AEUK One-Sided Argument (persuasive) Essays

What is a one-sided argument essay?

A one-sided argument (persuasive) essay is one in which the writer attempts to persuade the audience to agree with their thesis. It usually includes counter-arguments (the opposing views) which the writer refutes in order to make his/her arguments stronger.

 

How is it different from a two-sided argument essay?

A two-sided argument essay presents a balanced and objective analysis of both sides of an argument, and a one-sided argument presents a thesis which the writer sets out to prove in order to persuade the reader. Go here for: two-sided argument essays

 

One-Sided Argument Essay Structures

This table shows two different one-sided argument (persuasive) essay structures: block and point-by-point.

Important points of a one-sided argument essay

1. One-sided arguments differ from two-sided argument essays because a clear stance is needed in one-sided essays.

2. It is important to include a thesis statement in a one-sided argument essay to show that you have a clear stance.

3. The function of the counter-argument in a one-sided essay is to highlight that this is an argument that is different from yours. It demonstrates your ability to consider a different view and expose the weaknesses. This makes your own arguments stronger.

Language Structures

This table shows the type of language you can use to connect you arguments together.

Paragraph Analysis of Wind Energy

This is an example of essay written in two different paragraph structures: block and point-by-point. It highlights the important points of language used to support your thesis.

Introduction 

General Statement: Debate – the importance of sustainable energy.

Definition: A source of energy that is renewable, infinite and will never run out.

Specific Statement: Main sources of sustainable energy are solar, wind and hydro. plentiful earth and lots of innovative technology.

The thesis: This essay will investigate wind energy and argue that wind energy as a primary source of electricity has significant flaws, but used with a variety of renewable sources could be an effective substitute.

Paragraph [Block Structure]

Proponents for using wind energy to produce electricity put forward three main arguments. Their first point is that, due to the fact that wind is a renewable energy source, it is freely available. As the U.K is one of the windiest countries in Europe, the location is perfectly placed to generate renewable energy, eliminating its dependence on importing fossil fuels from other countries for its energy needs. Their second point is that wind energy is a non-polluting source of energy. Thus when operational, wind turbines produce no greenhouse gases or large amounts of CO2 unlike the current power stations which are responsible for 25% of the U.K.s CO2 emissions. As a consequence, it is suggested that wind energy could help governments meet their targets in preventing climate change. Although these arguments hold some credibility, wind energy has a number of flaws that need to be addressed before this renewable source of electricity production could be implemented on a larger scale.

Language analysis

Proponents for using wind energy to produce electricity put forward three main arguments. Their first point is that, due to the fact that wind is a renewable energy source, it is freely available. As the U.K is one of the windiest countries in Europe, the location is perfectly placed to generate renewable energy, eliminating its dependence on importing fossil fuels from other countries for its energy needs. Their second point is that wind energy is a non-polluting source of energy. Thus when operational, wind turbines produce no greenhouse gases or large amounts of CO2 unlike the current power stations which are responsible for 25% of the U.K.s CO2 emissions. As a consequence, it is suggested that wind energy could help governments meet their targets in preventing climate change. Although these arguments hold some credibility, wind energy has a number of flaws that need to be addressed before this renewable source of electricity production could be implemented on a larger scale.

Paragraph  [Point-By-Point Structure]

One argument that proponents for producing electricity from wind energy put forward is that as wind is a renewable energy source, it is freely available. As the U.K is one of the windiest countries in Europe, the location is perfectly placed to generate renewable energy, eliminating its dependence on importing fossil fuels from other countries for its energy needs. However, despite being true in theory, there is a question about reliability. Although the UK is an island and has a considerable amount of wind, this wind is not always blowing. It is impossible to predict when the wind will blow, at what times and at what strength. As a consequence, this creates a serious problem in failing to meet peak demands usually in the mornings and evenings. All in all, if wind energy cannot work effectively in a country like the UK, then it seems impossible that this source of energy could replace power stations on a global scale.

Language analysis

One argument that proponents for producing electricity from wind energy put forward is that as wind is a renewable energy source, it is freely available. As the U.K is one of the windiest countries in Europe, the location is perfectly placed to generate renewable energy, eliminating its dependence on importing fossil fuels from other countries for its energy needs. However, despite being true in theory, there is a question about reliability. Although the UK is an island and has a considerable amount of wind, this wind is not always blowing. It is impossible to predict when the wind will blow, at what times and at what strength. As a consequence, this creates a serious problem in failing to meet peak demands usually in the mornings and evenings. All in all, if wind energy cannot work effectively in a country like the UK, then it seems impossible that this source of energy could replace power stations on a global scale.

