How to Write an Argumentative Essay: Structure and Tips

Argumentative essays empower students to voice their opinions while engaging in a dynamic exchange of ideas with their peers. Within its very essence lies a transformative opportunity for self-expression, blending the realms of reason and creativity into a harmonious symphony.

At the end of this article on how to write an argumentative essay, you will learn:

• The significance of starting with the basic theory as a solid foundation for crafting good argumentative papers.
• Supporting arguments with well-researched evidence is important to establish the accuracy and validity of your claims.
• An overview of different types of argumentative essay structures, such as Сlassical, Rogerian, and Toulmin, with brief explanations of their characteristics.
• Collecting and utilizing substantial evidence effectively is necessary to build persuasive arguments throughout the paper.
• Good argumentative essays often focus on literature as a primary subject for exploration and analysis.

What Is an Argumentative Essay?

It is wise to begin with the fundamental principles whenever possible. Argumentative academic essays are a great way to voice your thoughts on a hot-button issue and convince your audience that you’re right. The point is to show that what you’re saying is accurate and that others should follow your lead by presenting proof to back up your statements.

Literary works are often the focus of good argumentative essays. In argumentative research, you should remember to gather persuasive facts, craft compelling arguments, and use these to back up your thesis and win over your readers. A well-written argumentative essay will have the following traits:

• Clear thesis statement. Argumentative essays have a clear and concise thesis statement summarizing the writer’s main point or opinion.
• Controversial topic. It’s about a subject that makes people have different opinions and arguments, which leads to intellectual conversations.
• Arguments based on evidence. An argumentative essay uses logical thinking and strong evidence to support the main points and convince the reader.
• Research-oriented. It requires further research and exploration of credible sources collecting evidence, statistics, facts, and examples that reinforce the writer’s argument.
• Counterargument consideration. An argumentative essay acknowledges opposing viewpoints and counterarguments, addressing them to strengthen the overall argument and demonstrate a well-rounded understanding of the topic.
• Organization and structure. It has an introduction, body paragraphs with topic sentences, supporting proof, and a conclusion summarizing the main bits.
• Persuasive language and rhetoric.  Argumentative essays use methods like logical appeals (logos), emotional appeals (pathos), and ethical appeals (ethos) to persuade the reader that the writer’s point of view is correct.
• Clarity and coherence. It stays clear and makes sense throughout, using transition words and other devices to ensure ideas and lines flow smoothly into each other.
• Critical thinking and deep analysis. An argumentative essay encourages critical thinking by comparing and contrasting different points of view, weighing the facts, and making well-reasoned decisions.
• Audience awareness. It considers the target audience’s knowledge, values, and beliefs and adjusts the arguments and language to engage and convince the readers.

Rhetorical Devices in Argumentative Writing

A strategy for persuading the reader is the rhetorical technique. This technique helps you appeal to your audience’s emotions and convince your opponent to think your way and even see your perspectives. The great thing about using rhetorical devices in your argumentative paper is that they work for written academic essays and your speaking. Remember that you can purchase an argumentative essay already written. Most argumentative essay writing services frequently employ this style of work. Let’s discuss rhetorical devices in detail.

Aristotle states three basic types of rhetorical devices: logos, ethos, and pathos. His triangle begins with logos, the first part of the triangle. This method appeals to the listener’s or reader’s sense of logic and reason and prompts them to take action in response to the argument presented — our ability to think critically through the logic behind an idea.

The second device is ethos. Ethos establishes the author’s credibility and stature, increasing the likelihood that your audience will take your statements seriously. People always pay attention to a person’s educational background and social standing. Using this strategy, you can demonstrate your competence.

Finally, we have pathos. Its purpose is to make the listener or viewer feel something. However, emotional appeal is not necessary here. The emotion may be rage, impatience, or sympathy, but those are the emotions the writer intended to stir up.

By remembering these strategies and mastering their application, you can ensure that your arguments are as persuasive as possible and that no counterarguments are raised. This is the main point of any argumentative article.

It takes a lot of time and effort to write an argumentative essay. Finding a custom essay writing firm like PapersOwl.com that can provide support and direction throughout the process is helpful. The organization will assign you a writer who can complete your order satisfactorily. Tips and suggestions on organizing your argument, creating compelling arguments, and ensuring that your essay convinces readers are also available.

Basic Structure of Argumentative Paper

An argumentative essay’s framework deviates slightly from other types of essay writing. The essay can be broken down into three sections: the introduction, the body, and the conclusion. However, the specifics of what goes into each section will vary substantially from one job to the next. You need to know a few things to start an argumentative essay. Let’s discuss the fundamentals of essay structure that will make it easier to compose an argumentative paper.

