What is an Argumentative Essay?
An argumentative essay is a genre of essay in which a writer is supposed to present a well-structured argument. It is a type of essay that establishes a stance on a topic or particular issue and supports it with evidence and facts. It is a well-balanced piece of writing that demonstrates both strengths and weaknesses of a specific subject.
The argumentative essay is one of the most common types of essays that students will encounter in their academic life. Although there are different variations of an argumentative essay, they all share the same foundation.
The writer is required to investigate an issue, pick a side and find strong evidence to prove his claim logically. He has to convince the reader to accept his perspective on the chosen topic.
The argument one presents in an essay must be specific, reasonable, has details and sound evidence.
The goal of an argumentative essay is to provide the reader with counterpoint perspectives on topics and issues. The problems may not be fully resolved in the existing literature or society at large.
Argumentative Essay Format and Structure
There are three different types of arguments that you can use for the argumentative essay format. Use them separately or combine them together to form your argument.
1. Classical or Aristotelian Model
This is the most frequently used argument strategy. Here, you will highlight the problem, provide its solution. And then try to persuade the reader that you have proposed the correct solution.
2. Toulmin Model
Toulmin argument strategy uses logic and breaks down an argument into different parts. It presents both the writer's perspective and opposing views on the topic and explains why the writer’s stance is more beneficial.
3. Rogerian Model
This strategy is used for topics where it is difficult to find common ground. The entire idea is to find a point of agreement by showing the reader that you are considering the counter-argument.
How to Write an Argumentative Essay?
An argumentative essay doesn’t need to be an enormous headache or a project so overwhelming that you don’t even know where to start.
Like any major project, the best way to tackle an argumentative essay is to break it down into “baby steps.” Take the following steps as your guideline. Accomplish them one at a time, and before you know it, you’ll have a workable first draft that informs, entertains, and challenges the reader:
1. Explore Different Argumentative Essay Topics
One of the essential components of an argumentative essay is having a persuasive topic.
While there is no scarcity of persuasive topics, you can find something in the newspaper or TV. Moreover, you might have overheard two people arguing in your class; there must be two strongly conflicting viewpoints.
When you’re thinking about which topic to go for, ask yourself these questions.
- Why did a particular thing happen?
- What was its cause?
- Does it hold any significance?
- What should our reaction be towards it?
Also, bear in mind that being interested in a topic and agreeing to it is one thing, but writing about it to persuade the reader is a different thing altogether.
You need to prove that your point is logical without becoming emotional and by using concrete evidence.
2. Choose the Types of Argument Claims
Once you have selected your topic, you must give considerable thought to developing your claim. There are different types of claims. If not all, then include some of them in your argumentative essay.
- Authenticity
Whether your claim is a fact or not. Is it true? Will it occur or not?
- Definition
What exactly is it? How can we define it? How to interpret it? How to classify it?
- Value
The importance of the issue. Is it worthy or not? How critical is it to address this issue?
- Cause and Effect
How did it happen? What is the possible cause? What are its effects?
- Policy
What should be done to tackle the issue? What laws should be enforced? What changes need to be made?
These components play an integral part in your essay. These claims make a presentable argumentative essay and help you discuss both supporting and opposing arguments.
3. Determine Your Stance
You have decided on the topic you are most passionate about; the next step is to assess both sides of the argument.
After evaluating both sides, determine the argument you can most relate to and look for strong evidence to support your claim.
The thing with argumentative essays is that to prove the validity of your point, you must educate the reader about both sides of the argument.
4. Collect Evidence and Supporting Examples
Since your reader isn’t in front of you, you can’t interpret the body language to see whether you have convinced the reader or not. Therefore, it is necessary to use strong proof, evidence from credible sources, and convincing data to support your stance.
When assessing a claim, consider the following points:
- Is the statement factual?
- What is its definition?
- What are the causes of the issue?
- Is the fact valuable?
- What action should be taken, or what should be done about it?
- What impact will it have on living things and our environment in general?
- You might want to interview the experts of the field and use it to sketch an argument.
5. Create Argumentative Essay Outline
The argumentative essay is the most difficult type of essay that high school and college students have ever come across. Writing a well-structured and properly formatted essay needs effort and strong writing skills. The best option to make things easier is to draft an outline.
An essay outline is like a roadmap that guides you to reach your destination. The outline works the same for an essay. Therefore, it is a good idea to create an outline before starting an essay.
If you avoid writing an outline, you might have to suffer the following consequences.
- Disjointed writing structure.
- Pointless research.
- Convoluted composition style.
- Wandering point of view.
- Disjointed and contradictory arguments.
- Confused readers.
- A lousy grade.
However, crafting an argumentative essay outline can offer you several benefits.
- All research will be “on point” and support your argumentative topic theme.
- Discussing both sides of the argument will become easy.
- Both sides of the argument will be well-reasoned; weaknesses will be easily identified.
- You’ll save a lot of time editing and revising the whole essay. You can do that with the outline.
- Your conclusions will be supported by evidence.
A typical argumentative essay outline usually consists of 5 sections.
- Introductory paragraph
- Body Paragraphs I
- Body Paragraphs II
- Body Paragraphs III
- Conclusion
The number of body paragraphs can be increased or decreased depending on the word limit and the essay topic.
6. Compose a Strong Thesis Statement
A thesis statement is the main building block of an argumentative essay. Therefore, it is essential to draft a strong thesis statement that makes a substantial point about the topic. Your whole essay will revolve around the thesis statement, so make sure it is worthy of discussion.
7. Write a Compelling Introduction
The introduction paragraph outlines the topic, some relevant background information essential to understanding the topic, and the thesis statement. It gives a glimpse of all the claims you are going to make in your essay. It also outlines the facts and evidence that you will present to support your topic and thesis statement.
‘How do you start an argumentative essay introduction?'
Here are the four steps you can follow to write a compelling argumentative essay introduction:
- Start with an attention-grabbing hook statement.
- Outline the main subject of your essay.
- Present some background information that is necessary to understand the topic.
- Lay the foundation of your claim with a strong thesis statement.
8. Draft the Body Section
As discussed in the outline section, a typical essay usually has three body paragraphs. However, the number can vary according to the nature of the topic and the information that needs to be presented to support your claim.
Here are the three steps that you need to write a body section:
- Start with a topic sentence that supports your thesis statement.
- Present facts, evidence, examples, and relevant data from credible sources to back up your claim.
- End the paragraph with concluding remarks and smoothly transition to the next paragraph.
9. Write a Convincing Conclusion
Although the conclusion paragraph is the last section of the essay, it holds the same significance as the introductory paragraph. It should be convincing and persuasive enough to prove your side of the argument right.
Here are the steps for writing the argumentative essay conclusion:
- Summarize the whole essay in two to three sentences.
- Rewrite the thesis statement to remind your reader what your essay was all about.
- Provide a call to action.
Argumentative Essay Samples
Here are a few argumentative essay examples on interesting topics for your guidance
Good Argumentative Essay Topics
‘What are good topics to write an argumentative essay on?’
Here are some amazing argumentative essay topics that will help you get started.
- Is an MS degree in business necessary for your business to be successful?
- Mobile phones as educational tools: is it the right approach?
- Should you be friends with your professor on social media?
- Every student possesses writing skills. Do you agree?
- Is it right to blame social media for the use of incorrect grammar?
- Are social networks an effective platform for communication?
- Do people really get a job through LinkedIn?
- Is Facebook legally allowed to leak the private information of its users?
- Is it possible to earn a good amount of money from YouTube?
- Should Facebook, WhatsApp, and Twitter be banned permanently?
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