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Argumentative Essays

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What is an argumentative essay?

The argumentative essay is a genre of writing that requires the student to investigate a topic; collect, generate, and evaluate evidence; and establish a position on the topic in a concise manner.

Please note : Some confusion may occur between the argumentative essay and the expository essay. These two genres are similar, but the argumentative essay differs from the expository essay in the amount of pre-writing (invention) and research involved. The argumentative essay is commonly assigned as a capstone or final project in first year writing or advanced composition courses and involves lengthy, detailed research. Expository essays involve less research and are shorter in length. Expository essays are often used for in-class writing exercises or tests, such as the GED or GRE.

Argumentative essay assignments generally call for extensive research of literature or previously published material. Argumentative assignments may also require empirical research where the student collects data through interviews, surveys, observations, or experiments. Detailed research allows the student to learn about the topic and to understand different points of view regarding the topic so that she/he may choose a position and support it with the evidence collected during research. Regardless of the amount or type of research involved, argumentative essays must establish a clear thesis and follow sound reasoning.

The structure of the argumentative essay is held together by the following.

  • A clear, concise, and defined thesis statement that occurs in the first paragraph of the essay.

In the first paragraph of an argument essay, students should set the context by reviewing the topic in a general way. Next the author should explain why the topic is important ( exigence ) or why readers should care about the issue. Lastly, students should present the thesis statement. It is essential that this thesis statement be appropriately narrowed to follow the guidelines set forth in the assignment. If the student does not master this portion of the essay, it will be quite difficult to compose an effective or persuasive essay.

  • Clear and logical transitions between the introduction, body, and conclusion.

Transitions are the mortar that holds the foundation of the essay together. Without logical progression of thought, the reader is unable to follow the essay’s argument, and the structure will collapse. Transitions should wrap up the idea from the previous section and introduce the idea that is to follow in the next section.

  • Body paragraphs that include evidential support.

Each paragraph should be limited to the discussion of one general idea. This will allow for clarity and direction throughout the essay. In addition, such conciseness creates an ease of readability for one’s audience. It is important to note that each paragraph in the body of the essay must have some logical connection to the thesis statement in the opening paragraph. Some paragraphs will directly support the thesis statement with evidence collected during research. It is also important to explain how and why the evidence supports the thesis ( warrant ).

However, argumentative essays should also consider and explain differing points of view regarding the topic. Depending on the length of the assignment, students should dedicate one or two paragraphs of an argumentative essay to discussing conflicting opinions on the topic. Rather than explaining how these differing opinions are wrong outright, students should note how opinions that do not align with their thesis might not be well informed or how they might be out of date.

  • Evidential support (whether factual, logical, statistical, or anecdotal).

The argumentative essay requires well-researched, accurate, detailed, and current information to support the thesis statement and consider other points of view. Some factual, logical, statistical, or anecdotal evidence should support the thesis. However, students must consider multiple points of view when collecting evidence. As noted in the paragraph above, a successful and well-rounded argumentative essay will also discuss opinions not aligning with the thesis. It is unethical to exclude evidence that may not support the thesis. It is not the student’s job to point out how other positions are wrong outright, but rather to explain how other positions may not be well informed or up to date on the topic.

  • A conclusion that does not simply restate the thesis, but readdresses it in light of the evidence provided.

It is at this point of the essay that students may begin to struggle. This is the portion of the essay that will leave the most immediate impression on the mind of the reader. Therefore, it must be effective and logical. Do not introduce any new information into the conclusion; rather, synthesize the information presented in the body of the essay. Restate why the topic is important, review the main points, and review your thesis. You may also want to include a short discussion of more research that should be completed in light of your work.

A complete argument

Perhaps it is helpful to think of an essay in terms of a conversation or debate with a classmate. If I were to discuss the cause of World War II and its current effect on those who lived through the tumultuous time, there would be a beginning, middle, and end to the conversation. In fact, if I were to end the argument in the middle of my second point, questions would arise concerning the current effects on those who lived through the conflict. Therefore, the argumentative essay must be complete, and logically so, leaving no doubt as to its intent or argument.