It is essential to consider the structure of argumentative essays before beginning to write an argumentative essay. Create an outline for your argumentative essay to help you organize your thoughts while you gather source materials. The introduction is the opening section of an expository essay. The purpose of the introduction paragraph is to familiarize the reader with the work’s subject matter and provide background information. This section of the text is also meant to hook the reader’s interest and encourage them to continue exploring the piece.

This paragraph presents the essential concepts and elaborates on them in an argumentative piece of academic work. This is the evidence section, where you can lay it all out for your opponent and try to win them over. Create a new paragraph for each central point you want to make.

Three body paragraphs are the typical length for the main section.

Now for the conclusion and structure of argumentative essays. Here, you’ll need to detail the findings and opposing points you made during your research. The final results should always align with the expectations outlined in the initial sections.

Argumentative Essay Writing Tips Thesis Statement

Beginning an argumentative essay with a well-developed thesis statement is a great way to grab the reader’s interest. It’s one sentence that can serve as a roadmap for the rest of the text and simplify things. Naturally, at this point, you need to know what you are making, and your defined thesis statement needs some fine-tuning. There are three key points to take away from this, all of which can be used in argumentative essay format.

• Start with a query.Your instructor may give you a question to answer. If you can’t find a suitable alternative or sufficient opposing point, you must create one yourself. It can also be a controversial or debatable topic.

Example:

What impact has the internet had on the tech industry?

• You should respond to that query right away.Applying the same reasoning as before, we find:

Example:

In the technological sector, for instance, the internet has spurred exponential growth and opened up countless new avenues for exploration.

• Finally, make sure your thesis statement is spot-on.Simply put, you need to modify it to fit in with the rest of your essay. We’ll give you the one that follows the same pattern as the one up top.

Example:

Internet-enabled devices that are both practical and beneficial to users have become a primary priority for the world’s largest technology companies.

The structure of argumentative essays plays a vital role in presenting a clear and organized flow of ideas, enabling the writer to convey their arguments and persuade the audience effectively. Provide a middle ground and present evidence. Some alternative perspectives must be included.

Types of Arguments in Argumentative Writing

We aim to break down these persuasive strategies so you can use them in your workflow process with complete assurance. As you write argumentative essays, you can implement these ideas for expository essays as well.

Aristotelian

We’ve told you about the main ways Aristotle used rhetoric. But now we’ll add the framework of how argumentative essays are put together. Aristotle used reduction to the point of folly as one of his tricks. With this method, you have to start from the opposite side. You say that your chosen theory is wrong, and then you build on it to the point where it makes no sense. The reader will then realize that such a statement is ridiculous and be convinced by your original point. Aristotle explained his method by saying that an idea can’t simultaneously be true and false.

Toulmin

According to the designer of the Toulmin model, bringing in preexisting notions is more important than proving a new hypothesis through argumentation. The reasoning model comprises six parts: the claim, grounds, warrant, qualifier, rebuttal, and backing.

CLAIM Hypothesis to evaluate DATA

• Datum #1
• Datum #2
• Datum #3

WARRANTS

• Warrant #1
• Warrant #2

BACKING

Explanation of the warrants and how they relate to your data. Include scientific studies, research, statistical data, etc. Rebuttal in academic writing:

• Existing counter argument
• Potential counter argument

CONCLUSION

• Strength of the claim
• Strength of counterclaims
• Is the claim valid?

>Remember, a Toulmin essay involves logical reasoning and clear, structured arguments. It can be used for an argumentative essay outline.

Rogerian

The Rogerian model also has four steps for creating a concise thesis statement. Again, you can say these repeatedly as many times as you want. The Rogerian argument is based on the idea that both sides should be as tolerant and respectful as possible. Here are the steps that will help you write an argument essay well and back up your point of view. What do you do?

• Talk about the opposing points of view and what’s good about them.
• Find flaws in those points of view.
• Share your point of view.
• Try to find a way to solve the problem.

The body of an argumentative essay will have anywhere from three to five body paragraphs, and you should use as many clear points, thorough research, and facts as possible. Keep in mind that each paragraph is a separate part of the essay. So, when you write an argumentative essay, each section needs its case and evidence.

Importance of Argumentative Essays Outline

The outline is an integral component that should be present in argumentative essay work, regardless of the specific topic or subject. In the process, you will also need a strong thesis statement to set the direction and focus of your writer’s position.

