Argumentative Text and Hortatory Text

 

A.  Argumentative Text

- Definition.

Argumentative text is a text that contains the author's view on an issue or problem and is accompanied by supporting arguments. This text is persuasive in nature and aims to invite readers to pay attention to the issues discussed. Usually, this type of text can be found in newspaper editorials, scientific journals, and others.

- Purpose

1. To express a view

Argumentation texts aim to reveal the author's views or stance. This is because each individual has their own opinions, views and theories. This way, the text expresses a view on a problem in writing.

2. Behavioral influence

Argumentation texts aim to influence behavior, when the author's views or opinions are presented logically and based on data. As a result, the reader will agree and influence the reader's behavior in responding to an issue.

3. Attracting attention

Attracting readers' sympathy from the writer's writing begins with a research process. Literature review is also needed or interviews if needed to bind the reader's attention.

4. Prove the truth

Proving a truth must be logical, because argumentation is an effort to prove the truth logically. This method anticipates confusing news in the community.

- Characteristics

a.  The nature of truth and evidence

Argumentation texts can be seen to be true through the way the writing is presented. This is the basic strength to convince the reader of the content of the writing presented.

b. Has a strong reason

Argumentation text must have strong reasons. Readers will not be convinced by the writing if the way it is written is not correct. When the reader knows that the writing is sourced from credible data, they will automatically believe in the writing.

c. Use denotative language

Argumentation texts are written in denotative or actual language and are not convoluted. Word diction that is not directly to the point will raise doubts for the reader, especially if it is fictional writing that is not based on data and facts.

- Language Features 

a. Emotive words, or words that evoke feelings or emotions. Usually, they use adjectives. For example, in the soto koya story, there are adjectives like delicious, strong, and rich.

b. Affirming conjunctions, so that the sentences and paragraphs flow and are not jumpy. Usually, in English, the words used are however, meanwhile, thus, besides that, then, so, as a result, and so on.

c. Tense. The type of tense used is present tense, because the argumentation text discusses many general matters and facts that are not limited by time.

- General structure 

1.  Thesis = The initial explanation, statement of the topic of the problem, and is made to attract the reader's attention.

2.  Arguments = Arguments that reinforce the writer's opinion. These arguments usually consist of several points and can be accompanied by supporting examples or data.

3. Conclusion = The last paragraph contains a conclusion that restates the writer's opinion. Usually, this paragraph can be characterized by expressions such as In conclusion, From the facts above, In a nutshell, and so on.

-  Example

 The Importance of Managing Waste Well

Thesis:

Since the beginning of the 2010 decade, the accumulation of waste has become one of the problems faced by the people of Indonesia. Waste that is not managed properly and properly is piled up to cause environmental pollution and natural disasters, such as floods and landslides.

Arguments:

Based on data from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) of the Republic of Indonesia, by 2023 there will be 18.3 million tons of waste dumped in Indonesia every year. This also makes Indonesia the fifth largest waste-producing country in the world.

Not without reason, this landfill occurs due to the lack of good and correct waste management in Indonesia. In addition, there are still many Indonesians who are not disciplined regarding environmental cleanliness. There are still many people who litter or cut down forests and trees illegally.

Therefore, the best solution to overcome this waste accumulation problem is the establishment of strict regulations and laws related to waste management, as well as strict sanctions for people who violate these laws and regulations.

Conclusion:

It is not too late for us to start a cleaner and healthier habit by managing waste properly. That way, the accumulation of waste in Indonesia will no longer happen.

 

B. Hortatory Text

- Definition.

Hortatory text is a type of text that tries to persuade the reader to do something or make them think about a certain change that will eventually make them agree with the statement.This text is persuasive and aims to influence the reader to agree with the views written. If, for example, when reading this text, the reader thinks something like "Oh yeah, that's right", then the purpose of writing this text has been achieved. It is commonly found in opinion editorials, academic speeches, advertisements, and is often found among writings on social issues.

- Purpose

Hortatory texts aim to explain and influence the reader that something should or should not be the case.

- Characteristics

a. Author-focused

b. Uses present-tense

c. Uses conjunctions

d. Using evaluative words

e. Using passive voice

f. Using action verbs and thinking verbs

g. Using modal adverbs

- Language Features 

a. Uses simple present tense, because this text describes an opinion that is not bound by time references.

b. It presents an argument, so there are conjunctions such as firstly, secondly, furthermore, in addition, and others.

c. There are relating verbs, modal verbs, thinking verbs, and action verbs.

d. It uses evaluative words such as important, valuable, and others.

e. Uses passive voice or passive sentences.

- General Structure of Hortatory Text

1. Thesis = Initial explanation, statement of the topic, and the writer's opinion on the topic.

2. Arguments = Arguments that reinforce the writer's opinion. These arguments usually consist of several points and can be accompanied by supporting examples or data. Because it aims to influence, the points of argument must be strong.

3. Recommendation = The final part of the hortatory exposition text not only contains the conclusion of the points that have been discussed, but also provides advice or recommendations for the reader. An example is the action that the reader should take after reading the text.

-  Example

The Bad Impact of Using Plastic Bag

Thesis:

You use plastic bags when you go shopping, but what happens to them afterward? You might not think it is a big deal to use plastic bags, but just think of how many people around the world are also using them. Plastic bags are so bad for the environment and therefore there are good reasons why we should ban plastic bags.

Argument I:

Plastic bags are contributing to global warming. Most plastic bags are made out of a substance called polyethylene. It is not just that plastic bags are contributing to climate change. They are also filled with toxic, harmful chemicals that include estrogen-like substances. This is produced from natural gas processing and crude oil refining, as Green Tumble reports, which are non-renewable fossil fuels that produce greenhouse gasses – a huge culprit of global climate change!

Argument II:

Another good reason to stop using plastic bags is that they are toxic. In an Environmental Health Perspectives report, when 450 plastic items, including flexible bags, were studied, it was found that over 70 percent of the plastic products released chemicals that mimicked estrogen. This is dangerous because it means that the plastic has hormone-mimicking qualities. These disrupt how hormones, such as but not limited to estrogen, behave in our bodies and this gives us a hormonal imbalance that can have serious effects on our health.

Recommendation:

We should stop purchasing plastic bags and start using any environmentally friendly options instead. Your health and the planet will thank you.

C. Differences between Argumentative and Hortatory Texts

From the explanation of the two texts above, it can be concluded that the difference between argumentative text and hortatory text is in the purpose of writing and the final part of the text structure. While argumentative text aims to make the reader aware of an important issue, hortatory text serves more to influence the reader that something needs to be considered and persuade the reader to do or not do something. As for the structure, the difference lies at the end of the text. In argumentative text, the end of the text contains the conclusion of the description that has been conveyed. Whereas in hortatory text, the final part is a recommendation or suggestion from the author to do something as an effort to overcome or problems that have been described.