A MODEL ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY A MODEL ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY

Aggressive Driving Should be Avoided Aggressive Driving Should be Avoided

(1)Aggressive driving is a phenomenon, which has (1)Aggressive driving is a phenomenon, which has
only recently got the public worried. (2)The National only recently got the public worried. (2)The National
Highway Traffic Safety Council (NHTSC) defines aggressive Highway Traffic Safety Council (NHTSC) defines aggressive
driving as “the operation of a motor vehicle in a manner driving as “the operation of a motor vehicle in a manner
that endangers or is likely to endanger persons or that endangers or is likely to endanger persons or
property”. (3)Actions such as running red lights, improper property”. (3)Actions such as running red lights, improper
passing, overtaking on the left, improper lane change, passing, overtaking on the left, improper lane change,
failing to yield, improper turns, running stop signs, failing to yield, improper turns, running stop signs,
tailgaiting, careless driving and speeding are examples of tailgaiting, careless driving and speeding are examples of
aggressive driving.. (4)Such actions are dangerous to aggressive driving.. (4)Such actions are dangerous to
other road users. (5)Aggressive driving should be avoided other road users. (5)Aggressive driving should be avoided
because it causes crashes, injuries and fatalities. because it causes crashes, injuries and fatalities.

(6)The first reason why aggressive driving should be (6)The first reason why aggressive driving should be
avoided is it causes crashes. (7)According to NHTSC avoided is it causes crashes. (7)According to NHTSC
between 78 percent (excessive speed) and 100 percent between 78 percent (excessive speed) and 100 percent
(improper passing) of the cases of aggressive driving (improper passing) of the cases of aggressive driving
resulted in traffic crashes and 96 percent of the drivers resulted in traffic crashes and 96 percent of the drivers
cited for “following too closely” or tailgaitng caused cited for “following too closely” or tailgaitng caused
crashes as a result of their aggressive driving. (8)Moreover, crashes as a result of their aggressive driving. (8)Moreover,
“running red light”, “improper passing”, and “overtaking “running red light”, “improper passing”, and “overtaking
on the left” topped other categories of aggressive driving on the left” topped other categories of aggressive driving
in contributing to traffic crashes. in contributing to traffic crashes.

(9)Another reason why aggressive driving should be (9)Another reason why aggressive driving should be
avoided is it causes injuries. (10) NHTSC states that the avoided is it causes injuries. (10) NHTSC states that the
percentages of the injuries caused by aggressive driving percentages of the injuries caused by aggressive driving
are, in almost all categories of aggressive driving, above are, in almost all categories of aggressive driving, above
100 percent. (11)Furthermore, the Department of Highway 100 percent. (11)Furthermore, the Department of Highway
Safety (DHS) reports that this is due to the fact that each Safety (DHS) reports that this is due to the fact that each
motor vehicle crash accounts for one or more injuries. (12) motor vehicle crash accounts for one or more injuries. (12)
It was found that of the ten categories of aggressive It was found that of the ten categories of aggressive
driving, “running red light”, “failing to yield”, and “running driving, “running red light”, “failing to yield”, and “running
stop signs” are the most serious factors contributing to stop signs” are the most serious factors contributing to
injuries. injuries.

(13)Yet another reason why aggressive driving (13)Yet another reason why aggressive driving
should be avoided is it causes fatalities. (14)”Overtaking on should be avoided is it causes fatalities. (14)”Overtaking on
the left” appears to be the most important contributing the left” appears to be the most important contributing
factor in traffic fatalities as it relates to aggressive driving. factor in traffic fatalities as it relates to aggressive driving.
(15) “Improper lane change”, “running stop sign” and (15) “Improper lane change”, “running stop sign” and
“running red light” rank second through four in terms of “running red light” rank second through four in terms of
their contribution to traffic fatalities (DHS, 2008). their contribution to traffic fatalities (DHS, 2008).

(16)The above evidence shows that aggressive (16)The above evidence shows that aggressive
driving causes crashes, injuries and fatalities. (17) Hence, driving causes crashes, injuries and fatalities. (17) Hence,
aggressive driving should be avoided. (18)Since the aggressive driving should be avoided. (18)Since the
opening of the North-South Highway, the number of opening of the North-South Highway, the number of
kilometers of roads in the country has increased by one kilometers of roads in the country has increased by one
percent while the number of vehicle miles driven has percent while the number of vehicle miles driven has
increased by 35 percent. (19) More cars and more drivers increased by 35 percent. (19) More cars and more drivers
are also on the road, leading to more aggressive drivers. are also on the road, leading to more aggressive drivers.