Also, don’t forget that the main argument must be present in the plan, and you must start with a strong opening statement. This is important for all papers, but even more so for argumentative essays since they are based on arguments and academic writing that will vividly support your opinion.

The key components of an argumentative essay outline template include:

Introductory paragraph

• Hook: Start with a thought-provoking statement or statistic.
• Background information: Provide brief and necessary context on the issue.
• Thesis statement: Clearly state your stance on the topic and preview different types of arguments.

Body Paragraphs Writing Process

• Topic sentence: Introduce the first argument that supports your thesis.
• Explanation: Provide argument details, including reasoning examples.
• Rebuttal: Address and refute a potential counterargument with strong reasoning and evidence.
• Concluding sentence: Summarize the main points of your own argument and transition to the next paragraph.

Argumentative essay conclusion

• Restate the thesis: Emphasize the importance of your grounds.
• Summarize the main aspects.
• Concluding thoughts: Close with compelling statements.

Argumentative essay outline examples are important because they provide a clear and practical demonstration of how to organize and direct the details of the work. Below, you can explore valuable examples for writing an argumentative essay.

Looking at an example of an argumentative essay outline, everything can seem overwhelming. However, breaking down the process into manageable steps allows you to write an argumentative essay confidently and clearly. Constructing a common essay outline will help you identify any errors or sections that need to be improved. By addressing opposing points, you can strengthen your paper’s body and demonstrate a clear point of view. It takes center stage, emphasizing its pivotal role in shaping the overall position.

• Introduction;

This section is critical and serves as the opening statement, setting the tone for the entire argumentative essay.

• Hook;

An outline can include various forms, such as a surprising fact, a rhetorical question, a compelling anecdote, or a relevant quotation. Its purpose is to pique the reader’s curiosity and create a strong initial impression.

• Background Information;

This section presents the necessary context for the reader to understand the significance of the subject matter. Consider including relevant historical, social, or factual details that give your audience a broader understanding of the topic’s relevance and importance. It must not reveal any of the main arguments or anything similar.

• Thesis Statement;

It is the final sentence in this part, which acts as a guide for readers. A powerful thesis formulation should be specific and serve as the foundation for the rest of your essay. It allows you to make claims and effectively argue your point. The thesis statement needs to be based on sound logic.

✏️Example:

How would our world look without smartphones?

• Body;

This section will delve into the main arguments and counterpoints surrounding your claim. This is where you present your case and provide supporting evidence to validate your position.

✏️Example:

Smartphones have been responsible for many new introductions and better quality of life.

• Claim;

The claim, the central argument, forms the foundation of your entire essay. To ensure the excellence of your essay, your claims must be robust and well-founded.

• Arguments and Counterarguments;

Arguments strengthen your position by providing supporting evidence and logical reasoning, reinforcing the validity of your thesis. They help you build a convincing case and persuade the reader to agree with your standpoint.

Counterpoints allow you to address potential objections or criticisms. By acknowledging and refuting opposing viewpoints, you demonstrate intellectual honesty and fairness.

• Supporting Evidence;

In the text, it is important to support your arguments with evidence and facts that support them. Different types of evidence can be used to support your initial thesis statement. If you can’t find any evidence or have a hard time, use the “write my argumentative essay” option, which is simple and will help you. Careful selection and presentation of evidence increase your essay’s overall credibility and impact.

✏️Example:

Smartphones have made our lives much better. We rely on them every single day and will continue to do so indefinitely.

• Conclusion

To write a valid text, you always need to know how to start and how to end. As always, you need a strong introductory paragraph, body sections, and an argumentative essay conclusion, which has a huge role in this. Keep your conclusions short and to the point, too. A concise conclusion is more effective in making a lasting impression. It should present new ideas or information. Its purpose is to conclude your essay and leave the reader satisfied. Research your topic thoroughly and gather relevant facts and information to support your arguments.

✏️Example:

After considering all the facts and evidence you can see above, we can deduce that smartphones are a huge threat to humankind.

Implementation of Counterarguments in Expository Essays and Argumentation

When composing a powerful argumentative text, the use of counterarguments in an essay emerges as opposing viewpoints that challenge your arguments. Mastering the fundamental techniques to address them is key. It may seem counterintuitive to introduce opposing arguments, fearing they may undermine your credibility. However, skillfully highlighting their weaknesses can work in your favor.

Incorporating opposing arguments showcases your professionalism and deep understanding of the topic. It also provides an opportunity to demonstrate the superiority of your claims over opposing viewpoints.

