EAP Structuring an Argumentative Essay 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of a concession paragraph in an argumentative essay?
- To introduce the main thesis
- To acknowledge and then refute the opposing viewpoint (Correct answer)
- To summarize the body paragraphs
- To provide background information on the topic
Correct answer: To acknowledge and then refute the opposing viewpoint
A concession paragraph acknowledges the opposing side's merit before explaining why your argument is ultimately stronger.
Question 2: Which transitional phrase most effectively signals a refutation of a counterargument?
- Furthermore
- In addition
- Nevertheless (Correct answer)
- For instance
Correct answer: Nevertheless
'Nevertheless' signals a contrast that pivots away from a conceded point back to the writer's position.
Question 3: In a Rogerian argumentative structure, the writer primarily aims to:
- Defeat the opposing argument as forcefully as possible
- Find common ground and propose a compromise (Correct answer)
- Present evidence without any personal stance
- Avoid mentioning opposing views entirely
Correct answer: Find common ground and propose a compromise
Rogerian argument seeks to reduce conflict by identifying shared values between opposing positions before presenting a solution.
Question 4: A student writes a body paragraph that presents evidence but never links it back to the thesis. This paragraph is missing:
- A topic sentence
- An analysis or warrant sentence (Correct answer)
- A transitional phrase
- An in-text citation
Correct answer: An analysis or warrant sentence
The warrant or analysis sentence explains how the evidence supports the specific claim, connecting data to the thesis.
Question 5: Which organizational pattern presents the weakest argument first and the strongest last?
- Climactic order (Correct answer)
- Anticlimactic order
- Topical order
- Chronological order
Correct answer: Climactic order
Climactic order builds from least to most compelling argument, leaving the reader with the strongest impression.
Question 6: What does 'hedging language' accomplish in an academic argument?
- It strengthens absolute claims by adding emphatic words
- It qualifies claims to make them more precise and defensible (Correct answer)
- It replaces evidence with personal opinion
- It signals the conclusion of an argument
Correct answer: It qualifies claims to make them more precise and defensible
Hedging words like 'may,' 'suggests,' and 'tends to' qualify claims so they are not overstated beyond what evidence supports.
Question 7: When writing the conclusion of an argumentative essay, which action is considered inappropriate?
- Restating the thesis in new words
- Summarizing the key supporting points
- Introducing a major new argument or evidence (Correct answer)
- Providing a closing thought on broader implications
Correct answer: Introducing a major new argument or evidence
Introducing new arguments in the conclusion is inappropriate because the reader has no preceding development or evidence to evaluate them.
EAP Structuring an Argumentative Essay 2
What is the primary purpose of a concession paragraph in an argumentative essay?