]Source: Retrieved September 2009 from: ]Source: Retrieved September 2009 from:
http://www.aaafoundation.org. Mizell, Louis. (2007). http://www.aaafoundation.org. Mizell, Louis. (2007).
Aggressive driving, road & travel.] Aggressive driving, road & travel.]
ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY
DEFINITION
An argumentative essay tries to change the reader’s mind by convincing the reader to agree with the
writer’s point of view.
CHARACTERISTICS
An argumentative essay attempts to be highly persuasive and logical. It usually assumes that the reader
disagrees with the writer, but it should be noted that the reader is no less intelligent than the writer.
Hence an argumentative essay should be written objectively, logically and respectfully.
When planning an argumentative essay, be aware that the essay should contain the following
characteristics:
The argumentative essay introduces and explains the issue or case. The reader needs to know what the
issue is going to be.
The essay offers reasons, and supports these reasons. The essay should prove its point.
The essay, at times, refutes (proves wrong) opposing arguments.
ORGANISATION
1. Introduction
The first paragraph is the introductory paragraph. It introduces the problem and gives the background
information necessary for the argument and the thesis statement.

2. Body
The body paragraphs contain the reasons. Each paragraph talks about one reason. The reason is stated in
the topic sentence and is supported by supporting details or materials. These supporting materials can be
either examples, statistics, personal experiences, or quotations.

3. Conclusion
The conclusion restates the main claim and presents one or two general statements which accurately
summarize the arguments which support the main premise.

IDENTIFICATION OF THE PARTS OF THE ESSAY

The essay “Aggressive Driving Should be Avoided” is an example of an argumentative essay. It is organized
in the way of an argumentative essay. (The numbers in the essay denote the sentence numbers which will
be used here to identify the parts of the essay).

It starts with an introduction which offers a definition of aggressive driving (1), (2) and (3), and further
explains the issue (4). Finally it ends with the premise/thesis statement which clearly states the stand
taken by the writer (5).As three reasons are stated in the premise, there are three body paragraphs; each
mentioning one reason. Each paragraph starts with a topic sentence which states one of the reasons [(6),
(9) and (13)]. Each of these reasons is well-supported by supporting details: (7) and (8) in the second
paragraph; (10), (11) and (12) in the third paragraph; and (14) and (15) in the fourth paragraph which is
the final body paragraph.
The last paragraph of the essay is the conclusion. It summarizes the three reasons stated in the premise
(15). The conclusion restates the stand taken by the writer, that is, aggressive driving should be avoided
(17). Sentences (18) and (19) are general statements which support the main premise. These are optional.

It should be noted that this essay uses statistics to support the main idea. This lends credibility to the
argument.

WRITING OPINION STATEMENTS

In argumentative writing, you need to convince your readers to agree with your point of view or opinion.
You can achieve this goal by supporting your opinions with strong evidence. A careful study of the essay
“Aggressive driving should be avoided’ will reveal that the writer uses statistics from the National Highway
Traffic Safety Council (NHTSC) and the Department of Highway Safety (DHS) – two wellrespected
organizations - to lend support to his opinions. Statistics from very reliable sources as those used in the
essay provide very strong evidence which can easily sway the readers to the writer’s point of view. There
are different sources of evidence that can be used in argumentative essays. Besides statistics published by
reliable sources, research findings, examples and opinions of experts in their fields are some of the other
sources of evidence. You also can use forceful words to state your opinions. These words can make readers
rethink their views about the issue being discussed. There are many examples of such words in the essay.
They are:

raised public opinion (1);

dangerous to other road users (4);
should be avoided (5);
causes crashes, injuries and fatalities (5);
resulted in (7);
accounts for (11),
the most important contributing factor (14);
has increased (18); and
leading to more aggressive drivers (19).

STATING COUNTER ARGUMENTS

When a topic is argumentative, it contains opposing views or opinions. There can be ideas or points for
(pro) which support the issue being discussed, or ideas or points against (con/contra) which disagree with
the issue. This being the case, you should make it a point to state opinions that oppose yours. By doing this
you are telling the reader that you have considered the opposing views. These opposing statements that
you make should be brief. They should not be as detailed as your own views. Usually this is mentioned near
the end of the essay. The formats below can be used in the final examination. You can choose either one.
 To show the reader that the opposing views are not yours, you can introduce these ideas with the following
phrases:

It is believed that …
It is commonly thought that …
It is often said that …
Some people say that …
Some people think that …
Another argument against this is…
It is/has been argued that …

Once you have introduced the opposing view, using the above phrases, you have to disprove or rebut it.
You must show why this opposing view cannot be accepted. If you do this, your argument will have
more credibility. Some common techniques for dealing with opposing views are:

 provide solutions to the problems raised through the opposing views,

 point out the weaknesses that may exist in the counterarguments; and
 make concessions to the opposing views.

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Arguments

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AGREE FRUSTRATED RIDE BIKES

ANGRY HAPPY RUN RACES
ARGUE HURT SCARY STORIES
ARGUMENTS INSEPERABLE SLEEPOVERS
BEST FRIENDS IS IT OKAY TO ARGUE SOLVE
BIG FIGHT LISTEN SPLASHED
CALMLY EXPLAIN MARK STOMPED
CAMPOUTS MIKE TALK
COMPROMISE MUD PUDDLES TOGETHER
DIFFERENT IDEAS OPINIONS UNDERSTAND
DISAGREE POINT OF VIEW UPSET