a strong argument essay

Feb 14, 2023

How to Write An Argumentative Essay (With Examples)

Are you looking for ways how to write an argumentative essay check out these helpful examples.

An argumentative essay is a writing genre that obligates the writer to examine a topic; collect, generate, and evaluate proof; and clearly present a perspective on the issue. It can be tricky to write, but with a little practice, they can become relatively easy.

To write an argumentative essay, it is important to always have a strong argument as your topic and should greatly rely on evidence and logic. However, there is a slight bit of wiggle room within your essay. For example, your thesis statement may include an opinion or a controversial idea, and while you should still support it with facts, it is possible to add your opinion to the essay without going against the objective of the essay.

If you want to create a high-quality argumentative essay, Jenni.ai is here for you! This AI-assistant writing software can easily help you with writing any kind of academic paper, including your argumentative essay.

Tips on how to make an Argumentative Essay

Creating an argumentative essay can be quite daunting, especially if you are not used to writing this kind of essay. However, there are some simple guidelines you can follow to ensure that your essay will be both coherent and convincing:

Make sure to choose a topic with strong talking points. This makes it easier to form strong coherent arguments that will dictate the direction you want to take with your essay.

Use the correct tone when creating your argumentative essay. People mistake assertiveness in argumentative essays to mean being aggressive and argumentative, which will not win you any points with your readers. Convincing arguments should be presented calmly and clearly in the introduction section of your essay, with supporting information being presented throughout the body of your essay.

Make sure to use factual statements when presenting your arguments. This is important if you are writing an academic essay as this ensures that your arguments are well-researched and thought out. Fact-based research is always more reliable than opinions.

Keep your arguments logical and concise. This will make it easy for your readers to follow your train of thought and helps to keep them engaged throughout the essay.

Make sure that you indicate all the relevant talking points in a clear and concise manner in your conclusion section.

Always make sure to proofread your work thoroughly throughout your writing process because typos and grammatical errors will greatly affect the quality and credibility of your work.

With these tips in mind, you are on your way to creating a high-quality argumentative essay that is easy to understand and will be compelling to your readers. 

How to create an Outline for your Argumentative Essay

As we already know, creating an argumentative essay involves a strong topic in order to create a strong argument. Creating an outline for it is a lot easier than most people think, especially for beginners. Here are some simple steps to create an argumentative essay:

1. Research your topic - As mentioned above, you will need to carry out in-depth research to find suitable evidence to back up your argument. If you know what you are going to write about before carrying out your research, then you will be able to structure it more easily. 

2. Introduction - In this part of your essay, you will want to introduce the reader to the topic that you will be discussing. The introductory paragraph works like a hook to entice your readers about your interesting topic. Make sure to create an introduction that is easy to understand so that your readers will be interested in reading. A good way to do this is by providing them with a brief background about the topic so that they understand it better.

3. Hypothesis or Premise - This is where you present your main arguments about your topic. You could provide questions to answer or evidence to support your claims. It will serve as the basis for the argument in your essay. Keep in mind that you will need to support all of your points with evidence from your research.

4. Body - Like any good argumentative essay, your body should contain all of the supporting evidence that you will use to support your argument. Each body paragraph should be dedicated to a different point that you would like to make. Body paragraphs cover different pieces of evidence that you provide to support your claims throughout the essay.

5. Conclusion - This is where you create a summary of all your talking points. This could also serve as a brief refresher of what you have discussed in the body of the essay. The conclusion is one of the most important parts of your essay because this is where you rebut the opposing arguments and remind your reader of the key points that you have discussed in the paper.

Types of Argumentative Essay

1. Rogerian Argumentative Essay - This type of essay is great for controversial topics because its creator, Carl Rogers intended this essay type to be as tame and respectful as possible.

The Rogerian style is centred around maintaining a balance between the two sides of the argument rather than siding with one opinion over the other. After both sides have been considered, a great way to end this essay is with a proper resolution of all the arguments presented. Usually, this results in finding a way to bring the two sides together rather than permanently sidelining one opinion over another.

This approach promotes both intellectual honesty and responsible thinking, which is a great way to approach an argumentative essay!

2. Classic Argumentative Essay - This type of argumentative essay entices the reader to a certain point of view.

This style is developed by Aristotle and it requires the reader to look at both sides of the argument while ultimately deciding which one is the most concise and factual. An essay like this requires a presentation of claims and counterarguments as well as an overall claim about the topic being argued over.

3. Toulmin Argumentative Essay - Arguments are broken down into multiple elements in order to prove a point. The main elements to follow with the Toulmin argumentative essay are the claim, grounds, warrant, qualifier, rebuttal, and backing.

The claim is the thesis that is being argued for, while the grounds are the arguments that back up the claim.

The warrant is the argument from which the claim can be proven; this can be based on historical data, social or cultural research, or scientific research.

The qualifier is the explanation that explains the basis on which the claim was made and the justification provided to justify the claim.

The rebuttal is the part where you respond to the claims that have been presented against your claim. This can be used to acknowledge an opposing viewpoint by proving your reasoning and logic are stronger or more logical than theirs.

And the backing is the part of your essay where you convince your reader to take a side in the argument.

The Toulmin argument is best used when there could be several possible solutions to a certain argument. This style is also very useful for debates and discussions because it allows both sides of an argument to be laid out for consideration.

Argumentative Essay Examples

Now that we've explained the different types of argumentative essays as well as useful tips you can use throughout your writing process, here are some excerpt examples of the different types of argumentative essays:

1. Is School Conductive to Learning? (Classical Argumentative Essay)

"If students get As on a test then they know the material, right? How many of those students would still know the information if you asked them about a week later? How about a month later? Most students will not remember most of the information for very long after the test. Why is that? They learned it, didn't they? Well, that depends on how you define "learning". "Learning" is gaining knowledge and experience which stays in the long-term memory and is of value to the recipient. So we have to ask, is our education system really teaching children?

The way education is set up in this country is simple. There is usually only one teacher in a classroom teaching from 12 to 30 students at a time. Information is written on a blackboard in the front of the room while the children take notes and listen. There may be some variation depending on the school and teacher. Then the students are tested on the material. After the test, the class moves on to new information. The material is usually not looked at again until a final test at the end of the semester, for which students study very hard a few days before. If they pass the test it is assumed that they "learned" the information, regardless of if they forget it later. Our education system is not only not enhancing learning but may actually be inhibiting it.

The education system in the United States today treats the minds of children like bowls to be filled with information. What it does not realize is that if you fill a bowl too quickly most of the liquid will bounce back out. It is the same with the mind of a child. When they are given too much information in such a small amount of time very little of it is actually retained. This is because of the vast amount of information students are given in very small amounts of time. Children study a single topic for two weeks to a month and then they are tested on it. After the test, they study something different for the next two weeks to a month. This causes the previous information to be forgotten and replaced by new information. This means that children end up with only very general knowledge of the topics studied.

A few children do learn this quickly, but not very many. Children learn at greatly varying paces, however, schools assume that all children learn at the same speed. This causes many children to be very frustrated and give up trying to learn. Many children who learn at a slower pace fall behind beyond any hope of catching up. Often the children who learn more quickly get bored and give up completely. Many of these children begin associating learning with boredom or frustration and actually start to dislike and even fight against learning.

Our system of schooling is not set up the way it should be. It was created to enhance learning, to teach children what they needed to know. It has strayed from that purpose. Our school system not only does not teach, but it turns students away from learning. Our children deserve better than this. They deserve to be shown how much fun and how beneficial learning can be. Learning can be what gives our lives value, but we are cheating our children of that. The school system needs to be seriously looked at and changed. The future of our world could be shaped by how well our children are prepared for it. They will be better prepared for it if they are shown how important and how rewarding knowledge and confidence can be. If our children are given these building blocks then they will become stronger adults and they will enhance the structure of the human world."

2. Helmets: Life or Liberty? (Rogerian Argumentative Essay)

"Snowboarding and snow skiing are two of the most enjoyed recreational sports in the world today. They give a unique sense of freedom and satisfaction that is unlike any other sport that can offer. Rob Reichenfeld remarked after his first lesson, “When you’re onto a good thing you stick with it, and like millions around the world I had discovered something undefinably special” (2). The freedom to carve down an entire mountain as fast or as slowly as desired, to drop off a twenty-foot cliff into five feet of fluff, to weave a line through a patch of technical trees, or to float down a steep face with bottomless powder is just a few reasons so many people are determined to make it to the mountains every year in search of a supreme rush. Snow sports provide an outlet for people to express themselves in unconventional ways by taking risks they normally would not take.

Snow sports are becoming more popular than ever before. They are prevalent in movies such as Extreme Days, Out Cold, several James Bond films, and Aspen Extreme, just to name a few. Now we see the X Games on television and snow sports in the Olympics. And the commercial market has taken full advantage of the extreme side of these sports as well. Mountain Dew has created an entire marketing scheme based solely on extreme sports, with snowboarding being a large part. Not only are snow sports becoming exceeding popular in the media, but more and more newcomers are also picking up a board or a set of skis every day of the winter season.

Along with all of this new popularity and thousands of new partakers in these sports, head injuries are becoming an increasing element of the equation. Although the percentage of head injuries due to snow sports is fairly low, about 0.3—6.5 skiers or snowboarders per thousand a day (“Heads you win?…”), a lot of people are affected when you consider how many thousands of people might be skiing or snowboarding in the entire U.S. on any given day. These numbers have raised a question of some magnitude: should ski resorts intrude on their guests’ individual liberties by implementing helmet rules?

Helmets do have several distinct drawbacks, despite their many benefits. Though opinions are starting to change, helmets are sometimes viewed as uncool or “nerdy”. These ideas are similar to those people used to have about motorcycle helmets, car seat belts, bicycle helmets, and skating elbow- and kneepads. Initially, it seems, any form of safety equipment gets a bad rap, especially from a young crowd that has no real concern for bodily harm.

The benefits of wearing head protection while resort skiing or snowboarding greatly outweigh the disadvantages, so such protective headgear should be required by all ski resorts. With the improvements being made in the comfort, stylishness, and effectiveness of helmets in the industry, there are no excuses left for skiers or boarders not to be wearing them. These types of resort rules could save countless lives as well as possibly save innumerable tax dollars that are spent on the medical costs of people who receive brain damage as a result of snow sport-induced head trauma. Such rules would also serve to lower lift ticket prices, as less money would be spent by resorts to defending against lawsuits brought on by head trauma victims. It would be to the benefit of everyone in the snow sports community if such regulations were to be put into place. I hope that they will indeed be applied in the near future, further insuring many more years of safe and exhilarating snow sporting."  

3. The Power of Black Panther (Toulmin)

  "Despite it just hitting theatres, Black Panther is already labelled as a ‘cultural movement’. Many Marvel fans eagerly waited to see the movie while discussions exploded on social media about Marvel’s new black superhero. However, not all of the discussions have stayed peaceful. With the emergence of this hero comes the emergence of the timeless debate of race, more specifically race in the media and how it is presented. There are some who say that having a black hero should not be this big of a deal and they deny the need for heroes of colour. Morals are colourless; we’ve learned from and enjoyed the millions of white heroes, so why is this black hero so special?

The issue here runs far deeper than this and goes beyond comic book characters. The real issue is the overall representation of minority groups in America. There needs to be a better representation of minorities in media to help the majority understand them and to help minorities feel a part of society. These are important factors in peace and unity within our nation. II. For the longest time, white men have dominated all American media industries, especially cishet men. Cishet refers to a person who is both cisgender and heterosexual. Over the years, women and minorities have fought to get where they are Background and issue questionClaimDefinitionDunne 2in the media today. They are now performing more and more roles outside of their stereotypes.

We need a more understanding majority and minorities who feel like they are an equal part of society, in order to come together and work for a better nation. Having fair media representation for minorities is a vital key to doing so. With the current hate destroying our country, we need to educate ourselves and each other. What better way to change a nation obsessed with its media, than with the media?" 

Creating argumentative essays is quite a complex process and there are multiple styles and ways to approach it. The goal of the process is to convince the audience of your point of view based on evidence or facts rather than personal opinions.

If you want to create high-quality argumentative essays, we recommend using Jenni.ai to speed up your writing process and help you craft more compelling arguments! You can sign up at Jenni.ai for free here !

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How to Write an Argumentative Essay: What You Need to Know

Santiago mallea.

• College Skills , Student Life Hacks , Writing Tips

Chief of Content At Gradehacker

Updated August 2023

Learn how to write an argumentative essay with our video:

Among the many types of essays that students find in their college classes, argumentative essays are one of the most common. Whether you are studying nursing, business, or economics, you will eventually have to write an argumentative paper for one of your courses.

But if academic writing is not one of your best skills, creating an argumentative essay won’t be an easy task.

Luckily, there are many things you can learn to improve your results, and here at Gradehacker, we are about to show you all of them!

After many years of helping students with their essays as the non-traditional student #1 resource, here is a step-by-step guide on how to write an argumentative essay.

Get a Convincing Argumentative Essay

Struggling to write a complex argumentative paper? Submit your request for free and get personalized help!

But first, let’s start from the basics.

What is an Argumentative Essay?

An argumentative paper is a type of essay that requires the writer to:

• Choose a topic
• Develop a solid anchor statement
• Collect and cite evidence
• Establish a firm piece of writing on the selected subject

It’s fact-based evidence work where school students persuade the reader to care about your topic.

You’ll always have to use extensive research , peer-reviewed arguments, and a strong piece of evidence that supports your original argument.

You can always share any personal opinions, but it needs to be sustained with key arguments.

Still, it’s also necessary to include a point of view that opposes your perspective . By addressing and refuting it with reliable academic sources, you give more credibility to your thesis to persuade any target audience!

Undoubtedly, one of the most common assignments that college students have to face. But because it’s common doesn’t have to mean that it’s easy.

Now that we understand the purpose of an argumentative essay let’s move on to tips on how to write it.

1. Choose a Strong Argumentative Essay Topic

Before you write your paper, you need to choose a suitable subject with plenty of academic sources that will let you develop a strong thesis statement.

Avoid simple, vague, or chliché debatable topics since they are too general and uninteresting. Choosing a broad subject will take you more time to research and most likely won’t give you the grade you desire.

Instead, think of a research subject you like and go for a more specific topic that will lead you to build a high-quality persuasive essay.

For instance, imagine your statement being:

“The death penalty in the United States is disproportionate.”

Rather than going with this vague argument, you might want to go for something like:

“The death penalty in the United States has been historically racially uneven since killers of white people were more likely than the killers of Black people to face the death penalty.”

See the difference? The second thesis statement is strong, interesting, and covers a specific ground, and there is a lot of information, statistics, and academic papers you can use to support your argument.

Pro Tip: Choose the topic with the most sources

Academic sources are what add value and credibility to your essay.

So, you need to ensure that the topic you choose has plenty of options . If you see that there isn’t enough information about it, try thinking of a new perspective or consider writing about a different subject.

2. Create an Outline

Once you have your thesis developed and sources selected, you’ll need to structure all that information in a simple outline.

While some courses will ask you to include an outline with your paper, the truth is that you should always make one , at least for you.

This way, you can organize all the topics you have to cover in one place, which will work as your roadmap while you are in the middle of the writing process.

To achieve a simple argumentative essay outline, here are some examples you can use:

• Introduction: Thesis statement
• First Paragraph: Argument 1
• Second Paragraph: Argument 2
• Third Paragraph: Opposite argument
• Fourth Paragraph: Counter-argument
• Conclusion: Restate the thesis

You can take a further step and add a concise summary of what each paragraph will touch on and which source you’ll use.

This personal roadmap might take you more time, but believe us, i t will rearrange all of the ideas altogether , and you can go back to it while you are writing in case you lose the flow.

Again, some courses don’t require you to create either of these outlines, but incorporating this practice as part of your writing process will significantly improve your experience throughout the entire essay by giving you a proper structure to follow from the start.

Pro Tip: Have an approximation of how long each paragraph will be

While it depends on the length of your assignment, knowing before you start how many words you should dedicate to each paragraph will give you a better idea of your current status.

You don’t necessarily have to stick to it as if it was mandatory but have these approximate numbers in mind to track your progress.

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3. Introductory Paragraph

With sources selected and an outline is done, you can finally start writing your paper.

The introductory paragraph has two main goals:

• Provide a general context on your chosen topic
• Introduce the thesis statement

You need to hook the reader into your subject by making them understand why you are writing about that specific topic and why they should care about your statement.

You can achieve this by talking about a current problem or using a strong statistic that catches the eye of the reader.

Don’t quote any sources or refute opposite arguments yet. Just focus on making the reader interested in your topic by giving them context and stating your main argument, which will set up the rest of the essay.

Pro Tip: Don’t make the introduction too long or too short

Sometimes, college students write short or long introductions and barely touch or explain the thesis.

We recommend writing between 100 and 150 words . This should be enough to contextualize and state your main argument.

4. Body Paragraphs

The body paragraphs are the part where you get to develop your thesis by providing solid arguments supported by qualified sources.

This part is all about explaining why your argument is valid to the reader who was hooked by your thesis statement. Don’t be afraid of showing a solid position on the subject. Without using the first person, the reader should clearly understand your opinion.

After all, y ou are trying to convince them to care about your topic!

How to do it? Start by addressing the first issues within your topic and showing clear evidence supporting your point.

Once you have touched on all the main statements that prove your thesis right, you’ll have to include a perspective that states the contrary to your opinion . Find an accessible information source that counters your thesis, and refute it with more supporting ones.

Doing this will strengthen your main point and persuade the reader even more right before they finish reading your paper.

Still, whether it’s supporting or contradicting your statement, you should limit one idea per paragraph . If you develop each topic thoroughly in a separate paragraph, you’ll be able to build a naturally flowing structure where all arguments are related.

