A good argument in an essay on literature has:
Perhaps it is helpful to think of an essay in terms of a conversation or debate with a classmate. If I were to discuss the cause of World War II and its current effect on those who lived through the tumultuous time, there would be a beginning, middle, and end to the conversation. In fact, if I were to end the argument in the middle of my second point, questions would arise concerning the current effects on those who lived through the conflict. Therefore, the argumentative essay must be complete, and logically so, leaving no doubt as to its intent or argument.
A common method for writing an argumentative essay is the five-paragraph approach. This is, however, by no means the only formula for writing such essays. If it sounds straightforward, that is because it is; in fact, the method consists of (a) an introductory paragraph (b) three evidentiary body paragraphs that may include discussion of opposing views and (c) a conclusion. There are many possible approaches to argumentative essays, but there are two common models that can help you start your arguments: The Toulmin model and the Rogerian model. Complex issues and detailed research call for complex and detailed essays. Argumentative essays discussing a number of research sources or empirical research will most certainly be longer than five paragraphs. Authors may have to discuss the context surrounding the topic, sources of information and their credibility, as well as a number of different opinions on the issue before concluding the essay. Many of these factors will be determined by the assignment. The Toulmin model is a common approach in academic essays. You don’t have to use these specific terms (grounds, warrants, rebuttals), but establishing a clear connection between your claims and the evidence supporting them is crucial in an argumentative essay. You may be surprised to hear that the word “argument” does not have to be written anywhere in your assignment for it to be an important part of your task. In fact, making an argument—expressing a point of view on a subject and supporting it with evidence—is often the aim of academic writing. Your instructors may assume that you know this and thus may not explain the importance of arguments in class. You don’t necessarily have to pick one of these models—you may even use elements of both in different parts of your essay—but it’s worth considering them if you struggle to structure your arguments.
Here are eight strategies to craft a compelling argumentative essay:
Like other academic essays, an argumentative essay begins with an . The introduction serves to capture the reader’s interest, provide background information, present your , and (in longer essays) to summarize the structure of the body.
An argumentative essay is an that takes a side.
The of an argumentative essay is where you develop your arguments in detail. Here you’ll present evidence, analysis, and reasoning to convince the reader that your thesis statement is true.
So how exactly do we write the argumentative essay?
In a bustling university town, there lived a student named Alex. Popular for creativity and wit, one challenge seemed insurmountable for Alex– the dreaded argumentative essay!
For more examples of types of argumentative essays, .
One gloomy afternoon, as the rain tapped against the window pane, Alex sat at his cluttered desk, staring at a blank document on the computer screen. The assignment loomed large: a 350-600-word argumentative essay on a . With a sigh, he decided to seek help of mentor, Professor Mitchell, who was known for his passion for writing.
An exceptionally written argumentative essay will:
I'm in the process of writing an argumentative essay for an English assignment and I'm a bit stuck. Can someone give me a brief breakdown of how to structure my essay and any tips for organizing my thoughts?
Example topics of an argumentative essay:
When writing an argumentative essay, it's essential to follow a clear structure and present your thoughts logically. Here's a brief breakdown of the steps to write an effective argumentative essay:
Argumentative Essay Example (PDF)
Alex confessed his struggles with the argumentative essay. After hearing his concerns, Professor Mitchell said, “Ah, the argumentative essay! Don’t worry, Let’s take a look at it together.” As he guided Alex to the corner shelf, Alex asked,