What Are Argumentative Essays?
An argumentative essay is a type of essay that requires you to support a clear and specific stance on an issue. That is, instead of simply presenting and expressing your opinion, you have to provide factual evidence and logical support to persuade the reader.
Good reasoning and proper argumentation are the cornerstones of argumentative essays. However, contrary to its name, it doesn't have to be aggressive. Instead, it's about presenting a compelling case with logic and evidence. Moreover, unlike persuasive essays, they do not rely on emotion and rhetoric.
How to Structure an Argumentative Essay? 3 Types of Argumentative Models
Arguments can be structured in 3 effective ways. Depending on your topic and the types of claims and arguments you are going to present, one of these 3 ways will turn out to be the most effective.
Let’s take a look at each one of the argumentative essay formats and learn how to use them.
Classical or Aristotelian Model
The classical or Aristotelian argument is the most common and traditional way of structuring an argumentative essay. It follows a simple and logical format that consists of six components, each of which builds on the other and leads logically to the next.
Here’s what the Aristotelian argument consists of:
- Introduce and present your stance
- Provide the main arguments and evidence that support your stance
- Present opposite perspectives
- Refute counterarguments and opposing views
- Strengthen your argument with further support and refutation
- Conclude and summarize your main points and arguments of the essay
Toulmin Model
The Toulmin Model is named after its creator Stephen Toulmin, who wrote about it in his book The Uses of Argument (1958).
It is commonly used for academic writing because it helps break down complex issues into smaller parts that are easier to understand. Also, it forces the writer to present evidence thoroughly, leaving no gaps.
This type of argument includes six elements:
- Claims
- Data/evidence
- Warrant (the bridge between claim & data)
- Backing (additional support for warrant)
- Qualifier (limits scope)
- Rebuttal/counterargument
The goal here is to provide logical proof rather than just emotional appeals.
Rogerian Model
The Rogerian Argument takes a unique and empathetic approach to structure. Developed by psychologist Carl Rogers, this method focuses on finding common ground between opposing views.
Here’s how it is structured:
- Introduce the topic in general without taking a firm stance
- Exploring different perspectives and stances one-by-one
- Focus on finding common ground between opposing views
- Conclusion proposing a compromise or solution respecting both sides
Check out our guide on argumentative essay outline to learn how to use these models effectively!
5 Steps to Write an Argumentative Essay (With Tips!)
Here is a step-by-step explanation of how to write an argumentative essay.
Step 1. Find a Compelling Topic
The first step of writing an argumentative essay is to find a suitable topic that interests you, and that has two or more conflicting sides.
You should choose a topic that is relevant, debatable, and researchable and that you have some knowledge or opinion about. You should also consider your audience and purpose and what kind of argument you want to make.
Some tips to help you find a suitable topic are:
- Brainstorm some ideas: Brainstorm some ideas that suit your personal interests. You can use mind maps or lists to organize your thoughts and generate more ideas.
- Narrow down the topic: Narrow down your topic by focusing on a specific aspect, issue, or question that you want to explore. You should be able to choose a specific stance on the topic.
- Evaluate the topic: Evaluate your topic by checking its feasibility, availability, and relevance. You should make sure that you can find enough credible and reliable sources to support your argument and that your topic is interesting and important for your audience.
Step 2. Research on the Topic
Once you have a topic, dive deep into it. That is, do your research on the topic and gather relevant and reliable information and evidence that could support your argument.
You should also read other’s views and arguments on the topic and understand their strengths and weaknesses. Researching the topic will help you to develop your own perspective and position on the issue and to prepare for any counter arguments or objections that you may encounter.
Some tips to help you research on the topic are:
- Use different sources: Use a variety of sources, such as books, journals, articles, websites, or reports. You should also use primary and secondary sources and avoid sources that are outdated, biased, or unreliable.
- Analyze the sources: Evaluate your sources by checking their credibility, accuracy, relevance, and purpose. You should make sure that your sources provide accurate information, that they relate to your topic and argument, and that they have a clear and objective purpose.
- Note down for later use: Note down your sources along the way so you can cite them properly later in the essay.
Step 3. Create an Outline
Make an outline to organize all the information that you have researched. See which points you want to write and which should be omitted.