How can you keep the paragraphs linked? With connectors:

However; Furthermore; Moreover; Nevertheless; In addition to this; Even though; Nonetheless; On the contrary, and more! 

Connectors are your best friends when writing any type of essay, and you should always have them in mind when writing.

Pro Tip: Use as many sources as you need

The more academic sources you use, the better!

Even if you only need to use one sentence or a small statistic, as long as it adds value to your statement, it’s worth using it!

5. Conclusion

You should think of your conclusion as what you want the reader to remember from your essay. 

Start by recognizing the main issue with your subject. Then, you’ll have to revisit the main points of your paper and restate your thesis one last time .

Don’t just repeat the same words you have been using throughout your essay. Think about the most important statements you have made and expose them all together in the conclusion so the reader leaves with all these critical topics in mind.

Pro Tip: Don’t add new information

One common mistake some students make is adding new ideas to the conclusion.

Maybe you add a point you didn’t get to include, but if it wasn’t explained before, don’t bring it up! You can either f ind a way to include it in another part of the text or simply leave that information out.

Now that you know how to write an argumentative essay from scratch, you are ready to take the extra step and use Chat GPT to help you . Here is how you can do it!

Write The Best Argumentative Essay You Can

Writing an argumentative essay can be a challenging task.

If you want to write an outstanding paper , you’ll need to do extensive research, find a way to link all that information together, and come up with a specific and interesting thesis statement that has material to work with and catches the eye of the reader.

But if you still feel like you need some help writing, you can count on Gradehacker to have your back. We are experts in writing all types of essays and have helped many college students with their exams and classes . We’ll be happy to help you too!

If you want to learn more tips on how to improve your writing skills, you can check our related blog posts:

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• 9 Ways to Construct a Compelling Argument

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But especially in the circumstances that we’re deeply convinced of the rightness of our points, putting them across in a compelling way that will change other people’s mind is a challenge. If you feel that your opinion is obviously right, it’s hard work even to understand why other people might disagree. Some people reach this point and don’t bother to try, instead concluding that those who disagree with them must be stupid, misled or just plain immoral. And it’s almost impossible to construct an argument that will persuade someone if you’re starting from the perspective that they’re either dim or evil. In the opposite set of circumstances – when you only weakly believe your perspective to be right – it can also be tricky to construct a good argument. In the absence of conviction, arguments tend to lack coherence or force. In this article, we take a look at how you can put together an argument, whether for an essay, debate speech or social media post, that is forceful, cogent and – if you’re lucky – might just change someone’s mind.

1. Keep it simple

Almost all good essays focus on a single powerful idea, drawing in every point made back to that same idea so that even someone skim-reading will soon pick up the author’s thesis. But when you care passionately about something, it’s easy to let this go. If you can see twenty different reasons why you’re right, it’s tempting to put all of them into your argument, because it feels as if the sheer weight of twenty reasons will be much more persuasive than just focusing on one or two; after all, someone may be able rebut a couple of reasons, but can they rebut all twenty? Yet from the outside, an argument with endless different reasons is much less persuasive than one with focus and precision on a small number of reasons. The debate in the UK about whether or not to stay in the EU was a great example of this. The Remain campaign had dozens of different reasons. Car manufacturing! Overfishing! Cleaner beaches! Key workers for the NHS! Medical research links! Economic opportunities! The difficulty of overcoming trade barriers! The Northern Irish border! Meanwhile, the Leave campaign boiled their argument down to just one: membership of the EU means relinquishing control. Leaving it means taking back control. And despite most expectations and the advice of most experts, the simple, straightforward message won. Voters struggled to remember the many different messages put out by the Remain campaign, as compelling as each of those reasons might have been; but they remembered the message about taking back control.

2. Be fair on your opponent

One of the most commonly used rhetorical fallacies is the Strawman Fallacy. This involves constructing a version of your opponent’s argument that is much weaker than the arguments they might use themselves, in order than you can defeat it more easily. For instance, in the area of crime and punishment, you might be arguing in favour of harsher prison sentences, while your opponent argues in favour of early release where possible. A Strawman would be to say that your opponent is weak on crime, wanting violent criminals to be let out on to the streets without adequate punishment or deterrence, to commit the same crimes again. In reality, your opponent’s idea might exclude violent criminals, and focus on community-based restorative justice that could lead to lower rates of recidivism. To anyone who knows the topic well, if your argument includes a Strawman, then you will immediately have lost credibility by demonstrating that either you don’t really understand the opposing point of view, or that you simply don’t care about rebutting it properly. Neither is persuasive. Instead, you should be fair to your opponent and represent their argument honestly, and your readers will take you seriously as a result

3. Avoid other common fallacies

It’s worth taking the time to read about logical fallacies and making sure that you’re not making them, as argument that rest of fallacious foundations can be more easily demolished. (This may not apply on social media, but it does in formal debating and in writing essays). Some fallacies are straightforward to understand, such as the appeal to popularity (roughly “everyone agrees with me, so I must be right!”), but others are a little trickier. Take “begging the question”, which is often misunderstood. It gets used to mean “raises the question” (e.g. “this politician has defended terrorists, which raises the question – can we trust her?”), but the fallacy it refers to is a bit more complicated. It’s when an argument rests on the assumption that its conclusions are true. For example, someone might argue that fizzy drinks shouldn’t be banned in schools, on the grounds that they’re not bad for students’ health. How can we know that they’re not bad for students’ health? Why, if they were, they would be banned in schools! When put in a condensed form like this example, the flaw in this approach is obvious, but you can imagine how you might fall for it over the course of a whole essay – for instance, paragraphs arguing that teachers would have objected to hyperactive students, parents would have complained, and we can see that none of this has happened because they haven’t yet been banned. With more verbosity, a bad argument can be hidden, so check that you’re not falling prey to it in your own writing.

4. Make your assumptions clear

Every argument rests on assumptions. Some of these assumptions are so obvious that you’re not going to be aware that you’re making them – for instance, you might make an argument about different economic systems that rests on the assumption that reducing global poverty is a good thing. While very few people would disagree with you on that, in general, if your assumption can be proven false, then the entire basis of your argument is undermined. A more controversial example might be an argument that rests on the assumption that everyone can trust the police force – for instance, if you’re arguing for tougher enforcement of minor offences in order to prevent them from mounting into major ones. But in countries where the police are frequently bribed, or where policing has obvious biases, such enforcement could be counterproductive. If you’re aware of such assumptions underpinning your argument, tackle them head on by making them clear and explaining why they are valid; so you could argue that your law enforcement proposal is valid in the particular circumstances that you’re suggesting because the police force there can be relied on, even if it wouldn’t work everywhere.

5. Rest your argument on solid foundations

If you think that you’re right in your argument, you should also be able to assemble a good amount of evidence that you’re right. That means putting the effort in and finding something that genuinely backs up what you’re saying; don’t fall back on dubious statistics or fake news . Doing the research to ensure that your evidence is solid can be time-consuming, but it’s worthwhile, as then you’ve removed another basis on which your argument could be challenged. What happens if you can’t find any evidence for your argument? The first thing to consider is whether you might be wrong! If you find lots of evidence against your position, and minimal evidence for it, it would be logical to change your mind. But if you’re struggling to find evidence either way, it may simply be that the area is under-researched. Prove what you can, including your assumptions, and work from there.

6. Use evidence your readers will believe

So far we’ve focused on how to construct an argument that is solid and hard to challenge; from this point onward, we focus on what it takes to make an argument persuasive. One thing you can do is to choose your evidence with your audience in mind. For instance, if you’re writing about current affairs, a left-wing audience will find an article from the Guardian to be more persuasive (as they’re more likely to trust its reporting), while a right-wing audience might be more swayed by the Telegraph. This principle doesn’t just hold in terms of politics. It can also be useful in terms of sides in an academic debate, for instance. You can similarly bear in mind the demographics of your likely audience – it may be that an older audience is more skeptical of footnotes that consist solely of web addresses. And it isn’t just about statistics and references. The focus of your evidence as a whole can take your probable audience into account; for example, if you were arguing that a particular drug should be banned on health grounds and your main audience was teenagers, you might want to focus more on the immediate health risks, rather than ones that might only appear years or decades later.

7. Avoid platitudes and generalisations, and be specific

A platitude is a phrase used to the point of meaninglessness – and it may not have had that much meaning to begin with. If you find yourself writing something like “because family life is all-important” to support one of your claims, you’ve slipped into using platitudes. Platitudes are likely to annoy your readers without helping to persuade them. Because they’re meaningless and uncontroversial statements, using them doesn’t tell your reader anything new. If you say that working hours need to be restricted because family ought to come first, you haven’t really given your reader any new information. Instead, bring the importance of family to life for your reader, and then explain just how long hours are interrupting it. Similarly, being specific can demonstrate the grasp you have on your subject, and can bring it to life for your reader. Imagine that you were arguing in favour of nationalising the railways, and one of your points was that the service now was of low quality. Saying “many commuter trains are frequently delayed” is much less impactful than if you have the full facts to hand, e.g. “in Letchworth Garden City, one key commuter hub, half of all peak-time trains to London were delayed by ten minutes or more.”

8. Understand the opposing point of view

As we noted in the introduction, you can’t construct a compelling argument unless you understand why someone might think you were wrong, and you can come up with reasons other than them being mistaken or stupid. After all, we almost all target them same end goals, whether that’s wanting to increase our understanding of the world in academia, or increase people’s opportunities to flourish and seek happiness in politics. Yet we come to divergent conclusions. In his book The Righteous Mind , Jonathan Haidt explores the different perspectives of people who are politically right or left-wing. He summarises the different ideals people might value, namely justice, equality, authority, sanctity and loyalty, and concludes that while most people see that these things have some value, different political persuasions value them to different degrees. For instance, someone who opposes equal marriage might argue that they don’t oppose equality – but they do feel that on balance, sanctity is more important. An argument that focuses solely on equality won’t sway them, but an argument that addresses sanctity might.

9. Make it easy for your opponent to change their mind

It’s tricky to think of the last time you changed your mind about something really important. Perhaps to preserve our pride, we frequently forget that we ever believed something different. This survey of British voters’ attitudes to the Iraq war demonstrates the point beautifully. 54% of people supporting invading Iraq in 2003; but twelve years on, with the war a demonstrable failure, only 37% were still willing to admit that they had supported it at the time. The effect in the USA was even more dramatic. It would be tempting for anyone who genuinely did oppose the war at the time to be quite smug towards anyone who changed their mind, especially those who won’t admit it. But if changing your mind comes with additional consequences (e.g. the implication that you were daft ever to have believed something, even if you’ve since come to a different conclusion), then the incentive to do so is reduced. Your argument needs to avoid vilifying people who have only recently come around to your point of view; instead, to be truly persuasive, you should welcome them.

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Why argumentative essay writing is crucial for developing critical thinking and persuasive skills.

In today’s fast-paced and interconnected world, the ability to articulate one’s thoughts and opinions effectively has become an indispensable skill. Writing persuasive essays is an art that requires precision, creativity, and a deep understanding of the subject matter at hand. Whether you are a student aiming to excel in academics or a professional seeking to persuade others in the workplace, mastering the art of crafting persuasive essays can open doors to endless opportunities.

A persuasive essay is not simply an expression of personal beliefs; it is a carefully constructed argument that aims to convince the reader of a particular point of view. As such, it requires a strategic approach that involves thorough research, critical analysis, and logical reasoning. While some may view persuasive writing as an arduous task, it is, in fact, a fulfilling endeavor that allows individuals to harness the power of language and shape the perceptions of others.

Throughout this comprehensive guide, we will explore the various components that contribute to the art of persuasive essay writing. From developing a strong thesis statement to incorporating persuasive techniques, this manual will equip you with the necessary tools and knowledge to effectively convey your ideas and sway even the most skeptical of minds. So, prepare to embark on a journey of exploration and self-discovery as we delve into the intricacies of the craft of crafting persuasive essays.

Understanding the Basics of Argumentative Writing

Mastering the fundamentals of persuasive composition is an essential step in becoming a proficient writer. Argumentative writing is a skill that enables writers to present persuasive arguments, backed by evidence and reasoning, to convince readers of a particular viewpoint. By understanding the basics of argumentative writing, writers can effectively communicate their opinions and persuade their audiences to adopt their side of the argument.

In argumentative writing, the writer aims to present a clear and concise thesis statement that outlines their main contention. The thesis statement serves as the backbone of the essay, guiding the writer’s logical reasoning and supporting evidence. Furthermore, the writer must develop well-structured paragraphs, each with a specific topic sentence that supports the overall thesis statement.

In addition to presenting strong evidence, argumentative writing requires writers to acknowledge and address counterarguments. By acknowledging opposing viewpoints, writers can weaken the opposition’s arguments and strengthen their own. A well-developed argumentative essay should also include a rebuttal, where the writer refutes counterarguments and reinforces their thesis statement.

Argumetative writing is not only about presenting a strong argument but also about using persuasive language and rhetoric to engage the reader. Writers should strive to appeal to the reader’s emotions and logic through careful word choice and sentence structure. By effectively utilizing persuasive techniques, writers can enhance the overall impact of their argument and leave a lasting impression on the reader.

Overall, understanding the basics of argumentative writing is crucial for anyone aiming to craft compelling essays. With a solid understanding of thesis statements, logical reasoning, supporting evidence, counterarguments, and persuasive techniques, writers can effectively convey their ideas and persuade readers to adopt their viewpoint. By honing these skills, writers can become powerful advocates for their opinions and make a meaningful impact through their writing.

Research: The Key to Building a Strong Argument

Conducting thorough research is vital when it comes to constructing a strong and persuasive argument. In order to effectively convince your audience and present a persuasive case, you must gather relevant information and evidence to support your claims and counter any opposing viewpoints.

Research provides you with the necessary tools and resources to develop a well-informed argument. By exploring various sources such as academic journals, books, reputable websites, and expert opinions, you can gather valuable information that will strengthen your position and make your argument more persuasive.

One important aspect of research is the ability to critically analyze and evaluate the credibility of sources. It is essential to ensure that the information you include in your argument is from reliable and trustworthy sources. This helps establish your credibility as a writer and enhances the credibility of your argument as a whole.

Additionally, research allows you to anticipate and address potential counterarguments. By uncovering and understanding different viewpoints and perspectives related to your topic, you can preemptively address any opposing arguments and provide rebuttals. This not only strengthens your own argument but also demonstrates your knowledge and understanding of the topic.

Incorporating research into your argumentative essay also helps you develop a logical and well-structured presentation of your ideas. By organizing your researched information in a coherent manner, you can effectively guide your readers through your argument and present your evidence in a logical and convincing way.

In conclusion, research plays a significant role in building a strong argument. By conducting thorough research, analyzing and evaluating sources, addressing counterarguments, and organizing your information effectively, you can develop a persuasive and compelling argument that captures your readers’ attention and convinces them of your viewpoint.

Crafting a Persuasive Thesis Statement

The foundation of a strong argumentative essay lies in a well-crafted thesis statement. This vital component serves as the guiding force behind the entire essay, setting the tone and direction for the writer’s persuasive argument. A persuasive thesis statement effectively communicates the writer’s stance on a particular topic while also providing a clear roadmap for the reader to follow throughout the essay.

To craft a persuasive thesis statement, it is essential to choose a topic that sparks controversy or disagreement among readers. This ensures that the thesis statement will inspire strong emotions and opinions, making it easier for the writer to present their argument and persuade the reader to agree with their viewpoint.

When formulating a persuasive thesis statement, it is essential to clearly state the writer’s position on the topic. This can be accomplished through a direct statement or by posing a thought-provoking question that invites the reader to consider the writer’s perspective. By being explicit in their stance, the writer establishes credibility and demonstrates their confidence in their argument.

In addition to taking a clear position, a persuasive thesis statement should also provide a compelling reason or rationale for the writer’s viewpoint. This can involve presenting relevant evidence, citing trusted sources, or appealing to moral or emotional values. By incorporating a persuasive element into the thesis statement, the writer sets the stage for the rest of the essay to build upon and support this position.

Furthermore, a persuasive thesis statement should be concise and focused. It should convey the main idea of the essay in a succinct manner, avoiding ambiguity or excessive complexity. By keeping the thesis statement clear and to the point, the writer ensures that the reader understands the overall objective of the essay and can easily follow the writer’s line of reasoning.

To conclude, crafting a persuasive thesis statement is a critical step in the process of writing an argumentative essay. It lays the groundwork for a strong and compelling argument, guiding the writer’s thought process and providing a clear direction for the reader. By choosing a controversial topic, taking a clear position, providing solid rationale, and maintaining conciseness, the writer can create a persuasive thesis statement that sets the stage for a successful essay.

The Structure and Organization of an Argumentative Essay

When it comes to composing a persuasive piece of writing, having a clear and well-structured essay is of utmost importance. The structure and organization of an argumentative essay play a vital role in effectively presenting your ideas and persuading your audience to agree with your viewpoint. By following a logical structure and organizing your arguments coherently, you can strengthen the impact of your essay and make it more compelling.

There are several key components that contribute to the structure and organization of an argumentative essay. First and foremost, your essay should have a strong introduction that grabs the reader’s attention and clearly states your thesis statement. The thesis statement is the central argument or claim that you will be supporting throughout your essay.

After the introduction, the body paragraphs of your essay should be devoted to presenting and supporting your arguments. Each body paragraph should focus on a single point or aspect of your argument and provide evidence, examples, or reasoning to back it up. It is essential to present your arguments in a logical and organized manner, using transitional phrases or words to ensure smooth flow between paragraphs.

Additionally, it is crucial to acknowledge and address counterarguments or opposing viewpoints in your essay. By acknowledging opposing viewpoints, you demonstrate a thorough understanding of the topic and establish your credibility as a writer. Refuting counterarguments and providing evidence to support your own argument will strengthen your essay’s persuasiveness.

