09/12/2017 How to Write an Argument Essay Step by Step | LetterPile

How to Write an Argument Essay Step

by Step
Updated on May 16, 2017

Virginia Kearney more

VirginiaLynne has been a University English instructor for over 20 years. She specializes in helping people
write essays faster and easier.

What is an Argumentative Essay?

Argument essays seek to state a position on an issue and give several
reasons, supported by evidence, for agreeing with that position.

Finding Ideas to Write About

Argument essay topics can be found everywhere. Check the headlines of a newspaper, or just listen in to a
conversation at your local Starbucks. Chances are, you will hear someone trying to persuade another person to
believe in their claim about:

What caused this?

How important is it?
What should we do about it?

Stuck for an idea? Check out my Easy Argument Topics List.

Sample Topic Questions

Click thumbnail to view full-size

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How important are fathers? What makes a good father? | Source

5 Types of Argument Claims

1. Fact: Is it true or not?
2. Definition: What does it really mean?
3. Value: How important is it?
4. Cause and Effect: What is the cause? What are the effects?
5. Policy: What should we do about it?

How to Write Your Thesis

Question/Answer format: To make your topic idea into a thesis you need to turn the topic idea into a question
first. Examples:

Does divorce cause serious problems for the children? (fact)

What is "domestic violence?" (definition)
What are the causes of divorce? (cause)
How important is it for couples to avoid divorce? (value)
What can you do to make your marriage divorce-proof? (proposal)

Answer: Your question often can be the title of your paper, or it can be the last line of the introduction. Your
answer to this question is your thesis.

Example: The most important way to make your marriage divorce-proof is to make sure you have carefully
prepared for that commitment.

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Refute Objections: You might want to put an introductory phrase in the first part of your thesis to show that you
are refuting other ideas about the answer.

Example: While some people think there is no way to divorce-proof your marriage, studies have shown that there
are fewer divorces when people carefully prepare for that commitment.

Roadmap: An additional way to make a strong thesis is to do a "Roadmap" which tells in just a few words the
three or more main points you will cover.

Example: While some people think there is no way to divorce-proof your marriage, studies have shown that there
are fewer divorces when people carefully prepare for that commitment by taking time to get to know the other
person before becoming engaged, spending time with one another's family and friends, talking about hot-button
issues like finances, and getting extensive premarital counseling.

Introduction and Conclusion

Introduction Ideas Conclusion Ideas

What will happen if your solution is adopted or people accept

Use a true story
your argument.

Revise the scenario showing what will happen if the reader

Scenario: imaginary story which illustrates the problem
adopts your ideas.

Startling quotation, fact or statistic Use a real-life example of how your idea works.

Explain the problem Tell the reader what they need to think, do, feel or believe.

Describe vividly Appeal to the reader's emotions, character, or reason.

Frame story or flashback Finish the frame story.

You can mix and match these ideas for your essay.

Outlining Your Paper

Argument essays are fairly straightforward in their organization. In your paper, you will need to do the following

1. Interest the reader in the situation and make them think it is worth learning more about.
2. Explain the controversy or problem clearly.
3. Explain the sides of the debate.
4. Tell them your side.
5. Convince them that your side is the best one to take.
6. Refute any objections they may be thinking about as they read.
7. Urge the reader to adopt our point of view to do, think or believe something.

I. Introduction: Explain the subject, the controversy, and end with your thesis. Here are some tips:

Use the title to present your point of view. Often the title can be a question.
Think about your audiencewhat aspects of this issue would most interest or convince them?

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Check out the introduction and conclusion chart for creative ways to introduce your paper.
Make sure you have a clear thesis which answers the question. The thesis should tell your position and is
usually the last sentence of your introduction.

III. Body: Explains the reasons your audience should agree with your thesis. Your body needs to also refute
objections or other points of view.

1. Reasons and support

Usually, you will have three or more reasons why the reader should accept your position. These will be your
topic sentences.
Support each of these reasons with argument, examples, statistics, authorities or anecdotes
To make your reasons seem plausible, connect them back to your position by using ifthen reasoning

2. Anticipate opposing positions and objections

What objections will your readers have? Answer them with argument or evidence.
What other positions do people take on this subject? What is your reason for rejecting these positions?

Conclusion: Make a final point which tells the reader what to think or do.

Why should the reader adopt your point of view?

You might use the anticipating objections in the conclusion.

3 Argument Strategies
There are three types of argument strategies: Classical, Rogerian and
Toulmin.
You can choose one of these or combine them to create your own argument
paper.

Classical Argument Strategy

This strategy that you feel strongly about and when you feel you have a good chance of convincing your audience
to agree with you. Your audience may be uninformed, or they may not have a strong opinion. Your job is to make
them care about the topic and agree with your position. Here is the basic outline of a classical argument paper:

1. Introduction: announces subject, gets readers interest and attention, makes writer seem trustworthy
2. Narration: gives background, context, statement of problem or definition
3. Partition: states thesis or claim and outlines arguments
4. Argument: makes arguments to support thesis and gives evidence (largest section of paperthe main body)
5. Refutation: shows why opposing arguments are not true or valid
6. Conclusion: Summarizes arguments, suggests solution and ties into the introduction or background.

Rogerian Strategy
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Rogerian argument strategy attempts to persuade by finding points of compromise and agreement. It is an
appropriate technique to use in highly polarized debates, but you must be sincere about willingness to
compromise and change your point of view for the reader to take you seriously. Qualities of this strategy:

The author is Reasonable: Present your character as a person who understands and empathizes with the
opposition. Often this means you state opposing position fairly and sympathetically. Example: it is not fair that
animals are subjected to painful experimentation to help humans find new cures.
Common Ground: Establish common ground in beliefs and values you share Example: As the dominant
species, we do have responsibilities.
Willingness to Change: Be willing to change views and show where your position could be modified.
Example: It is a good idea to invest in trying to find ways to get information without using live animals in
experiments.
Compromise: Direct your argument toward a compromise or workable solution. Example: lets look for other
ways to get information without using animals, but until we do, we probably need to continue experimentation.

Toulmin Strategy

Toulmin is another strategy to use in a highly charged debate. Instead of attempting to appeal to commonalities,
however, this strategy attempts to use clear logic and careful qualifiers to limit the argument to things that can be
agreed upon. It uses this format:

Data: Evidence presented. Example: Pornography on The Internet is bad for kids.
Claim: the thesis the author hopes to prove. Example: Government should regulate Internet pornography.
Warrant: The statement that explains how the data backs up the claim. Example: Government regulation
works in other instances.
Backing: Additional logic and reasoning. Example: We have lots of other government regulations on media.
Qualifier: The short phrase (usually uses typically, usually, or on the whole) which limits the scope of the
claim. Example: In most cases, the government should regulate pornography.
Exceptions: This further limits the claim by describing situations the writer would exclude. Example: Where
children are not involved in pornography, regulation may not be urgent.

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