An argumentative essay is a genre of academic writing that investigates different sides of a particular issue. Its central purpose is to inform the readers rather than expressively persuade them. Thus, it is crucial to differentiate between argumentative and persuasive essays.
While composing an argumentative essay, the students have to demonstrate their research and analytical skills. The secret of a successful paper lies behind strong arguments and counterarguments. So, the writer should focus on facts and data rather than personal values and beliefs.
Besides, a good argumentative essay should be structured appropriately:
The introduction and conclusion have to create a frame for the entire essay.
The body paragraphs are supposed to cover the essential points.
Supporting evidence should make a paper more professional and reputable.
Are you still wondering what an argumentative essay is and how to write it? Check out the sections below prepared by our experts. Here, you can find the most valuable info, helpful tips, and useful examples.
Contents
📌 Argumentative Essay
📜 Classic Strategy
📋 Toulmin Strategy
🗣️ Rogerian Strategy
🧐 How to Write
📚 Research
📝 Outline
✒️ Fill in the Blanks
🔍 Edit and Proofread
❓ FAQ
🔗 References
Toogle TOC
📌 Argumentative Essay in a Nutshell
Are you trying to figure out what an argumentative essay is? It’s a type of academic paper that covers both sides of a given issue. An author can decide whether they aim to present both sides equally or support one side more dynamically.
One of the mistakes among students is the confusion of argumentative and persuasive essays. Do you want to figure out the differences? Take a look at the following table.
| Argumentative Essay | Persuasive essay | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose |
|
|
| Tools | Useful info, credible facts, relevant reasons, appropriate evidence. | The mix of data, personal opinion, and emotions. |
| Technique | Presenting credible resources to validate your claims and counterclaims. | Providing data from reputable sources, along with your feelings about the given issue, to persuade your reader. |
Before writing an argument essay, it would be helpful to choose an appropriate model to rely on. There are three strategies to consider: Classical, Toulmin, and Rogerian.
Look at the following sections and choose the most suitable one for you.
📜 Classic Strategy
Are you wondering how to write an argumentative essay? Consider using the classical approach. It is the most popular way of composing an argumentative paper.
Under the classical strategy, the author has to follow these rules:
research the issue;
present both sides;
express own opinion;
prove the reader the validity of the conclusion.
It is up to the audience to decide whether your position is right or wrong. Yet, you should try to convince the readers of the effectiveness of your opinion.
Usually, the classical argument paper is structured in the following way:
Introduction. Use the hook to catch the readers’ attention. State the problem and explain why your topic is relatable to the audience.
General background. Introduce the general info and several facts about your issue.
Thesis statement. State your position clearly and concisely.
The central argument. Provide valid evidence and appropriate examples to support your position. Refer only to reliable sources.
Rebuttal. Include a counter paragraph in your essay, presenting the opposing arguments. Provide specific examples to make the reader understand your position. Also, explain to the audience why the counterclaims are incorrect.
Conclusion. Synthesize your arguments and counterarguments. Give the readers a question for further investigation of your problem. To make your essay more impressive, compose a memorable concluding sentence.
📋 Toulmin Strategy
Toulmin strategy is the most suitable for the discussion of controversial issues. This model aims to find common ground through clear logic and valid evidence. Besides, the Toulmin strategy eliminates unnecessary things and limits the points to agree upon.
An argumentative essay written by the Toulmin model includes the following elements:
Claim. A viewpoint that the author aims to prove.
Evidence. Supportive facts from reliable resources that highlight the significance of the claim.
Warrant. An element that connects the claim and that evidence.
Backing. Additional reasoning that underlines the warrant’s validity.
Rebuttal. Counterarguments that contradict the author’s position.
Qualifier. An additional element (usually, a word or a short phrase) that narrows the claim’s capacity. Several examples of qualifiers: “typically,” “usually,” “occasionally,” etc.
Exceptions. Specific limitations that indicate the cases where that claim may not be valid.
🗣️ Rogerian Strategy
Like the Toulmin approach, Rogerian strategy attempts to find common ground between two sides of one issue. However, the technique is slightly different.