In the conclusion of your argumentative essay, you should summarize your main points and restate your thesis statement in a way that leaves a lasting impression on your reader. A strong conclusion should not introduce any new information but should instead reinforce the importance and validity of your argument.

Overall, the structure and organization of an argumentative essay are essential elements that contribute to the effectiveness of your writing. By carefully planning and structuring your essay, presenting and supporting your arguments coherently, and addressing counterarguments, you can create a compelling and persuasive piece of writing that effectively communicates your viewpoint.

Effective Strategies for Presenting Evidence and Counterarguments

Mastering the art of persuasive writing involves being able to effectively present evidence and counterarguments. As a skilled writer, you must not only provide strong evidence to support your claims but also anticipate and address potential counterarguments. This section will explore some effective strategies for presenting evidence and counterarguments in order to build a compelling case for your argument.

One strategy for presenting evidence is through the use of credible sources. By referencing reputable research studies, expert opinions, and statistical data, you can add credibility and validity to your argument. Be sure to properly cite your sources and include a variety of different types of evidence to strengthen your points.

In addition to using credible sources, it is important to clearly explain how the evidence supports your argument. Provide a logical and coherent analysis of the evidence, outlining the key findings and explaining why they are relevant to your thesis. By demonstrating a deep understanding of the evidence, you can make a convincing case for your argument.

Another effective strategy is to anticipate and address potential counterarguments. By acknowledging opposing viewpoints and addressing them head-on, you can strengthen your own argument and demonstrate your ability to think critically. Use logical reasoning and evidence to refute counterarguments, demonstrating why they are flawed or invalid.

When presenting counterarguments, it is important to do so respectfully and objectively. Avoid using inflammatory language or attacking the person making the counterargument. Instead, focus on the weaknesses in their logic or evidence and present a strong counterpoint backed up by evidence and reasoning.

In conclusion, presenting evidence and counterarguments effectively is essential for writing a persuasive argumentative essay. By using credible sources, explaining how the evidence supports your argument, anticipating and addressing counterarguments, and maintaining a respectful and objective tone, you can build a strong case for your point of view.

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Best Tips for Writing a Strong Argumentative Essay: Easy Step-by-Step Guide

Most likely, you have heard about argumentative essays at least once. What is this paper, and what is its purpose? Well, the main goal is to establish a definite position and attitude towards the selected issue and substantiate it with evidence. What is the best way to write an argumentative essay? There are four aspects that you should pay attention to:

• Your subject must be interesting.
• You must be convincing (make your claims).
• It is necessary to find answers to counterarguments in advance.
• Motivate the reader to accept your point of view.

Of course, such a paper's complexity depends on the chosen topic and the depth of research. But here, you get the main argumentative essay tips. This will help analyze the subject better and prepare the most reasoned position on each item.

What Should Such a Paper Have?

The first thing you need is to argue your position and create a strong thesis. Next, you have to conduct logical reasoning and provide convincing arguments. But these are not all tips for writing an argumentative essay . Do not forget about good examples, evidence, and any data that will prove your position on each point or question.

Three Main Steps & Tips on How to Write a Strong Argumentative Essay

1: topic & thesis statement.

A good hook for an argumentative essay is the first thing you need. The topic you choose may have varying degrees of relevance. Moreover, your professor may not leave you a chance. In any case, you should create a strong thesis statement. This will allow you to indicate the paper's main purpose, its significance, and even the level of expertise.

This is something like a vector of your movement because all subsequent paragraphs will reveal your position and argumentation. It is good if you have a personal opinion about the chosen topic. But the best way to start an argumentative essay is to find evidence that you are right. You cannot claim anything without support, so consider collecting all the data that will prove you are right.

2: Research & organize your findings

How to write a good argumentative essay? Your paper should be compelling and supported with facts. Do your research and take notes. You might want to highlight individual quotes or even paragraphs. And you should organize your findings. Save and organize all the trusted sources that you use while working.

Search for a hook for an argumentative essay. You should also work on your arguments and counterarguments. It's like chess because you need to think about the strategy a few moves ahead. Another aspect is impartiality. Your essay may contradict certain authors' work, or it may run counter to generally accepted standards. 

But you shouldn't include an emotional component. Try to describe the problems and argue your position neutrally. Sometimes research requires a non-standard approach. Perhaps you should look at the problem from a different angle and pay attention to what has gone unnoticed by other people.

3: Draft a structure

The correct structure of an argumentative essay is the most important aspect. Without this, your work may be in vain. There are key steps and points to help your paper be compelling and logical.

First Paragraph

How to make an argumentative essay catchy? You need to grab attention with good background and a thesis statement. Your first paragraph is where you should formulate your idea and position, which will gradually unfold in other parts of the paper. The main challenge is to meet all academic requirements. But you can start with certain data or research findings that can be a compelling start to uncover the subject further.

After disclosing the background, you need to provide a few key questions that will be fundamental to you. In the future, you will need to give exhaustive answers in each of the paragraphs.

• Why is your chosen subject relevant?
• What is the problem, and how to solve it?
• Is this important in the context of your research?
• What should be done to solve the problem?
• Are there any root causes that made this subject relevant?

If the chosen topic involves statistics, then you can post them to show the significance of the problem or the relevance of your paper and all the arguments.

Body Paragraphs

Every argument of fact essay must be based on evidence. It's best if you reserve each paragraph for a specific aspect worth mentioning. Start with the statement. Uncover the root cause of your claim, which real data in the future will back up. You have to provide clear and structured evidence because your statements are meaningless without this.

Indicate the data that you received as a result of the research. In any case, you should only rely on reliable and trustworthy sources. For example, it is better to accompany some legal statements with references to legislation or certain amendments. There are many tips for argumentative essay tasks, and they are all closely related to the search for evidence. This is why you need to provide facts and explain how this can make your case persuasive.

Another important point concerns the connection of the main paragraphs with your thesis. If your paper has clear goals and arguments, then the structure of each block should be interconnected. This is necessary in order to maintain a logical consistency and expand your topic .

Additional Paragraphs

Almost any argument can have a counterargument. That is why you need additional paragraphs to address all the controversial aspects. But how to write an argumentative essay and not get confused by your evidence structure? Examine the subject and collect all the main arguments.

Next, you need to study opposing opinions and familiarize yourself with the evidence base. If you have clear confirmation of your case, then you can provide data, a quote from the research, and strengthen your thesis. In other words, you must be ready for the opposite opinion and have proof of your case.

This is the logical ending where you need to try to be as convincing as possible. Summarize everything you have written about up to this point. Perhaps you need to add a call to action or provide hypotheses. This type of assignment involves adding real-life examples to prove the strength of your arguments in action. You can also speculate about how your ideas might affect a subject or a specific problem.

Final Words

Any argumentative essay takes a lot of research time. You can't just take key aspects of a subject and question them. All your statements should be based not only on personal feelings and judgments. Study everything that is important and present the most convincing arguments.

You should also follow the plan clearly and adhere to all formatting requirements. Do not exceed the allowed word count. Try to be as concise as possible, but remember to be convincing. When all of your arguments are supported by credible sources or research results, then your essay can be considered a success.

And do not forget that grammatical or spelling mistakes are not allowed. You need to pay extra attention to the accuracy of the wording to be more convincing. Then your arguments will be understandable and more weighty.

How to Distinguish a Strong Argument from Weak

How to differentiate a strong argument from weak argument can be confusing if you do not know the criteria that is used for it. The differentiation is very similar to what is obtainable in the soundness for a deductive argument.

A strong argument that has true proof or premises is considered cogent. When an essay writing is said to be cogent, it means that the argument is very good and believable with strong evidence to back up the conclusion. A weak argument is not cogent because is not true and has premises that is false.

College coursework help can be beneficial to students who struggle with using arguments in their essays; they can use guides to learn more about deductive or inductive reasoning, and gain an understanding of how to write an essay effectively.

Inductive vs Deductive

When it comes to deductive reasoning, the essay writer may want to give information or premises that will be able to proven in conclusion. However, inductive reasoning or logic is totally based on conclusion that is taken generally from behavior in some cases. Deductive reasoning can be invalid or valid. For those who are making use of inductive reasoning, it can be wrong even if the premises that was used is correct.

If you are taking arguments based on deductive logic and reasoning, they can either be invalid or valid. When it comes to invalid arguments, you should know that they are unsound or weak. Valid arguments are known to be very sound when the premises is true. Arguments based on inductive reasoning can either be weak or strong. The weak argument is not convent but strong arguments are strong if only the premises is true.

Essay hacks will help you understand what a strong argument is and what you need to make a weak argument strong. An argument can be defined as a type of communication that is able or tries to convince or persuade a person or an audience to accept a topic.

Argument have three parts:

• Claim- this talks about the position that has to be argued.
• Reason- this explains logically why the claim should be valid.
• Evidence – the evidence comes with expert testimony, statistics, examples and lots more.

Strong argument

A strong argument is solely based upon reasons, facts and figures that can be proven without reasonable doubts.

Weak argument

A series of facts that are based on personal beliefs that may not true if investigated deeply.

Moreover, utilizing some essay hacks may help you put your argument into a convincing presentation that will make a strong impact on your audience. To make sure you do that, you may even consider working with a presentation writing service to make sure your communication will be delivered in the most effective way.

How to Differentiate a Strong Argument From Week?

Strong Arguments

The essay form of a strong argument always begins with opinions and facts about the subject. Relevant opinions and facts are given to back the argument. The arguments are logically arranged and clear to understand.

Weak Arguments

Weak arguments are not back by proven opinions or facts. Most times, the argument for a particular topic is watery or weak to be supported by a large number of people. If you must differentiate what is a strong or weak argument, it is critics that you carefully see through what is written by a writer. You will have to read between the lines to ensure that you know what the writer is talking about. This will help you understand if the argument is strong or weak.

Weak Evidence vs Strong Evidence

A strong reason or claim requires a writer to come up with evidence that are strong and trustworthy. The evidence must be convincing and relevant to what is been argued upon. While a weak evidence cannot be supported in a lot of places because it is not convincing and has no backing when it is researched. How to differentiate a strong argument from a weak argument can be easily noticed if the above facts are taken into consideration. Essay conclusion in differentiating the two arguments should be concluded in a simple and clear manner that will help the reader understand the type of argument that is placed before them.

In conclusion, distinguishing between a strong argument and a weak one is crucial for effectively communicating ideas and convincing others. To improve your argumentative skills, take note of logical fallacies, gather credible evidence, address opposing viewpoints, and present your ideas clearly and concisely. However, if you still find it difficult, you ask to write an argumentative essay for me or can seek assistance from professionals who can guide you through the process and help you develop a strong and convincing argument.

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7 Understanding Argument

Angie Smibert

Introduction

Where can you find the best tacos in Texas? Who wrote the best version of the song “Wagon Wheel”? Which cause is most deserving of a federal grant? While all of these topics seem like fodder for a happy hour conversation, each one can be proven with specifically defined criteria and evidence. And while the word argument conjures up negative memories for some, in rhetoric we use the term to refer to a persuasive essay. In this section, we introduce you to the concepts surrounding argumentation and discuss two of the more prominent methodologies used today.

Features of an Argument

Argument is not the loud, assertive, unwavering statement of your opinion in the hopes of conquering the opposition. Argument is the careful consideration of numerous positions and the careful development of logically sound, carefully constructed assertions that, when combined, offer a worthwhile perspective in an ongoing debate. Certainly you want to imagine yourself arguing with others—and certainly you want to believe your opinion has superior qualities to theirs—but the purpose of argument in the college setting is not to solve a practical problem or shut down a conversation. Rather, it’s to illuminate, expand, and further inform a debate happening on a worthwhile subject between reasonable, intelligent people. In other words, calling the opposition stupid is not good argument, it’s an ad hominem attack. For a review of other logical fallacies, refer to section 3 of this text. Some of the key tools of argument are the strategies that students are asked to consider when doing a Rhetorical Analysis. Before beginning an argument of your own, review the basic concepts of rhetorical appeals from the Rhetorical Analysis Chapter.  As you plan and draft your own argument, carefully use the following elements of rhetoric to your own advantage.

Approaches to Argument

A well-structured argument is one that is carefully and optimally planned. It is organized so that the argument has a continuous building of ideas, one upon the other or in concert with the other, in order to produce the most persuasive impact or effect on the reader. For clarity, avoid repeating ideas, reasons, or evidence. Instead, consider how each idea in your argument connects to the others. Should some ideas come before others? Should you build your reasons from simple to complex or from complex to simple? Should you present the counterargument before your reasons? Or, would it make more sense for you to present your reasons and then the concessions and rebuttals? How can you use clear transitional phrases to facilitate reader comprehension of your argument? Consider these questions while constructing and revising your argument.

Simple to Complex/Complex to Simple

Whether structuring a paragraph or a research paper, the simple to complex (or reverse) method can be an effective way to build cohesion throughout your writing. Just as the phrase implies, simple to complex is when a writer introduces a simple concept then builds upon it to heighten interest. Sometimes, the opposite structure works to move the reader through your position. For example, if you choose to write on the topic of pollution as it impacts the world, you might begin with the concept of straws and sea turtles. Your simple topic of sea turtles swallowing straws thrown away might then move to the complex issues of consumption, consumerism and disposal. Conversely, if you begin with the broad, complex topic of consumerism, you could then move to the story of the sea turtles as a way of building pathos in the reader. Whichever method you choose, make sure that the relationship between the topics is logical and clear so that readers find validity in your position.

Cause/Effect

The cause/effect method is a way of establishing a reason, or reasons, why something has occurred. For example, if you live in south Texas, then you understand the problem that mosquitoes cause in the hot, humid summer months. While there is no way to eliminate all mosquitoes, there are ways to minimize their growth in your backyard. If you research the ways in which mosquitoes are born, you would understand the importance of things such as emptying containers of all stagnant water so that they cannot incubate or keeping your grass mowed to eliminate areas for them to populate. The process by which you go through to determine the cause of mosquito infestations is the cause and effect method. In argumentation, you might use this method to support a claim for community efforts to prevent mosquitoes from growing in your neighborhood. Demonstrating that process is effective for a logos based argument.

Chronological

Sometimes an argument is presented best when a sequential pattern is used. Oftentimes, that pattern will be based on the pattern of time in which the sequence occurs. For example, if you are writing an argumentative essay in which you are calling for a new stop light to be installed at a busy intersection, you might utilize a chronological structure to demonstrate the rate of increased accidents over a given period of time at that intersection. If your pattern demonstrates a marked increase in accidents, then your data would show a logical reason for supporting your position. Oftentimes, a chronological pattern involves steps indicated by signal words such as first, next, and finally. Utilizing this pattern will walk readers through your line of reasoning and guide them towards reaching your proposed conclusion.

Another method for organizing your writing is by order of importance. This method is often referred to as emphatic because organization is done based upon emphasis. The direction you choose to go is yours whether you begin with the strongest, most important point of your argument, or the weakest. In either case, the hierarchy of ideas should be clear to readers. The emphatic method is often subjective based upon the writer’s beliefs. If, for example, you want to build an argument for a new rail system to be used in your city, you will have to decide which reason is most important and which is simply support material. For one writer, the decrease in the number of cars on the road might be the most important aspect as it would result in a reduction of toxic emissions. For another writer, the time saved for commuters might be the most important aspect. The decision to start with your strongest or weakest point is one of style.

Style/ Eloquence

When we discuss style in academic writing, we generally mean the use of formal language appropriate for the given academic audience and occasion. Academics generally favor Standard American English and the use of precise language that avoids idioms, clichés, or dull, simple word choices. This is not to imply that these tropes are not useful; however, strong academic writing is typically objective and frequently avoids the use of first-person pronouns unless the disciplinary style and conventions suggest otherwise.

Some writing assignments allow you to choose your audience. In that case, the style in which you write may not be the formal, precise Standard American English that the academy prefers. For some writing assignments, you may even be asked to use, where appropriate, poetic or figurative language or language that evokes the senses.

In all cases, it is important to understand what style of writing your audience expects, as delivering your argument in that style could make it more persuasive.

Basic Structure and Content of Argument

When you are tasked with crafting an argumentative essay, it is likely that you will be expected to craft your argument based upon a given number of sources–all of which should support your topic in some way. Your instructor might provide these sources for you, ask you to locate these sources, or provide you with some sources and ask you to find others. Whether or not you are asked to do additional research, an argumentative essay should be comprised of the following basic components.

Claim: What do you want the reader to believe?

In an argument paper, the thesis is often called a claim. This claim is a statement in which you take a stand on a debatable issue. A strong, debatable claim has at least one valid counterargument, an opposite or alternative point of view, that is as sensible as the position that you take in your claim. In your thesis statement, you should clearly and specifically state the position you will convince your audience to adopt. You can accomplish this via either a closed or open thesis statement.

A closed thesis statement includes sub-claims or reasons why you choose to support your claim.

For example: ● The city of Houston has displayed a commitment to attracting new residents by making improvements to its walkability, city centers, and green spaces.

In this instance, walkability, city centers, and green spaces are the sub-claims, or reasons, why you would make the claim that Houston is attracting new residents.

An open thesis statement does not include sub-claims and might be more appropriate when your argument is less easy to prove with two or three easily-defined sub-claims.

For example: ● The city of Houston is a vibrant metropolis due to its walkability, city centers, and green spaces.

The choice between an open or a closed thesis statement often depends upon the complexity of your argument. When in doubt about how to structure your thesis statement, seek the advice of your instructor or a writing center consultant.

A note on context:

What background information about the topic does your audience need.

