Language in Argumentative Essays

Evaluative Words and Phrases

Since you are participating in academic dialogue, you will need to acknowledge the words of

fellow researchers. There are several ways to do this as we have seen in Week 5, when we discussed incorporating outside sources.

Some words you can use to acknowledge someone’s opinion are:

affirm conclude deny insistargue confirm describe maintainassert consider explain presentclaim contend examine report

You will also need to agree with other researchers’ opinions as well as refute them.

Here are some words that may be helpful:

agree concur disagree discussdispute oppose prefer refute

Adverbials contrast and concession are very good to express disagreement while acknowledging someone

else’s opinion.

Some words used to express contrast are:

Subordinating Conjunctions Although Even though Whereas While

Coordinating Conjunctions But yet

Transitions However, Nevertheless

Prepositions In spite of Despite

The following examples adapted from Inside Academic Writing, p. 174 give you some ideas about how to use these words.

Although it is true that genetically modified food reduces hunger, little evidence exists that it is completely safe.

Although it is true that genetically modified food reduces hunger, little evidence exists that it is completely safe.

While it is true that genetically modified foods can help in specific cases, the fact is that…

While it is true that genetically modified foods can help in specific cases, the fact is that…

Although the writer’s views are interesting and important, she could have presented…

Despite the fact that tampering with nature has improved society,…

With the author’s innovative, yet unconvincing report…

… the author, however, neglected to …

Conditional sentences are also useful when stating what the writer should or should not have done

because you can justify your position by showing the result of an alternative course of action:

Now, try to incorporate these words and structures into your

commentaries!