Argumentative Essay

Learn how to write a professional argumentative essay on your own

Strong argument is your key

Finding a Topic

• The length of your paper will determine the scope of your topic
• The first topic you come up with might be broad, but your paper should narrow down the topic into something manageable

Example: you might want to write about "kindergarten redshirting" (the practice of holding a child back an extra year before he or she starts kindergarten). You have a topic, but you need to consider how you are going to approach it in your paper

• Sometimes, it is helpful to formulate questions

For instance, "Does the practice of kindergarten redshirting tend to have positive or negative outcomes for the child?"

• Next, you need to decide your position

Research

• You need to have a handle on all the facts before you can present a convincing argument
• This means researching all sides of a particular issue... even the ones you don't agree with
• Be sure to use reputable sources (peer-reviewed journals and books, official websites, newspapers, and so forth)

The Thesis

Once you have researched your topic and chosen your position you are ready to formulate your thesis. A thesis states your claim, or argument.

It is usually only a sentence or two, and is specific, and debatable. You don't want your thesis to be wishy-washy.

A weak thesis might be something like this: "There are pros and cons to kindergarten redshirting." This thesis does not make a claim. There are pros and cons to everything. From the thesis, all we know is the topic of the essay.

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Let's try again: "Although there are many pros and cons to kindergarten redshirting, the benefits tend to outweigh the problems." It's getting a little better. We roughly know the writer's stance. It seems to be debatable. But, it's not as specific as it could be.

One more try: "Kindergarten redshirting has its opponents and its supporters, but when used wisely, it can lead to academic achievement for all students and an improved classroom atmosphere."

Now, we know that the essay is going to argue that kindergarten redshirting is generally a good thing, and that positive results can be found in both academic achievement and classroom environment. The writer is making a specific claim and also highlighting the general direction of the essay.

Writing an Introduction

The introduction has a few major functions.

• It interests, or hooks the reader
• It announces your topic
• It contains the thesis statement

Although there is no standard order for these elements, it is helpful to think of your introduction as an upside-down triangle. It tends to move from a more general statement (the wide part of the triangle) to a more focused statement (the point of the triangle). Although not required, many writers find it useful to end the introduction with the thesis statement.

The Body of the Paper: Presenting Your Evidence

The body of the argumentative essay is dedicated to presenting the evidence that backs up the thesis statement. The length of the body varies from essay to essay, and is dependent on the scope of your topic. At minimum the body should be 3 paragraphs long, but most are longer. There are a number of things to keep in mind when writing the essay's body.

• This is the meat of your paper. Consider the order of your ideas. It is sometimes helpful to make an outline where you list main ideas and the points that will support each idea.
• You also need to acknowledge (and refute, if possible) counterarguments. This shows the reader that you are aware of all sides of the issue, but yet your argument is the best one.
• Use effective persuasive tools. Appeal to authority by citing experts and studies. Use strong, clear language.
• Document your sources as indicated by your instructor. Be careful to attribute quotes, facts, and ideas you got from outside sources.

Conclusion

If the introduction was an upside-down triangle, the conclusion can be thought of as a regular triangle, with the point on top. You can begin with specifics (often restating your thesis or the implications of your thesis), and then gradually "back out" of the essay by making more general statements.

Revision

As with all essays, spend time rereading and revising your essay.

Having reviewed your final revised version try to evaluate the level of your work. It might not be perfect, though the basics that you learnt from the above advice are supposed to be reflected. And this is good, because be sure that every new custom argumentative term paper will be way better and way more professional.