Before you get into defending your claim, you will need to place your topic (and argument) into context by including relevant background material. Remember, your audience is relying on you for vital information such as definitions, historical placement, and controversial positions. This background material might appear in either your introductory paragraph(s) or your body paragraphs. How and where to incorporate background material depends a lot upon your topic, assignment, evidence, and audience.

Evidence or Grounds: What makes your reasoning valid?

To validate the thinking that you put forward in your claim and subclaims, you need to demonstrate that your reasoning is based on more than just your personal opinion. Evidence, sometimes referred to as grounds, can take the form of research studies or scholarship, expert opinions, personal examples, observations made by yourself or others, or specific instances that make your reasoning seem sound and believable. Evidence only works if it directly supports your reasoning — and sometimes you must explain how the evidence supports your reasoning (do not assume that a reader can see the connection between evidence and reason that you see).

Warrants: Why should a reader accept your claim?

A warrant is the rationale the writer provides to show that the evidence properly supports the claim, with each element working towards a similar goal. Think of warrants as the glue that holds an argument together and ensures that all pieces work together coherently. An important way to ensure you are properly supplying warrants within your argument is to use topic sentences for each paragraph and linking sentences within that connect the particular claim directly back to the thesis. Ensuring that there are linking sentences in each paragraph will help to create consistency within your essay. Remember, the thesis statement is the driving force of organization in your essay, so each paragraph needs to have a specific purpose (topic sentence) in proving or explaining your thesis. Linking sentences complete this task within the body of each paragraph and create cohesion. These linking sentences will often appear after your textual evidence in a paragraph.

Counterargument: But what about other perspectives?

Later in this section, we have included an essay by Steven Krause who offers a thorough explanation of what counterargument is (and how to respond to it). In summary, a strong arguer should not be afraid to consider perspectives that either challenge or completely oppose his or her own claim. When you respectfully and thoroughly discuss perspectives or research that counters your own claim or even weaknesses in your own argument, you are showing yourself to be an ethical arguer. The following are some things of which counterarguments may consist:

● summarizing opposing views ● explaining how and where you actually agree with some opposing views ● acknowledging weaknesses or holes in your own argument

You have to be careful and clear that you are not conveying to a reader that you are rejecting your own claim; it is important to indicate that you are merely open to considering alternative viewpoints. Being open in this way shows that you are an ethical arguer – you are considering many viewpoints.

Response to Counterargument: I see that, but…

Just as it is important to include counterargument to show that you are fair-minded and balanced, you must respond to the counterargument so that a reader clearly sees that you are not agreeing with the counterargument and thus abandoning or somehow undermining your own claim. Failure to include the response to counterargument can confuse the reader. There are several ways to respond to a counterargument such as: ● concede to a specific point or idea from the counterargument by explaining why that point or idea has validity. However, you must then be sure to return to your own claim, and explain why even that concession does not lead you to completely accept or support the counterargument ● reject the counterargument if you find it to be incorrect, fallacious, or otherwise invalid ● explain why the counterargument perspective does not invalidate your own claim

A note about where to put the counterargument:

It is certainly possible to begin the argument section (after the background section) with your counterargument + response instead of placing it at the end of your essay. Some people prefer to have their counterargument first where they can address it and then spend the rest of their essay building their own case and supporting their own claim. However, it is just as valid to have the counterargument + response appear at the end of the paper after you have discussed all of your reasons.

What is important to remember is that wherever you place your counterargument, you should: ● Address the counterargument(s) fully:

○ Explain what the counter perspectives are. ○ Describe them thoroughly. ○ Cite authors who have these counter perspectives. ○ Quote them and summarize their thinking.

● Then, respond to these counterarguments:

○ Make it clear to the reader of your argument why you concede to certain points of the counterargument or why you reject them. ○ Make it clear that you do not accept the counterargument, even though you understand it. ○ Be sure to use transition phrases that make this clear to your reader.

Counterargument and Response Almost anything you can argue or claim in a persuasive paper can be refuted – and that is a good thing when you are writing an argument. Opposing points of view exist in every good debate, and it’s important to anticipate possible objections to your arguments and to discuss them in your paper. Below is a brief overview of what counterarguments are and how you might respond to them in your arguments.

Types of counterarguments ● Could someone disagree with your claim? If so, why? Explain this opposing perspective in your own argument, and then respond to it. ● Could someone draw a different conclusion from any of the facts or examples you present? If so, what is that different conclusion? Explain this different conclusion and then respond to it. ● Could a reader question any of your assumptions or claims? If so, which ones would they question? Explain and then respond. ● Could a reader offer a different explanation of an issue? If so, what might their explanation be? Describe this different explanation, and then respond to it. ● Is there any evidence out there that could weaken your position? If so, what is it? Cite and discuss this evidence and then respond to it.

If the answer to any of these questions is yes, that does not necessarily mean that you have a weak argument. It means ideally, and as long as your argument is logical and valid, that you have a counterargument. Good arguments can and do have counterarguments; it is important to discuss them. But you must also discuss and then respond to those counterarguments.

Responding to counterarguments

You do not need to attempt to do all of these things as a way to respond; instead, choose the response strategy that makes the most sense to you for the counterargument that you find: ● If you agree with some of the counterargument perspectives, you can concede some of their points. (“I do agree that ….”, “Some of the points made by X are valid…..”) You could then challenge the importance/usefulness of those points. (“However, this information does not apply to our topic because…”) ● If the counterargument perspective is one that contains different evidence than you have in your own argument, you can explain why a reader should not accept the evidence that the counterarguer presents ● If the counterargument perspective is one that contains a different interpretation of evidence than you have in your own argument, you can explain why a reader should not accept the interpretation of the evidence that your opponent (counterarguer) presents ● If the counterargument is an acknowledgement of evidence that threatens to weaken your argument, you must explain why and how that evidence does not, in fact, invalidate your claim.

It is important to use transitional phrases in your paper to alert readers when you’re about to present a counterargument. It’s usually best to put this phrase at the beginning of a paragraph, such as with the following examples: ● Researchers have challenged these claims with… ● Critics argue that this view… ● Some readers may point to… ● A perspective that challenges the idea that . . .

Transitional phrases will again be useful to highlight your shift from counterargument to response: ● Indeed, some of those points are valid. However, . . . ● While I agree that . . . , it is more important to consider . . . ● These are all compelling points. Still, other information suggests that . . ● While I understand . . . , I cannot accept the evidence because . . .

On the Other Hand: The Role of Antithetical Writing in First Year Composition Courses By Steven D. Krause

Besides my own experiences as a student many years ago in courses similar to the ones you and your classmates are in now, I think the most important influence on how I have approached research and argumentative writing came from academic debate. Debate taught me at least two ways to approach an argument that were not part of my formal schooling. First, academic policy debate taught me that argumentation is a contest—a sport, not at all different from tennis or basketball or figure skating or gymnastics, an activity where you have to work with a team, you have to practice, and the goal is to “win.” And winning in academic debate happens: while it is a sport that is judged, it is an activity, like gymnastics or figure skating, where the rules for judging are surprisingly well codified. I will admit that seeing a debate or argument as something “to be won” has not always served me well in life, for there are any number of situations in which the framework for an argument is perhaps better perceived as an opportunity to listen and to compromise than to score points.

Second, because of the way that academic debate is structured, I learned quickly the importance of being able to perceive and argue multiple and opposing views on the same issue. Not unlike other sports where players play both offense and defense—baseball and basketball immediately come to mind—debaters have to argue both for and against the year’s resolution, which was the broad proposition that framed all of the particular cases debate teams put forward for the entire season. In fact, it was not at all uncommon for a team to strenuously advocate for a controversial position one round—“the U.S. should engage in one-on-one talks with North Korea”—only to strenuously argue the opposite position—“the U.S. should not engage in one-on-one talks with North Korea”—the very next round. Seeing “multiple positions” was not simply a good idea; it was one of the rules of the game.

I’ve brought these past experiences into my current teaching in a number of ways, including one of the exercises I am discussing here, what my students and I call antithesis writing. These exercises will help you gain a better understanding of how to shape an argument, how to more fully explore a topic, and how to think more carefully about your different audiences.

Explaining “academic policy debate” is not my goal in this essay. But I will say that academic debate bears almost no resemblance to “debates” between political candidates or to the stereotypical way debate tends to be depicted on television shows or in movies. Certainly debate involves a certain intellectual prowess; but I think it’s fair to say that debate is a lot closer to a competitive sport than a classroom exercise. Two excellent introductions to the world of academic debate are the Wikipedia entry for “Policy Debate” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Policy_debate) and the 2007 documentary movie Resolved .

Thesis Doesn’t Have to Be a Bad Thing (Or Why Write Antithesis Essays in the First Place) Somewhere along the way, “thesis” became a dirty word in a lot of writing courses, inherently bound up and attached to all that is wrong with what composition historians and the writing scholars call the “Current-Traditional” paradigm of writing instruction. Essentially, this approach emphasizes the product and forms of writing (in most nineteenth century American rhetoric textbooks, these forms were Exposition, Description, Narration, and Argument), issues of syntax and grammar, correctness, and so forth. It didn’t matter so much what position a writer took; what mattered most was that the writer got the form correct.

“Thesis” is often caught in/lumped into this current-traditional paradigm, I think mainly because of the rigid role and placement of a thesis in the classic form of the five-paragraph essay. Most of you and your classmates already know about this: in the five-paragraph formula, the thesis is the last sentence of the introduction, is divided into three parts, and it rigidly controls the structure of the following four paragraphs. Certainly this overly prescriptive and narrow definition of thesis is not useful. Jasper Neel describes this sort of formula in his book Plato, Derrida, and Writing as “anti-writing,” and I think that Sharon Crowley is correct in arguing that the kind of teaching exemplified by the five-paragraph essay is more akin to filling out a form than it is to actual “writing.” But when I discuss “thesis” here, I mean something much more broad and organic. I mean an initial direction that every research writing project must take. A thesis advocates a specific and debatable position, is not a statement of fact nor a summary of events, and it answers the questions “what’s your point?” and “why should I care?” You should begin with a working thesis that attempts to answer these questions simply as a way of getting your research process started. True, these initial working theses are usually broad and unwieldy, but the emphasis here is on working, because as you research and think more carefully, you will inevitably change your thesis. And this is good—change is the by-product of learning, and seeing a working thesis differently is both the purpose and the opportunity of the antithesis exercise.

So, I think the first and probably most important reason to consider antithesis writing is to test and strengthen the validity of the working thesis. After all, there isn’t much “debatable” about a working thesis like “crime is bad” or “cleaning up the environment is good,” which suggests that there probably isn’t a viable answer to the questions “what’s your point?” and “why should I care?” Considering opposing and differing views can help you find the path to make a vague generalization like “crime is bad” into a more pointed, researchable, and interesting observation.

The second general value for antithesis exercises is to raise more awareness of your audience—the potential readers who would disagree with your working thesis, along with readers who are more favorable to your point. Sometimes, readers won’t be convinced no matter what evidence or logic a writer presents; but it seems to me that writers have an obligation to at least try.

Generating Antithetical Points in Five Easy Steps

Step 1: Have a Working Thesis and Make Sure You Have Begun the Research Process. Developing a good antithetical argument is not something you can do as a “first step” in the research process. Generally, you need to have already developed a basic point and need some evidence and research to develop that point. In other words, the process of developing an antithetical position has to come after you develop an initial position in the first place.

Step 2: Consider the Direct Opposite of Your Working Thesis. This is an especially easy step if your working thesis is about a controversial topic: Working thesis: To prevent violence on campus, students, staff, and faculty should not be allowed to carry concealed weapons. Antithesis: To prevent violence on campus, students, staff, and faculty should be allowed to carry concealed weapons. Working thesis: Drug companies should be allowed to advertise prescription drugs on television. Antithesis: Drug companies should not be allowed to advertise prescription drugs on television.

This sort of simple change of qualifiers also exposes weak theses, because, generally speaking, the opposite position of a proposition that everyone accepts as true is one that everyone easily accepts as false. For example, if you begin with a working thesis like “Drunk driving is bad” or “Teen violence is bad” to their logical opposites, you end up with an opposite that is ridiculous—“Drunk driving is good” or “Teen violence is good.” What that signals is that it is probably time to revisit your original working thesis.

Usually though, considering the opposite of a working thesis is a little more complicated. For example:

Working Thesis: Many computer hackers commit serious crimes and represent a major expense for internet-based businesses. Antitheses: Computer hackers do not commit serious crimes. Computer hacking is not a major expense for internet-based businesses. Both of the antithetical examples are the opposite of the original working theses, but each focuses on different aspects of the working thesis.

Step 3: Ask “Why” about Possible Antithetical Arguments. Creating antitheses by simply changing the working thesis to its opposite typically demands more explanation. The best place to develop more details with your antithesis is to ask “why.” For example:

Why should drug companies not be allowed to advertise prescription drugs? Because . . . ● The high cost of television advertising needlessly drives up the costs of prescriptions. ● Advertisements too often confuse patients and offer advice that contradicts the advice of doctors.

Why are the crimes committed by computer hackers not serious? Because . . . ● They are usually pranks or acts of mischief. ● Computer hackers often expose problems for Internet businesses before serious crimes result.

The point here is to dig a little further into your antithetical argument. Asking “why” is a good place to begin that process.

Step 4: Examine Alternatives to Your Working Thesis.

Often, the best antithetical arguments aren’t about “the opposite” so much as they are about alternatives. For example, the working thesis “To prevent violence on campus, students, staff, and faculty should not be allowed to carry concealed weapons” presumes that a serious potential cause for violence on campuses is the presence of guns. However, someone could logically argue that the more important cause of violence on college campuses is alcohol and drug abuse. Certainly the number of incidents involving underage drinking and substance abuse outnumber those involving firearms on college campuses, and it is also probably true that many incidents of violence on college campuses involve drinking or drugs.

Now, unlike the direct opposite of your working thesis, the alternatives do not necessarily negate your working thesis. There is no reason why a reader couldn’t believe that both concealed weapons and alcohol and substance abuse contribute to violence on campuses. But in considering alternatives to your working thesis, the goal is to “weigh” the positions against each other. I’ll return to this matter of “weighing your position” later.

Step 5: Imagine Hostile Audiences.

Whenever you are trying to develop a clearer understanding of the antithesis of your working thesis, you need to think about the kinds of audiences who would disagree with you. By thinking about the opposites and alternatives to your working thesis, you are already starting to do this because the opposites and the alternatives are what a hostile audience might think.

Sometimes, potential readers are hostile to a particular working thesis because of ideals, values, or affiliations they hold that are at odds with the point being advocated by the working thesis. For example, people who identify themselves as being “pro-choice” on the issue of abortion would certainly be hostile to an argument for laws that restrict access to abortion; people who identify themselves as being “prolife” on the issue of abortion would certainly be hostile to an argument for laws that provide access to abortion.

At other times, audiences are hostile to the arguments of a working thesis because of more crass and transparent reasons. For example, the pharmaceutical industry disagrees with the premise of the working thesis “Drug companies should not be allowed to advertise prescription drugs on TV” because they stand to lose billions of dollars in lost sales. Advertising companies and television broadcasters would also be against this working thesis because they too would lose money. You can probably easily imagine some potential hostile audience members who have similarly selfish reasons to oppose your point of view.

Of course, some audiences will oppose your working thesis based on a different interpretation of the evidence and research. This sort of difference of opinion is probably most common with research projects that are focused on more abstract and less definitive subjects. But there are also different opinions about evidence for topics that you might think would have potentially more concrete “right” and “wrong” interpretations. Different researchers and scholars can look at the same evidence about a subject like gun control and arrive at very different conclusions.

Regardless of the reasons why your audience might be hostile to the argument you are making with your working thesis, it is helpful to try to imagine your audience as clearly as you can. What sort of people are they? What other interests or biases might they have? Are there other political or social factors that you think are influencing their point of view? If you want to persuade at least some members of this hostile audience that your point of view and your interpretation of the research is correct, you need to know as much about your hostile audience as you possibly can.

Strategies for Answering Antithetical/Oppositional Arguments

It might not seem logical, but directly acknowledging and addressing positions that are different from the one you are holding in your research can actually make your position stronger. When you take on the antithesis in your research project, it shows you have thought carefully about the issue at hand and you acknowledge that there is no clear and easy “right” answer. There are many different ways you might incorporate the antithesis into your research to make your own thesis stronger and to address the concerns of those readers who might oppose your point of view. For now, focus on three basic strategies: directly refuting your opposition, weighing your position against the opposition, and making concessions.

Directly Refuting Your Opposition

Perhaps the most obvious approach, one way to address those potential readers who might raise objections to your arguments, is to simply refute their objections with better evidence and reasoning. Of course, this is an example of yet another reason why it is so important to have good research that supports your position: when the body of evidence and research is on your side, it is usually a lot easier to make a strong point.

Answering antithetical arguments with research that supports your point of view is also an example of where you as a researcher might need to provide a more detailed evaluation of your evidence. The sort of questions you should answer about your own research—who wrote it, where was it published, when was it published, etc.—are important to raise in countering antithetical arguments that you think come from suspicious sources.

Weighing Your Position Against the Opposition

Readers who oppose the argument you are trying to support with your research might do so because they value or “weigh” the implications of your working thesis differently than you do. For example, those opposed to a working thesis like “Drug companies should not be allowed to advertise prescription drugs on TV” might think this because they think the advantages of advertising drugs on television—increased sales for pharmaceutical companies, revenue for advertising agencies and television stations, and so forth—are more significant than the disadvantages of advertising drugs on television.

Besides recognizing and acknowledging the different ways of comparing the advantages and disadvantages suggested by your working thesis, the best way of answering these antithetical arguments in your own writing is to clearly explain how you weigh and compare the evidence. This can be a challenging writing experience because it requires a subtle hand and a broad understanding of multiple sides of your topic. But if in acknowledging to your readers that you have carefully considered the reasons against your working thesis and you can demonstrate your position to be more persuasive, then this process of weighing positions can be very effective.