The Rogerian model is often used in highly controversial debates when the parties do not accept each other’s position. Thus, the given strategy focuses on finding the agreement by proving the validity of the opposing arguments.
Below, you can find the primary outline for the Rogerian argumentative essay:
Introduce the problem. Present the issue clearly and explain why it is worth the readers’ attention.
Summarize and analyze the counterarguments. Take into consideration all the possible counterpoints and look at them from different perspectives. Discuss the cases in which the opposing claims could be valid. Demonstrate your open-mindedness. This will make the opposite party more loyal to you.
Present your position. After discussing the counterpoints, state your opinion. Convince the audience about the validity of your points.
Prove the advantages of your position. Explain to the opposite party how the acceptance and adoption of your points will benefit them.
🧐 How to Write an Argumentative Essay
Before working on your essay, carefully read the assignment. Make sure you understand all the instructor’s requirements and the purpose of the paper.
Pay enough attention to the task. Did your professor assign you a topic? Or do you need to choose it yourself? Make sure you have an idea that will turn into an outstanding essay.
Select the strategy you are going to apply. An argumentative essay format will depend on the model you choose to compose your paper. Analyze the issue you will arise and decide what strategy is the most suitable. Is it the Classical model, the Toulmin, or the Rogerian one?
After that, start composing your argumentative essay. Check out the following sections. We have a lot of insightful info to share with you!
📚 Research the Topic
The first step of writing an argumentative paper is an in-depth investigation of the topic. To validate your arguments, you have to refer to credible resources. The essay will look more professional if you use reliable sources in it.
![How to Write an Argumentative Essay: 101 Guide [+ Examples] (1)](https://i0.wp.com/custom-writing.org/blog/wp-content/themes/custom-writing.org/images/e.png "How to Write an Argumentative Essay: 101 Guide [+ Examples] (1)")
To research like a professional, do the following:
Use only credible sources. You can refer to the books, research articles, materials from academic databases, or Google Scholar. Webpages registered as governmental or educational institutions (.gov, .edu.) and widely-known news websites (New York Times, BBC, CNBC) are also considered appropriate.
Avoid using blog posts, outdated materials, and any other data from unreliable sources. You may get into huge trouble, taking information from random websites, since it may be invalid.Pay attention to the publishing date. You may be required to use the sources released no later than five years ago. Yet, it is not always the case, especially when you’re dealing with historical documents. Thus, double-check your instructions regarding recommended sources.
Keep your topic in mind. Concentrate on what you are writing about and select the sources for your exact issue. Avoid sources that provide too general information and look for more limited ones. If your idea is World War II’s economic consequences, the history book from ancient times to modern days will not be the best option.
Become an expert. Take enough time to investigate the issue you are writing about. Read numerous articles, compare and contrast the scientists’ opinions. Prove your reader that you are a reliable person who selected the best sources.
📝 Outline Your Essay
The majority of students tend to underestimate the power of outlining. Don’t do this! An argumentative essay outline is a helpful tool for planning, structuring, and composing.
Firstly, a well-developed outline helps the writer to put all their thoughts in an appropriate order. None of the essential points will be lost if the student plans the essay before writing.
Secondly, it lets the writer figure out what evidence suits what argument most. Before writing, draft your essay first. Put examples, facts, etc. in the right parts of the paper. Then, write the entire text.
Thirdly, an outline provides a perfect opportunity to change the essay’s parts without rewriting the paper. Are you unsure of specific details? Not a problem. Change them in the outline without ruining the text.
There are essential elements that your outline should contain. Check out the following section to see them.
Introduction
How to start an argumentative essay? First and foremost, include an argumentative essay introduction in your outline.
This part should grab the readers’ attention from the first words. Thus, put enough effort into composing a compelling hook. What can it be? An impressive statistic or an exciting fact? Be creative – decide yourself! But make sure that your intro is catchy enough.
After the hook, introduce your topic’s general background. Prove the readers the significance of your issue and gradually come to the thesis statement.
