About This Lesson
Use Narrowing an essay argument to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
Mi ensayo se basa en investigaciones, pero el argumento central no queda claro.
mee en-SAH-yoh seh BAH-sah en een-behs-tee-gah-SYOH-nes, PEH-roh el ar-goo-MEN-toh sen-TRAL noh KEH-dah KLAH-roh. My essay draws on research, but the central argument feels unclear.
B
La evidencia es pertinente, pero la afirmación necesita límites más precisos.
lah eh-bee-DEN-syah es pehr-tee-NEN-teh, PEH-roh lah ah-feer-mah-SYOHN neh-seh-SEE-tah LEE-mee-tehs mahs preh-SEE-sohs. The evidence is relevant, yet the claim needs sharper boundaries.
A
Creo que estoy intentando responder a demasiadas preguntas.
KREH-oh keh es-TOY een-ten-TAHN-doh res-pon-DEHR ah deh-mah-SYAH-dahs preh-GOON-tahs. I think I am trying to answer too many questions.
B
Eso suele pasar cuando el tema es interesante, pero amplio.
EH-soh SWEH-leh pah-SAHR KWAHN-doh el TEH-mah es een-teh-reh-SAHN-teh, PEH-roh AHM-plee-oh. That often happens when the topic is interesting but broad.
A
¿Cómo puedo delimitarlo sin volverlo demasiado simplista?
KOH-moh PWEH-doh deh-lee-mee-TAHR-loh seen bol-BEHR-loh deh-mah-SYAH-doh seesm-PLEES-tah? How can I narrow it without making it simplistic?
B
Elige una tensión que aparezca en varias fuentes.
eh-LEE-heh OO-nah ten-SYOHN keh ah-pah-REHS-kah en BAH-ryahs FWEHN-tehs. Choose one tension that appears across several sources.
A
Entonces puedo comparar perspectivas sin perder el punto principal.
en-TOHN-sehs PWEH-doh kom-pah-RAHR pehrs-pehk-TEE-bahs seen pehr-DEHR el POON-toh preen-see-PAHL. Then I can compare perspectives without losing the main point.
B
Ese enfoque hará que cada párrafo respalde la misma afirmación.
EH-seh en-FOH-keh ah-RAH keh KAH-dah PAH-rrah-foh res-PAHL-deh lah MEES-mah ah-feer-mah-SYOHN. That focus will make each paragraph support the same claim.Word by Word
Mi
In “Mi ensayo”, “Mi” means “my” and shows that the essay belongs to or is associated with the speaker. Reuse the pattern “Mi” + a singular noun when referring to something connected with you, such as “Mi proyecto” in a conversation about your work.
ensayo
“Ensayo” means “essay”, the piece of academic writing being discussed. It is useful when talking about writing, assignments, or academic work, as in “revisar un ensayo” for reviewing an essay.
se
In “se basa en investigaciones”, “se” works with “basa” to express that the essay is based on research. Reuse the whole pattern “X se basa en Y” when explaining the foundation of an argument, decision, or project.
basa
In “se basa en investigaciones”, “basa” says that the essay rests on or draws its support from research. Use it with “se basa en” followed by the material or evidence that provides the foundation.
en
In “se basa en investigaciones”, “en” introduces what the essay is based on: research. The reusable pattern is “basarse en” + a source, evidence, or idea when describing a foundation.
investigaciones
“Investigaciones” means “research studies” or “research” in this academic context. It refers to the studies supporting the essay, so it is useful when naming evidence or scholarly work behind a claim.
pero
“Pero” means “but” and contrasts the essay’s research basis with the lack of clarity in its central argument. Use it to connect two statements where the second limits or contrasts with the first.
el
In “el argumento central”, “el” means “the” and introduces the specific argument being discussed. Use “el” before a masculine singular noun when referring to a particular item in the conversation.
argumento
“Argumento” means “argument”, the main claim or line of reasoning in the essay. It is useful in academic discussion with words such as “central”, as in “el argumento central”.
central
In “el argumento central”, “central” means “central” or most important to the essay. Use it after a noun when identifying the main element of an argument, issue, or discussion.
no
In “no queda claro”, “no” negates the statement and says that the central argument is not clear. Place it before the verb when expressing that something does not happen or is not the case.
queda
In “no queda claro”, “queda” helps express how the argument comes across or ends up: it does not come across as clear. Reuse “quedar claro” when discussing whether an idea, explanation, or point is understandable.
claro
In “no queda claro”, “claro” means “clear” and describes how the central argument comes across. Use “quedar claro” to say that an idea or explanation is understandable, especially after explaining it.