Making Concessions

In the course of researching and thinking about the antithesis to your working thesis and its potentially hostile audiences, it may become clear to you that these opposing views have a point. When this is the case, you may want to consider revising your working thesis or your approach to your research to make some concessions to these antithetical arguments. Sometimes, my students working on this exercise “make concessions” to the point of changing sides on their working thesis—that is, in the process of researching, writing, and thinking about their topic, a researcher moves from arguing for their working thesis to arguing for their antithesis. This might seem surprising, but it makes perfect sense when you remember the purpose of research in the first place. When we study the evidence on a particular issue, we often realize that our initial and uninformed impression or feelings on an issue were simply wrong. That’s why we research: we put more trust in opinions based on research than in things based on gut instinct or feelings.

But usually, most concessions to antithetical perspectives are less dramatic and can be accomplished in a variety of ways. You might want to employ some qualifying terms to hedge a bit. For example, the working thesis “Drug companies should not be allowed to advertise prescription drugs on TV” might be qualified to “Drug companies should be closely regulated about what they are allowed to advertise in TV.” I think this is still a strong working thesis, but the revised working thesis acknowledges the objections some might have to the original working thesis.

Of course, you should use these sorts of concessions carefully. An over-qualified working thesis can be just as bad as a working thesis about something that everyone accepts as true: it can become so watered-down as to not have any real significance anymore. A working thesis like “Drug company television advertising is sometimes bad and sometimes good for patients” is over-qualified to the point of taking no real position at all.

But You Still Can’t Convince Everyone . . .

I’d like to close by turning away a bit from where I started this essay, the influence of competitive debate on my early education about argument. In debate, an argument is part of the game, the catalyst for the beginning of a competition. The same is often true within college classrooms. Academic arguments are defined in terms of their hypothetical nature; they aren’t actually real but rather merely an intellectual exercise.

But people in the real world do hold more than hypothetical positions, and you can’t always convince everyone that you’re right, no matter what evidence or logic you might have on your side. You probably already know this. We have all been in conversations with friends or family members where, as certain as we were that we were right about something and as hard as we tried to prove we were right, our friends or family were simply unwilling to budge from their positions. When we find ourselves in these sorts of deadlocks, we often try to smooth over the dispute with phrases like “You’re entitled to your opinion” or “We will have to agree to disagree,” and then we change the subject. In polite conversation, this is a good strategy to avoid a fight. But in academic contexts, these deadlocks can be frustrating and difficult to negotiate.

A couple of thousand years ago, the Greek philosopher and rhetorician Aristotle said that all of us respond to arguments based on three basic characteristics or appeals: logos or logic, pathos or emotional character, and ethos, the writer’s or speaker’s perceived character. Academic writing tends to rely most heavily on logos and ethos because academics tend to highly value arguments based on logical research and arguments that come from writers with strong character-building qualifications—things like education, experience, previous publications, and the like. But it’s important to remember that pathos is always there, and particularly strong emotions or feelings on a subject can obscure the best research.

Most academic readers have respect for writers when they successfully argue for positions that they might not necessarily agree with. Along these lines, most college writing instructors can certainly respect and give a positive evaluation to a piece of writing they don’t completely agree with as long as it uses sound logic and evidence to support its points. However, all readers—students, instructors, and everyone else—come to your research project with various preconceptions about the point you are trying to make. Some of them will already agree with you and won’t need much convincing. Some of them will never completely agree with you, but will be open to your argument to a point. And some of your readers, because of the nature of the point you are trying to make and their own feelings and thoughts on the matter, will never agree with you, no matter what research evidence you present or what arguments you make. So, while you need to consider the antithetical arguments to your thesis in your research project to convince as many members of your audience as possible that the point you are trying to make is correct, you should remember that you will likely not convince all of your readers all of the time.

Failures in Evidence: When “Lots of Quotes” Can’t Save a Paper

In a strong essay, the author or writer’s own thesis and reasoning drive the argument, and then credible, valid evidence is used to support that reasoning. Arguments, in particular, are interactions between writer and audience. The author wants to persuade the audience to accept his or her claim, so he or she tries to provide sufficient compelling evidence that will sway the audience to his or her perspective.

Research questions might be easy to come up with. Claims or thesis statements can be easy to come up with. Even reasons or ideas to support the thesis or claim may be fairly easy to come up with. But for your ideas in a paper to be valid, for them to be accepted by a reader, they must be supported and developed with solid, credible, sufficient, accurate, relevant and compelling evidence. Evidence is not simply “a bunch of quotes”. Nor is evidence a bunch of facts or statistics from an article, no matter how credible that article may be. For evidence to truly work in the sense of supporting an thesis/claim, it has to be accurate, sufficient to prove your point, directly related to the reason, ethically chosen, current, and credible. That is a lot to think about. It is certainly more than “a quote that looks good”.

Here are some things to think about avoiding when attempting to develop a strong source-based essay.

Just as understanding what logical fallacies are so you can avoid them in your own writing, understanding what weak evidence is can help you avoid falling into the trap of using it in your own work.

Failures in evidence occur when a reader says, “I do not accept your evidence”. Here is why that might happen:

● The evidence that you have provided is inaccurate: You’ve misread information or misquoted; you are not interpreting the quoted material in an accurate manner ● The evidence that you have provided is insufficient: You are using just a small piece of evidence to support your reasoning. You need more. You probably have a “generalization” fallacy. ● The evidence that you have provided is unrelated to the reason: Your evidence does not clearly or directly relate to the point that you are trying to make. ● The evidence that you have provided is incomplete or too narrowly chosen: You have “cherry picked” certain examples or pieces of information to the exclusion of others, so while you do have evidence to support your point, you are also neglecting a lot of other information ● The evidence that you have provided is old: The information that you are citing is not relevant anymore. It is outdated! ● The evidence that you have provided does not come from an authoritative source: The source of your evidence is not credible; the person being cited is not an authority on the topic

One of the bigger issues with evidence is not so much with the evidence itself, but with the way that you integrate it into the paper.

A reader needs to understand clearly how and why the evidence you chose relates to the point that you are making. Evidence must always be explained. Whenever you integrate evidence into your papers, it is important to answer the question “How does this evidence support the point that I am making?”. Never assume that the reader sees what you see in evidence. Always make it as clear as possible how the evidence supports the reason.

This chapter uses information from:

“About Writing: A Guide” by Robin Jeffrey, OpenOregon Educational Resources, Higher Education Coordination Commission: Office of Community Colleges and Workforce Development is licensed under CC BY 4.0.

“Arguing.” In Practice: A Guide to Rhetoric, Genre, and Success in First-Year Writing, Gagich, Melanie, and Emilie Zickel, ebook, MSL Academic Endeavors. Accessed July 2019. It is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. The work may be viewed online at: https://pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu/csu-fyw-rhetoric/ .

Aristotelian (Classical) Argument Model by Liza Long, Amy Minervini, and Joel Gladd is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

Informed Arguments: A Guide to Writing and Research  by Terri Pantuso, Sarah LeMire, and Kathy Anders, which was published in 2019 by Texas A&M University with an attribution, non-commerical, share-alike creative commons license. It was accessed through the Open Textbook Library at this url: https://open.umn.edu/opentextbooks/textbooks/informed-arguments-a-guide-to-writing-and-research-pantuso.

Jones, Rebecca. “Finding the Good Argument OR Why Bother With Logic?” Writing Spaces: Readings on Writing, Volume 1, edited by Charles Lowe and Pavel Zemliansky, ebook. It is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 International License. It was accessed at this url: https://writingspaces.org/?page_id=243

Lloyd, Amanda, and Emilie Zickel. “Basic Structure and Content of Argument .” In Practice: A Guide to Rhetoric, Genre, and Success in First-Year Writing, Gagich, Melanie, and Emilie Zickel, ebook, MSL Academic Endeavors. Accessed July 2019. It is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. The work may be viewed online at: https://pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu/csu-fyw-rhetoric/.

Purdue Writing Lab. “Classical Argument // Purdue Writing Lab.” Purdue Writing Lab, owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/academic_writing/historical_perspectives_on_argumentation/classical_argument.html.

Zickel, Emilie. “Failures in Evidence: When Even ‘Lots of Quotes’ Can’t Save an [sic] Paper.” In Practice: A Guide to Rhetoric, Genre, and Success in First-Year Writing, Gagich, Melanie, and Emilie Zickel, ebook, MSL Academic Endeavors. Accessed July 2019. It is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. The work may be viewed online at: https://pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu/csu-fyw-rhetoric/chapter/failures-in-evidence-when-even-lots-of-quotes-cant-save-an-argument/.

Adapted from:

an article reprinted in UTNE magazine by Pamela Paxton and Jeremy Adam Smith titled: “Not Everyone Is Out to Get You”26 Charting this excerpt helps us to understand some of the underlying assumptions found in the article. “Trust No One” Parlor Press, 2010, pp. 156-179. It is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 License. The work may be viewed online at: http://writingspaces.org/essays/finding-the-good-argument. 26 Paxton, Pamela, and Jeremy Adam Smith. “Reimagining a Politics of Trust: Not Everyone Is Out to Get You.” UNTE Reader. September-October 2009. https://www.utne.com/politics/reimagining-a-political-community-of-trust. 4.9

Let's Keep Writing! Copyright © 2021 by Angie Smibert is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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How to argue in an essay

Common argumentative essay structures.

An argumentative essay supports a specific stance with the help of concrete evidence and logic. Its goal is not simply to present the writer's point of view but to provide thoughtful critique and constructive criticism on a particular topic.

If you want to learn how to argue in an essay, keep these principles in mind: a solid thesis statement, evidence, logic, and consequences. The thesis statement expresses your points and claims that you need to back up with fact-based evidence. At the same time, it's necessary to refute opposing perspectives. 

Logic should be used wisely so that your arguments are consistent and sound. Finally, you must draw a logical conclusion showing that your thesis is the only possible outcome. 

Argumentative essays are the most commonly practised writing exercises in the academic context. Want to learn how to argue in an essay? Let's dive into details.

To learn how to argue in an academic essay, you should clearly understand the typical structures of argumentative essays. Whether you are a student preparing writing assignments or a professional writer who wants to write effective essays, understanding these structures can help you create persuasive content.

Aristotelian is the most commonly used essay format. Toulmin and Rogerian methods are for advanced writing that deals with complicated arguments and more conclusive rebuttals.   

Number 1# Aristotelian (classic) method of argument

Aristotelian arguments are the most common format of an argumentative essay. They are suitable for making uncomplicated, elementary arguments. 

The argument outline that this format follows is: 

Introduction: Introduce the problem and explain it briefly to the readers. 

Perspective: Present your standpoints with some background context and factual points about the issue. 

Thesis: Present the thesis statement by stating your stand on the topic and outlining the main points.

Argument and Refutation: Discuss the reasons for your point of view and present the evidence. Also, explain why the opposing points are invalid. 

Conclusion: Summarise your arguments and clearly state that your position or claim is correct. 

Number 2# Toulmin method of argument

The argument method is effective in two cases:

• Analysing a complex argument that does not have any concrete truths.
• Presenting a counterargument or rebuttal to another essay.

The Toulmin model analyses the structure and content of an argument in six steps: claim, reasons, warrant, backing, qualifier, and rebuttal. You can arrange these steps in any way that works best for your argumentative writing. 

Claim: It's the central part of an argument and the idea that the writer is trying to convey.

Reasons: The reasons are what support the claim.

Warrant: The warrant is what backs up the reasons. It provides convincing evidence for why the argument should be accepted.

Backing: The backing is what strengthens or supports the reasonings. It provides additional evidence to support what has been said already. 

Qualifier: It limits the scope of your thesis statement but still helps to clarify the claim and make it more precise. 

Rebuttal: Finally, the counter-statement responds to any challenges that have been made against the original argument.

Number 3# Rogerian method of argument

The Rogerian argument method is appropriate for topics with highly polarised views. It focuses on how people can reach reasonable compromises by considering their interests and those of others. It's based on the principle that people are more likely to accept something when they feel they're being listened to and understood.

To take such a middle-ground approach, you can follow the basic outline:

• Introduce the topic and the grounds to address it. 
• Summarise the main arguments made by your opponents.
• State your position clearly.
• Make sure you focus on why your position is the best option for everyone involved.

How to argue in an essay? Detailed explanation

An argument in academic essay writing is a claim or interpretation of something made to persuade the readers to see a particular issue in a certain way. It may aim to convince the readers of the correctness of a position or attempt to expose flaws in arguments and raise alternative perspectives.

To make a convincing argument, the writer must use evidence and reasoning to support their claim and refute any counterarguments.

Evidence can be data, a strong opinion from experts, or personal experience. An argument is not a statement of fact but an interpretation of evidence open to debate.

Keep a few things in mind for arguing effectively in an essay. Following these tips will help you craft a solid and convincing argument.

The basic structure of an argumentative essay

You can argue in an essay by following any of the methods mentioned above or taking elements from different models to form a clear outline. 

Regardless of which model you use, this is the basic structure you should always follow:

Introduction

The first paragraph will typically provide a rationale for writing the essay and outline the main points that will be covered. The body should contain evidence to support each argument and citations to sources that can help prove these points. The conclusion should summarise what has been discussed and offer any solutions or recommendations for further reading.

Let's discuss each part in detail:

The first paragraph is where you set the stage for your argument by providing background information or highlighting key points. It's essential to make your reader understand what is at stake and why it matters.

Start the introduction with a hook, which is a strong claim, to gain the reader's attention. After introducing your principal arguments, provide a context for them by explaining why these particular issues are relevant and vital at this specific time. 

Finally, introduce your thesis statement—the central argument you will be backing up in the rest of the essay.

Once you have presented the key points, the body paragraphs should deal with developing those arguments. The main body can consist of three or more paragraphs, which are the foundation of an argumentative essay. They should be well-crafted and persuasive to convince your reader that you have made a valid point.

Research the relevant information and develop a valid argument for your position. You then need to establish this argument systematically and support it with evidence from both sides of the debate.

To avoid bias and promote fairness, it is important to use credible sources when making your case. Additionally, ensure you address all of the critical points and arguments related to the issue. It'll make it easier for the readers to understand your position and form their independent opinion.

Conclude the argument by providing a clear, concise, and satisfying conclusion that ties everything together. It should summarise the main points of your discussion and make a strong case for your position. 

To help you write a convincing conclusion, here are some tips:

• Make sure that your findings reflect the arguments you've presented up until this point and your convictions.
• Be clear and precise in your wording so readers can understand what you're saying without reading between the lines.

The simple framework works well for essays written in schools and colleges. However, advanced articles are more complicated, requiring the application of the Toulmin or Rogerian method of argument. 

The writing process of argumentative essays in 6 steps

So, you may already have a clear idea about the basic structure of argumentative essays. But writing one still needs to cover several other points and dive deep into details. 

If you have never done this, you will probably get stuck in the first step—finding a topic to write about. But you can overcome this challenging task with the right approach. 

From developing a clear thesis to crafting logical body paragraphs, we'll show you how to construct a compelling argument that will persuade your audience. 

Step 1# Finding ideas

You can find the topics everywhere. Look at the issues currently being discussed in the news or on social media. Another way is reading articles or books to explore topics that interest you. Reading them will give you a better understanding of the issues involved and allow you to develop more thoughtful arguments.

You can also look for inspiration in other essays published in your field or area of expertise. By examining how other authors have approached the same topic, you can better understand what makes a good argument and apply that knowledge to your work. 

Finally, it's necessary to be open-minded when finding ideas for an argumentative essay. You never know where inspiration may come from!

There are five types of topics that you can deal with in an argumentative essay. 

Here are five examples of argumentative essay topics:

• Definition: Explores the meaning of a word or phrase. Example: What is a democracy?
• Fact: Looks into the evidence to prove a point. Example: Does exercise increase physical stamina?
• Value: Examines what something is worth and why. Example: Is capitalism good or bad?
• Cause and Effect: Examines how one event led to another and whether it was intended or not. Example: What effects does passive smoking have on health?
• Policy: Looks at the pros and cons of a particular policy or decision and offers an opinion on which is better suited for a specific situation. Example: Should life-saving medicines be taxed?

Step 2# Starting the essay

You first need to hook your reader to write a powerful introductory paragraph. Writing a successful hook will depend on the type of essay you're writing and the topic you're exploring. It might be as simple as introducing a new perspective on a familiar topic or highlighting a particular issue important to your argument. 

Generally, a good hook will be interesting, attention-grabbing and provide enough information for your readers to understand why they should read further.

Once you've generated your hook, it's time to provide some background and context. It will help establish the setting and make the readers realise why this particular argument is essential. You should also explain how the issues at hand relate to the broader scope of the essay and how they impact your view.

Now it's time for the thesis statement. In this part, you state exactly what you're arguing for in clear, concise language. 

Next, present evidence in a coherent and persuasive way. You don't have space here to go into detail on this topic. Leave their explanation and analysis for the body paragraphs.

Step 3# Preparing the outline

The outline will help you structure your thoughts and ensure that everything you say is relevant and worthwhile.

When you start writing, you'll need to gather the evidence that supports your arguments. It means finding quotes, statistics, or other information that backs up your words. Be sure to cite everything properly so readers can verify the sources.

Outline each section of your essay with specific, measurable goals in mind. 

Example: Suppose you're writing about gun control. In that case, it might be helpful to state how many people have been killed by guns in America over the past year, how many mass shootings have occurred in this period, and what gun reform measures could prevent these tragedies from continuing.

Consider who your audience is and what they might expect from your essay. After all of this groundwork is done, you're ready to start writing.

