Argumentative and Expository Texts
Argumentative Texts
Arguments
Thesis: Author’s Opinion
Arguments:
- Data: We provide figures or factual information.
- Facts: Events that are cited as evidence. Maintain a cause or effect with the statement that they hold.
- Examples: These are individual cases and some evidence presented as to conform or deny it.
- Arguments of Authority: Appointments are direct or indirect, of statements of persons or institutions of excellence.
Structures
- Analysis: The thesis is made at the beginning followed by the arguments.
- Synthetic: First, the arguments and the thesis follows as a conclusion.
- Drawn: The thesis is at the beginning and end of the text.
Types of Argumentative Texts
Essay
It presents the personal thoughts (ideas, values, opinions…) of the author on a topic.
Editorial
The newspaper article provides the newspaper’s opinion on a topical issue.
- Presents an ideology of the newspaper or magazine. Are the means of forming public opinion and are not signed.
- Common Structure:
- Title
- Information about the event giving rise to the editorial (facts and circumstances)
- Reflections on the facts treated and presentation of a general approach on them.
- Proposals and suggestions to resolve the issue.
Letters to the Editor
These are short texts in which readers express their views on some fact or event of importance.
- They are letters from readers to readers, are signed, and require clear and direct language.
The Op-Ed
It’s a newspaper article dealing with various topics: social, political, cultural, religious, and even vital.
Column
A short extension journalistic text that condenses the information and tends to reflect general, less argument than other newspaper opinion texts.
- It’s common to use figurative resources.
- Expose your views on current affairs.
The op-ed and column are characterized by the following:
- Inclusion of the receiver through the 1st person plural and rhetorical questions.
- Use of adjectives and other evaluative expressions.
The Debate
It is an argumentative essay in which two or more partners led by a moderator contrast their opinions or views on a topic.
- It’s an oral text faced in trying different theses to argue for their position or to rebut the opponent’s counterarguments.
- The owner is not directly involved in the discussion, but focuses on the following aspects:
- Open the debate and present the participants or partners.
- Grant and regulate taking the floor.
- Close the session.
Structure
- Presentation: The moderator introduces the topic and participants. They usually perform a brief introduction of their position to establish their position without any duty to respond.
- Body of the Debate: If not done in the presentation, the exhibition begins with the point of view and attitude to the discussion of each participant. Then there is the development of arguments, with successive interventions of different partners. This part ends with the final speech of each participant, presenting their findings.
- Closure: The moderator ends the debate, with a summary of the positions or conclusions reached during the discussion. The session ends with a farewell formula from the moderator.
Expository-Argumentative Texts
They are those who defend a thesis using data and evidence.
- Predominantly uses scientific, historical facts and data; does not resort to the personal.
- Also uses quotations from authority, whether direct or indirect.
- The language is formal and objective and tends to use verbs in the third person.
The Resume
The resume is an established text in which an applicant for employment exposes their training and what they operate in.
- Requires the use of formal language and an objective tone.
Structure
- Personal Data (surname, name, address, phone)
- Training: Academic, complementary, and language training, as well as information technology and communication.
- Experience Working: Positions held indicating the company, position, and duration, presented in chronological order (most recent to past).
The Cover Letter
The cover letter accompanies the resume to explain aspects of the applicant that are not in it: skills, interests, abilities, reasons the company has been chosen… Must be written in an objective tone, with careful and precise language.
Structure
- Heading: Data from the sender and recipient, date, and greeting.
- Body: Reason for sending the letter and the information the applicant wants the business to know.
- Farewell: Greeting, an indication that the applicant is waiting for news, and signature.
The Business Letter
The business letter is a document in which a company manages its clients, customers, suppliers… to ask, demand, protest, etc.
- Has a practical purpose, it is recommended to address each single case and identify the issuer and the date of the letter data.
The Comfort Letter
The comfort letter is one that an administrative body sends to the public, private entity, or other organization to convey a general question or one that affects its interests.
Structure
- Top Left: The letterhead of the referring agency.
- Top Right: Data from the issuer.
Contents of the letter contain the following parts:
- Greeting
- Introduction
- Case
- Farewell
Bottom Line: Signature and, if necessary, postscript with annex.
Application or Request
An application or request is a written document that appears to make a request or complaint.
Complaint
The complaint from a user or a consumer for breach of a public agency or a company’s alleged abuses.
- Claims incorporate the application for correction or to compensate for weaknesses.
Structure of the Claim
- Details of the Claimant: Name, ID number, address, and telephone.
- Exposition of What is Claimed: Including the recitation of the facts, indicating the date.
- Application
- Signature
- Documents Attached
- Details of the Person Sought
- Place and date
Advertising
A type of communication in which the issuer (or poster) attempts to make themselves known to a wider public to influence and persuade.
The Announcement
The advertising text itself is the mailer, which combines verbal text (oral or written) and images (still or moving). In the media, it also integrates sound.
- Some ads have only verbal text, while others offer only images.
The Brochure
The brochure is a printed text which combines images and verbal text to inform and persuade.
Contract
A document that sets out the agreements reached by those involved and specifies the obligations and rights of each party. Voluntary private agreements have legal effect once signed, so you should proceed to a careful reading.
Common Content
- Title: Indicates the type of contract.
- Place and date of the act in which the document is signed.
- Identification of the Various Parties: Including the name that will be given in the text of the contract. If someone intervenes on behalf of others, it will appear in the document.
- Exposition of Facts and Relevant Background.
- Evolutionary Clause: Specifies the agreements and commitments reached.
- Formula Closing and signature.
- They can receive attachments.