La
In “La evidencia”, “La” means “the” and introduces the specific evidence under discussion. Use “la” before a feminine singular noun when referring to a particular thing in context.
evidencia
“Evidencia” means “evidence”, the material that supports or relates to the claim. It is useful in academic discussion when evaluating whether sources or data support an argument.
es
In “La evidencia es pertinente”, “es” links the evidence with its description and means “is”. Use “es” to identify or describe something, such as evidence, a claim, or a topic.
pertinente
“Pertinente” means “relevant” or appropriately connected to the issue being discussed. Use it to evaluate evidence or information in an academic discussion, as in “evidencia pertinente”.
afirmación
“Afirmación” means “claim”, the statement that the essay needs to define more precisely. It is useful when discussing what an essay, source, or speaker asserts.
necesita
In “la afirmación necesita límites”, “necesita” means “needs” and says that the claim requires something. Reuse “X necesita Y” when identifying what a claim, paragraph, or project requires.
límites
“Límites” means “boundaries” in “límites más precisos”, referring to the scope that should define the claim. Use it when discussing the limits or scope of an argument, topic, or project.
más
In “más precisos”, “más” means “more” and increases the degree of precision required for the boundaries. Use “más” before an adjective when making a comparison or asking for a higher degree of a quality.
precisos
In “límites más precisos”, “precisos” means “precise” and describes boundaries that are clearly defined. Use it when evaluating the clarity or exactness of academic limits, definitions, or statements.
Creo
“Creo” means “I think” and introduces the speaker’s personal assessment that they are trying to answer too many questions. A common reusable pattern is “Creo que” + a statement when giving an opinion or tentative conclusion.
que
In “Creo que estoy intentando...”, “que” connects “Creo” with the idea the speaker believes. Reuse “Creo que” before a full statement when expressing what you think is true.
estoy
In “estoy intentando responder”, “estoy” helps express the speaker’s current effort to answer the questions. Use “estar” together with an ongoing action when describing what someone is engaged in at the moment.
intentando
In “estoy intentando responder”, “intentando” means “trying” and describes an effort that has not necessarily been completed. Reuse “estar intentando” + an action when explaining an effort or attempted task.
responder
“Responder” means “to answer” in “responder a demasiadas preguntas”. Use the pattern “responder a” + a question, request, or issue when saying what someone is answering.
a
In “responder a demasiadas preguntas”, “a” introduces the questions receiving the answer. Keep “a” in the pattern “responder a” when naming what a person answers.
demasiadas
“Demasiadas” means “too many” and shows that the number of questions is excessive for the essay’s focus. Use it before a plural noun when saying that there are more items than is suitable or manageable.
preguntas
“Preguntas” means “questions”, the issues the speaker is trying to answer. It is useful in academic planning when identifying the questions an essay or discussion addresses.
Eso
“Eso” means “that” and refers back to the student’s attempt to answer too many questions. Use “Eso” to point back to an idea or situation just mentioned, especially when commenting on it.
suele
In “suele pasar”, “suele” means “usually tends to” and presents the situation as something that commonly happens. Reuse “suele” + an action to describe a regular or typical occurrence.
pasar
In “suele pasar”, “pasar” means “happen”. The pattern “suele pasar cuando...” is useful when explaining a recurring situation and the condition in which it occurs.
cuando
“Cuando” means “when” and introduces the condition in which this problem often happens: when the topic is interesting but broad. Use it to connect an event with the time or situation in which it occurs.
tema
“Tema” means “topic”, the subject of the essay. It is useful when discussing whether an academic subject is focused, broad, interesting, or suitable for a particular argument.
interesante
“Interesante” means “interesting” and describes the topic as engaging even though it is broad. Use it to express that a subject attracts attention or holds intellectual interest.
amplio
“Amplio” means “broad” in the description of the topic and indicates that its scope is large. Use it when saying that a topic, question, or approach covers a wide area.
Cómo
“Cómo” means “how” and begins the question about the method for narrowing the topic. Use “Cómo” in a question asking how to perform an action or achieve a result.
puedo
In “puedo delimitarlo”, “puedo” means “I can” and asks whether the speaker is able to narrow the topic. Reuse “puedo” + an infinitive when asking about or stating your ability to do something.
delimitarlo
“Delimitarlo” means “to narrow or define it”; “lo” refers back to the topic. Use an infinitive with the attached “lo” when referring to the thing being narrowed, defined, or specified.
sin
In “sin volverlo demasiado simplista”, “sin” means “without” and introduces an action the speaker wants to avoid. Reuse “sin” + an infinitive when explaining how to do something while avoiding another result.
volverlo
In “sin volverlo demasiado simplista”, “volverlo” means “make it” and refers to making the topic simplistic; “lo” points back to the topic. Use “volver” with an object and a description when explaining that something changes into a particular state.
demasiado
In “demasiado simplista”, “demasiado” means “too” or “overly” and indicates an excessive degree. Use it before an adjective when warning that a quality has gone beyond a suitable level.
simplista
“Simplista” means “simplistic” and describes an approach that is reduced too much or lacks sufficient complexity. In this discussion, it names the result the student wants to avoid when narrowing the topic.