The five-paragraph essay

A common method for writing an argumentative essay is the five-paragraph approach. This is, however, by no means the only formula for writing such essays. If it sounds straightforward, that is because it is; in fact, the method consists of (a) an introductory paragraph (b) three evidentiary body paragraphs that may include discussion of opposing views and (c) a conclusion.

Longer argumentative essays

Complex issues and detailed research call for complex and detailed essays. Argumentative essays discussing a number of research sources or empirical research will most certainly be longer than five paragraphs. Authors may have to discuss the context surrounding the topic, sources of information and their credibility, as well as a number of different opinions on the issue before concluding the essay. Many of these factors will be determined by the assignment.

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How To Write Argumentative Essays

  • Essay Writing Lower Secondary

How To Write Argumentative Essays

In an argumentative essay, you take a clear stand on a topic and defend it throughout your essay. As your school teachers would have reminded you umpteenth times, you must support this stand with well-reasoned arguments.

Each argument must be backed by sound evidence and is best structured using the PEEL template—Point, Elaboration, Evidence, Link—for clarity and a strong persuasive impact.

But that is not all! A mature response also examines opposing viewpoints. By addressing and rebutting these counter-arguments, you demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the subject and reinforce your own position. You should structure your essay in a manner that will best strengthen your stand. 

In this article, we delve into:

  • What makes argumentative writing challenging
  • How to identify an argumentative topic
  • Argumentative and discursive—the difference
  • Argumentative essay formats or structures
  • The brainstorming process
  • Crafting compelling introductions
  • Writing effective body paragraphs and rebuttals
  • Concluding your essay with impact
  • Preparing for argumentative essay topics

This article provides you with practical strategies to enhance your argumentative essay writing skills. So, continue reading as we explore these critical elements!

But before you go on reading… You might want to download a pdf copy of this article as it is quite long!

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1. What Makes Argumentative Writing Challenging?

The key challenge lies in striking the right balance between being persuasive and remaining objective. Even as you try to convince your readers, it’s crucial to keep an objective tone. You must think critically, convince readers without bias, and argue persuasively.

Let’s not sugarcoat it—argumentative writing isn’t for weaker writers.

Checklist

Here’s what to consider before tackling an argumentative essay in an exam:

  • Do you understand every aspect of the question?
  • Can you develop two to three strong, evidence-supported arguments?
  • Are you familiar with the opposing viewpoints?
  • Do you have a well-thought-out rebuttal to these opposing viewpoints?
  • And finally, are you able to plan and execute all this in under 55 minutes?

If you’ve checked off these points and feel confident, you’re ready to dive into argumentative writing with both feet. Let’s get you prepped!

2. How do I Identify an Argumentative Topic?

The first step is recognising when you’re dealing with an argumentative topic. Let’s examine some examples from past papers to clarify this crucial step:

  • “Schools should teach practical skills such as cooking and managing our finances.” Do you agree? Why or why not? (2023, O-Level)
  • “All you need to succeed in life is a positive attitude.” How far would you agree? (2023, O-Level)
  • “Young people spend so much time thinking about the future that they forget to enjoy the present.” How far do you agree? (2022, O-Level)
  • “People today are far too easily persuaded to spend money on things they don’t need.” Do you agree that advertising has made us wasteful? (2022, O-Level)
  • “A happy person is a healthy person.” How far would you agree? (2021, O-Level)

Evidently, the phrase “Do you agree?” is a clear marker of an argumentative prompt. However, not all argumentative questions will have this signpost. For instance:

  • Do electronic devices, such as tablets or smart phones, help or hinder students in their studies? (2015, O-Level)
  • Parents often believe that it is better to be safe than sorry. Do you consider young people to be too protected? (2013, O-Level)

3. Argumentative and Discursive—What’s the Difference?

In our previous blog article ” How to Write a Discursive Essay for O-Levels “, we established that the term “Expository” is an umbrella term—discursive writing and argumentative writing both fall under the genre of expository writing.