As you’ve noted down all the information, sources, and points, it’s time to outline exactly how these components will work together. Follow these tips to create an argumentative essay outline:
- Follow a structure: Choose a type of argumentative structure that suits your topic and purpose. You can choose classic, Rogerian, or Toulmin models. choose the one that best fits your topic and purpose.
- Write the thesis statement: Write your thesis statement in the outline. It should convey the central point of your essay and clarify your stance.
- Divide sections: Use headings and subheadings to divide your essay into sections and subsections. You should use consistent and descriptive headings and subheadings to label the main parts of your essay.
- List out your ideas: Use bullet points or numbers to list your ideas and evidence under each heading or subheading. You should use bullet points or numbers to outline the main ideas and evidence that you will use to support your argument in each section or subsection.
Here’s a sample template you can follow:
I. Introduction
II. Body Paragraphs Paragraph 1 (Supporting Claim 1)
Paragraph 2 (Supporting Claim 2)
Paragraph 3 (Supporting Claim 3)
III. Opposing Argument and Rebuttal
IV. Conclusion
|
Here’s an argumentative essay outline example on the topic of abortion:
Step 4. Write the First Draft
With an outline in hand, you can start your essay right away. The first draft is the rough version of your essay, where you put your ideas and evidence into sentences and paragraphs based on your outline.
Remember, the first draft is not the final version of your essay, and you can always revise and improve it later. So just focus on putting your ideas into words during this step.
With these tips, you can make the most out of it:
- Write in a flow: Allow yourself to write freely without worrying too much about perfection. Use different types of arguments as you see fit. This helps to get your thoughts on paper without overthinking.
- Follow the outline: Stick to the structure you outlined, moving from one point to the next. This helps maintain a logical flow and ensures you cover all essential aspects of your argument.
- Take short breaks: Writing the first draft can be a demanding process. Take short breaks to refresh your mind. Returning to your draft with a clear focus can enhance the quality of your writing.
Start With the Introduction
The introduction sets the stage for your entire essay, capturing the reader's attention and providing a roadmap for what lies ahead. Here are key elements to consider when crafting the introduction for your essay:
- Hook the Reader: Begin with a compelling hook that grabs the reader's attention. This could be a thought-provoking question, a relevant quote, or a surprising fact. Engage your audience from the outset to encourage them to continue reading.
- Provide Background: Offer a brief overview of the topic to provide context for your argument. This helps readers understand the significance of the subject matter and why it is worth exploring.
- Present the Thesis Statement: Clearly state your thesis statement, which is the central argument or main point of your essay. The thesis should be concise, specific, and reflective of the claims you will support throughout the essay. This serves as a roadmap for both you and your readers.
Write the Body Paragraphs
The body paragraphs are where you delve into the details and present evidence to support your claims. Follow these guidelines to write the body paragraphs effectively:
- Start With a Clear Topic Sentence: Begin each body paragraph with a concise and clear topic sentence that introduces the main point of the paragraph. This sentence acts as a mini-thesis, outlining what the paragraph will discuss.
- Provide Evidence and Examples: Support your claims with relevant evidence and examples. This can include facts, statistics, expert opinions, or real-life examples. Ensure that your evidence directly relates to the point you're making and reinforces the overall thesis of your essay.
- Explain and Analyze Evidence: Don't assume that your readers will automatically understand the significance of your evidence. Take the time to explain how the evidence supports your argument and why it is credible. Analyze the evidence to show its relevance and impact on your overall point.
- Connect Back to the Thesis: Conclude each body paragraph by linking them back to your thesis. This reinforces the overall coherence of your argument and helps readers understand how each point contributes to your overarching claim.
- Maintain a Logical Flow: Ensure a smooth transition between paragraphs by organizing them logically. Each paragraph should build on the previous one, creating a cohesive narrative. Use transitional phrases to guide your readers through your argument.
Wrap Up the Essay in the Conclusion
The conclusion is your final opportunity to leave a lasting impression on the reader and solidify your argument. It should bring your essay to a satisfying close while reinforcing the key points you've made throughout.
Here's a guide on how to effectively write the conclusion:
- Restate the Thesis: Begin your conclusion by restating your thesis statement in a slightly different way. This helps remind the reader of the central argument and reinforces the focus of your essay.
