Writing Argumentative Essays- Guide, Samples, and Tips
Introduction
Argumentative essays are a common assignment given to college students by professors. This type of essay aims to convince the reader that your argument is correct, and you need to do so to pass. Luckily, there are many tips from professional writers that can help you write an effective persuasive essay. This post will provide some ideas on crafting the perfect argumentative essay and offer samples and templates for those who need guidance or inspiration when writing their paper.
What is an Argumentative Essay and How Does it Differ from Other Types of Essays?
An argumentative essay is a type of essay used to make an argument, which means it presents a convincing point of view.
The most important thing about this type of essay is that the writer must present their own opinion and not just retell what others have said. This kind of writing makes people think critically and carefully consider the information presented in order to form an educated decision on the topic.
The first thing to consider is the difference between an argumentative essay and other types of essays. An argumentative essay must present a clear point of view, whereas other types like expository or narrative do not require that persuasion. It’s also important to know how this type differs from persuasive writing since both are written to change the reader’s opinion.
An argumentative essay differs from persuasive writing in that the point of view presented must be an original one. In contrast, a persuasive writer can use someone else’s perspective to get readers on their side. It also doesn’t matter how many points are made or who you’re trying to convince; as long as your position is sound, you’re writing an argumentative essay.
If you can’t find any information to back up your position, then it’s not a strong enough argument. Arguments are supposed to rely on facts and use reasoning to convince readers of something.
An argumentative essay also differs from other types of essays because it requires the writer to state explicitly their opinion on a subject, present evidence to support that point of view and refute opposing viewpoints through logical reasoning.
The writer needs to persuade the reader to agree with his point of view by providing logical reasoning for it.
Structure of an Argumentative Essay
The structure of an argumentative essay is composed of the following four parts: introduction, thesis statement, body paragraph and conclusion.
The Introduction or First Paragraph
The introduction is the first paragraph of an argumentative essay. This section should include a hook to capture and hold the reader’s attention while also providing some background information on your thesis statement.
A good hook will grab the reader’s attention. It should include a question or an anecdote that will make readers want to read on and learn more about your thesis statement. If you are writing on a controversial topic, be sure not to take sides too early in the introduction because this could bias one side of the argument before all evidence is considered.
A strong introductory sentence establishes what you will be arguing from the beginning and includes a hook. The introduction must also give some background information on your thesis statement. This is important because any reader who is unfamiliar with this topic will need something to ground them in what you are writing about before they continue reading.
A good way to provide background information would be through a vague overview of the background on your topic. This is to show your reader that you know what the topic is about and they have nothing to worry about because you are qualified.
Thesis Statement
A thesis statement is the central idea of an argumentative essay. It should be concise and contain enough information to state the main opinion on a topic or issue, which will then defend the remainder of the text. A strong thesis statement will have three parts:
A. the claim made
B. the evidence for that claim
C. why this is a thesis statement and not just an opinion
The following is an example of a strong thesis statement.
Thesis Statement: “In my opinion, everyone should have to pass at least one standardized test before they can graduate high school.”
A. The claim made is that all people should be required to take a standardized test to graduate from high school. This statement relies on the evidence of there being many benefits to taking standardized tests.
B. The evidence is that there are many benefits to taking a standardized test, such as being able to receive more scholarships and grants for college, making it easier for students to get into universities of their choice, and increasing graduation rates because the person will be certain about what they want to study in college rather than waiting until they finish high school, and being able to determine better if they are ready for college or not.
C. Why this is a thesis statement is because it has an opinion that will be defended in the remainder of the text (not just stating that everyone should have to take standardized tests). It also states why people would benefit from taking these exams before graduating high school.
The Body Paragraphs
Body paragraphs are the next step in an argumentative essay. These arguments will support your thesis statement and convince the reader that you have a point that should be considered.
Body paragraphs can break down into three parts: introduction, body, and conclusion. The introduction should include two to three sentences explaining how this paragraph supports or refutes your original claim. The body should continue to provide evidence for your claim. Finally, the conclusion should summarize everything you have said in this paragraph and make a final statement about whether or not it supports your original argument.
The following is an example of a body paragraph that supports the original claim.
Body Paragraph: “Since standardized tests are so beneficial to students, they should be required for them to graduate.”
