The cognitive supposition that the awareness of an "argumentative scheme" gives orientation to the textual productions of individuals is rather controversial. As an alternative, it is suggested that the elements included in a text are determined by the awareness regarding the parameters of the situation of textual production (finality, the receiver, etc.). Starting from this controversy, the study investigated to which extent the reflection over the "argumentative structure" would exercise an impact over the elements that children and young adults would incorporate into their texts. The analysis of the results showed that: point of view and justification were the elements considered indispensable to an argumentative writing. The anticipation of counter-arguments was seen as relevant for the success of the persuasive objective of the text only when they were refuted. The reflection over elements of the "argumentative structure" did not always correspond to their inclusion in the texts produced. Such inclusion depended primarily on the evaluation of the elements that most contributed to the success of the persuasive finality of the text - rhetorical awareness.
argumentation; metatextual awareness; argumentative writing
