Context

The argumentative text is an extremely relevant genre in our daily communication, whether at school, work, or even in social interactions. It involves expressing an opinion, an idea, or a point of view and attempting to convince others to accept or agree with that perspective. Argumentation is an essential skill that we need to develop because it is through it that we defend our points of view and influence thoughts and actions.

Argumentation permeates various fields of everyday life, from marketing and advertising to politics and journalism, through academic debates and social discussions. The ability to create a solid and convincing argument is a valuable skill that can make a difference in different situations.

In Portuguese, we work on these concepts in a theoretical and practical way so that you can confidently employ argumentative strategies in your texts.

Introduction

In argumentation, we use different strategies to make our discourse more convincing. Through careful selection of words, organization of ideas, presentation of evidence, and appeal to emotions, we can strengthen our arguments and persuade the reader or listener. For this, we need to understand the constitutive elements of the argumentative text, which are the thesis (the idea we defend), the arguments (the reasons we present to validate our thesis), and the argumentative strategy (the techniques we use to strengthen our arguments).

The production of a good argumentative text requires the ability to deal with language strategically, that is, to know how to order ideas, formulate arguments, and use words efficiently. In an increasingly connected and informational world, this skill becomes increasingly relevant.

The resources below are suggestions for study materials to deepen the theme of argumentative text:

1. "What is an argumentative text?" - Brasil Escola Access: here

2. "How to write an argumentative text step by step" - Stoodi Access: here

3. "Argumentative text - Toda Matéria" Access: here

Practical Activity: "Argumentative Campaigns: Persuading for Improvement"

Project Objective:

To develop in students the ability to understand and produce argumentative texts, as well as to identify and apply argumentation strategies effectively. The proposal is for students to create an argumentative campaign for a social cause of their choice, using text and visual resources to argue in favor of changes and improvements.

Project Description:

Groups of 3 to 5 members will be responsible for creating a complete campaign, which includes the elaboration of an argumentative text with the aim of persuading the reader to engage in the cause, the creation of an advertising poster that visually complements the written discourse, and the production of a letter of request or complaint to an authority that can take significant actions for the cause.

Necessary Materials:

• Paper for drafting texts and drawings for the poster
• Computer for research and development of final materials
• Text and image editing programs
• Internet access for research

Project Step by Step:

1. Cause Selection: The group must choose, together, a social cause that is relevant to the school community or society in general.

2. Research: Students should research the chosen cause, collecting information, statistical data, and testimonials to support their argumentation.

3. Elaboration of the Argumentative Text: The group should write a text that argues in favor of the chosen cause, pointing out the importance of the problem, the effects of inaction, and possible solutions. The text should follow the structure of an argumentative text: thesis, arguments, and argumentative strategies.

4. Creation of the Advertising Poster: In addition to the text, the group should create a visually appealing poster that conveys the central message of the campaign and invites action. Remember to use verbal and visual elements in an integrated way.

5. Writing the Letter of Request/Complaint: The group should write a letter addressed to a competent authority, requesting intervention in the issue raised. The letter should be formal and contain well-founded and persuasive arguments.

6. Revision and Editing: The group should review all materials produced, seeking to improve clarity, coherence, and argumentative effectiveness.

7. Presentation: Finally, the group should present the campaign to the class, demonstrating how the different elements (argumentative text, poster, and letter) work together to persuade the audience.

Deliverables:

• Students must submit the campaign text, the advertising poster, and the letter of request/complaint in digital format.
• In addition, each group must submit a detailed project report, including:
  • Introduction: Contextualization of the chosen cause, relevance of argumentation in the real world, and campaign objective.
  • Development: Presentation of applied argumentation theories, explanation of the methodology used, inclusion of produced materials, and discussion of the results obtained.
  • Conclusion: Recap of the main points, learnings, and conclusions about the project.
  • Bibliography: List of sources used during the project, including books, websites, videos, etc.

This project, involving research, textual and visual production, as well as a dose of creativity, promotes the acquisition of technical and socio-emotional skills, such as argumentation, persuasion, communication, time management, teamwork, and problem-solving.