Example:
The concept of studying abroad is becoming increasingly popular in both developed and developing countries. Students around the globe strive to explore the world and broaden their minds, and studying in a foreign country is an excellent opportunity to do so. Such experience may be extremely beneficial because meeting new people and discovering foreign cultures help students to gain valuable knowledge and see the world from a new perspective. However, while presenting significant opportunities for personal growth, it may also bring about some challenges.
Thesis Statement
A thesis is an essential part of your argumentative essay. It should state your position regarding the issue clearly and concisely. Avoid general statements, vague words, and be as specific and possible. Your thesis statement should guide the readers throughout the main points of the paper.
The location of the thesis in the essay plays a crucial role. The most appropriate place for it is the last sentence of the introductory paragraph.
Example:
Although students face difficulties such as loneliness while studying abroad, it is a worthy experience to introduce them to new knowledge, people, and culture and promote their independence.
Body Paragraphs
The body of your paper is supposed to develop your position, provide valid evidence and examples. Each paragraph has to focus only on one idea. This will ensure the logical structure of your argumentative essay.
A body paragraph should start from the topic sentence and end with the concluding sentence. Such a frame around every section will make your readers stay concentrated on your ideas and get your opinion.
The topic sentence is the first sentence of the passage. It should reflect its point and correspond to the thesis statement.
The concluding sentence aims to wrap up the author’s thoughts. Thus, make sure that the last sentence of a paragraph is insightful enough.
Each body paragraph should include an argument (or a counterargument) with supporting evidence. Get your proof from credible sources and ensure that it directly corresponds to the point.
An example of a topic sentence:
Example:
The benefits of education abroad are almost innumerable, prominent examples being gaining new knowledge, making friends with people who have different mindsets, and discovering new cultures.
An example of a concluding sentence:
Example:
Participants of student exchange programs usually return more driven and eager to develop both themselves and their country.
Conclusion
A conclusion plays a critical role in understanding the entire paper. It summarizes the body and leaves the final impression. Besides, it may push the readers on further investigation of the issue.
To make your argumentative essay conclusion powerful, it is not enough just to summarize the arguments. It has to synthesize your ideas and show the connection between them. In other words, your points should be summarized and analyzed.
Moreover, a conclusion refers to the thesis statement. A mere restatement of the central idea is not the most successful way of finishing your paper. You should try to develop it to demonstrate the reason you’ve written the previous paragraphs.
One more tip:
Give the audience an incentive to explore the topic more in-depth. Insert the questions for further investigation at the end of your essay. It would play a significant role in making an impressive conclusion.
Example:
To sum up, studying abroad is beneficial as it helps a person evolve and perceive a world from new perspectives. It is an opportunity for a participant to explore the world, meet new people, gain valuable knowledge and experience, and broaden their horizons. Education abroad might pose problems like homesickness, loneliness, and trouble with getting accustomed to a new environment. However, all of them can be easily overcome if a student is flexible and eager to become autonomous and independent.
References
The list of references is a crucial part of any argumentative essay. It should contain all the sources the writer uses in the paper.
Before organizing your reference list, double-check your argumentative essay format. Is it written in MLA, APA, or maybe in Chicago style? How many references does the professor expect you to include? What kind of sources are you required to use?
After figuring out these issues, move to the format requirements of the writing style you use for your paper. The most popular ones are APA (7th edition), MLA, and ChicagoAD (author-date) styles. Below, you can find the examples of a reference for the same book in different formatting styles.
| Style | APA |
|---|---|
| Structure | Last name, First initial. Middle initial. (Year). Book title: Subtitle. Publisher. |
| Example | Clifton, L. (1996). The Book of Light. Copper Canyon Press. |
| Style | MLA |
|---|---|
| Structure | Last Name, First Name. Title of Book. Publisher, Publication Date. |
| Example | Clifton, Lucille. The Book of Light. Copper Canyon Press, 1996. |
| Style | ChicagoAD |
|---|---|
| Structure | Author’s Last Name, First Name. Year of Publication. Title of the Book. Publisher’s Location: Publisher’s Name. |
| Example | Clifton, Lucille. 1993. The Book of Light. Washington: Copper Canyon Press. |
✒️ Fill in the Blanks
Did you develop a good outline? Congratulations! You are almost done with the essay. Now, you need to fill in the blanks and create a final version of your paper. Here is where you need to demonstrate a high level of your writing skills.
