If there is at least one academic assignment type that every college student will have to complete more than once, it is argumentative essay writing. This helpful academic guide will show you how to write an argumentative essay by focusing on structure, the best ways to start, how to create a strong conclusion, and do formatting. Once you complete the argumentative essay guide, you can start, continue, and complete an excellent paper!
What is argumentative essay writing?
An argumentative essay is a piece of academic writing that aims to state a certain position about an issue or an event. It has to be written in a precise form by offering several arguments that are backed up by sufficient evidence and facts. Besides, it should inspire and persuade the readers as they change their way of thinking and follow the point of view and the main thesis created by the author. While this definition might sound too complex, it will become clearer as we focus on the essential elements later. To start an argumentative essay, your argument must be well-researched to provide practical usefulness and explain why a chosen method to defend one’s position is the most efficient.
One of the most important aspects to consider is the subject or event you wish to address. You can approach anything from libraries to newspapers and daily news as you brainstorm topic ideas. It will help you to learn about various opinions to determine what must be done. As we can see, people persuade each other all the time, you must choose a point and come up with a strong argument. As you explore your essay subject, ask yourself why some issues have taken place, why a problem exists, why something is important, and how a person should react if there are opposing points of view. All of this work, an argumentative essay outline, and evaluation and analysis processes help to see the essence of argumentative essay writing.
Basic argumentative structure and outline
While your argumentation will always differ, depending on your chosen subject, the structure of such an essay follows the most basic principles. Let’s start with the argumentative paper objectives that must be followed:
- Keep your target audience inspired by educating them about the issue and motivating them to learn more.
- Make sure to explain both points of view by offering examples and explanations.
- Persuade your readers and show why your point of view (thesis statement) is the most valid.
- Try to guess and predict possible objections that your readers might have.
- Encourage readers to start with a new way of thinking.
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The basic outline that you can use as a roadmap will look the following way:
I. An Introduction
Explain the topic’s background to help your readers compare and contrast both sides of the camp. Your introduction should conclude with a strong thesis statement.
a) Use your subject’s title to deliver your point of view. You may use a question as an argument.
b) Consider your target audience and use a sentence hook as an attention-grabbing element.
c) Provide a thesis statement that places a question with the main argument. Promote your position and use it as the final sentence of an argumentative essay introduction paragraph.
II. The Body
These aspects explain why readers should follow your point of view. It is essential to meet all the possible objections by adding at least one piece of evidence for every argument.
a) First body paragraph with a topic sentence – an argument – evidence – analysis.
b) Second body paragraph with a topic sentence – argumentation – example – analytical sentence.
c) Third body paragraph with counter-arguments and an opposite opinion – explanation – evidence.
d) Provide an additional explanatory paragraph.
III. The Conclusion
Your final paragraph should provide a closing statement where you persuade readers to meet a point of view.
a) Why should the reader follow your arguments? Explain why.
b) Consider a call-to-action and add further recommendations.
Consider adding a moral lesson or discussing how your research proves your main point. Just remember to avoid introducing new ideas in your argumentative essay structure or anything your thesis statement has not covered.
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How to start an argumentative essay?
Starting an argumentative essay is one of the most challenging parts, which means that if you cover this point, you will already manage the rest. Your introductory paragraph in an argumentative essay should provide a hook sentence that introduces the topic. It should continue with an explanation and background data. Your thesis statement should make a clear argument that cannot be read differently. While all introductory information is relatively simple to put in writing, learning to write a good argumentative essay thesis is more difficult. For example, if you wish to take a pro stance on the use of video games in a college environment, think about the following starting points:
- Does playing RPG video games in college cause risks of gaming addiction? FACT.
- What are RPG video games? DEFINITION.
- What are the effects of playing video games as a college student? CAUSE & EFFECT.
- How important is it to provide control when playing video games? VALUE.
- What should be done to reduce the risks of gaming addiction among college students? PROPOSITION.
Quite often, you will see that almost every question asked in the introduction paragraph will double the title of the argumentative essay paper. Therefore, it can also become the final sentence of the introduction as you compose your effective thesis. It explains what comes to your thesis. Here is what writing an argument essay introduction example would look like:
The government is legally responsible for ensuring that no child is left behind regarding education, regardless of family income. This can be achieved by offering single or vulnerable parents various income-based subsidies and social help in the community.
