How to Write an Argumentative Essay?

How to Write an Argumentative Essay?

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An argumentative essay is one of the most frequent tasks students have to deal with in the USA. The assignment is used for evaluating their understanding of debatable topics, backed up with in-depth research and credible evidence. However, even after graduation, people may need to create informative argumentative essays. For instance, when you write a persuasive speech, policy proposal, or opinion piece in media, an argumentative essay serves as a basis for your writing. Therefore, it is paramount to understand how to create one.

Purpose of the Guide

We have compiled this guide to describe the process of writing an argumentative essay step by step. You will learn how to start an argumentative essay, where to look for relevant and reliable information, how to structure your thoughts, and more. The information will come in handy for people just mastering the writing craft as well as more experienced learners. Besides, if you are searching for a trustworthy place to buy custom essays, you will find links below too.

Definition of an Argumentative Essay

An argumentative essay is a type of essay, where you need to present and elaborate on a specific argument, persuade readers that your viewpoint is correct. The text usually has to sound formal yet straightforward. A writer should investigate a particular disputable topic, present their point of view, and complement the thoughts with supporting examples and evidence. A good argumentative essay contains a balanced view of arguments and counterarguments pertinent to the topic.

The most famous historical examples of argumentative essays are “Letter from Birmingham Jail” by Martin Luther King Jr, “On Women’s Right to Vote” by Susan B. Anthony, and George Orwell’s essay “Politics and the English Language”.

Choosing a Topic for an Argumentative Essay

The success of your argumentative essay much depends on the topic you choose. However, selecting one isn’t an easy task, so no wonder some students google “write my essay” to find a professional capable of handling this task. If you are determined to do everything yourself, remember that your topic should evoke interest and potentially ignite discussion. In other words, choose a topic that can perceived from different perspectives.

Our recommendations in this case are to consider:

  • Your interest. Choose a topic you are genuinely fond of and will be pleased to dwell upon in your work.
  • Audience. A topic that strikes a chord with your probable readers/listeners is a wonderful choice.

Scope. Opt for a topic that can be supported by credible evidence yet is not too broad to exceed the essay’s standard length.

It is common for students to come up with comprehensive subjects in focus and they often struggle to narrow them down. Leverage the tips below if you’ve also faced such a problem:

  1. Determine subtopics.
  2. Concentrate on particular aspects.
  3. Think about different perspectives of the chosen subtopic.
  4. Evaluate whether you can find evidence for arguments and counterarguments.

To grasp what we mean better, have a look at the table with good argumentative essay topics. There are both broader and narrower concepts.

Broad topic Its narrowed-down version
Modern educational challenges Can online learning fully replace traditional in-class studying?
Pressing economic problems Should a minimal wage be increased to a living wage?
Legal punishment for criminals Should the death penalty be abolished worldwide?
Religious symbolism It is OK to display religious symbols in public schools?
Labor market shifts Do gig economy workers deserve the same rights as full-time employees?

Conducting Research

To present your argumentative essay ideas convincingly and evoke readers’ interest, it is crucial to collect data that confirms them. Though today there are lots of sources with information, not all of them are trustworthy. We have compiled the rundown of secure platforms for you to use:

  • .gov websites like census.gov, bls.gov, and data.gov
  • Academic databases – Google Scholar, JSTOR, EBSCOhost, and ProQuest
  • Top-tier news sources – The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Scientific American, The Economist, National Geographic, etc.
  • Reputable organizations, like Pew Research Center, RAND Corporation, and Brookings Institution

Once you’ve found your dependable data sources, you need to gather evidence and statistics that substantiate your claims:

  1. Write down empirical data, including surveys and experimental results.
  2. Select citations from people with a reputation in specific fields.
  3. Use real-world samples that confirm your viewpoint.
  4. Cite past events that justify your argument.

You are likely to end up with lots of data. Now, you need to organize your findings:

  • Arrange different information types into individual categories.
  • Highlight the most important details and quotations.
  • Write brief summaries for all your data categories.
  • Note down bibliographic details to arrange sources.

In fact, such methods to structure data will come in handy when you write other types of academic assignments, e.g., a case study, literature review, term paper, or a narrative essay.

Crafting a Thesis Statement

A thesis statement is a brief summary of what will be discussed in an argumentative essay. It is usually 1-2 sentences long. A thesis statement is figuratively a roadmap for a whole piece, directing the writer’s flow of thoughts across the entire argumentative essay outline. A strong thesis statement should be clear, concise, arguable, and focused. In the table below, you can see examples and non-examples of a thesis statement.