Make sure your paper has no logical fallacies. Information from an untrustworthy source, a hasty generalization, or a false conclusion may put your reliability as an author under threat. So double-check all the data you include in your essay. Moreover, make sure all your statements are well-developed and supported by valid evidence.
Check your argumentative essay structure. All the arguments should refer to the thesis statement and must be presented in the logical sequence. The supporting evidence and examples have to be inserted in the text logically, according to the arguments.
Pay enough attention to the citations. References and in-text citations are incredibly tricky. Always check every detail according to your essay format. If you are unsure of specific issues, refer to a citation guide and make your paper free of formatting mistakes.
Ensure the coherence of your argumentative essay. Often, the paper’s material seems raw only because it is presented without a logical connection.
To ensure a smooth connection between the ideas, use transitions between the paragraphs and linking words inside them. Insert them in the text to connect the points. As a result, you will have a coherent essay with the logical flow of the arguments.
🔍 Edit and Proofread
The final step of your writing process is editing and proofreading. Although it is not that energy and time consuming, it still plays a critical role in the work’s success.
While writing your argumentative paper, plan your time accordingly. This will provide you with an opportunity to polish your essay before submitting it. And take a look at our checklist and always use it to improve your papers:
NO first and second person. Use only the third person in your argumentative essay. It is a general requirement for any kind of academic paper.
NO slang. The word choice is an essential part of the essay writing process. Ensure you use only formal vocabulary and avoid using informal language (jargon, slang, etc.).
NO unchecked words. Sometimes, words can raise questions and lead to misunderstandings. If you are unsure whether the term is used appropriately, double-check its meaning or replace it with another.
NO plagiarism. While proofreading, make sure your citations are either properly paraphrased or taken in quotation marks. You can change the sentence structure to avoid plagiarism.
NO minor mistakes. Grammar, spelling, punctuation play a crucial role. Want to make your paper look professional? Make sure it is free of minor mistakes then.
❓ FAQ
❓ How many paragraphs should an argumentative essay have?
It is up to you to decide how many parts to include in your essay. However, the 5 paragraph structure is the most appropriate model for an argumentative paper. So, write an introduction, a conclusion, and three body paragraphs.
❓ Can you use “you” in an argumentative essay?
The pronoun “you” is acceptable for informal writing. Yet, in academic papers, avoid using the second person. The same situation is with the first person. Generally, academic papers require the use of the third person.
❓ What is a good hook for an argumentative essay?
A hook aims to grab the readers’ attention. Thus, you could start your essay with an interesting fact about your issue. Another way to create a catchy hook is to prove the audience the relatability of your topic. Make the readers want to explore your essay by demonstrating the significance of your issue.
❓ Can you start an argumentative essay with a question?
Yes, you can. A question might become a compelling hook. Just make sure that it is profound, thought-provocative, and concise. A too broad or complicated question will only confuse your readers.
❓ How do you write a good title for an argumentative essay?
A title is an essential part of the essay since it causes the first impression. While selecting a heading, take into consideration the following points:
1. The title must be catchy.
2. It has to be not too long (5-12 words).
3. The title has to reflect the topic of the paper.
4. It should not be too complicated: the simpler – the better.
Thank you for visiting our page! We hope the information was helpful and insightful. Do you have friends who seek help with writing an argumentative essay? Share our article with them. And don’t forget to leave your comments!
🔗 References
How to Recognize Plagiarism, Overview: School of Education, Indiana University Bloomington
(Video) English 101 Lesson Writing an Argument Essay
FAQs
How do you write a good argumentative essay step by step? ›
- Select an arguable topic, preferably one which interests, puzzles, or appeals to you. ...
- Take a position on your topic, and form a thesis statement. ...
- Consider your audience. ...