Introduction: This paragraph will offer evidence as to why all high school graduates should have taken at least one standardized test before graduating from high school.
Body: This paragraph will give evidence as to why standardized tests should be required for all high school graduates, such as being able to receive more scholarships and grants for college, making it easier for students to get into universities of their choice, increasing graduation rates because the person will be certain about what they want to study in college rather than waiting until they finish high school, and being able to determine better if they are ready for college or not.
Conclusion: This paragraph will state that this body paragraph supports the original claim because it provides evidence of why all high school graduates should have taken at least one standardized test before graduating from high school.
Conclusion
The conclusion is an opportunity to summarize and synthesize the main points of your argument. This is a chance to leave readers with something they can take away from what you have written, so be sure to mention anything that was not mentioned in more detail earlier on. You should also make one last point about why this topic matters for people reading it.
Finally, you should explicitly state your position on the issue. If you were arguing against a particular belief or action, then remarking that this is not something readers should do would be appropriate.
The following is an example of a conclusion paragraph that supports the original claim:
I would like to conclude by supporting my opinion with evidence from various sources, such as showing how standardized testing has helped students in the past and that there are many benefits to taking these tests.
It is important for all high school graduates to take one of these exams before graduating to get a better idea of what career path or college major they would like and how prepared they are for higher education. This will also help them be successful in their future career because they will have the necessary skills.
Therefore, I argue that all high school graduates should take a standardized test before graduating to get a better idea of what they want for themselves and how prepared they are for higher education.
Standardized tests can help prepare students for college or determine if it is time to go to college. It is up to the student to take a standardized test before graduating, but I recommend that all high school graduates take at least one of these exams to be prepared and successful in their future careers.
The 3 Types of Arguments in Argumentative Essays
Argumentative essays have the 3 most common types of arguments that you are likely to encounter. They include;
1. Classical argument
2. Rogerian argument
3. Toulmin’s argument
Classical Argument
A classical argument is an argumentative essay that is straightforward. It is the most basic type of argument in an essay. The writer either defends the claim or attacks it.
The flow of a classical argument is structured like this;
– The writer presents the claim.
– They defend or attack it, giving counter-arguments to prove their point.
– The conclusion provides an overall summary and justification for why they made that particular decision.
Example: “Carrots are good for your health.” If you agree with that statement, then you will defend it with arguments like:
– Carrots are a natural source of vitamin A, which is essential for healthy vision.
– Carrots contain beta carotene and other beneficial antioxidants which fight cancer cells in the body.
If you disagree or don’t have an opinion on that statement, you would attack it by giving counter-arguments.
– Carrots are high in sugar and calories, making them bad for people with diabetes or a weight problem.
– Root vegetables will always have more nutrients than those that grow above ground because they get their nutrition from where they’re grown (in this case, the earth).
The conclusion provides an overall summary and justification for why they made that particular decision.
Rogerian Argument
Carl Rogers, a psychologist, popularized the Rogerian argument in his book “On Becoming a Person” (1961). He defines it as “a method of presenting one’s ideas so that another person can become more interested and involved with what is being said. The speaker doesn’t use facts or logic to persuade the audience but instead uses empathy and understanding”.
The Rogerian argument is also known as empathic listening, reflective listening or active listening. This type of argument has three steps: empathy, reflection and summarization. The first step is to listen actively by not interrupting the other person while talking about a problem they have (empathy). It is important to reflect on what the speaker said and think about it from their perspective. This will lead you to understand their point of view (reflection) fully. The final step is that one should summarize, or rephrase in her own words, what she has heard the other person say before offering a response (summarization)
The Rogerian argument has advantages and disadvantages. One advantage is that it does not use logic or facts to persuade the audience, which makes it less aggressive than an adversarial approach. Another advantage of using this technique is that it will probably lead you on a path towards mutual understanding, where both parties can explore each other’s points of view.
The disadvantages are that it requires the listener to be very empathetic and reflect on without the need for a winner. Another disadvantage is the inability to know beforehand what kind of response will be most helpful.
The Rogerian argument has been used in many college essays and is a good structure because it allows one to understand both sides of an issue without bias. It also encourages mutual understanding, which can lead to more productive discussions that are not as aggressive or adversarial.