When introducing a paragraph with a counterargument in your argumentative essay outline, consider using phrases such as:

• Critics think that…
• The other side of the argument is given by…
• There are compelling arguments in favor of the opposition…

Once you have presented the opposing position, counter it with evidence supporting your beliefs. Engage in a respectful yet compelling discussion, meticulously refuting the opposing position’s arguments. Your objective is to demonstrate the strength and truthfulness of your arguments. Allocate a dedicated paragraph within the main section of your argumentative essay to explore this idea.

This process demonstrates intellectual rigor and a comprehensive understanding of the topic. Moreover, you fortify your position as a persuasive writer. Offering evidential support, be capable of effectively addressing and overcoming counterarguments. It helps in solidifying the validity of your claims.

Tips for Argumentative Writing

Learning how to write an argumentative essay, you can use these helpful tips in the writing process:

Choose the Topic or Define your Prompt

One of the most essential tips and things you can do here is to choose good argumentative essay topics. This can have a significant effect on the overall work and evidential support. Topics for argumentative essays possess a wide variety. You will want to write an argumentative essay like that, and you will want to make it sound better. If this is impossible, you must write on the assigned argumentative essay topic, which is much more complex. Here are some interesting argumentative essay topics to inspire you:

Two-sided Question: Is using technology in the classroom beneficial or detrimental to students’ learning outcomes?

One-sided Question that does not address potential counterarguments yet:

• Should the use of cell phones be allowed in schools?
• Is social media more harmful than beneficial to society?
• Is homeschooling a better alternative to traditional schooling?

Make Up Your Mind on Different Perspectives

Here’s a tip that can help you more than you think. You need to make a decision and figure out the facts and reasoning. If you want to write about the first example above:

1. Pick one that provides sufficient evidentiary support.
2. If you like traditional books, discuss what you admire about them and give reasons to back up your claim.
3. If you like e-books, look for public opinion about this media type. If you don’t have time, you can ask someone to write a philosophy paper for you, and the job will be done in minutes, not days.

It can take a few days to write an excellent argumentative essay.

Consider your Target Audience

If you are a business of professional essay writers writing for college students, you need to use different reasons than if you’re writing for seniors. Always think about who you’re writing for and how to make the text better for them. Remember that you have to use general reasons if you don’t know who your audience is. Ensure you do a lot of study and have access to all relevant sources to ensure you have everything you need to get the desired result.

Also, because of the stress of deadlines set by professors, many students find it helpful to purchase college essays from experts to ensure they are doing good work. This lets them get the desired grade and can be a significant part of their school performance.

Find Accurate Facts

All the information you need to support your argument must be accurate and not slanted. You’ll need to use numbers, stories, studies, surveys, and more here. Don’t use ”lost” information that is useless. If you do that, a writer competing with you can make your writing look less accurate and essential. If you find it hard to keep up with your writing, hire a custom essay writing company to do it for you.

Write a Draft

You must write the whole text here with due evidential support. You must use all the steps and facts you want to include in the paper. The draft is your essay’s first lesson, so it needs to be improved, checked for details, and finished. The professor will only be given the second or third version. You must give background knowledge and everything else you can think of.

Edit and Proofread your Paper

The last tip, which is also the last step, is to proofread your paper, look for problems, and fix them. The goal is to make your work look good enough for a professor or teacher to read. For this step to be done right, you should always use all the ways you can. You can get help online and do a lot more.

25 Argumentative Essay Topic Ideas

Let’s showcase the top concepts that might serve as springboards for further thought, writing, and other creative endeavors. The importance of carefully selecting your writing surface cannot be overstated. This is the superior choice that all expert essayists advocate. If you have a topic you don’t like, you may always buy an argumentative essay and finish the task quickly. How will you put pen to paper on such a topic if you don’t even care? Whatever the case, we’ve compiled 25 argumentative essay prompts that we think you’ll find helpful.

