Would you, as a pupil, like to get started with making your own magazine? Have you thought about writing an argumentation? Or are you a teacher and looking for additional teaching material or a new teaching approach? In an argumentation, you can give your opinion about something. In this article you will find some tips that can help you write an argumentative text.
If you want to make a magazine, you can choose to write an article in which you give your opinion about something. You can do this not only by means of a column, or a letter to the editor, but also by writing an argumentation.
In an argumentation or opinion piece, the writer defends his or her point of view with arguments.
Often, he points out a certain social or political problem and can be critical in the process. You can say (almost) anything in an argumentation, which is what makes writing an argumentation so much fun.
Freedom of the press cannot be taken for granted
In the Netherlands, there has not always been freedom of the press. During the Second World War (1940-1945), Adolf Hitler imposed strict censorship on newspapers, magazines, radio and television. Journalists were not allowed to simply express their opinions to the public. The information was edited in such a way that it fitted within the regime of the Nazi politics. This made the information very one-sided and therefore unreliable.
Nowadays, anyone can say and write what he wants. In newspapers and magazines, but also via radio, television, internet and social media. The government is not allowed to exercise censorship and therefore cannot block or forbid information. An advantage of this is that you can look at an issue or problem from all sides and form your own opinion.
Be critical
At school you are trained to be a critical and active adult. You learn to fathom information, to distinguish opinions from facts and to ask yourself or others critical questions, such as: What information am I using for my report and what do I think of what I have just read? Is this correct? Why or why not?
Did you know that Wikipedia.co.uk regularly contains errors? So don't only get your information from Wikipedia, but also check other websites.
Do not immediately assume that something is true because it was written by a certain person or published on a certain site.
Head, body and tail
Okay, you have a topic in mind and you want to start writing your argumentation. Great! Did you know that a speech always has a head, a body and a tail, or in other words an introduction, a core and a conclusion?
The introduction
The introduction should draw attention and introduce the subject of your text. Also think of images that draw attention to the subject of your argumentation.
The core
In the core, you elaborate on the subject. You support your viewpoint with arguments. Give examples and make sure your arguments are based on facts. This will make your position much more credible and powerful. Arguments such as 'because of that' or 'because he says so' are not good arguments and are very easy to disprove. Emphasise the arguments that strengthen your position, but also think of possible counterarguments. Think about what counter-arguments might be and include them in your argument. By refuting them, you strengthen your argument.
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--->>>> zie: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B_1AFtlNZudiTkVxSmpXcVA5RjQ?resourcekey=0-iAIx-hrU6QHf2CMQXk57vA&usp=sharing
The conclusion
At the end of your text you can give a summary, conclusion or outlook. Don't forget to close your argument with a catchy punch line. Make sure that you do not end your argument too abruptly. The reader should get the feeling that the closing brings the subject matter to a good conclusion. A catchy punch line, for example, is one way of doing this.
The design
How can you make sure that your argumentation also looks nice in your magazine? Here is an example of a couple of guys who made the magazine 'AlphaMale'. They try to convince their reader with 6 arguments why he should go on holiday.
They have put each argument in a separate box or square. This is very clever, because the arguments stand out well separately and it structures the text.
They have also chosen colours that suit the style of the magazine and give it a tough and masculine look.
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--->>>> zie: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B_1AFtlNZudiUFhIUzRGanF4STg?resourcekey=0-7z9khPFHP0LeINv5Pw_vWQ&usp=sharing