Toulmin Argument
Credited to Stephen E. Toulmin, the Toulmin argument is a formal form of reasoning that employs the following structure of 6 steps:
Step One: Claim (statement of the thesis)
Step Two: Reasoning & Evidence to support the claim
Step Three: Definition/Clarification of terms to avoid ambiguity or misunderstanding.
Step Four: Counter-argument and any subsequent rebuttal arguments that may arise from counter-arguments, if applicable
Step Five: Evidence to support counter-argument
Step Six: Conclusion (a summary of the main points in an argument)
A six-step process typically organizes the Toulmin Argument. The first three steps are called the “contentions.” These contentions establish that there is some agreement about what evidence will be used and what it means. The next three steps are called the “warrant.” This statement of how what has been established in the first half of an argument relates to or supports the conclusion.
The Toulmin Argument can be summarized as Claim, Reasoning & Evidence, Definition/Clarification, Counter-argument and any subsequent rebuttal arguments, Evidence to support the counter-argument, and Conclusion.
5 Tips for Writing a Strong, Compelling Argumentative Essay
- Know your audience
- Research the topic thoroughly
- Argue with conviction and make sure to support each point of your argument with evidence from credible sources. Make a strong opening statement that will leave readers wanting more, but don’t forget about the conclusion – it’s important for any essay!
- Use transitions when you start talking about a new point in your essay
- Don’t forget the most important part of any argumentative essay; to present both sides of an opposing argument and then refute it with sound evidence.
Samples of Successful Argumentative Essays
Sample#1
There are many things that we can do to raise the quality of life in our community. One example is installing streetlights on all major roads within city limits and a curfew for minors under 18 years old after dark, requiring parents or guardians to sign off every evening before their children leave the house.
The reasoning behind this proposal is that it would make the streets safer for children. The installation of streetlights is a relatively inexpensive measure and has been shown to reduce crime rates in other cities.
Another reason why this proposal seems like an excellent idea is because even though with all the advancements in technology, there are still some people who have trouble using smartphones or tablets at night. This is a problem because people do many things at night, like taking care of children or working late shifts, and they rely on streetlights to see where they’re walking.
There are also health benefits associated with this proposal, such as the reduced risk for obesity-related diseases, which can be caused by sitting inside all day and not getting enough physical activity.
There is no reason why this proposal should be shot down, as it will benefit everyone, especially children who are most vulnerable to the effects of outdoor crime rates.
You may also be interested in informative speech topics!
Sample#2
In this essay, I am going to argue that canines are not as intelligent and cunning as felines. It is a common belief in the animal kingdom that dogs are intrinsically more docile than cats. This may be because they have been domesticated for such a long time. In contrast, only about ten thousand years ago did people domesticate cats.
Dogs are often seen as loyal companions to humans and have been involved in many famous stories such as Lassie, The Dog of Pompeii (1908) or Black Beauty. This is because they tend to be more obedient than a cat. A dog will generally do what its owner tells them without question. Cats, on the other hand, are not so easy to train. They can be very independent and contrary creatures that do not take kindly to being told what to do.
One possible advantage for felines is their ability to climb trees. This gives them a vantage point over some of their prey or potential threats like dogs might have from below. In contrast, while dogs can also climb trees, they are not as adept at it.
An example of this is when a dog will bark up a tree to scare the animal down or bark at an intruder on its territory to protect its family. This may work for smaller animals, but larger prey can easily out-muscle and chase a dog away.
However, dogs have one clear advantage over cats: they are more likely to come when called by their owner than the cat is. When you call your pet cat, it may not even look up from what it’s doing because its curiosity has been satisfied with whatever was interesting at that moment in time.
Dogs also have better eyesight than cats. They can make out more details and are easier to train because they respond well to body language, whereas a cat must often be verbally told what is expected of them.
There is an old saying that goes, “dogs don’t need a leash; their leash is the walk.” This is because they are very obedient and will not wander off if given a chance to do so. Cats, on the other hand, may be more prone to going off exploring at their own pace.
On average, dogs live longer than cats; however, a cat’s lifespan can vary greatly depending on the type of diet it takes or how much care it receives. Cats generally have a longer average lifespan than dogs because they are more prone to catching diseases and live healthier lives in general due to their independence and ability to hunt for food on their own.