Elige
“Elige” means “choose” and gives the student a direct recommendation. Use it when telling someone to select one option, idea, or focus from several possibilities.
una
In “una tensión”, “una” means “a” or “one” and introduces one tension for the essay to focus on. Use “una” before a feminine singular noun when selecting or presenting one item.
tensión
“Tensión” means “tension”, an unresolved contrast or pressure that appears in several sources. It is useful in academic analysis when identifying a focused issue for comparison.
aparezca
In “que aparezca en varias fuentes”, “aparezca” says that the selected tension is present or appears in several sources. Reuse the pattern “algo que aparezca en...” when identifying an idea or issue found in multiple places.
varias
“Varias” means “several” and indicates more than one source without specifying an exact number. Use it before a plural noun when referring to a number of items greater than one.
fuentes
“Fuentes” means “sources”, the works in which the tension appears. It is useful in academic writing when referring to articles, studies, or other materials used as evidence.
Entonces
“Entonces” means “then” and marks the student’s next conclusion or step after the tutor’s advice. Use it to connect a consequence, plan, or next action to what was just said.
comparar
“Comparar” means “to compare”, or examine perspectives in relation to one another. Use the infinitive after a verb such as “puedo” when describing an action the speaker can perform.
perspectivas
“Perspectivas” means “perspectives”, the different viewpoints that can be examined. It is useful when discussing how sources or authors approach the same question.
perder
In “sin perder el punto principal”, “perder” means “lose” and describes failing to keep the main point in view. Reuse “sin perder” + an object when explaining how to avoid losing something during an activity.
punto
In “el punto principal”, “punto” means “point”, referring to the central idea the essay must retain. Use it with an adjective such as “principal” when identifying the key idea in an explanation or argument.
principal
In “el punto principal”, “principal” means “main” and identifies the most important point. Use it after a noun to specify the central or primary item in an argument or discussion.
Ese
In “Ese enfoque”, “Ese” means “that” and points to the focus just proposed by the student. Use “Ese” before a masculine singular noun when referring back to a specific idea or approach.
enfoque
“Enfoque” means “focus” or “approach”, here referring to concentrating on one tension across several sources. It is useful when discussing the way an essay or analysis is organized.
hará
In “Ese enfoque hará que...”, “hará” introduces the expected effect of the focus and means “will make”. Reuse the pattern “hacer que” + a result when explaining that one action or choice causes another outcome.
cada
“Cada” means “each” and distributes the result across the paragraphs one by one. Use “cada” before a singular noun when referring to all members of a group individually.
párrafo
“Párrafo” means “paragraph”, one of the sections that should support the claim. It is useful when discussing the structure and organization of an essay.
respalde
In “cada párrafo respalde la misma afirmación”, “respalde” means “support” and describes the role each paragraph should have in relation to the claim. Reuse “X respalda Y” when saying that evidence or writing supports an argument; new example: “La evidencia respalda la afirmación.”
misma
In “la misma afirmación”, “misma” means “same” and emphasizes that every paragraph should support one identical claim. Use “la misma” before a feminine singular noun when referring back to a specific item without changing it.
Grammar Points
basarse en + sustantivo
El ensayo se basa en investigaciones.
el en-SAH-yoh seh BAH-sah en een-behs-tee-gah-SYOH-nes.The essay is based on research.
“Basarse en” is a fixed reflexive structure. The preposition “en” introduces the basis or source.
soler + infinitivo
El ensayo suele comparar perspectivas.
el en-SAH-yoh SWEH-leh kom-pah-RAHR pehrs-pehk-TEE-bahs.The essay usually compares perspectives.
“Soler” expresses a usual or habitual action and is followed by an infinitive.
Spanish Vocabulary
afirmación
noun
ah-feer-mah-SYOHN
claim
line_002
argumento
noun
ar-goo-MEN-toh
argument
line_001
basarse en
verb
bah-SAHR-seh en
to be based on
se basa en
line_001
central
adj
sen-TRAL
central
line_001
ensayo
noun
en-SAH-yoh
essay
line_001
evidencia
noun
eh-bee-DEN-syah
evidence
line_002
intentar
verb
een-ten-TAHR
to try
intentando
line_003
investigación
noun
een-behs-tee-gah-SYOHN
research
investigaciones
line_001
límite
noun
LEE-mee-teh
boundary
límites
line_002
pertinente
adj
pehr-tee-NEN-teh
relevant
line_002
preciso
adj
preh-SEE-soh
precise
precisos
line_002
quedar claro
phrase
keh-DAHR KLAH-roh
to be clear
queda claro
line_001
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
claim
Show Answer
afirmacióncentral
Show Answer
centralevidence
Show Answer
evidenciarelevant