In other words, argumentative writing and discursive writing are different kinds of expository essays with different characteristics.

Argumentative : you are required to pick a stand. Your purpose is to persuade and convince the reader to agree with your stand. Do not sit on the fence!

Discursive :    you are not required to pick a position, as most discursive essay topics ask “What is your opinion?” or “What are your views?”. Nevertheless, you’re still required to present a balanced discussion by addressing the issue from different perspectives.

Difference

4. What is the Best Format for an Argumentative Essay?

There is no hard and fast rule when it comes to writing, but adopting a structured approach can be very useful especially when you’re grappling with time constraints. Here is a useful template you can adopt. You won’t go wrong using the following format or structure:

Format

5. How do I Brainstorm Content for an Argumentative Essay?

Brainstorm

Need a brainstorming framework? Try thinking in these terms:

Multi-Domain :

Examine your topic through various lenses to capture a wide spectrum of ideas. Consider how it impacts domains such as social, technological, educational, environmental, ethical, and political.

Multi-Scale :

Consider multiple scales—think of individual, national and international  levels. And don’t just stop there! You can also consider how an issue might be relevant to the individual in physical, mental, and emotional aspects.

Now that the brainstorming is done, let’s start working on the writing.

6. Writing the Introduction for an Argumentative Essay

An effective introduction begins with a hook, and there are several different ways you can hook your reader. You can start with a thought-provoking question, a famous quote, an interesting fact, or simply a general observation regarding the issue. It could be an observation about societal attitudes regarding the issue!

Then from the general, funnel down to the specific: address both sides of the essay question at hand. And don’t forget to include your thesis statement in the last line of your introduction!

Intro

You can ask yourself these questions to help craft your intro:

  • Are there any keywords I need to define?
  • Has this issue been a hot topic recently?
  • Why am I picking this stand?
  • Why do detractors of my stand believe otherwise?
  • Do I agree with the statement entirely?
  • If not, to what extent (limited, certain, large) do I agree with it?

Now, you’re on your way to writing a solid introduction. Here’s a sample introduction to the essay we’ve brainstormed earlier:

7. Writing the Body Paragraphs for an Argumentative Essay

Refer to the suggested essay format (point 4) and you’ll see that the argumentative essay should contain three body paragraphs. Let’s focus on the two kinds of paragraphs you’ll need in an argumentative essay:

  • Supporting reason paragraph
  • Counter-argument (opposing viewpoint) + Rebuttal paragraph

A supporting reason paragraph can use the same PEEL structure you find in discursive writing. Start by introducing the POINT in your topic sentence (the first sentence of your body paragraph), ELABORATE on the point, then support with EVIDENCE or EXAMPLES , and lastly, LINK back to your topic sentence. You can refer to the explanation in detail here .

Paragraph

So in this article, we’ll address what is perhaps the more challenging paragraph type: the counter-argument + rebuttal paragraph.

Do you struggle with crafting this? If so, don’t fret; you’re not alone. Let us break it down for you.

Firstly, what is a counter-argument?

A counter-argument, to put it simply, is an opposing viewpoint, a point that does not support your stand. It is made by your opponents, people who disagree with your stand. Many students introduce their counter-argument with the phrase “Critics may argue that…” and this phrase has become somewhat of a cliché.

Some teachers may also deem the term “critics” as too generic and vague. So, if you can, name a specific stakeholder that might hold this opposing viewpoint. For instance, you can use “teachers”, “parents”, et cetera to replace the word “critics”.

And what is a rebuttal?

A rebuttal is a point which refutes, challenges, or weakens the counter-argument. It serves to prove that the counter-argument is, in some instances, flawed. You can ask yourself the following question: “under what circumstance is the counter-argument not true?”

Warning

Bear in mind! When writing a rebuttal:

  • Don’t introduce a new, distinct point
  • Don’t rebut with fallacious claims that cannot be backed up
  • Don’t rebut points that are clearly valid and logical

In instances where your opponents’ point is valid, do not attempt to refute—this makes you appear illogical! Instead, you can concede that your opponent makes a valid point; then your rebuttal involves attempting to weaken this point in some manner. 