Step 4# Create the first draft

Write a rough draft based on the information you've gathered in the previous step. It's simply a rough version of your final product—the foundation on which you will build your essay. 

Creating a draft ensures that everything you write is accurate and organised and flows smoothly from one section to the next. Doing this will also help to avoid common writing problems such as fragmentation, inconsistency, and redundancy.

Step 5# Revise and polish the draft

Revising and polishing the draft version of your essay is a critical step in ensuring that it is as effective as possible. 

Review the structure of your essay carefully. Structure problems can lead to confusion on the part of readers. Ensure that all the essential elements are in place - such as headings, subheadings and supporting paragraphs - and that everything flows smoothly from one section to the next. 

Find out the arguments' contradictions or gaps and rewrite those parts for more clarity. Be aware of any clichés or formulas you may be using too often, and try to come up with more original expressions if possible.

Also, avoid factual errors or inaccuracies. Always double-check the information you are using and ensure that it is accurate regarding the timeframe you are dealing with and the specifics of the topic under discussion. Remember that poor content can lead to a loss of credibility on your part.

Step 6# Proofread 

Proofreading is an essential step in any writing project. It helps to remove errors and inconsistencies, which can lead to a better, more effective essay.

It's easy to overlook grammatical mistakes, but they can seriously damage the overall quality of your essay. Always use a spellchecker and keep an eye out for common errors. Also, check for incorrect sentence structure and avoid using rarely-used words and awkward phrasing. 

Doing these essential checks will make your essay more readable.

The three formulas of writing a thesis statement

A thesis statement is the central idea of your argument, and it should be well-supported by the evidence you provide later in the essay. It has to give the readers a clear concept of the topic you will present. A weak thesis statement can lead to confusion and a lack of focus on your argument.

There are three common ways of writing a thesis statement:

1# The question/answer formula

It's the simplest way to write a thesis statement since you can turn almost all topics into questions. So, the challenge for you would be to identify the questions that your essay will answer and then provide answers to those questions in a structured and logical manner.

Here are some examples of how to use this format:

Essay prompt: The harmful effects of GMOs and why they should not be allowed in the food supply. 

Thesis statement: Do GMO foods pose a risk to human health? 

Essay prompt: Humans are causing global warming, and we must act fast to stop it. 

Thesis statement: Is humanity the main culprit for global warming?

2# The refute objections formula

Another way of writing a thesis statement is to state one side of an argument and offer a response that refutes the objection. The essay's focus would be to establish the refuting idea, address its validity and discuss why it matters to your argument. 

Support your arguments with concrete evidence and examples from credible texts and sources. 

Example: Many people think using artificial intelligence will result in excluding humans from workplaces, but real-life applications have shown that it can assist humans in doing labour-intensive and mundane work.

The first part of the example states one side of the argument—"using artificial intelligence will result in excluding humans from workplaces." But the second part refutes the assertion by saying, "it can assist humans in doing labour-intensive and mundane work."

3# The roadmap formula

It extends the question/answer or refuting objections formula by stating the points covered in the essay. 

Example: Gun violence cannot be controlled without banning civilians from using firearms, but it can be minimised through strict supervision, making new laws, and teaching the gun holders to act more responsibly.

This is the best approach for writing a thesis statement because it covers your claim, stance, and main points. The readers will get the gist of the essay from this introductory paragraph.

How to write a good thesis statement

A good thesis statement for an argumentative essay should effectively communicate the main points of your paper. It must provide a basis for building your own argument, igniting the readers' interests, and motivating them to read further.

When thinking about what to include in your thesis statement, consider things:

• What are you arguing against (i.e., the opposing arguments)?
• What do they stand for (or why do you believe they are wrong)?
• How does it affect your specific audience or society (especially if a moral aspect is involved)?
• Where does the debate stand at this point?

Additionally, choose a topic that you can back up with sufficient evidence. The factual proof is the backbone of argumentative essays where your personal opinions don't hold any value.

Tips for better arguments: How to argue better in an essay

For better arguments, you must make your points clear and present compelling evidence to convince your readers. 

We'll provide some techniques that will help you take control of the narrative and make your case difficult to refute.

Ready to take your argument skills to the next level? Follow these writing tips:

Provide supporting evidence

Unlike a persuasive essay that builds a case by appealing to the reader's emotions, argumentative essays are based on reason and logic. So, you need to provide evidence that supports your points. 

Draw the evidence from the data derived from your research or already available statistics and findings. You can also use quotes from other sources to back up your claim.

Give examples

Connect your arguments with specific events or examples to illustrate how each point applies. Provide as many examples as possible so that readers can see how your statement works in practice.

Avoid Lengthy and Complex Sentence Style

Argumentative essays are all about concrete facts and solid logic, so you should not get bogged down in the details of the argument. 

When constructing your discourse, use logical reasoning and straightforward language for a better flow. Plus, avoid jargon and complex terminology because it can make your points difficult for others to understand.

Be careful about the tone

The tone you choose can significantly impact how people perceive your argument. For example, aggressive or hostile language will likely make your opponent feel defensive and entrenched in their views. In contrast, if you write calmly and rationally, your opponent is more likely to listen to what you have to say.

The tone is the emotional state you're trying to evoke in your reader. So, use it according to the topic of your essay. For instance, when writing a rebuttal or about a topic you want the readers to act on, use more thought-provoking language to get your point across.

In short, the golden rules of argumentative rhetoric are:

• Signal (use words with precise meaning).
• Emotion (elaborate on why an idea moves you).
• Intent/purpose (why this particular evidence supports or invalidates one's position).

FAQs about how to argue in an essay

How do you argue in academic writing.

There is no one perfect way to argue in academic essays, as the goal of an evidence-based argument is to promote a logically cogent and persuasive perspective. However, there are a few key elements that should be included when constructing an argument: 

• Provide adequate background information on the issue at hand.
• Present your position clearly and succinctly.
• Use strong logic and credible sources to support your points.
• Make sure all arguments are supported by evidence.
• Be transparent about how you reached your conclusions. Let readers know what data led you where you did.

What is a good argument in academic writing?

A good argument should include an intellectual consideration of the topic, supportive empirical data, and logical reasoning. Additionally, you should provide concrete evidence to support your claims.

In the academic context, a good argument should have a purpose. It has to contribute to an existing topic in the same field and should have enough grounds to hold against rational counterarguments.

How do you argue against something in an essay?

A counterargument is a technique used in argumentative writing to refute opposing arguments. It can be done by pointing out the flaws or inconsistencies in the logic presented. Address counterarguments by providing evidence to support your position. You can cite counter-instances or cases where similar arguments have resulted in negative outcomes.

How do you write a strong argument in an essay?

A strong argument can be boiled down to three essential points: thesis, evidence, and conclusion. When writing an essay, it is necessary to include as much relevant evidence as possible to support your points. Then use logical reasoning to connect the dots between facts and arrive at a valid conclusion.

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Iowa Reading Research Center

Effective Literacy Lesson: Constructing an Argumentative Claim

Editor’s Note: This blog post is part of an ongoing series entitled  “Effective Literacy Lessons.”  In these posts, we provide a brief summary of the research basis for an approach to teaching reading or writing skills, and an example of how a teacher might “think aloud” to model what students should do in completing portions of the lesson. The intent of these posts is to provide teachers a starting point for designing their own effective literacy lessons.

Research Basis

The ability to construct clear arguments is critical for writing in academic, professional, and social settings (Newell, Beach, Smith, & VanDerHeide, 2011). An effective approach to teaching writing skills is explicit instruction, in which teachers directly teach students a writing skill or strategy and provide targeted and scaffolded practice (Gillespie & Graham, 2014). In addition, providing opportunities for peer- and self-assessment, as well as teacher feedback, have been found to improve writing ability (Graham, Harris, & Santangelo, 2015). Thus, it is important for teachers to deliver explicit instruction in which students learn to construct strong arguments (Andrews, Torgerson, Low, & McGuinn, 2009).

Lesson Materials

For Teachers:

• Scripted purpose, introduction, and modeling
• Plan for guided and independent practice
• Argumentative Claim Checklist (see Supplemental Resources for Teachers)
• Evidence for opposing sides of two arguments

For Students:

Argumentative Claim Checklist

Instructional Sequence

Lesson appropriate for grade 6.

This sequence is appropriate for students who have (a) chosen a controversial topic about which to write an argumentative essay (e.g., the minimum wage, social media), (b) read one or more texts about the topic, and (c) gathered evidence to support opposing sides of an argument related to the topic. Teachers can help students choose controversial topics by providing examples, such as those provided by  The Learning Network from the  New York Times .  In addition, teachers can help students conduct preliminary searches related to a topic of interest to ensure that there is an argument related to the topic and sufficient evidence to support opposing sides of the argument.

After gathering evidence, students are ready to evaluate the evidence and form a strong argumentative claim, the foundation for an argumentative essay. In order to model writing an argumentative claim, teachers should prepare evidence for two opposing sides of an argument. The evidence for the arguments used in the following instructional sequence is from  ProCon.org , a site with some useful controversial topics to choose from.

1. Establish the Purpose and Specify Objectives

Teacher script:  Today you will learn to write strong argumentative claims. Writing a strong argumentative claim is important because it is the foundation for an argumentative essay. By the end of class, you will write an argumentative claim based on the evidence you have gathered.

2. Introduce the Concept and Skill

Teacher script:  An argumentative claim introduces a writer’s main argument, which will be supported by reasons and relevant textual evidence throughout the essay. The argumentative claim is presented in the first paragraph of an argumentative essay.

A strong argumentative claim has three important characteristics. It is debatable, focused, and clear. A weak argumentative claim may result in confusion or a lack of interest in the reader. In addition, a weak claim may be difficult to support with evidence, which will decrease the effectiveness of the argument. Therefore, it is important to begin an argumentative essay with a strong argumentative claim.

3. Model Writing an Argumentative Claim

Teacher script:   The first step to writing an argumentative claim is to review the evidence you have collected about the topic. I have collected evidence related to the benefits and drawbacks of using social media. I need to re-read the evidence I have collected and identify the argument I want to make  (display the Argumentative Claim Checklist with a document camera or interactive whiteboard) . I know the argumentative claim needs to be debatable, which means that it needs to make a claim about which people can have different opinions. In addition, the argumentative claim needs to be focused, which means that it makes a specific claim about one side of the argument. Finally, the argumentative claim needs to be clear, which means that the reader can understand exactly what my position is and knows what the rest of the essay will be about.

When I review my evidence, it seems that the drawbacks of social media are more important than the benefits. Bullying, depression, lower grades, and the spread of false information can all negatively impact people. Therefore, I might think about writing something like this  (writing on the document camera or interactive whiteboard) : “Some things about social media are bad for people.” I will use my checklist to see if this claim meets all of the criteria.

The first criterion says that the argumentative claim should be debatable. I ask myself, “Is it possible for two people to disagree about my claim?” I do not think this claim meets that criterion because everyone would probably agree that there are at least some drawbacks to social media. The second criterion says that the argumentative claim should be focused. I ask myself, “Is this claim about a specific part of the topic, such as a specific setting or group of people related to the topic?” I think this claim could be more focused by narrowing the argument to specific consequences of social media or its effects on specific people. The third criterion says that the argumentative claim should be clear. I ask myself, “Will the reader of my essay know exactly what I am going to write about after reading my claim?” I do not think the reader of my essay will know exactly what I am going to write about after reading this argumentative claim or anticipate the kinds of evidence I might provide. Because this argumentative claim does not meet the three criteria on my checklist, I need to revise my argumentative claim.

I will review the textual evidence again. Several pieces of evidence are related to the negative effects of social media on specific groups of people: teenagers and students. I think that two people might disagree on whether or not teenagers should be able to have their own social media accounts. In fact, I have heard disagreements between adult family members and their children about this topic. Writing a claim about a specific group of people will help my claim be more focused. I will try writing a new argumentative claim. This time, I will start my sentence with the specific group of people on which my essay will focus, so the reader knows exactly what I will be writing about. I also will take a more specific position related to that group of people. Because teenagers may be bullied, get lower grades, or feel depressed as a result of using social media, I will argue that they should not use social media at all  (write on the document camera or interactive whiteboard: “Teenagers should not be allowed to have their own social media accounts”) .

I will check my revised argumentative claim with my checklist. I think this claim is debatable because someone else might think that teenagers should be allowed to have their own social media accounts. Another person might think that teenagers should have social media accounts that are monitored by their parents  (check off the first criterion on the checklist) . The second criterion says that the claim needs to be focused. I think this claim is focused because I narrowed the topic to a specific group of people, teenagers, and I am making a specific statement about the topic when I say that teenagers should not have their own accounts  (check off the second criterion on the checklist) . The third criterion says my claim should be clear. I think that the reader will understand my position and anticipate the kind of information I will include in the rest of my essay  (check off the third criterion on the checklist) . Because I have checked all three criteria on the checklist, this is a strong argumentative claim.

4. Provide Guided Practice in Writing an Argumentative Claim

Display the new topic and evidence below. Ask students to work with a partner to develop an argumentative claim about school uniforms. Remind them that they should use the Argumentative Claim Checklist to make sure the argumentative claim is strong. Explain that once they are finished, each pair will share the argumentative claim with another pair of students, who will evaluate the strength of the claim by using the Argumentative Claim Checklist. If the argumentative claim does not meet all three criteria, the pair will revise the claim and share with their peers for further evaluation. As students work, circulate the room and provide feedback using the Argumentative Claim Checklist. Be sure to redirect any misunderstandings or errors using language from the checklist.

5. Provide Independent Practice and Evaluate Student Work

Ask students to retrieve the evidence they have collected about a particular topic and independently write an argumentative claim. Remind students to use the Argumentative Claim Checklist to make sure the claim is debatable, focused, and clear. After the lesson, evaluate each student’s argumentative claim with the Argumentative Claim Checklist. If a student’s claim does not meet all three criteria, ask the student to revise the claim and resubmit it for additional evaluation.

Supplemental Materials for Teachers

Students can use the three-part checklist to ensure that their argumentative claim is a strong foundation for the rest of their essay.

Andrews, R., Torgerson, C., Low, G., & McGuinn, N. (2009). Teaching argument writing to 7- to 14-year-olds: An international review of the evidence of successful practice.  Cambridge Journal of Education ,  39 , 291–310. doi:10.1080/03057640903103751

Gillespie, A., & Graham, S. (2014). A meta-analysis of writing interventions for students with learning disabilities.  Exceptional Children ,  80 , 454–473. doi:10.1177/0014402914527238

Graham, S., Harris, K. R., & Santangelo, T. (2015). Research-based writing practices and the Common Core: Meta-analysis and meta-synthesis.  The Elementary School Journal ,  115 , 498–522. doi:10.1086/681964

Newell, G. E., Beach, R., Smith, J., & VanDerHeide, J. (2011). Teaching and learning argumentative reading and writing: A review of research.  Reading Research Quarterly ,  46 , 273–304. doi:10.1598/RRQ.46.3.4

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Helping Busy People Succeed in IELTS.

How to prepare a strong IELTS Task 2 essay argument

By ielts-jonathan.com on 10 April 2022 0

Writing an argument for IELTS and Academic Writing.

The kind of writing we are going to describe here is ONLY suitable for IELTS Task 2 Writing and not IELTS Task 1.

Why is this?

Well, in an IELTS Task 1 report, you are not required to add additional opinions, or comments or speculate on reasons why figures or numbers might be the way they are.

In Task 1, there is no argument to write, you should only report the figures you can see.

Task 2 Writing

In a Task 2 essay, the task is completely different.

You have to respond to a prompt or preposition and often put forward ideas solutions or even measures.

A good way of improving your IELTS band score and a great way to substantially improve your writing is to be objective .

This is very different to subjective writing , where you only use your opinions or personal point of view.

If you try to be objective, you can provide support for your ideas, your opinions or when responding to the prompt given. 

At times in your essay, you may still need to use the personal pronouns such as “ we ” and “ I “. 🙁 

You may find you can not avoid these words, but you should aim to be objective by using examples and explanations more than your subjective or personal viewpoint . 

Writing objectively for IELTS

Compare these two sentences and then consider which is subjective and which one is objective.

It seems to me that people who continue to smoke in public places are rude and selfish. It seems likely that those who continue to smoke in public places lack manners or are anti-social.

Compare these sentences and decide which puts forward examples and explanations and which is a personal viewpoint.

It is pretty clear that stronger punishments are needed. If these people were fined heavily or even threatened with a criminal record then this problem would disappear. An effective way to deter people from smoking in public places might be to introduce more severe punishments. Heavy fines or even the possibility of a criminal record are examples of how this issue might be reduced.

Ways of providing support for objective IELTS Essay writing

There are two simple ways to provide support in your IELTS essay and to strengthen your argument. 

The first way is two follow a simple formula: in other words, what you could say is a template, and the second is to introduce support from outside sources.

If you follow a template it will help you develop your ideas and will help you write with clarity.

A paragraph template for IELTS

A good piece of writing makes a point clearly and may illustrate it to help the reader understand. 

To avoid rambling, plan the points in your essay argument and the evidence that you will use to illustrate your ideas, and only include the necessary detail .

Plan just one main point per paragraph and expand it like this:

P:  Topic sentence introducing the point  with essential detail. E:  Illustration of point using  evidence : using an example. A:  Critical analysis of point and explanation . L: Summing up the point, linking it to the question or your argument.

What not to do in an IELTS Essay

Academic writing tends to be impersonal in style.

It tries to be impersonal in order to be objective .

This may make it appear formal and students stress that they must use formal words and waste valuable preparation tie doing this.

My advice is to be certain about what words ARE informal and just get writing.

This is a far better solution.

Unfortunately, a bigger issue is that too many IELTS Candidates write in a subjective style .