- Present clear and convincing evidence. ...
- Draft your essay. ...
- Edit your draft.
Information is used, but it is organized based on these major components of an argument: claim, reason, evidence, counter-claim, and rebuttal.
What is argument essay and examples? ›A good argumentative essay uses evidence and facts to support the claim it's making apart from the writer's thoughts and opinions to make strong reasoning. For example, you wanted to write an argumentative essay testifying that New York is a great destination to with your group of friends for a trip.
What is a good sentence to start an argumentative essay? ›Start With a Hook
Start your introduction with a sentence that gets the reader interested in the topic. To pique the reader's interest, you can begin with a quote, a personal story, a surprising statistic or an interesting question.
Your essay introduction should include three main things, in this order: An opening hook to catch the reader's attention. Relevant background information that the reader needs to know. A thesis statement that presents your main point or argument.
What is the example of argumentative paragraph? ›Example: Although I disagree with much that those who oppose animal testing say, I fully endorse their final conclusion that there are many better alternatives to animal testing.
Can I say I agree in an essay? ›You can write a 1-sided essay [I totally agree OR totally disagree]. Or you can write a 2-sided essay [I mostly agree/disagree but I can see both sides].
What are the 7 types of arguments? ›- Causal argument. ...
- Rebuttal argument. ...
- Proposal argument. ...
- Evaluation argument. ...
- Narrative argument. ...
- Toulmin argument. ...
- Rogerian argument. ...
- Classical Western argument.
Here is an example of an argument: If you want to find a good job, you should work hard. You do want to find a good job. So you should work hard.
What are the steps to write an essay? ›- Step 1: Understand the assignment.
- Step 2: Research the topic.
- Step 3: Construct your thesis statement.
- Step 4: Outlining, structuring, and concluding.
- Step 5: Proofread your draft.
What are the 3 parts of an argument essay? ›
Like other types of essays, argumentative essays typically have three main sections: the introduction, the body, and the conclusion. Within those sections, there are some key elements that a reader—and especially an exam scorer or professor—is always going to expect you to include.
How do you write a 5 paragraph argumentative essay? ›The five paragraph essays include 1 introductory paragraph, 3 body paragraphs and 1 concluding paragraph. Each body paragraph serves a specific purpose. The format for all 3 body paragraphs is the same. Typical 5 paragraph essays are up to 500 words long.
What is a good argument essay? ›An argumentative essay is an essay that uses evidence and facts to support the claim it's making. Its purpose is to persuade the reader to agree with the argument being made. A good argumentative essay will use facts and evidence to support the argument, rather than just the author's thoughts and opinions.
What is a good last sentence for an argumentative essay? ›Restate your topic and why it is important, Restate your thesis/claim, Address opposing viewpoints and explain why readers should align with your position, Call for action or overview future research possibilities.
Can you use the word I in an argumentative essay? ›Using “I” in an essay is not wrong, but it is unnecessary. The reader can safely assume that the ideas in the essay are by the writer since the writer's name is on the paper.
What is an example of an argument sentence? ›Example Sentences
They made a compelling argument for our participation. The committee presented strong arguments against building a new school. a lawyer's closing argument at the trial His argument did not convince his opponents.
- Keep your first sentence short.
- Don't repeat the title.
- Keep the introduction brief.
- Use the word “you” at least once.
- Dedicate 1-2 sentences to articulating what the article covers.
- Dedicate 1-2 sentences to explaining why the article is important.
What should an introduction do? interest and attention, creating incentive for them to continue reading. Provide essential background information about the essay's main topic. writing, expresses the essay's main idea/argument, and provides a direction or outline for the body of the paper.
How do I start off a paragraph? ›Good paragraphs begin with a topic sentence that briefly explains what the paragraph is about. Next come a few sentences for development and support, elaborating on the topic with more detail. Paragraphs end with a conclusion sentence that summarizes the topic or presents one final piece of support to wrap up.
How long is a 750 word essay? ›A word count of 750 words will equal about 1.5 pages single spaced or 3 pages double spaced.
