way to the previous classification; in this case, the author places quotes or examples from other authors that go against what the writer wants to defend. This he does with the aim of refuting or dismantling the premises of the other authors.

- According to the functionality of its arguments

Logical argumentation

They are arguments based on basic principles of logic, such as the law of cause and effect. These arguments follow the structure of syllogisms, which consist of reasoning made up of two premises and a conclusion. For example: 1. Men are mortal, Peter is man, therefore, Peter is mortal.

Within the argumentative texts it is possible that some of the premises are not found explicitly, since the reader or addressee can intuit it implicitly. For example: Peter is a man and therefore is mortal.

From proven facts

There are argumentative texts that use data, statistics or percentages. Via pixabay.com

It refers to the data, statistics or percentages that have been obtained after conducting a study. This classification is widely used in argumentative texts, since it is objective information that usually effectively convinces the reader.

For example: "According to a survey conducted by the Universidad de los Andes, 70% of the young people interviewed stated that they are addicted to the use of social networks."

From examples

These arguments are based on examples to defend the thesis or preposition. For example, if an author wishes to convince readers of the damage that cigarettes do to the lungs, he can illustrate by placing a picture of a lung showing the damage that originated as a result of smoking.

Arguments from authority

This is also one of the most used classifications in argumentative texts. It consists of placing quotes or opinions of notable institutions or people to give credibility to the idea that is being defended.

For example: "WHO has funded several experiments showing how harmful cigarette smoking is to people's health."

By analogies

They are those argumentative texts that use similarities or analogies to connect two realities; This makes it easier to understand the idea you want to defend. For example: Cigarettes harm the body in the same way that dust from mines harms workers.

Examples of argumentative texts

Below are some examples of argumentative texts:

1. Damage caused by excessive use of social networks

Social networks are one of the most frequent topics in current debates. This happens because, while they have created a complex line of connection between people around the world and contributed to the development of advertising, it is also true that excessive use of them notoriously harms people.

In fact, studies from several prestigious universities - such as Harvard and Cambridge - have succeeded in showing that social networks cause various cognitive disorders, especially in younger people. Among the symptoms, problems such as anxiety, dependence, insomnia and even insecurity have been diagnosed.

This without counting cyberbullying, which happens to hundreds of thousands of people around the planet. To solve this problem, institutions should create initiatives that promote the conscious use of social networks.

2. Advantages of using video games

For a long time, video games were considered to atrophy children's brains; that impaired their learning and their perception of the world. However, there are currently several investigations that refute this way of thinking.

This happens because video games are actually beneficial for the cognitive development of children and adolescents. They have been shown to stimulate the brain and improve the speed of motor skills. Likewise, there is data that shows that the use of the Nintendo Wii contributes to the mobility of hands, wrists and other parts of the body.

The only disadvantage of the use of video games resides in the addiction that they can cause in the youngest, however, it is the responsibility of parents to know how to manage the time their children spend in front of these devices.

In conclusion, video games have many more advantages than disadvantages, which is why they are no longer considered harmful to mental health.

3. Psychological benefits of watching soccer

Some people believe that watching soccer can contribute to procrastination and extend leisure time, however, watching soccer games - either alone or with others - actually has many benefits for the mental health of fans.

The psychologist Andrea Martínez carried out a study to see if watching soccer generated any benefit for people; for this she interviewed a considerable group of individuals. The results showed that 80% of the people who watch the games experience genuine happiness when the team of their choice scores a goal.

But watching football is not only synonymous with happiness, it is also a generator of links; This sport is characterized by uniting people regardless of their social condition, race or gender. In addition, it allows people to release the stress that accumulates in everyday days.

Consequently, people should not feel guilty about watching soccer, rather they should perceive this sport as an escape from daily problems and as a way to establish interpersonal relationships.

4. The need for immigration

Currently, many countries are concerned about mass immigration; This can be seen in the caravans of immigrants coming from Africa or Central America, which places the authorities of the States in quite a considerable ethical and political dilemma.

However, although these phenomena affect countries such as the United States or some regions of Europe, it must also be remembered that immigration is necessary for the development and sustenance of the economy.

This is seen in countries such as Germany and Japan, whose population is mostly elderly and whose birth rates are very low compared to other nations.

In conclusion, no one denies the need to implement regulations that control immigration flows, however, it cannot be denied that immigration is a fundamental pillar for the economic development of nations.

References

1. Azar, M. (1999) Argumentative text as rhetorical structure: an application of rethorical structure theory. Retrieved on April 13, 2020 from Springer
2. Coirier, P. (1993) Writing argumentative text: a developmental study. Retrieved on April 13, 2020 from Springer.
3. Domenech, L. (sf) The argumentative text: organizational, discursive and linguistic procedures. Retrieved on April 13, 2020 from Materialesdelengua.org
4. Encyclopedia of fundamental knowledge (2010) Argumentative texts. Retrieved on April 13, 2020 from Objetos.unam.mx
5. Golder, C. (1994) Argumentative text writing: developmental trends. Retrieved on April 13, 2020 from Taylor & Francis.
6. Máxima, J. (2020) Argumentative text. Retrieved on April 13, 2020 from caracteristics.co
7. Montenegro, J. (2019) Immigration: problem and need. Retrieved on April 13, 2020 from cnnespanol.cnn.com
8. Rosado, R. (2012) argumentative texts. Retrieved on April 13, 2020 from ucm.es
9. Vázquez, M. (2016) Why do you like soccer? The psychological benefits of being a fan of a team. Retrieved on April 13, 2020 from blog.cognitif.com