If an IELTS Task 2 appears too subjective , this can affect the tone of the writing.

This can create a negative impression in the examiner and this can lower the essay band score.

This issue is a big problem in my country but it is pretty clear to me that stronger punishments are needed for dangerous driving offences. If these people were fined heavily or even threatened with a criminal record then this problem would disappear.

It is important to be aware and notice how academic writers express themselves and support their opinions, like this.

Dangerous driving is an issue in many countries, however it seems clear that stronger punishments are needed for the most dangerous driving offences. If offenders were fined heavily or even threatened with a criminal record then this problem in general would most likely be reduced.

How can you support you effectively ideas

Support consists of evidence.

Here are four kinds of evidence you can use to make your argument stronger:

1. Example: from your own experience or from what you heard or read.

2. Common Sense: things that you believe everybody knows.

3. Expert Opinion: the opinions of experts or professionals

(e.g. scientists or doctors) — this comes from research.

4. Statistics: numbers (e.g 75% ) — this also comes from research.

Writing a supported argument

Read the arguments for the following statement:

Statement: “Smoking should be banned in all public places”

This is the position I am going to take.

Position: Agree

So, now I am going to agree with this statement by providing an example.

1. By Example:

For example / for instance / let me give an example “ Let me give an example: Whenever I go to a restaurant or bar and there are people smoking near me, I feel that I am breathing in their smoke. This makes me a smoker even though I don’t want to be ”.

or by providing a shared belief

2. Common Sense:

Everyone knows / it’s common knowledge that / it’s no secret that “ It’s common knowledge second-hand smoke is very unhealthy for  non-smokers ”.

or by providing figures or percentages.

3. Statistics:

“ Second-hand smoke causes about 250,000 respiratory infections in infants and children every year, resulting in about 15,000 hospitalizations each year ”.

or by provide the voice of another.

4 . Expert Opinion:

According to…/ to quote…/ the book _____ says… “ According to the Environmental Protection Agency, second-hand smoke causes approximately 3,000 lung cancer deaths in non-smokers each year ”.

A balance of objectivity and time in the exam

For the IELTS test, there is not enough time or number of words to allow a completely written IELTS essay in an academic style.

The ‘ take home ‘ to remember is to aim for a balance.

So remember, although IELTS writing is not informal, it is much more semi-academic in style.

Other things to avoid in your IELTS essay.

Your writing should be formal, but it does not need to be over sophisticated.

To be formal, there are various colloquialisms and shortened forms to avoid:

Avoid shortened forms:

Shouldn’t, it’s for it is

Avoid phrases or cliches such as:

at the end of the day; in a nutshell; when it comes to the numbers

Replace with: finally, in summary, in a crisis

Avoid colloquial words such as:

literally, really, okay, maybe.

Avoid rhetorical questions

Don’t pose questions to the IELTS examiner, for example

‘ Wouldn’t you feel happier if you could wear what you want at school?’

Avoid emotive language

Don’t use language that appeals to emotions, for example,

‘Many children are forced to suffer the indignity of wearing clothes that do not match their personal style.’

The essay should be a considered, objective response.

Avoid Hyperbole

Don’t use exaggeration purely for effect, for example, 

Millions of school children every year ………

What you should do in the IELTS Exam

You do not have much time, but planning the paragraph structure is the key to a higher writing score.

Remember to only plan one main point per paragraph using the PEAL format:

P: Main point with essential detail.

E: Evidence of the point using an example.

A: Analysis of point and explanation.

L: Linking to the question or your argument with a summary. 🙂

That’s it on preparing a strong argument that free from distractions. 

I hope that you found this information valuable and you have taken on board some of the tips.

I would appreciate if you could share this to someone you know.

I also recommend taking a look at my free blog below, or join my IELTS Membership Course which gives further instruction on how to give that perfect Task Response:

The Best Approach to Task 2 Writing

Paragraphing in Task 2 Writing

Strong Arguments for Task 2

Writing the Introduction

Writing a Line of Argument

Cohesion for Task 2 Writing

Writing – Benefits of a Foreign University Education

I’m Jonathan

I’ve taught IELTS and University English in more than a dozen universities and schools around the world.

I’m a parent, traveller and passionate about language teaching and helping students achieve their dreams.

Whilst living in Austria or working in Asia, I run IELTS courses to help students get to where they want to be.

If you are serious about IELTS, connect with me to see how I can help you.

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SAT Essay: Developing a Coherent and Persuasive Argument

The SAT Essay is an integral component of the SAT exam, designed to evaluate a student's ability to analyze and construct a persuasive argument within a limited timeframe. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore strategies for developing a coherent and persuasive argument that can help you achieve success in this crucial section of the SAT.

 Understanding the SAT Essay Prompt

The SAT Essay presents students with a passage to analyze and respond to within 50 minutes. The passage typically revolves around a thought-provoking topic or issue and may include persuasive elements such as logical reasoning, evidence, and rhetorical devices. Students are tasked with analyzing the author's argument and crafting a persuasive response that demonstrates their ability to evaluate complex ideas and communicate effectively.

 Key Components of a Coherent and Persuasive Argument

1. thesis statement: establishing your position.

      Begin your essay with a clear and concise thesis statement that outlines your stance on the author's argument. Your thesis should encapsulate the main idea of your response and provide a roadmap for the reader to follow.

2. Analysis of Persuasive Elements: Uncovering the Author's Techniques

      Dive into the passage and identify persuasive elements such as rhetorical devices, evidence, and logical reasoning. Analyze how these elements contribute to the author's argument and evaluate their effectiveness in persuading the audience.

3. Development of Supporting Points: Strengthening Your Argument   

   Develop your argument by providing specific examples and evidence to support your thesis. Use relevant quotations, statistics, or anecdotes from the passage to bolster your analysis and strengthen your position.

4. Logical Organization: Structuring Your Essay Effectively   

   Organize your essay in a logical manner, with each paragraph focusing on a specific aspect of your argument. Use transitions to guide the reader smoothly from one point to the next, ensuring coherence and clarity throughout your essay.

5. Counterarguments and Rebuttal: Addressing Potential Objections

   Anticipate potential counterarguments to your thesis and address them proactively. Acknowledge opposing viewpoints and provide reasoned rebuttals to demonstrate the strength of your argument.

6. Conclusion: Reinforcing Your Argument's Impact   

   Summarize your main points and restate your thesis in the conclusion. End with a strong closing statement that reinforces the persuasiveness of your argument and leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

 Tips for Effective Writing

- Time Management: Allocate your time wisely, leaving ample time for planning, writing, and revising your essay within the 50-minute time limit. 

- Clarity and Conciseness: Ensure that your writing is clear, concise, and free of grammatical errors. Use precise language and avoid unnecessary repetition or verbosity.  

- Engagement with the Passage: Engage critically with the passage, carefully analyzing the author's argument and identifying key persuasive elements.

- Use of Examples: Incorporate relevant examples and evidence from the passage to support your analysis and strengthen your argument. 

- Revision and Proofreading: Take the time to revise and proofread your essay before submitting it. Check for errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling, and ensure that your essay flows smoothly and cohesively.

 Sample Essay Structure

Introduction:.

   - Introduce the passage and provide a brief overview of the author's argument.

   - Present your thesis statement, outlining your position on the argument and previewing the main points of your response.

Body Paragraphs:

1. Analysis of Persuasive Elements:

   - Identify rhetorical devices, evidence, and logical reasoning used by the author.

   - Analyze the effectiveness of these elements in persuading the audience.

2. Development of Supporting Points:

   - Provide specific examples and evidence from the passage to support your analysis.

   - Explain how these examples strengthen your argument and contribute to its persuasiveness.

3. Counterarguments and Rebuttal:

   - Anticipate potential counterarguments to your thesis.

   - Provide reasoned rebuttals to address these objections and reinforce the strength of your argument.

Conclusion:

   - Summarize your main points and restate your thesis.

   - End with a strong closing statement that reinforces the persuasiveness of your argument.

 Conclusion

Crafting a coherent and persuasive argument for the SAT Essay requires critical thinking, analytical skills, and effective communication. By understanding the key components of a strong essay and employing strategic writing techniques, you can develop the proficiency needed to excel in this section of the exam. Approach each prompt with confidence and clarity, and demonstrate your ability to engage critically with complex ideas and communicate them persuasively. With practice and dedication, you can master the art of crafting compelling arguments that leave a lasting impression on the reader.

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, how to write an a+ argumentative essay.

Miscellaneous

You'll no doubt have to write a number of argumentative essays in both high school and college, but what, exactly, is an argumentative essay and how do you write the best one possible? Let's take a look.

A great argumentative essay always combines the same basic elements: approaching an argument from a rational perspective, researching sources, supporting your claims using facts rather than opinion, and articulating your reasoning into the most cogent and reasoned points. Argumentative essays are great building blocks for all sorts of research and rhetoric, so your teachers will expect you to master the technique before long.

But if this sounds daunting, never fear! We'll show how an argumentative essay differs from other kinds of papers, how to research and write them, how to pick an argumentative essay topic, and where to find example essays. So let's get started.

What Is an Argumentative Essay? How Is it Different from Other Kinds of Essays?

There are two basic requirements for any and all essays: to state a claim (a thesis statement) and to support that claim with evidence.

Though every essay is founded on these two ideas, there are several different types of essays, differentiated by the style of the writing, how the writer presents the thesis, and the types of evidence used to support the thesis statement.

Essays can be roughly divided into four different types:

#1: Argumentative #2: Persuasive #3: Expository #4: Analytical

So let's look at each type and what the differences are between them before we focus the rest of our time to argumentative essays.

Argumentative Essay

Argumentative essays are what this article is all about, so let's talk about them first.

An argumentative essay attempts to convince a reader to agree with a particular argument (the writer's thesis statement). The writer takes a firm stand one way or another on a topic and then uses hard evidence to support that stance.

An argumentative essay seeks to prove to the reader that one argument —the writer's argument— is the factually and logically correct one. This means that an argumentative essay must use only evidence-based support to back up a claim , rather than emotional or philosophical reasoning (which is often allowed in other types of essays). Thus, an argumentative essay has a burden of substantiated proof and sources , whereas some other types of essays (namely persuasive essays) do not.

You can write an argumentative essay on any topic, so long as there's room for argument. Generally, you can use the same topics for both a persuasive essay or an argumentative one, so long as you support the argumentative essay with hard evidence.

Example topics of an argumentative essay:

• "Should farmers be allowed to shoot wolves if those wolves injure or kill farm animals?"
• "Should the drinking age be lowered in the United States?"
• "Are alternatives to democracy effective and/or feasible to implement?"

The next three types of essays are not argumentative essays, but you may have written them in school. We're going to cover them so you know what not to do for your argumentative essay.

Persuasive Essay

Persuasive essays are similar to argumentative essays, so it can be easy to get them confused. But knowing what makes an argumentative essay different than a persuasive essay can often mean the difference between an excellent grade and an average one.

Persuasive essays seek to persuade a reader to agree with the point of view of the writer, whether that point of view is based on factual evidence or not. The writer has much more flexibility in the evidence they can use, with the ability to use moral, cultural, or opinion-based reasoning as well as factual reasoning to persuade the reader to agree the writer's side of a given issue.

Instead of being forced to use "pure" reason as one would in an argumentative essay, the writer of a persuasive essay can manipulate or appeal to the reader's emotions. So long as the writer attempts to steer the readers into agreeing with the thesis statement, the writer doesn't necessarily need hard evidence in favor of the argument.

Often, you can use the same topics for both a persuasive essay or an argumentative one—the difference is all in the approach and the evidence you present.

Example topics of a persuasive essay:

• "Should children be responsible for their parents' debts?"
• "Should cheating on a test be automatic grounds for expulsion?"
• "How much should sports leagues be held accountable for player injuries and the long-term consequences of those injuries?"

Expository Essay

An expository essay is typically a short essay in which the writer explains an idea, issue, or theme , or discusses the history of a person, place, or idea.

This is typically a fact-forward essay with little argument or opinion one way or the other.

Example topics of an expository essay:

• "The History of the Philadelphia Liberty Bell"
• "The Reasons I Always Wanted to be a Doctor"
• "The Meaning Behind the Colloquialism ‘People in Glass Houses Shouldn't Throw Stones'"

Analytical Essay

An analytical essay seeks to delve into the deeper meaning of a text or work of art, or unpack a complicated idea . These kinds of essays closely interpret a source and look into its meaning by analyzing it at both a macro and micro level.

This type of analysis can be augmented by historical context or other expert or widely-regarded opinions on the subject, but is mainly supported directly through the original source (the piece or art or text being analyzed) .

Example topics of an analytical essay:

• "Victory Gin in Place of Water: The Symbolism Behind Gin as the Only Potable Substance in George Orwell's 1984"
• "Amarna Period Art: The Meaning Behind the Shift from Rigid to Fluid Poses"
• "Adultery During WWII, as Told Through a Series of Letters to and from Soldiers"

There are many different types of essay and, over time, you'll be able to master them all.

A Typical Argumentative Essay Assignment

The average argumentative essay is between three to five pages, and will require at least three or four separate sources with which to back your claims . As for the essay topic , you'll most often be asked to write an argumentative essay in an English class on a "general" topic of your choice, ranging the gamut from science, to history, to literature.

But while the topics of an argumentative essay can span several different fields, the structure of an argumentative essay is always the same: you must support a claim—a claim that can reasonably have multiple sides—using multiple sources and using a standard essay format (which we'll talk about later on).

This is why many argumentative essay topics begin with the word "should," as in:

• "Should all students be required to learn chemistry in high school?"
• "Should children be required to learn a second language?"
• "Should schools or governments be allowed to ban books?"

These topics all have at least two sides of the argument: Yes or no. And you must support the side you choose with evidence as to why your side is the correct one.

But there are also plenty of other ways to frame an argumentative essay as well:

• "Does using social media do more to benefit or harm people?"
• "Does the legal status of artwork or its creators—graffiti and vandalism, pirated media, a creator who's in jail—have an impact on the art itself?"
• "Is or should anyone ever be ‘above the law?'"

Though these are worded differently than the first three, you're still essentially forced to pick between two sides of an issue: yes or no, for or against, benefit or detriment. Though your argument might not fall entirely into one side of the divide or another—for instance, you could claim that social media has positively impacted some aspects of modern life while being a detriment to others—your essay should still support one side of the argument above all. Your final stance would be that overall , social media is beneficial or overall , social media is harmful.

If your argument is one that is mostly text-based or backed by a single source (e.g., "How does Salinger show that Holden Caulfield is an unreliable narrator?" or "Does Gatsby personify the American Dream?"), then it's an analytical essay, rather than an argumentative essay. An argumentative essay will always be focused on more general topics so that you can use multiple sources to back up your claims.

Good Argumentative Essay Topics

So you know the basic idea behind an argumentative essay, but what topic should you write about?

Again, almost always, you'll be asked to write an argumentative essay on a free topic of your choice, or you'll be asked to select between a few given topics . If you're given complete free reign of topics, then it'll be up to you to find an essay topic that no only appeals to you, but that you can turn into an A+ argumentative essay.

What makes a "good" argumentative essay topic depends on both the subject matter and your personal interest —it can be hard to give your best effort on something that bores you to tears! But it can also be near impossible to write an argumentative essay on a topic that has no room for debate.

As we said earlier, a good argumentative essay topic will be one that has the potential to reasonably go in at least two directions—for or against, yes or no, and why . For example, it's pretty hard to write an argumentative essay on whether or not people should be allowed to murder one another—not a whole lot of debate there for most people!—but writing an essay for or against the death penalty has a lot more wiggle room for evidence and argument.

A good topic is also one that can be substantiated through hard evidence and relevant sources . So be sure to pick a topic that other people have studied (or at least studied elements of) so that you can use their data in your argument. For example, if you're arguing that it should be mandatory for all middle school children to play a sport, you might have to apply smaller scientific data points to the larger picture you're trying to justify. There are probably several studies you could cite on the benefits of physical activity and the positive effect structure and teamwork has on young minds, but there's probably no study you could use where a group of scientists put all middle-schoolers in one jurisdiction into a mandatory sports program (since that's probably never happened). So long as your evidence is relevant to your point and you can extrapolate from it to form a larger whole, you can use it as a part of your resource material.

And if you need ideas on where to get started, or just want to see sample argumentative essay topics, then check out these links for hundreds of potential argumentative essay topics.

101 Persuasive (or Argumentative) Essay and Speech Topics

301 Prompts for Argumentative Writing

Top 50 Ideas for Argumentative/Persuasive Essay Writing

[Note: some of these say "persuasive essay topics," but just remember that the same topic can often be used for both a persuasive essay and an argumentative essay; the difference is in your writing style and the evidence you use to support your claims.]

KO! Find that one argumentative essay topic you can absolutely conquer.

Argumentative Essay Format

Argumentative Essays are composed of four main elements:

• A position (your argument)
• Your reasons
• Supporting evidence for those reasons (from reliable sources)
• Counterargument(s) (possible opposing arguments and reasons why those arguments are incorrect)

If you're familiar with essay writing in general, then you're also probably familiar with the five paragraph essay structure . This structure is a simple tool to show how one outlines an essay and breaks it down into its component parts, although it can be expanded into as many paragraphs as you want beyond the core five.

The standard argumentative essay is often 3-5 pages, which will usually mean a lot more than five paragraphs, but your overall structure will look the same as a much shorter essay.

An argumentative essay at its simplest structure will look like:

Paragraph 1: Intro

• Set up the story/problem/issue
• Thesis/claim

Paragraph 2: Support

• Reason #1 claim is correct
• Supporting evidence with sources

Paragraph 3: Support

• Reason #2 claim is correct

Paragraph 4: Counterargument

• Explanation of argument for the other side
• Refutation of opposing argument with supporting evidence

Paragraph 5: Conclusion

• Re-state claim
• Sum up reasons and support of claim from the essay to prove claim is correct

Now let's unpack each of these paragraph types to see how they work (with examples!), what goes into them, and why.