- Summarize Key Points: Provide a concise summary of the main points discussed in the body paragraphs. Revisit the critical aspects of your argument to emphasize their importance and relevance to the overall topic.
- End with a Strong Closing Statement: Depending on the nature of your argument, consider suggesting a call to action or discussing the broader implications of your thesis. Encourage the reader to reflect on the implications of your argument in a real-world context.
Step 5. Revise and Edit - (And Repeat Until Finished)
Finally, as you finish your draft, you need to edit and polish it until it’s perfect. Proofreading and editing will improve the quality, clarity, and accuracy of your essay. It is also essential to eliminate any errors, inconsistencies, or gaps.
Moreover, it will also help you to polish your style, tone, and voice. Here are some tips you should follow while polishing your drafts:
- Read it out loud: Read your essay aloud or use a text-to-speech tool. Reading your essay aloud will help you to catch any grammatical, spelling, punctuation, or syntax errors, as well as any awkward or unclear sentences or phrases. It makes it easy to see how your essay flows and realize any inconsistencies in tone and style.
- Use online tools: Use online tools or software to check your essay. These tools or software can help you to enhance your grammar, spelling, vocabulary, readability, and style, and to avoid plagiarism.
- Get help from others: You can ask for feedback from others, such as your peers, friends, or teachers to review your essay and provide you with constructive criticism and suggestions. Getting feedback from others will help you to gain a fresh and objective perspective on your essay.
Argumentative Essay Example
With trending topics like sports, abortion, social media, mental health, technology, wearing a mask, climate change, and global warming, structuring an argumentative essay clearly is vital to making your point stand out.
Here is an argumentative essay on gun control example. This example demonstrates what the final result looks like if you follow the steps provided above:
Let’s start with the introduction:
Topic: Gun Control: More or Less INTRODUCTION Gun violence is a serious and pervasive problem in the United States of America. According to the Gun Violence Archive, there were 43,559 gun deaths and 39,355 gun injuries in 2020, making it the deadliest year for gun violence in decades. Moreover, the United States has experienced some of the worst mass shootings in history, such as the Las Vegas shooting in 2017, the Sandy Hook shooting in 2012, and the Columbine shooting in 1999, which have claimed hundreds of lives and traumatized thousands of survivors. These tragic events have sparked a heated and polarized debate over gun control, which is the regulation and restriction of the access and use of firearms. More gun control is needed in the United States of America because it can reduce gun violence, improve public health, and prevent mass shootings. |
The introduction conveyed the writer’s stance effectively and presented a thesis statement. Here we proceed into the main body:
FIRST ARGUMENT Firstly, More gun control can reduce gun violence, which is the intentional or unintentional use of firearms to harm oneself or others. One of the ways that more gun control can reduce gun violence is by reducing the availability and accessibility of firearms, which are the main instruments of gun violence. According to a study by the Harvard Injury Control Research Center, there is a strong correlation between the number of guns and the rate of gun deaths in different countries, states, and regions. The study found that more guns mean more gun deaths, and fewer guns mean fewer gun deaths. Therefore, more gun control can reduce the number of guns in circulation and make it harder for potential perpetrators to obtain and use firearms for violent purposes. Another way that more gun control can reduce gun violence is by reducing the risk and frequency of accidental, suicidal, homicidal, and domestic gun deaths and injuries. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2018, there were 24,432 firearm suicides, 13,958 firearm homicides, 487 firearm accidents, and 1,930 firearm deaths of undetermined intent in the United States. Moreover, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, in 2017, there were 1,948 women killed by men in single victim/single offender incidents, and 52% of these women were killed with a gun. Therefore, more gun control can reduce the risk and frequency of these types of gun deaths and injuries by preventing unauthorized, irresponsible, or impulsive access and use of firearms and by providing more background checks, safety measures, and education for gun owners and users. |
Once one argument is established, we transition into the second argument:
SECOND ARGUMENT In addition, more gun control can improve public health, which is the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting health and well-being for the population. One of the ways that more gun control can improve public health is by reducing the physical and mental health consequences of gun violence for victims, survivors, and communities. According to the American Public Health Association, gun violence is a leading cause of premature death, injury, and disability in the United States, and it also has significant psychological, emotional, and social impacts on individuals and groups. The association states that gun violence can cause post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and suicide for those who are directly or indirectly affected by it, and it can also create fear, distrust, and isolation for those who live in high-risk areas. Therefore, more gun control can reduce the physical and mental health consequences of gun violence by preventing and reducing the occurrence and severity of gun violence and by providing more support and resources for victims, survivors, and communities. |
In argumentative essays, it is essential to address any opposing points of view to strengthen your own position. Here’s the example:
REFUTING OPPOSING ARGUMENTS In response to the counterargument asserting that more gun control is unnecessary and ineffective, it is imperative to acknowledge the effectiveness of such measures, as demonstrated by the success of other countries and states with stricter gun control laws. Rebutting the claim, numerous examples exist where the implementation of comprehensive gun control measures has resulted in significant reductions in gun violence and improvements in public health. A notable instance is Australia, where a comprehensive gun reform in 1996 involving the banning of certain firearms, mandatory registration and licensing of gun owners, and a compulsory buyback program led to a remarkable 42% decline in firearm deaths, a 57% decrease in firearm suicides, and a 59% reduction in firearm homicides, according to a study by the Journal of the American Medical Association. Similarly, Connecticut experienced positive outcomes after enacting a permit-to-purchase law in 1995, which mandated background checks and safety training for handgun purchasers. The state witnessed a commendable 40% decrease in firearm homicides and a 15% decline in firearm suicides, as reported by the American Journal of Public Health. These compelling examples underscore the necessity and efficacy of more stringent gun control measures, indicating their potential success in the United States as well. |
Finally, here’s an example of how an essay can be concluded effectively:
CONCLUSION In conclusion, more gun control is needed in the United States of America because it can reduce gun violence, improve public health, and prevent mass shootings. More gun control can reduce gun violence by reducing the availability and accessibility of firearms and by reducing the risk and frequency of accidental, suicidal, homicidal, and domestic gun deaths and injuries. More gun control can improve public health by reducing the physical and mental health consequences of gun violence for victims, survivors, and communities and by reducing the economic and social costs of gun violence for individuals |
Are you in need of a spark for inspiration to craft your essay? Check out our argumentative essay examples blog!
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Argumentative Essays
Before you dive right into writing, you should know about some common mistakes and try to avoid them. These mistakes can make your argumentative essay
- Unclear thesis statement: Ensure your thesis statement clearly states your stance and provides a roadmap for your essay.
- Emotional appeals without evidence: Back up your arguments with credible facts and logical reasoning rather than relying solely on emotional appeals.
- Ignoring opposing viewpoints: Engage with counterarguments and provide a rebuttal to strengthen your overall argument.
- Insufficient research and evidence: Conduct thorough research and use credible sources to support your claims.
- Inadequate organization and structure: Organize your essay with clear topic sentences, transitions, and a coherent structure.
- Lack of editing and proofreading: Edit and proofread your essay to eliminate errors and enhance clarity.
- Overgeneralization and sweeping statements: Avoid making broad claims without sufficient evidence.
By avoiding these mistakes, you can improve the effectiveness and persuasiveness of your argumentative essay.
Good Argumentative Essay Topic Ideas
Looking for some good ideas to write your argumentative essay? Here is a list of some good argumentative essay ideas and topic examples.
- What should be the residency rights of illegal immigrants?
- Capitalism or Communism- Which is the better economic system?
- Should Board Games be Treated as a Sport?
- Should the legal drinking age be lowered to 18?
- Should college athletes be paid for their performance?
- Should euthanasia be legalized in all countries?
- Should social media platforms be held accountable for spreading fake news and misinformation?
- Should marijuana be legalized for medical and recreational use?
- Should gun control laws be stricter in the United States?
- Should immigration policies be more lenient or restrictive?
These topics will give you argumentative essay ideas that will get you started. Remember to choose a topic that you find interesting.
Searching for more attention-grabbing argumentative topics? Take a look at our argumentative essay topics blog!
Let’s Wrap Up!
This comprehensive guide provides you with all you need to know to write an outstanding argumentative essay. Now all that’s left is for you to apply these in practice!
Don’t let your lack of confidence hinder you.
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