How to Write an Argumentative Essay
What is the Purpose of an Argumentative Essay?
An argumentative essay seeks to advance a position one has on a given issue. The essay requires that the student investigates the topic, collects and evaluates evidence, and then establishes a standpoint in a clear and concise manner. It is important that you do not confuse an argumentative essay with a persuasive essay. You might embark on the assignment trying to argue your point but end up persuading instead. Evidently, the ultimate objective of the two types of essays is to prove that your point of view is more weighty.
How Do I Ensure My Essay is Argumentative?
The distinction between argumentative and persuasive essays lies in how they present the viewpoint they express. When writing the former, use facts, reasoning, and logic to make your point more agreeable with. In the latter type of essay, the conventional way is the application of emotional influence and moral reasoning rather than the facts.
Outline of an Argumentative Essay
Argumentative essays are reasonably simple in their organization. Just like many other forms of essays, you should have an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. Each part of the essay carries with it significant points that will determine how good it gets.
a) Introduction and thesis statement
The introduction part of part of an argumentative essay usually explains your topic or controversy and ends with the thesis statement. Start your introduction in a manner that captures your audiences attention and propels them to read through the entire essay. One way you can achieve this is by presenting a shocking fact or presenting the title as a question. For example, if writing about crime and punishment, your title can be “Does Punishment Really Deter Crime?” or you can quote a statistic that supports or disputes the controversial issue in the introduction paragraph.
Before you begin actual writing, you need to come with a thesis statement. The thesis statement should be put in your introduction part of the argumentative essay, usually at the end of the introductory paragraph. Your thesis statement should present your idea in a concise manner, phrased in a one-two sentences that sums your standpoint on the issue. Ensure that the thesis statement reveals the position that you will take concerning your theme. For example, if the topic is about the effectiveness of capital punishment, you can argue that; capital punishment is both ineffective and immoral in combating murder crimes.
Remember, the thesis statement is usually the last sentence or sentences in your introductory paragraph.
b) Body
The body of your argumentative essay should elaborate the reasons why your intended audience should concur with your argument or point of view. The initial step in this direction is to develop several reasons that you will use to convince the audience to agree with your position. These reasons should form your topic sentences, backed by relevant evidence of course. You can use examples, cite authoritative figures, statistics, or even use anecdotes to support your argument. Connectors such as “if…then” and “…then it follows that…” can render your position very plausible in the long run.
Apart from trying to convince your audience, your arguments should anticipate remonstrations and counter them effectively. You should counter objections and opposition by presenting responses to questions that your audience might have well in advance. Also, remember, since this is an argumentative essay, you should answer anticipated opposition with evidence and strong arguments. Identify some of the positions that your opposition might take on the topic and then advance your reasons for not supporting those positions.
c) Conclusion
The conclusion forms the last part of your argumentative essay. At this point, it is important to echo some statements from your arguments before concluding the matter. The first restatement can be your thesis statement, rephrased to assertive your point of view more confidently and without the addition of new material information. You can also rephrase some of the key points from your argumentative essay to make your argument more assertive.
Lastly, make an overall statement that sums up what you have been trying to say in the essay. Such a statement should signify the quality of thesis or even the repercussions that might theoretically arise if your point of view is accepted or implemented. Ending your argumentative essay in this manner reinvigorates and validates your arguments. The ending also gives your essay a greater appeal overall.
Ensure that your conclusion is not just a summary of the arguments presented in the essay.
Remember, avoid presenting emotional arguments in your argumentative essay as much as possible. Cold facts are more effective since they are indisputable. Stick to the facts, organize your work, and then observe grammatical and syntactical rules and you are good to go.
The basic format of your argumentative essay should encompass an introduction and context of the controversial issue, your arguments supporting your thesis statement and backed by evidence in the body, refutations to counter-arguments, and then the conclusion asserting your position.
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