Tip: Remember to provide background information in a narrowed-down way. Now, learning to write a claim for an argumentative essay can be achieved with a helpful introductory phrase before your thesis statement comes.
Step-by-step writing guide
Now that we have seen how to provide the first part and the thesis, let’s continue with the basic vital steps that must be implemented again.
Step 1: Narrow down your argumentative topic.
Choose topics that you know well or something that inspires you. The most important is to create a strong argument by offering evidence and sufficient explanation. If you believe in a certain point, it is different from knowing how to explain it with due reason and logic. Therefore, try to keep up with the facts without becoming overly emotional. As you brainstorm ideas, consider potential aspects that could be used as evidence for or against a particular issue.
Step 2: Consider both sides of the argument.
Consider each side of your argument by calling up to each point. When you provide an argumentative essay body paragraph content, think about different opinions and explain them well. No matter what position you might take, provide educated examples as to why people may think differently. As you provide the validity of your argument, connect it to your thesis.
Step 3: Provide a topic sentence per each paragraph.
It is recommended to use one argument per paragraph. The most important is to provide a topic sentence with an introduction. If you need help figuring out where to start, think about how you would describe an idea.
Step 4: Compile supporting material and evidence.
Always provide soundproof by offering statistical data, facts, newspaper publications, and citations. When you address each side of the main point, think about whether your statements are factual, find the purpose of argumentative essay, and explore what your claim truly means, the values, the causes, and the acts that should be taken.
Step 5: Offer the analytical part.
Once you have the basic points outlined, think about creating your argumentative essay structure. You should divide data for the introduction with a thesis, body parts where you provide sentences that contain clear facts, and the closing statement where you sum things up and add even more value to your thesis.
Step 6: Proofread your writing.
Remember to proofread your argumentative essay aloud, as it will help you see the value of your writing and the tone. If it persuades you, it will impress your target audience.
Tip: If you need to do additional research to compose an argumentative assignment, writing a research paper should be done in advance to take notes and check the facts!
Argumentative essay conclusion
Most college students need help knowing how to work with a conclusion. The final paragraph of an argumentative essay should act as the summarizing closing statement. This is where you must restate the subject and appeal to the main element to impress your reader. As you master how to write conclusion for argumentative essay, you will find several ways to achieve that:
- Start with a review of your introductory argument. Revise it by ensuring that all your substantiates help your target audience share your viewpoint.
- Persuade your readers to think differently by offering real-life examples that can support your argument. The media, video material, historical examples, and more can provide it. When you use an external source in an essay, always provide due credit to avoid plagiarism!
As you close the final paragraph, you should not add new ideas to avoid confusion. Meanwhile, to correctly write an argumentative paper, your final sentence should be similar to your opening argument, which helps close your assignment. The key is supporting your point of view again to inspire the readers.
Argumentative essay formatting tips
While there is no universal template that would help to create an excellent argumentative paper, these formatting tips will help you as you brainstorm ideas and write:
- Avoid getting overly emotional in your essay, and resist the urge to flame all the opposing views.
- Ensure you understand the differences between offering a logical conclusion and coming up with an emotional point of view.
- Do not exaggerate the facts but offer evidence that can be checked.
- Avoid using weak sources that do not provide sufficient research.
- Use all your citations according to the style format (APA, MLA, Chicago). Use footnotes if necessary.
- Be ready to deliver a counter-argumentative essay paragraph to support your position. Be prepared to meet possible objections.
- Check various argumentative essay samples to understand what might work best for you.
Helpful template examples
Check at least one argumentative essay example if this sounds like rocket science. While these essay samples may not provide the same subject or an academic discipline, these will help to see how to keep your tone persuasive and what elements to add to the structure. Here are some essay ideas worth checking:
- Argumentative Essays: MLA Sample Argumentative Papers by Skyline College.
- Argumentative Essay Example by the University of Queensland.
- Sample Argumentative Essay by Western Oregon University.
- Argumentative Essays by Purdue OWL University.
Now that we are done with the guide feel free to ask questions if you have any left, and remember that timely essay help is always available!