How many sentences is 100 words? ›
How Many Sentences Is 100 Words? 100 words is about 5-7 sentences. A sentence typically has 15–20 words.
How long is a 1000 word essay? ›A 1,000 words essay will be 2 pages single-spaced or 4 pages double-spaced. A standard single-spaced page contains 500 words.
How do you write an argumentative sentence? ›Start with a hook or attention getting sentence. Briefly summarize the texts • State your claim. Make sure you are restating the prompt. Include a topic sentence that restates your claim and your reason.
How do you begin a conclusion? ›To begin your conclusion, signal that the essay is coming to an end by returning to your overall argument. Don't just repeat your thesis statement—instead, try to rephrase your argument in a way that shows how it has been developed since the introduction.
What can I say instead of I think? ›I THINK - synonyms and related phrases
In my opinion In my view From my point of view From where I'm standing As far as I'm concerned As I see it The way I see it To my mind It seems to me (that) ... It may seem (that) ... Some (people) say (that) ...
- It seems …
- It sounds …
- Judging from …
- Perhaps.
- It might/could be that.
- Let's Practice.
- Introduce the problem. Introduce the problem or issue at the center of your argument. ...
- Present your claim. ...
- Support your claim. ...
- Acknowledge the opposing side of the argument. ...
- Restate your claim.
- Step One: Signal. Identify the claim you are answering. ...
- Step Two: State. Make your (counter) claim. ...
- Step Three: Support. Reference evidence or explain the justification. ...
- Step Four: Summarize.
Arguments can be divided into four general components: claim, reason, support, and warrant. Claims are statements about what is true or good or about what should be done or believed. Claims are potentially arguable.
What are 3 things a good argument should have? ›- All its premises are true. The premise(s), the reasons for accepting the conclusion(s), must be true – or, at least, believable – in order for the argument to be cogent.
- It considers all relevant information. ...
- It is logically valid.
What is a 6 sentence argument? ›
According to Kolbel and Jentges (2018), the Six Sentence Argument (6SA) is defined as “a mini-essay of six sentences that conveys one statement, supports it with one reason, and heads off one important challenge” (p. 120).
What are the 4 types of arguments? ›- Type 1: Deductive Arguments.
- Type 2: Inductive Arguments.
- Type 3: Toulmin Argument.
- Type 4: Rogerian Argument.
A basic essay consists of three main parts: introduction, body, and conclusion. This basic essay format will help you to write and organize an essay. However, flexibility is important. While keeping this basic essay format in mind, let the topic and specific assignment guide the writing and organization.
What is example of argumentative paragraph? ›Example: Although I disagree with much that those who oppose animal testing say, I fully endorse their final conclusion that there are many better alternatives to animal testing.
What 3 things must be used when writing an argumentative essay? ›A clear, persuasive thesis statement in the introduction paragraph. Body paragraphs that use evidence and explanations to support the thesis statement. A paragraph addressing opposing positions on the topic—when appropriate. A conclusion that gives the audience something meaningful to think about.
What is an example of an argumentative text? ›An argument text is a text where the writer is either 'for' or 'against' an issue or subject, or presents the case for both sides. A common example of an argument text a kid may write about in primary school is whether students should have to wear school uniforms.
Which words should not be used in this essay? ›- 1) Contractions. ...
- 2) Idioms. ...
- 3-5) “So on,” “etc,” “and so forth“ ...
- 6) Clichés. ...
- 7-11) “Thing,” “stuff,” “good,” “bad,” “big“ ...
- 12) Slang, jargon, teen speak. ...
- 13) Rhetorical questions. ...
- 14-17) “In terms of,” “needless to say,” “in conclusion,” “it goes without saying“
A “claim” (also known as a “thesis statement” or “argument”) is the central idea of your paragraph or essay and should appear in the first sentence.
What words can you not use in an argumentative essay? ›- Do not use first-person pronouns ("I," "me," "my," "we," "us," etc.). ...
- Avoid addressing readers as "you." ...
- Avoid the use of contractions. ...
- Avoid colloquialism and slang expressions. ...
- Avoid nonstandard diction.