Crafting Argumentative Essays and Understanding English Modal Verbs

Argumentative Composition: Structure and Writing

Understanding Argumentative Composition

• Definition: An argumentative composition requires you to present your opinion on a topic, analyzing both sides by presenting arguments for and against.
• Introduction: This section is very important because it gives the reader the first impression of the text.
• Body: Write the ideas for and against the topic.
• Conclusion: This is also very important. It closes the composition, aiming to convince the reader that your essay has covered all the most important arguments about the topic.

Steps to Write an Argumentative Text

1. Make two lists: one for advantages and another for disadvantages.
2. Decide the order in which you will mention the points or ideas.
3. Plan what to include in the introduction.
4. Plan what to include in the conclusion.
5. Write the composition in four paragraphs: introduction, arguments for, arguments against, and conclusion.
6. Use appropriate linking words and expressions.

Essential Connectors for Argumentative Writing

• To list and add points: In the first place, To start, Secondly, Finally, Furthermore.
• To introduce or list advantages: The main advantage, First and foremost, An important advantage, Another advantage.
• To introduce or list disadvantages: Similarly, Another disadvantage, However, On the other hand.
• To introduce examples or reasons: For example, For instance, Such as, Like, Therefore.
• To show contrast: However, But, Nevertheless.
• To conclude: In conclusion, To conclude.

Additional Linking Words and Their Functions

• Above all: Emphasis
• Because of this: Effects
• Even so: Contrast
• Firstly: To list points
• From my point of view: To introduce an opinion
• Instead: Contrast
• Even though: Contrast
• Then: To conclude
• Whereas: Contrast
• Despite: Contrast

Mastering English Modal Verbs

What are Modal Verbs?

Modal verbs are special verbs that behave very irregularly in English. They are used to express functions such as possibility, permission, obligation, and more.

Key Differences of Modal Verbs

1. Modal verbs do not take "-s" in the third person singular (e.g., he can, not he cans).
2. You use "not" to make modal verbs negative, even in Simple Present and Simple Past (e.g., cannot, should not).
3. Many modal verbs cannot be used in the past tenses or the future tenses (e.g., you cannot say will can).

Common Modal Verbs and Their Uses

• Can:
  • General ability
  • Ability during a specific event
  • Opportunity
  • Permission
  • Request
  • Possibility/Impossibility
• Could:
  • Possibility
  • Conditional of "can"
  • Suggestion
  • Probability
  • Polite request
• Have to:
  • Certainty
  • Necessity
• Must:
  • Certainty
  • Prohibition
  • Strong recommendation
  • Necessity
• May:
  • Possibility
  • Giving permission
  • Requesting permission
• Might:
  • Possibility
  • Conditional of "may"
  • Suggestion
  • Request
• Should:
  • Recommendation/Advisability
  • Obligation
  • Expectation
• Ought to:
  • Recommendation/Advice
  • Assumption/Expectation/Probability