Examples Non-examples
The United States should adopt universal healthcare to provide coverage for all citizens and reduce healthcare costs. Healthcare is an important issue in the United States.
Climate change is a real and pressing threat that requires immediate action. Societies across the globe should make a transition to renewable energy sources and implement stricter regulations on greenhouse gas emissions. Climate change is a controversial topic.

Structuring Your Argumentative Essay

There is a standard argumentative essay structure you should stick to. This way it will be easier for you to communicate your ideas and maintain coherences between different text parts.

Introduction Paragraph Body Paragraphs Conclusion Paragraph
    • Hook
  • Background information
  • Thesis statement
  • Topic sentences
  • Your arguments
  • Counterarguments & rebuttals
  • Supporting evidence
  • Restating the thesis
  • Summary of key points
  • Final thoughts/CTA

Writing the Introduction of an Argumentative Essay 

This section usually consists of a hook sentence to spike readers’ interest, some background information to provide context for the topic, and a thesis statement = your main arguments in a short form. An effective trick to intrigue the audience is to use a surprising fact or thought-provoking quote as a hook. This tactic can yield the desired result even if you are writing something very rigmarole like “What is a literary analysis?” or “How to make a persuasive speech?”

Developing Body Paragraphs 

Each body paragraph has to start with a topic sentence, which slightly touches upon the main idea of this section. Thus, readers can envisage what awaits them further. Next, you need to shed light on your argument, adding supporting details. Make sure your arguments are comprehensible and related to the topic sentence. Besides, you need to acknowledge probable counterclaims. Thus, you demonstrate that you’ve studied the topic from different angles. After that, include rebuttals by listing foolproof evidence and examples that align with your argument.

Addressing Counterarguments

The interplay of arguments and counterarguments makes up the biggest part of your work. Seasoned college essay editors highlight the importance of embedding opposite opinions into an essay to demonstrate your fairness, understanding of the topic, and deep analytical skills.

To refute counterarguments, you can:

  • Address every counterclaim one by one
  • Provide empirical proof or expert citations that diminish the validity of that opinion
  • Define logical fallacies in the opposite reasoning
  • Reframe the counterargument so that it favors your point of view

To appear believable in your essay, you should integrate counterclaims seamlessly, always use strong and plausible examples, as well as adhere to a respectful tone.

If that seems too complicated for you at the moment, you can always order and pay for essay cheap on our website.

Writing the Conclusion of Your Argumentative Essay

The last part of an essay should summarize and reinforce your argument. You have to rephrase a thesis, emphasizing its importance and demonstrating how it evolved throughout a whole piece. Moreover, recap the major points succinctly, to show a logical connection between different sections. Lastly, you need to encourage readers to ponder more about your topic. Doing that is possible by adding a thought-provoking question or a call-to-action phrase.

Revising and Editing Your Essay

Writing an argumentative essay is just half of success. Revising and editing stages are no less important. First off, scan your text for such mistakes:

  • Logical flaws and inconsistencies
  • Not-complete arguments
  • Lack of smooth transitions
  • Overly complex sentences and inappropriate jargon
  • Grammar and spelling errors

Next, have a respite. By doing so, you’ll be able to approach proofreading with a fresh perspective. At this point:

  1. Read your essay aloud
  2. Use special tools (Grammarly, ProWritingAid, Hemingway Editor, Thesaurus, PaperRater, Cliché Finder, QuillBot, Language Tool, etc.)
  3. Ask someone to read your work for objective feedback

Finalizing Your Argumentative Essay

The argumentative essay format may be subject to adjustments but generally, there are certain rules to keep in mind:

  • Follow the required style (APA, MLA, Chicago) for formatting and citations
  • Use headings and subheadings for quick navigation
  • Set proper margins, font size, and spacing

As for the title, it should vividly reflect the core argument of an essay, pique readers’ curiosity, and exclude ambiguity. This is true no matter whether you are learning how to write a 500 word essay or a 1000-word one.

Final Tips for Successful Argumentative Essays

To captivate your audience, start with an interesting topic. Create a strong thesis to guide your argument. Adapt your arguments and language to your readers. Anticipate counterarguments and address them well. Be clear and brief in your writing. Use examples and data from trusted sources to support your points. Once the essay is done, revise it thoroughly. Finally, write as much as you can to improve your skills.

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Shawn Salazar
Shawn Salazar
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Writing has always been my passion. In 2020, I took a significant step towards fulfilling my dream by pursuing a Creative Writing and Journalism diploma. After graduating with a degree in English, I began contributing to the blog of the essay writing service Essaywritercheap.org. I also teach English to international students at an ESL school.

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