Here is an example to illustrate what we mean by this. Let’s assume that our stand is “I can only agree to a limited extent that a happy person is a healthy person.”

To improve the persuasiveness of your rebuttal, you should provide more elaboration for your rebuttal than for the counter-argument and use examples or evidence to strengthen your rebuttal.

A coherent counter-argument + rebuttal paragraph could be structured as such:

Rebuttal

  • Present counter-argument
  • Elaborate : why detractors say this
  • Point for my rebuttal
  • Elaborate : why I say this
  • Evidence to bolster my Point
  • Link : reinforce my rebuttal

Argumentative Essay Example:

8. writing the conclusion for an argumentative essay.

Summarising your arguments is not the only way to wrap up your essay! Be creative and experiment with different ways to end with a bang.  

Conclusion

For instance, you can demonstrate maturity of thought by providing insight to this issue. Another approach  is to come full circle by referencing your introduction. However, it’s crucial to avoid introducing brand new points or simply repeating your opening statements.

Instead, consider revisiting the key themes or ideas introduced in the beginning and showing how they have evolved or been reinforced throughout your essay. Remember our opening question? Consider referencing that in your conclusion:

9. What Argumentative Essay Topics Should I be Prepared for?

While we can’t magically predict the exact questions you’ll face in your exams, we’ve lined up a list of essay topic examples related to commonly-tested themes. 

Topics

Go ahead and pick any of these essay examples to practice. Ask yourself how you feel about these argumentative essay topics; brainstorm arguments for and against the statements. It doesn’t matter if you’re for or against them; what really counts is how solidly you back up your opinion!

Essay Topics – Youth and Education

  • Youth today are less resilient than previous generations. Do you agree?
  • Do you think parents should be allowed to monitor their children’s online activities?
  • Young people today do not truly care about the environment. How far do you agree?
  • Schools should focus more on teaching practical life skills than academic subjects. Do you agree?
  • Online learning can be just as effective as learning in a traditional classroom. Do you agree?
  • To what extent do you agree that schools adequately prepare students for adulthood?
  • Creativity cannot be taught. To what extent do you think this is true?
  • The emphasis on academic excellence undermines the quality of education. Do you agree?

Essay Topics – Media and Technology:

  • Social media is a waste of time. Do you agree?
  • Modern technology is leading to social isolation. Do you think this is true?
  • Technology has made us lazy. To what extent do you agree?
  • The most powerful element in advertising is truth. How far do you agree?
  • To what extent do you agree that teenagers are more influenced by the media than by their parents?
  • The portrayal of addiction in media often does more harm than good. Do you agree?

Essay Topics – Economics and Success:

  • Everyone can be successful if they work hard enough. Do you agree?
  • Competition brings out the worst in people. Do you agree?
  • Is a university degree essential for success in today’s job market?
  • Is determination more crucial than talent when it comes to being successful?
  • Creativity is a necessary ingredient of success. How far do you agree?

Essay Topics – Philosophical Issues:

  • Free speech is always a good thing. How far do you agree?
  • Do you think money will always bring happiness?
  • All fear is useless. Do you agree?
  • Do you think that all criminals deserve a second chance?
  • Ignorance is a dangerous thing. To what extent do you agree?
  • People who overcome adversity can only change for the better. Do you agree?

Tackling an argumentative essay topic is no mean feat, and the argumentative writing skills you develop now will serve you well beyond the classroom. The ability to see both sides of an issue not only makes you a better essayist but also a more empathetic and informed person.

We hope this article has provided you with some insight and clarity!  Continue to practise, stay curious, and always be ready to explore new perspectives. Good luck!

You might want to download a pdf copy of this article for future reference!

See more related articles and information on Writing Samurai:

  • 9 Tips For English Summary Writing
  • Benefits of Secondary English Tuition
  • Model Compositions for Primary School Students
  • Free Picture Compositions for Writing
  • A Guide On How to Write Discursive Essays
  • Past O-Level Essays and Questions

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