I.
LEARNING COMPETENCY (Q2, LC2): Identify key structural elements and language
features of argumentative text
II. TOPIC/SUBTOPICS: Exposition, Arguments, modal verbs, attitudes expressed through
evaluative language, conjunctions, declarative statements, rhetorical questions, passive voice
III. DURATION: 5 hours/days
IV. KEY CONCEPTS:
A. Argumentative text/essay - tries to change the reader’s mind by convincing the reader to
agree with the writer’s point of view
Characteristics:
1. presents and explains the issue or case
2. gives reasons and supports these reasons to prove its point
3. refutes (proves wrong) opposing arguments
The Key structural elements of argumentative text
Exposition
o statement of position
o make a stand about an issue
o support your point of view with evidence
o aim is to try to convince the reader to agree with your opinion, or take certain
course of action by giving reasons and examples to support your ideas
A. Arguments- a coherent series of reasons, statements, or facts intended to support or
establish a point of view
*Basic components of an argument
1. The claim. (what do i think?)
2. The reasons. (why do i think so?)
3. The evidence. (how do i know this is the case?)
*Developing an argument means…
1. You are confirming your own position and building your case.
2. Use facts and statistics to support your claims.
3.Appeal to your audience’s rational and logical thinking.
4.Argue using your evidence and research.
B. Restatement of Positions
-
Review and summarize your main points and state your stand/ claims strongly.
Language features of argumentative text
1. Modal verbs. Modals are auxiliary verbs performing specific functions.
Must expresses obligation
Need to indicates necessity
Should and ought to express sense of obligation to do or to become something
Shouldn’t or should not have, or ought not indicate prohibition, or disapproval of
something that was done in the past
Shall indicates simple futurity and obligation
Should expresses past obligation
Will expresses simple futurity and willingness
Would expresses invitation or past possibility
Might is used in reported speech for past time
May expresses future possibilities mixed with doubt and uncertainty
2. Modal Adverbs- They are words which express degrees of certainty or obligation.It shows
how certain we are about something
Examples: A. She will probably come tomorrow! ( The modal adverb is probably because
it shows high certainty.)
B. John sometimes goes to school! (The modal adverbs is sometimes because
it shows low certainty)
Other examples:
Expressing degrees of certainty:
possibly, probably, certainly, surely, definitely, clearly, obviously, usually, apparently,
occasionally, rarely,
Expressing degrees of obligation:necessarily, perhaps, maybe
Retrieved from https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/grammar/british-
grammar/modality-other-modal-words-and-expressions
3. Attitudes Expressed Through Evaluative Language
Language which expresses the opinion, attitude and point of view of a speaker or writer is
sometimes called evaluative language.
The persuader uses evaluative language to convince his or her audience that their own
opinions are good, alternative ones are not good, that their proposals are worthy and logical
(good), those of their opponents illogical or dangerous (bad), that they themselves are honest
and trustworthy (good) and maybe that others who disagree with them are not (bad).
Retrieved from https://www.slideserve.com/ervin/evaluative-language
Example:
Retrieved from: https://slideplayer.com/slide/7761833/
4. Conjunctions- a part of speech that joins or links words, phrases or clauses
5. Declarative statements are simply statements that relay information. They are the most
common type of sentences in the English language. A declarative sentence states the facts or an
opinion and lets the reader know something specific. It always ends with a period.
6. Rhetorical Question is a question that is not asked in order to receive an answer from the
audience or reader. It’s just posed to make a point.
Examples: 1. Literature: “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any
other name would smell as sweet!” (Juliet, Romeo and Juliet)
2. Pop Culture: “How many roads must a man walk down before you call
him a man?”
If vegetarians eat vegetables, then what do humanitarians eat?”
Retrieved from https://literaryterms.net/rhetorical-question/
7. Passive voice
The passive voice is used when we want to emphasize the action (the verb) and the object of
a sentence rather than subject.
This means that the subject is either less important than the action itself or that we don’t
know who or what the subject is.
Examples:
1. Active: Somebody stole my laptop.(subject = Somebody / action(verb) = stole / object = my
laptop)
2. Passive : My laptop was stolen. (The object – now the subject = My laptop / action= was stolen)
1. Passive: Napa Valley is known for its excellent wines.
2. Active: [Many people] know Napa Valley for its excellent wines.
1. Passive: Twenty civilians were killed in the bomb explosion.
2. Active: Someone killed twenty civilians in the bomb explosion.
Retrieved from https://www.gingersoftware.com/content/grammar-rules/verbs/passive-voice/
