An argumentative text presents reasons and aims at persuasion.
A text is a written or oral discourse that has coherence. Argumentative , on the other hand, is that related to an argument (the subject of a work or the reasoning that allows a demonstration to be carried out).
An argumentative text is called, therefore, the speech that uses different reasons with the aim of achieving persuasion of the recipient. The sender, in this way, presents reasons to support an idea or refute another's thought.
Structure of an argumentative text
In addition to everything stated above, it is worth knowing that the argumentative text is determined by a very specific structure. We are referring to the fact that it must have three fundamental parts:
-The introduction , which will be a brief presentation of the facts and which should capture the recipient's attention.
-The development , in which the person presenting the argumentative text is responsible for establishing what the arguments are and the ideas or evidence that support their position.
-The conclusion that, as we can imagine, establishes the summary of what has been stated, the situation, and the reasons given.
An argumentative text can include arguments of different kinds.
The development
We cannot ignore either that the aforementioned development, which is the second part of that delimited structure, can be of two types:
– Dialogue , which is when it is based on what the arguments, approaches and refutations or replies are.
– Monologued , when it is based solely on what is the position of a single person.
Classification of the arguments of an argumentative text
In the same way, we must highlight the fact that the arguments used in the argumentative text at hand can be classified into several groups:
-In fact , they are those that are based on evidence that can be verified.
-Of authority , which are based on what is the idea of a person of recognized authority.
– Rational , when they are based on what are truths or positions of the majority of society.
– Sentimental , which are those that appeal to stir the feelings of the recipient.
From information to assessment and persuasion
While an informative text is limited to communicating a situation or an issue, the argumentative text aims to convince the reader or listener of something. Suppose a journalist comments: "The government authorized a new mining operation in the north of the country." This text is informative: it only presents information, without making any assessment or trying to persuade the recipient.
Instead, the journalist can point out: «The government authorized a new mining operation in the north of the country. This is a very dangerous project since experts say it will contaminate the river that supplies drinking water to 50,000 people. This, in the long term, could lead to congenital diseases. In addition, mining exploitation will damage agriculture and livestock since it will affect the substrate, as explained by experts from a university. That is why citizens should oppose this government decision and protest." In this case, the text is argumentative because it presents reasons to confront the project endorsed by the government.
It is important to mention that, beyond journalism , argumentative text is also used in other fields, such as in science and in the judicial field .