Key: 

  • First counter-argument
  • Counter-argument language
  • Transition

Key:

  • Counter arguments 
  • Counter-argument Language 
  • Link to essay title and thesis 

Key: 

  • First argument
  • Rebuttal argument language
  • Link to essay title & thesis

Conclusion

Summary: Wind energy could be a future solution for the diminishing fossil fuels to a certain extent = cleaner & reduced economic cost. However, limitations – reliability of wind, where to build and the inability to store electricity.

Thesis: combination of sustainable sources of energy from wind, solar, hydro and biomass help to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

Suggestion: Societies = use this combination as a main energy source for a greener society.

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One-sided Argument Essay Downloads

What is the difference between one-sided and two-sided argument essays? go here.

Essay Structure Lesson

One-sided Argument Essay: Essay Structure Lesson

This lesson will help students’ ability to identify argument essay question words, to consider the different ways of structuring an essay (block or point-by-point) and to analyse two model essays for structure and language. Example.  Level ***** [B1/B2/C1] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP

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Wind Energy

One-sided Argument Essay: Wind Energy 

Question: Can wind energy replace electricity power stations? This essay investigates the problems with wind energy against the economic and polluting problems of traditional energy production. This lesson includes two essays: one block and one point-by-point. Example.  Level ***** [B1/B2] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP

Two-sided Argument Essay: Wind Energy

Question: Can wind energy replace electricity power stations? This essay investigates the problems with wind energy against the economic and polluting problems of traditional energy production. Example. Words: 720  Level ***** [B1/B2] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP

  

Climate Change

One-sided Academic Argument Essay: Climate Change

Question: Is Climate Change a result of human activities? This essay investigates the key research behind Climate Change and the arguments that this research is bias and exaggerated. This lesson contains two essays: one block and one point-by-point. Sources:7  / Example / Level ***** [B2/C1] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP

Two-sided Academic Argument Essay: Climate Change

Question: Is Climate Change a result of human activities? This essay investigates the key research behind Climate Change and the arguments that this research is bias and exaggerated. Sources:7 / Words:680 / Example / Level ***** [B2/C1] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP

  

 

Vegetarianism

One-sided Academic Argument Essay: Vegetarianism 

Question: Is a vegetarian diet healthier and better for the environment? This essay examines the keys arguments around cruelty, human anatomy and environmental processes.This lesson contains two essays: one block and one point-to-point.  Sources:10 / Example / Level ***** [B2/C1] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP

Two-sided Academic Argument Essay: Vegetarianism

Question: Is a vegetarian diet healthier and better for the environment? This essay examines the keys arguments around cruelty, human anatomy and environmental processes. Sources:10 / Words:750 / Example / Level ***** [B2/C1] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP

 

 

Museums

One-sided Academic Argument Essay: Museum

Question: Should museums be free for everyone? This essay examines the keys arguments around how museums encourage cultural awareness and public education. This lesson contains two essays: one block and one point-to-point.  Sources:6 / Example / Level ***** [B2/C1] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP

 

A brief overview of museums 

A short 9-minute listening lecture written by AEUK on museums. It discusses in detail the purpose of museums, how they are funded, their popularity and future evolution, It includes a video, test questions, tapescript and PPT. Example.  / Video [9.10]MP3 / PPT link in download /Level ***** [B2/C1] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP

British High Street

One-Sided Academic Argument Essay: Is the British high street dying?

Question: Do you agree that the British high street is dying? This essay examines the keys arguments that high business rates and the popularity of internet shopping have caused many physical shops to close. This lesson contains two essays: one block and one point-by-point.  Sources:4 / Example / Level ***** [B2/C1] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP

 

The Decline of the British High Street 

A short 8-minute listening lecture written by AEUK on the high street. It discusses the history, the current situation and its economic and societal effects and finishes with some possible solutions. It includes a video, test questions, tapescript and PPT. Example. / Video [7.44] / MP3 /  PPT link in download Level ***** [B2/C1]  TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP

 

5x 1-sided Academic Argument Essays

5x One-sided Argument Essays

Wind energy, Climate Change, Vegetarianism, Museums, The High Street

AMAZING VALUE – block and point-by-point one-sided arguments. Example.

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Argument Essay Titles

 

AEUK Argument Essay Titles

  A whole range of twenty possible argument essay titles. Students can take one title and write 250+ words using a similar structure to the essays above.  **** [B1/B2/C1] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP

Free Downloadx 

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