A dog’s diet is typically limited only by what its owner will feed them or whatever scraps that may be left behind from the owner’s meal. Cats are more likely to have a well-balanced diet that includes fresh meat, fruits and vegetables because they hunt for their own food to survive.
Cats also require less care than dogs do. They can go long periods of time without being fed or watered, which is not always the case with some dog breeds. This is because cats can feed themselves, unlike a dog who relies on its owner to provide sustenance for it, which makes them higher maintenance pets in general.
For these reasons, I believe that felines are more clever and cunning than canines. They can be independent if they so choose but also know when to come running back for some love and affection.
Sample#3
The article argues that a new law should be established to regulate the use of social media in schools. Students, teachers and administrators need to understand how this creates both positive and negative consequences on academic performance and mental health as well as their privacy.
The authors believe that many factors, such as age or personality types, determine how social media can affect an individual’s performance and mental health. The authors also believe that there should be some limitations on using social media in schools to protect students’ privacy and safety.
Overall, this article makes two points: firstly, with increased access to technology such as social networks and cell phones, people find new ways to communicate, which can have both positive and negative impacts on performance at school and mental health. Secondly, the article argues that there should be some limitations on social media use in schools to protect students and teachers from negative impacts such as cyber-bullying.
The authors note that different personality types can have vastly different reactions to using social networks or cell phones at school: extroverts might find it motivating, introverts might find it distracting, and ambiverts may or may not have a strong reaction either way. All of these different reactions can cause problems in the classroom when some people are interacting while others are trying to focus on their work.
The article continues to argue that there should be limitations on social media use at school because it could lead to cyber-bullying and spying. Students might be too distracted by the internet to do their work, or they could have dangerous interactions with people outside of school who are watching them online.
Finally, the article suggests that schools should provide a safe environment for students to learn in and asks educators to focus on being present with their students rather than relying too heavily on technology.
In conclusion, this article argues that social media has both positive and negative impacts on performance at school and mental health. It also recommends limitations of social media use in schools to protect students and teachers from negative impacts like cyber-bullying.
You can also check more examples of argumentative essays!
Common Mistakes in Argumentative Essays that can be Avoided with Practice
Common mistakes that students make while writing an argumentative essay include:
-Failing to take the time to research or plan an essay beforehand and instead relying on their own opinion. This can result in a poorly thought-out argument with no evidence, which will lead any reader to disagree with it.
-Choosing inflammatory language when describing opposing arguments that are unnecessary and do more harm than good for your argument.
Not coming up with a solid conclusion at the end of an essay leaves readers feeling disappointed or confused about what you are trying to say.
-Omitting evidence that contradicts your argument. The evidence for an argument always needs to be as strong or stronger than the opposing arguments; otherwise, it will not hold up.
-Focusing on attacking a subject rather than presenting your own point of view and reasoning with sound evidence. This can lead you into having many points that are simply opinionated statements without backing them up sufficiently enough.
-Failing to use link words or transitions when you start talking about a new point in your essay. This can make it difficult for readers to follow what you are saying and create the illusion that your points contradict each other.
Using language that is too technical or using jargon without defining terms first will confuse any reader trying to read your essay.
-Presenting an argument that is too one-sided, will not convince readers to agree with you. An argument should always present the opposite point of view and address why it might be valid before dismissing it entirely.
Failing to consider how different people or cultures could interpret your message differently from what you intended can lead you to offend people unintentionally.
Failing to cite your evidence will make it appear as though you are making false statements and not providing any reasoning for why they should believe them.
-Not using the sources in your essay correctly or failing to credit them properly enough if found elsewhere. This is a common problem for students who use block quotes and paraphrasing sentences instead of citing sources specifically.
In conclusion, the most important thing for students writing an argumentative essay is to make sure they use sound evidence and stay on topic – this will help you avoid common mistakes in persuasive or argumentative essays. Remember that it’s better to be too careful than not enough when composing any formal essay. Lastly, you should know that argumentative essays are often used in the following situations:
-to bring up a disagreement and present your opinion on it.
-to dispute an argument.
-in debates, to counter the arguments of others with evidence from research or personal experience.
In all these cases, you should try to take the perspective that people who disagree may be right somehow – this will help you make your arguments more convincing.
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