Argumentative Essay Format and Structure that Works
Introduction
An argumentative essay is a formal academic writing style that requires a thesis or main point to be proven. There are three types of arguments: deductive, inductive, and causal.
A basic outline for an argumentative paper looks like this:
- Introduction Paragraph (Thesis Statement)
- At least 3 Body paragraphs each with supporting evidence
- Conclusion Paragraph
Argumentative Essay Outline
Argumentative Essay Introduction
Usually, the introduction of an argumentative essay is one of the easier parts of a paper to write.
(Full essay is at the end of the article)
The introduction paragraph has three main goals:
- Thesis Statement – define your position on this issue and introduce it very clearly so that readers know what you will be discussing in the body paragraphs. This statement should also indicate what type of argument you will be making in your essay.
Thesis Statement: This paper will discuss the need for gun control.
2. Turning point – this is where you define your opposition’s position so that readers can get an idea of where they stand on the issue. This is also a good place to include any statistics or facts that you want readers to know before reading the body paragraphs.
Turning Point: According to gun-owner surveys, more than 50 percent of all households in the United States own at least one firearm, and may use their guns for protection. In addition, it is estimated that by the time they reach 18, children will have seen more than 20,000 acts of violence on television.
3. Significance – briefly explain why the issue you are discussing is important to a reader or group of readers. What does it mean to them? Do they live in an area where open carry laws are allowed? This is also a good time to include an anecdote to help readers see why this issue is important to you.
Introduction:
This paper will discuss the need for gun control. *This statement should also indicate what type of argument you will be making in your essay. * According to gun-owner surveys, more than 50 percent of all households in the United States own at least one firearm, and many use their guns for protection. In addition, it is estimated that by the time they reach 18, children will have seen more than 20,000 acts of violence on television.
Body Paragraphs with Supporting Pieces of Evidence
The main portion of an essay is made up of body paragraphs. Each body paragraph should have a topic sentence, at least three supporting sentences, and a conclusion sentence that wraps up the paragraph’s point.
Body Paragraph 1: According to Dave Workman, Communications Director for the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, when carrying guns was first allowed in Florida, the state’s gun homicide rate dropped by more than a third. In fact, the 13 states that have passed concealed carry laws since 1991 have seen their violent crime rate decline after the law went into effect.
Body Paragraph 2: Research shows that many cities with strict gun control laws also have the highest rates of gun-related crimes. For instance, in Washington, D.C., which bans handguns and has extremely strict gun control laws, more than twice as many families have been affected by gun violence compared to Arlington, Texas, where there are very few restrictions on guns.
Body Paragraph 3: When someone is attacked with a knife, it’s almost unheard of for that person to attack the attacker back. However, in recent years about 10 percent of those shot have returned fire. This means that guns deter violence; without them, people are at the mercy of violent criminals.
Argumentative Essay Conclusion
The conclusion of an argumentative essay should restate the paper’s position and where it stands on the issue. In addition, a good conclusion will also define what the writer learned from writing the essay.
Conclusions should be brief and to the point; they are not a place for authors to give their opinions or convince readers of their points.
Conclusion: It is important to understand that we live in a world where violence exists. Violence is all around us, and if defensive weapons weren’t available, there would be many more violent crimes than there are already. As a nation, we need to reopen a dialogue about the real-life issues of gun control; then, perhaps we can prevent tragedies like the shootings in Sandy Hook from ever happening again.
You may also check cause and effect topics
3 Types of Arguments in an Argumentative Essay
Arguments in an argumentative essay are based on 3 types of approaches. The Aristotelian approach, the Rogerian approach, and the Toulmin approach. Each of these arguments has its own set of skills.
1. The Aristotelian Argument
This type of argument is based on the premise that the truth of an argument depends on its reason or logic. Aristotle developed a system of logic that is based on syllogism. The syllogism consists of two premises and a conclusion. The Aristotelian argument does not consider the preferences or prejudices of readers as factors in deciding whether an argument is good or bad.
2. The Rogerian Argument
This type of argument has its root in the work of Carl Rogers, a pioneer in the field of counsellorship. The Rogerian argument bases its premises on people’s personal preferences and prejudices. People decide whether an argument is logically correct or not based on their own feelings and emotions.
3. The Toulmin Argument
This type of argument is similar to the Aristotelian one, except that it bases its premises on scientific reasoning rather than logic. The Toulmin approach uses empirical data as evidence to support its claims.
Tips on How to Write an argumentative essay.
When writing an argumentative essay, it is important to combine good grammar and good spelling with a good understanding of the topic. Here are some more tips which will help you write a good paper:
- Think about what your audience already knows about the subject. If they know nothing, make sure to include historical background information.
- Do not be afraid to cite references or use facts to support your point of view. Just make sure that you do not exaggerate anything, as this can lead readers astray.
- If you are using historical background, make sure to explain how it affects people today.
- Make sure to check out online resources for good content ideas whenever writing an argumentative essay.
- Find a good balance between telling your reader what you think, what other people think, and why they might think something differently. This will help keep the readers interested in reading about your topic.
- Counterarguments may be good to consider, but it is important to make sure they are valid counterarguments.
- Make good use of your time by using a good planning technique. This will help you build the paper in an organized manner and format any citations and references correctly.
- Point of view is a good factor to consider; make sure to stick with one throughout the paper.
- A good argumentative essay has good transitions between paragraphs that keep the reader interested throughout the essay.
You may also check essay analysis examples
Example of an Argumentative Essay
This paper will discuss the need for gun control. *This statement should also indicate what type of argument you will be making in your essay*. According to gun-owner surveys, more than 50 percent of all households in the United States own at least one firearm and may use their guns for protection. In addition, it is estimated that by the time they reach 18, children will have seen more than 20,000 acts of violence on television.
According to Dave Workman, Communications Director for the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, when carrying guns was first allowed in Florida, the state’s gun homicide rate dropped by more than a third. In fact, the 13 states that have passed concealed carry laws since 1991 have seen their violent crime rate decline after the law went into effect.
Research shows that many cities with strict gun control laws also have the highest rates of gun-related crimes. For instance, in Washington, D.C., which bans handguns and has extremely strict gun control laws, more than twice as many families have been affected by gun violence compared to Arlington, Texas, where there are very few restrictions on guns.
When someone is attacked with a knife, it’s almost unheard of for that person to attack the attacker back. However, in recent years about 10 percent of those shot have returned fire. This means that guns deter violence; without them, people are at the mercy of violent criminals.
You can check more examples of argumentative essays!