1. Is animal testing fair?
2. Are teen beauty pageants justified?
3. Is the ban on smoking in public places undemocratic?
4. Should social media platforms be banned from collecting their users’ data?
5. Should companies have to hire human workers overusing autonomous machines?
6. Should phones be banned from vehicles?
7. Has the internet made society better?
8. Should parents limit screen time for kids?
9. Is the use of nuclear energy a viable solution to address climate change?
10. Should school uniforms be mandatory in public schools?
11. Is it justifiable to use military force to intervene in foreign conflicts?
12. Is online learning as effective as traditional classroom education?
13. Should marijuana be legalized for recreational use?
14. Should parents have the right to homeschool their children?
15. Is social media contributing to increased loneliness and isolation?
16. Should college athletes be paid for their participation?
17. Is the use of animals for scientific research justified?
18. Should the voting age be lowered to 16?
19. Is censorship necessary in the digital age?
20. Should the government provide universal basic income?
21. Is using animals for entertainment, such as in circuses or zoos, ethical?
22. Should the use of plastic bags be banned to protect the environment?
23. Should genetically modified organisms (GMOs) be labeled on food products?
24. Is it fair to implement affirmative action in college admissions?
25. Should euthanasia be legalized?

Argumentative Essay Example

College sports generate billions of dollars in revenue for universities and the NCAA, yet the athletes receive no compensation beyond scholarships. This is an unjust system that needs to change. College athletes deserve payment for their hard work and dedication to their sport.

Firstly, college sports have become a big business. These athletes are essentially employees of their schools, bringing in millions of dollars in revenue each year. It is only fair that they receive a portion of this money. Without the athletes, there would be no college sports.

Secondly, many college athletes come from low-income backgrounds and struggle to make ends meet. While they may receive scholarships, this does not cover all their expenses, such as food and housing. These student-athletes often have to work part-time jobs in addition to their athletic and academic commitments to make ends meet. This is not a fair or sustainable system. Opponents may argue that scholarships are sufficient compensation for college athletes.

However, scholarships do not cover all expenses or compensate the athletes for their time and effort. Furthermore, only some athletes receive full scholarships, and even those who do may need more to cover their expenses.

Another argument against paying college athletes is that it would create an unfair system where only certain athletes or sports receive compensation. However, this can quickly be addressed by creating a system that distributes funds fairly across all sports and athletes.

In conclusion, college athletes deserve to be paid for their hard work and dedication to their sport. The current system is unjust and unsustainable. Paying college athletes would not only be fair, but it would also help to alleviate financial struggles for many student-athletes. It is time for universities and the NCAA to step up and do the right thing.

Here is our analysis of the argumentative essay sample:

Introduction:

• The introduction begins with a strong statement that college sports generate significant revenue, but athletes receive no compensation beyond scholarships.
• It highlights the unjust nature of the current system, setting the tone for the essay.

Thesis Statement:

• The thesis statement clearly states the author’s position that college athletes deserve compensation for their hard work and dedication to their sport. A logical flow must be present with opposing views if and when necessary. Add additional evidence if you need it with a clearer argument.
• It sets the main argument, indicating the direction of the subsequent paper paragraphs.

Body:

• The first paragraph highlights the financial success of college sports and how athletes contribute to generating revenue.
• It emphasizes the athletes’ role as employees of their schools and argues for their fair share of the generated income. It may include expert opinions with a specific point that makes a clear argument with a good thesis.
• The second body paragraph focuses on many college athletes’ financial struggles, emphasizing the insufficiency of scholarships to cover all expenses.
• It establishes a case for the athletes’ need for additional financial support.
• The third body paragraph anticipates and addresses a potential counterargument paragraph, refuting the notion that scholarships are enough compensation and highlighting the disparities in scholarship coverage.
• It argues for including all athletes in the compensation system to address potential unfairness.

Conclusion:

• The conclusion restates the thesis and summarizes the main points discussed in the body paragraphs. It also works for short essays, using the same academic tone that grabs the reader’s attention.
• It reaffirms the unjust and unsustainable nature of the current system. All opposing perspectives with a particular viewpoint must be mentioned in brief. Do not address counterarguments that have not been mentioned before. A particular point that you have must be present in the thesis.
• The conclusion emphasizes the potential benefits of paying college athletes, including fairness and alleviating financial struggles.
• It concludes with a call to action for universities and the NCAA to make the necessary changes.

In sum, this work makes a compelling case for compensating collegiate athletes. It has an engaging introduction, a well-stated thesis, and logical body paragraphs that support the main point. A logical conclusion summarizes the main points and persuasively calls for change while acknowledging and refuting the opposing views. The paper is illustrative because it makes a compelling case for rewarding college athletes by providing supporting evidence and logic for its claims. The evidence supports the author’s statement and an opposing position if available. As one can see, sound reasoning is present as well.

Final Tips

You can use this example to structure things when you do future research and work with one point. Be it with a clear view or an opposing position, remember to leave a positive note and fact-based evidence. Optimize word choice first and work with your rough draft. Check your citation style twice and work on your argument for a five-paragraph paper.