Paragraph 1—Set Up and Claim

Your first task is to introduce the reader to the topic at hand so they'll be prepared for your claim. Give a little background information, set the scene, and give the reader some stakes so that they care about the issue you're going to discuss.

Next, you absolutely must have a position on an argument and make that position clear to the readers. It's not an argumentative essay unless you're arguing for a specific claim, and this claim will be your thesis statement.

Your thesis CANNOT be a mere statement of fact (e.g., "Washington DC is the capital of the United States"). Your thesis must instead be an opinion which can be backed up with evidence and has the potential to be argued against (e.g., "New York should be the capital of the United States").

Paragraphs 2 and 3—Your Evidence

These are your body paragraphs in which you give the reasons why your argument is the best one and back up this reasoning with concrete evidence .

The argument supporting the thesis of an argumentative essay should be one that can be supported by facts and evidence, rather than personal opinion or cultural or religious mores.

For example, if you're arguing that New York should be the new capital of the US, you would have to back up that fact by discussing the factual contrasts between New York and DC in terms of location, population, revenue, and laws. You would then have to talk about the precedents for what makes for a good capital city and why New York fits the bill more than DC does.

Your argument can't simply be that a lot of people think New York is the best city ever and that you agree.

In addition to using concrete evidence, you always want to keep the tone of your essay passionate, but impersonal . Even though you're writing your argument from a single opinion, don't use first person language—"I think," "I feel," "I believe,"—to present your claims. Doing so is repetitive, since by writing the essay you're already telling the audience what you feel, and using first person language weakens your writing voice.

For example,

"I think that Washington DC is no longer suited to be the capital city of the United States."

"Washington DC is no longer suited to be the capital city of the United States."

The second statement sounds far stronger and more analytical.

Paragraph 4—Argument for the Other Side and Refutation

Even without a counter argument, you can make a pretty persuasive claim, but a counterargument will round out your essay into one that is much more persuasive and substantial.

By anticipating an argument against your claim and taking the initiative to counter it, you're allowing yourself to get ahead of the game. This way, you show that you've given great thought to all sides of the issue before choosing your position, and you demonstrate in multiple ways how yours is the more reasoned and supported side.

Paragraph 5—Conclusion

This paragraph is where you re-state your argument and summarize why it's the best claim.

Briefly touch on your supporting evidence and voila! A finished argumentative essay.

Your essay should have just as awesome a skeleton as this plesiosaur does. (In other words: a ridiculously awesome skeleton)

Argumentative Essay Example: 5-Paragraph Style

It always helps to have an example to learn from. I've written a full 5-paragraph argumentative essay here. Look at how I state my thesis in paragraph 1, give supporting evidence in paragraphs 2 and 3, address a counterargument in paragraph 4, and conclude in paragraph 5.

Topic: Is it possible to maintain conflicting loyalties?

Paragraph 1

It is almost impossible to go through life without encountering a situation where your loyalties to different people or causes come into conflict with each other. Maybe you have a loving relationship with your sister, but she disagrees with your decision to join the army, or you find yourself torn between your cultural beliefs and your scientific ones. These conflicting loyalties can often be maintained for a time, but as examples from both history and psychological theory illustrate, sooner or later, people have to make a choice between competing loyalties, as no one can maintain a conflicting loyalty or belief system forever.

The first two sentences set the scene and give some hypothetical examples and stakes for the reader to care about.

The third sentence finishes off the intro with the thesis statement, making very clear how the author stands on the issue ("people have to make a choice between competing loyalties, as no one can maintain a conflicting loyalty or belief system forever." )

Paragraphs 2 and 3

Psychological theory states that human beings are not equipped to maintain conflicting loyalties indefinitely and that attempting to do so leads to a state called "cognitive dissonance." Cognitive dissonance theory is the psychological idea that people undergo tremendous mental stress or anxiety when holding contradictory beliefs, values, or loyalties (Festinger, 1957). Even if human beings initially hold a conflicting loyalty, they will do their best to find a mental equilibrium by making a choice between those loyalties—stay stalwart to a belief system or change their beliefs. One of the earliest formal examples of cognitive dissonance theory comes from Leon Festinger's When Prophesy Fails . Members of an apocalyptic cult are told that the end of the world will occur on a specific date and that they alone will be spared the Earth's destruction. When that day comes and goes with no apocalypse, the cult members face a cognitive dissonance between what they see and what they've been led to believe (Festinger, 1956). Some choose to believe that the cult's beliefs are still correct, but that the Earth was simply spared from destruction by mercy, while others choose to believe that they were lied to and that the cult was fraudulent all along. Both beliefs cannot be correct at the same time, and so the cult members are forced to make their choice.

But even when conflicting loyalties can lead to potentially physical, rather than just mental, consequences, people will always make a choice to fall on one side or other of a dividing line. Take, for instance, Nicolaus Copernicus, a man born and raised in Catholic Poland (and educated in Catholic Italy). Though the Catholic church dictated specific scientific teachings, Copernicus' loyalty to his own observations and scientific evidence won out over his loyalty to his country's government and belief system. When he published his heliocentric model of the solar system--in opposition to the geocentric model that had been widely accepted for hundreds of years (Hannam, 2011)-- Copernicus was making a choice between his loyalties. In an attempt t o maintain his fealty both to the established system and to what he believed, h e sat on his findings for a number of years (Fantoli, 1994). But, ultimately, Copernicus made the choice to side with his beliefs and observations above all and published his work for the world to see (even though, in doing so, he risked both his reputation and personal freedoms).

These two paragraphs provide the reasons why the author supports the main argument and uses substantiated sources to back those reasons.

The paragraph on cognitive dissonance theory gives both broad supporting evidence and more narrow, detailed supporting evidence to show why the thesis statement is correct not just anecdotally but also scientifically and psychologically. First, we see why people in general have a difficult time accepting conflicting loyalties and desires and then how this applies to individuals through the example of the cult members from the Dr. Festinger's research.

The next paragraph continues to use more detailed examples from history to provide further evidence of why the thesis that people cannot indefinitely maintain conflicting loyalties is true.

Paragraph 4

Some will claim that it is possible to maintain conflicting beliefs or loyalties permanently, but this is often more a matter of people deluding themselves and still making a choice for one side or the other, rather than truly maintaining loyalty to both sides equally. For example, Lancelot du Lac typifies a person who claims to maintain a balanced loyalty between to two parties, but his attempt to do so fails (as all attempts to permanently maintain conflicting loyalties must). Lancelot tells himself and others that he is equally devoted to both King Arthur and his court and to being Queen Guinevere's knight (Malory, 2008). But he can neither be in two places at once to protect both the king and queen, nor can he help but let his romantic feelings for the queen to interfere with his duties to the king and the kingdom. Ultimately, he and Queen Guinevere give into their feelings for one another and Lancelot—though he denies it—chooses his loyalty to her over his loyalty to Arthur. This decision plunges the kingdom into a civil war, ages Lancelot prematurely, and ultimately leads to Camelot's ruin (Raabe, 1987). Though Lancelot claimed to have been loyal to both the king and the queen, this loyalty was ultimately in conflict, and he could not maintain it.

Here we have the acknowledgement of a potential counter-argument and the evidence as to why it isn't true.

The argument is that some people (or literary characters) have asserted that they give equal weight to their conflicting loyalties. The refutation is that, though some may claim to be able to maintain conflicting loyalties, they're either lying to others or deceiving themselves. The paragraph shows why this is true by providing an example of this in action.

Paragraph 5

Whether it be through literature or history, time and time again, people demonstrate the challenges of trying to manage conflicting loyalties and the inevitable consequences of doing so. Though belief systems are malleable and will often change over time, it is not possible to maintain two mutually exclusive loyalties or beliefs at once. In the end, people always make a choice, and loyalty for one party or one side of an issue will always trump loyalty to the other.

The concluding paragraph summarizes the essay, touches on the evidence presented, and re-states the thesis statement.

How to Write an Argumentative Essay: 8 Steps

Writing the best argumentative essay is all about the preparation, so let's talk steps:

#1: Preliminary Research

If you have the option to pick your own argumentative essay topic (which you most likely will), then choose one or two topics you find the most intriguing or that you have a vested interest in and do some preliminary research on both sides of the debate.

Do an open internet search just to see what the general chatter is on the topic and what the research trends are.

Did your preliminary reading influence you to pick a side or change your side? Without diving into all the scholarly articles at length, do you believe there's enough evidence to support your claim? Have there been scientific studies? Experiments? Does a noted scholar in the field agree with you? If not, you may need to pick another topic or side of the argument to support.

#2: Pick Your Side and Form Your Thesis

Now's the time to pick the side of the argument you feel you can support the best and summarize your main point into your thesis statement.

Your thesis will be the basis of your entire essay, so make sure you know which side you're on, that you've stated it clearly, and that you stick by your argument throughout the entire essay .

#3: Heavy-Duty Research Time

You've taken a gander at what the internet at large has to say on your argument, but now's the time to actually read those sources and take notes.

Check scholarly journals online at Google Scholar , the Directory of Open Access Journals , or JStor . You can also search individual university or school libraries and websites to see what kinds of academic articles you can access for free. Keep track of your important quotes and page numbers and put them somewhere that's easy to find later.

And don't forget to check your school or local libraries as well!

#4: Outline

Follow the five-paragraph outline structure from the previous section.

Fill in your topic, your reasons, and your supporting evidence into each of the categories.

Before you begin to flesh out the essay, take a look at what you've got. Is your thesis statement in the first paragraph? Is it clear? Is your argument logical? Does your supporting evidence support your reasoning?

By outlining your essay, you streamline your process and take care of any logic gaps before you dive headfirst into the writing. This will save you a lot of grief later on if you need to change your sources or your structure, so don't get too trigger-happy and skip this step.

Now that you've laid out exactly what you'll need for your essay and where, it's time to fill in all the gaps by writing it out.

Take it one step at a time and expand your ideas into complete sentences and substantiated claims. It may feel daunting to turn an outline into a complete draft, but just remember that you've already laid out all the groundwork; now you're just filling in the gaps.

If you have the time before deadline, give yourself a day or two (or even just an hour!) away from your essay . Looking it over with fresh eyes will allow you to see errors, both minor and major, that you likely would have missed had you tried to edit when it was still raw.

Take a first pass over the entire essay and try your best to ignore any minor spelling or grammar mistakes—you're just looking at the big picture right now. Does it make sense as a whole? Did the essay succeed in making an argument and backing that argument up logically? (Do you feel persuaded?)

If not, go back and make notes so that you can fix it for your final draft.

Once you've made your revisions to the overall structure, mark all your small errors and grammar problems so you can fix them in the next draft.

#7: Final Draft

Use the notes you made on the rough draft and go in and hack and smooth away until you're satisfied with the final result.

A checklist for your final draft:

• Formatting is correct according to your teacher's standards
• No errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation
• Essay is the right length and size for the assignment
• The argument is present, consistent, and concise
• Each reason is supported by relevant evidence
• The essay makes sense overall

#8: Celebrate!

Once you've brought that final draft to a perfect polish and turned in your assignment, you're done! Go you!

Be prepared and ♪ you'll never go hungry again ♪, *cough*, or struggle with your argumentative essay-writing again. (Walt Disney Studios)

Good Examples of Argumentative Essays Online

Theory is all well and good, but examples are key. Just to get you started on what a fully-fleshed out argumentative essay looks like, let's see some examples in action.

Check out these two argumentative essay examples on the use of landmines and freons (and note the excellent use of concrete sources to back up their arguments!).

The Use of Landmines

A Shattered Sky

The Take-Aways: Keys to Writing an Argumentative Essay

At first, writing an argumentative essay may seem like a monstrous hurdle to overcome, but with the proper preparation and understanding, you'll be able to knock yours out of the park.

Remember the differences between a persuasive essay and an argumentative one, make sure your thesis is clear, and double-check that your supporting evidence is both relevant to your point and well-sourced . Pick your topic, do your research, make your outline, and fill in the gaps. Before you know it, you'll have yourself an A+ argumentative essay there, my friend.

What's Next?

Now you know the ins and outs of an argumentative essay, but how comfortable are you writing in other styles? Learn more about the four writing styles and when it makes sense to use each .

Understand how to make an argument, but still having trouble organizing your thoughts? Check out our guide to three popular essay formats and choose which one is right for you.

Ready to make your case, but not sure what to write about? We've created a list of 50 potential argumentative essay topics to spark your imagination.

Courtney scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT in high school and went on to graduate from Stanford University with a degree in Cultural and Social Anthropology. She is passionate about bringing education and the tools to succeed to students from all backgrounds and walks of life, as she believes open education is one of the great societal equalizers. She has years of tutoring experience and writes creative works in her free time.

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Guest Essay

Hunter Biden Should Take a Plea Deal. Quickly.

By Sarah Isgur

Ms. Isgur is a senior editor at The Dispatch and the host of the legal podcast “Advisory Opinions.” She served in the Department of Justice from 2017-2019 as the director of the Office of Public Affairs and senior counsel to the deputy attorney general during the Russia investigation.

Hunter Biden faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted on three felony gun charges in a trial that is set to begin in Wilmington, Del., on Monday. In the meantime, his father is behind in many polls, his financial benefactor is reportedly “tapped out” and his best legal arguments require gutting federal gun control laws. An embarrassing trial that he is likely to lose will only make things worse.

An early plea agreement — in which he agreed to plead guilty to two misdemeanor tax charges and enter into a deferred prosecution agreement on the gun charges — fell apart last summer. But a criminal defendant can accept a plea deal from the prosecution anytime before the jury returns its verdict, which means that he might still have a chance to avoid a full trial.

If he can, he should.

To bring federal charges, the Department of Justice manual advises that a prosecutor should believe that the defendant is guilty, that the prosecutor believes he has evidence that will prove the defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and that the prosecutor believes that a reasonable jury would convict the defendant. In practice, this means that once the Department of Justice has indicted you, they believe they will win. And they almost always do.

Over a 12-month period ending last fall, just 290 of the nearly 72,000 federal criminal defendants charged by the Justice Department were acquitted at trial. That’s less than one half of 1 percent. (Of course, only 1,379 were convicted at trial — a paltry 2 percent.) The vast majority facing a D.O.J. indictment decided either to plead guilty outright or accept a plea deal, believing that the prosecutors had correctly weighed their chances of winning in front of a jury before bringing the case in the first place.

Hunter Biden has argued that he was only charged because of his last name. And he has a point — there are far more gun crimes committed than can be handled by federal prosecutors. The main charge is that he had a gun while using cocaine, which is a rarely used part of the statute. But that’s usually because drug use is hard to prove compared to other gun charges, like being a felon with a gun. Here, though, prosecutors have noted that “investigators literally found drugs on the pouch where the defendant had kept his gun.” And when prosecutors do bring this charge, people who are found guilty are often sentenced to real prison time — over a year for someone in Hunter Biden’s shoes.

That would be enough of an incentive for most people to plead guilty to federal gun charges. Hunter Biden has even more.

First, there’s his father’s reputation to consider. Theodore Roosevelt is said to have remarked that he could be president or he could control his daughter, but he couldn’t do both. President Biden is faring no better at juggling the two roles. On several occasions he has invited his son to White House events alongside the attorney general who is responsible for prosecuting him. Despite the fact that it is inappropriate for the president to comment on current Justice Department investigations, President Biden was not able to resist publicly stating in May 2023, “ My son has done nothing wrong .”

Last week, President Biden visited Beau Biden’s widow, Hallie Biden, at her home near the anniversary of his older son’s death. The problem is that Ms. Biden is also expected to be a key witness against Hunter Biden — and President Biden’s visit raised allegations of witness tampering from the president’s critics. A White House spokesman said the president did not discuss the trial during the visit.

Of course, the trial itself will be embarrassing and painful for Hunter Biden and his family. On top of highlighting his past romantic involvement with his brother’s widow, the prosecution is expected to introduce evidence, including pictures, text messages, and his own statement that he was smoking crack cocaine “every 15 minutes, seven days a week,” despite affirming on a federal form that he was not using any illegal drugs when he purchased the gun.

Second, he is low on money. Since he met Kevin Morris, a Hollywood entertainment lawyer, at a campaign fund-raiser for his father in 2019, Mr. Morris has functioned as a financial lifeline for him, shelling out over $6.5 million to help cover costs related to things like back taxes and child support. He’s even agreed to pay nearly $900,000 for some of Hunter Biden’s artwork. Now on the brink of trial, Mr. Morris has run out of resources to help , according to an associate, and it is unclear how Hunter Biden’s legal team will pay for the expert witnesses they were hoping to have testify at trial. Abbe Lowell, his lead attorney for the trial, has reportedly sought fees of over $1,500 per hour in the past — and he doesn’t work alone.

And third, Hunter Biden’s best arguments aren’t even the ones he can make at trial. In his own memoir, he admitted that he regularly used drugs around the time he bought the gun. That means the outcome of the trial seems largely a foregone conclusion. On appeal, however, Hunter Biden is likely to argue that the law itself is an unconstitutional infringement on his Second Amendment rights to own a gun.

This is a politically tricky, but a legally reasonable argument. After all, the Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit already held that the law was invalid as applied to admitted marijuana users. But cocaine is different from marijuana, and then there’s the awkwardness of the president’s son trying to convince the Supreme Court to invalidate part of the most widely used gun control law in the country while his dad campaigns on passing stricter gun control laws.

In short, Hunter Biden should take whatever deal he is being offered. It doesn’t get easier from here.

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