What is an Argumentative Essay and How to Write?

All About Argumentative Essays

An argumentative essay is a type of writing where the writer persuades the reader of a point of view by providing logical arguments and supporting facts. Argumentative essays mainly rely on hard evidence, citing other research and sources to support their position, even if many essay genres also seek to persuade the reader to adopt a particular viewpoint.

Contrary to what their name might suggest, argumentative essays don't always need to be hostile or combative. Instead, the name comes from the method of argumentation in which the author provides enough evidence to refute the claims of the opposition and validate their own. Keep in mind that the purpose of an argumentative essay is to demonstrate why your thesis is the only reasonable conclusion.

Essays that make an argument are only as strong as their thesis, and while stubbornness certainly helps, it takes more to organise a strong argument. We go over the best methods for crafting the ideal argumentative essay underneath. However, our evidence speaks for itself, so don't just take our word for it!

What is an argumentative essay?

Argumentative essays aim to persuade the reader of a specific point of view, just like persuasive essays and other essay forms. An essay is considered argumentative when it uses a persuasive technique. An argumentative essay demonstrates the validity of its topic with the help of solid evidence and indisputable reasoning.

This also happens with persuasive essays, but they are typically less formal and more emotive. Persuasive essays target the reader's emotions more than argumentative essays, which place greater emphasis on specific empirical facts. Put differently, argumentative essays prioritise numerical evidence, whereas persuasive essays prioritise qualitative evidence.

Similarly, argumentative essays and expository essays can be easily confused, as the latter mostly depend on factual data and extensive investigation. The primary distinction lies in bias: expository essays typically offer all sides of an argument and let the reader draw their own conclusions, while argumentative essays assume one point of view is correct.

Argumentative essays also differ in that their thesis is not immediately clear. Usually, there is enough opposition to it that an explanation of why it is incorrect is required. For instance, "the sky is blue on a sunny day" would not make a strong argumentative essay thesis. It would not only be superfluous but also overly straightforward: "Look outside" could be your proof, and that would be it!

The objective behind an argumentative essay is to prove its thesis beyond a shadow of a doubt, usually by refuting or invalidating competing views. Argumentative essays address several opposing viewpoints in addition to the writer's thesis because declaring one viewpoint to be "true" while discounting the others is difficult.

Basic Argumentative Essay Format

Your argumentative essay's overall success hinges on how skillfully you make your point, so essay structure is quite important. Because you also need to address opposing viewpoints, the structure of argumentative essays is a little more extensive than that of other essay forms. Just this raises further questions, such as whose argument to examine first and when to present important facts.

First, let's discuss the simplest format for argumentative essays, which is a five-paragraph essay that works well for most short articles.

• The opening paragraph of your essay should clearly state your thesis, lay out the structure of the body of the writing, and perhaps even pique readers' interest.
• The body of your essay consists of the second, third, and fourth paragraphs, where you provide your ideas and supporting details and rebut any criticism. Every paragraph should highlight one piece of evidence in favor of the thesis or refute one opposing viewpoint.
• The conclusion, which is the fifth and last paragraph, is where you restate your thesis in light of all the supporting data and provide a brief summary of the entire essay.

This straightforward format works great when the chips are down, especially for exam-related timed essays. But more intricate arrangements are needed for advanced essays, particularly when the word count exceeds five paragraphs.

sophisticated format for argumentative essays

Certain writings require stronger arguments and more thorough rebuttals than usual. In these situations, your argumentative essay should fulfill several purposes using the three main patterns listed below.

Aristotelian (Classic)

When to use it: making straightforward arguments

The Aristotelian argument, often known as the classic argument, is a standard argument structure that resembles an expansion of the preceding basic five-paragraph framework. It bases its arguments on logic (logos), emotion (pathos), and credibility (ethos), all of which are adaptable to almost any kind of debate. Formally, it proceeds in a clear and rational manner:

• Introduce the problem.
• Explain your perspective.
• Explain your opponent’s perspective. Refute their points one by one as you go.
• Present your evidence.
• Conclude your argument.

Toulmin

When to use it: presenting complex issues with no clear truths or when your thesis is a rebuttal or counterargument.

It is logical to use the Toulmin method in essays as it was designed for argument analysis. This method is most effective when used on complex problems that require in-depth study and reasoning. However, it can also be used to disprove an opposing viewpoint piece by piece.

Formally, it consists of six primary sections, although you can arrange them in whichever best suits your essay. Remember that your entire article may be arguing the opposite of another thesis rather than advancing your own. This is because your claim may be a rebuttal of another argument.

1. Claim: a concise statement of your argument or thesis.
2. Reasons: your proof, which may include statistics or widely acknowledged truths.
3. Warrant: The link between your claim and supporting evidence, or the warrant (which calls for you to disclose your presumptions to avoid misunderstandings clearly).
4. Backing: further proof to back up your assertion.
5. Qualifier: The boundaries of your own claim, including any concessions, qualify you.
6. Rebuttal: responding to counterarguments and objections to your assertion.

Rogerian

When to use it: showing both sides of an argument as valid or when presenting to a mixed audience.

The Rogerian method is a compromise strategy in which you accept the legitimacy of both your thesis and the arguments put forward by your opponent. It's the most courteous and least confrontational, which aids in persuading people who oppose your main argument. Formally, it has the following five steps:

1. Introduce the problem.
2. Explain your opponent’s perspective first. Validate their points when correct.
3. Explain your perspective.
4. Bring both sides together. Present a middle ground where both viewpoints coexist.
5. Conclude your (balanced) argument.

How To Write An Argumentative Essay: The Writing Process

Argumentative essays adhere to the same suggested writing procedure as other types of writing, but they place a greater focus on planning and research. An outline of how to modify the procedure for argumentative essays is provided below:

1. Brainstorming: Use the preceding suggestions to help you come up with a strong thesis if the assignment does not supply your argument.
2. Preparing: Getting ready involves gathering all the information needed for your essay and creating an outline. Argumentative essays require proof, so give yourself ample time to gather as much evidence as possible. This is also an excellent moment to plan your essay, including when and how to address opposing views.
3. Drafting: Compose an essay in its preliminary form. Any information and direct quotes should be included as soon as feasible, particularly in argumentative essays that frequently reference other sources.
4. Editing: Make final edits to your rough text, maximize word choice, and, if needed, rearrange your arguments. Make sure the language you use is acceptable and obvious for the reader and that you have expressed all of your points and rebuttals clearly.
5. Proofreading: Review your work and pay close attention to any errors. If you're unsure about your diction or grammar, consult professionals or use web resources.

It's unnecessary, but it always helps to receive a second opinion before submitting your essays. Check to see if you can persuade your friends with your argument!

Conclusion

In conclusion, argumentative essays are powerful for persuading readers to adopt a particular viewpoint. By providing logical arguments and supporting facts, writers can demonstrate the validity of their thesis beyond a shadow of a doubt. The success of an argumentative essay hinges on its structure, and there are various formats to choose from depending on the complexity of the topic and the writer's goals. Whether using a five-paragraph essay or a more sophisticated structure, always provide ample evidence and refute opposing viewpoints to make your argument as strong as possible.

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