Table of Contents
Introduction to Argumentative Essay Writing
Argumentative essay writing, in a nutshell, is about persuading or convincing readers about a certain point of view through facts and reasoning. Contrary to popular belief, argumentative essays are not about charged language with emotional tone and voice. They are objective to their core and do the convincing by developing sound arguments and then backing them through empirical evidence.
Writers use different approaches to develop and prove their arguments, including the Classical approach, also called Aristotelian, Toulmin, and Rogerian. The former is commonly used by students in schools and colleges because it is the easiest.
There are three major types of argumentative essays Persuasive essays, analysis essays, and research papers. They are all written in academia based on the level, scope, and depth of a problem and the academic understanding of the writer.Â
An argumentative essay is recognized by its rigid structure, objective approach, and reliance on proofs and citations to develop and validate an argument.
Elements of An Argumentative Essay
A thesis statement is an integral part of any essay, but it has a special place in argumentative essay writing. It is a summary of the writer’s stance about a problem or an issue that is discussed in the essay. Again, instead of being subjective and opined, it is rather objective and based on sound arguments. Writers need to state it in the opening of the essay so that readers can know what is the stance of the writer. The ideal place is at the closing of the introductory paragraph.
Contrary to other writing styles, argumentative essays need to cover the reader’s persona. Since the writing is about convincing and persuading readers about a belief or point of view, the audience of the essay constitutes an element in the bigger scheme of things. While writing the essay, writers should consider the reader’s persona in mind so that they can go to the appropriate lengths and depths of the arguments and proofs to make a point. This is most common in argumentative essays so it makes a distinguishing mark on the essay.
Exigence may seem like an alien word for students in schools and colleges, but the meaning and application are far from it. Exigence is about providing an environment to the readers where they become better receptive to the main argument or postulate. This is where the utility of an introduction comes to the fore. An introduction is often opened with a hook and then provides the background information about the problem before moving on to the main body of the essay. So, the opening is where the writers can achieve that.
As the name indicates, this element is about providing concrete evidence and proof for the arguments and stance. Argumentative essays are about basing the personal stances or positions of the writers on facts and then covering the foundations of those arguments with citations and references from credible sources. There is no point in writing an argumentative essay if a writer does not have support and material evidence to support the claims. Usually, support comes from because statements that not only identify the stance but provide prompt support to the argument
Reasoning is another crucial element of argumentative essays. It covers the response to the hypothetical challenge and the “proof” that the writer provides through logic and mathematical reasoning. Many writers struggle with reasoning, finding a proper place for it, or how to expound it for a better impact. Also, reasoning should not be confused with a thesis statement which is only one in an essay. However, reasons can be multiple to support various sub-claims throughout the essay. If you are having a hard time identifying reasoning in an argumentative essay, look for statements that were answering the “but why” questions.
An argumentative essay is not about arguing about a claim for what it is but also about what it is not. This may seem confusing to novice writers but we will explain it to help them understand better. Rebuttals are the answers to objections and challenges in the essay. While explaining an argument, it is necessary to anticipate these objections and claims and ensure that they are taken care of in the body. By covering the objections and their answers, you will be able to further tighten your arguments and stance.
How To Write An Argumentative Paragraph
Argumentative essays are written in schools and colleges to gauge the research and writing skills of the students. For the same issue, academic institutions also employ paragraph writing. Since we have gone through the mechanics and dynamics of essay writing, let us go through that of paragraph writing.
An argumentative paragraph is a miniature of an argumentative essay. It shares the same features and elements with the grander counterpart but it has a limit of words and space. central main premise and format remain the same.
In this light, the highlights of writing an argumentative paragraph are as follows:
- Introducing and developing an essay question
- Providing support and evidence for the answer or argument
- Covering rebuttals and objections to strengthen the argument
Structure of An Argumentative Essay
This is where the argumentative essay starts. The opening sentences are often molded and styled in such a way that they grab the readers’ attention. These are called hooks and they can be different types of sentences or statements, including a question, a statistic, a bold statement, or a fact. Make sure that the hook is relevant to the main claim or topic of the essay. After the hook, writers have the space to cover some ground in the form of context or exigence.
The main body is the bulk of an argumentative essay. It covers the arguments and their evidential information through an even and balanced picture for the readers. Since there is only a single argument in a persuasive essay, it needs to have several sub-claims and evidence to that. In a typical essay structure, the main body covers three paragraphs, this is usually ample to develop arguments and then provide support and rebuttals. After connecting the dots in the main body, this section transitions into the conclusion.
This is another important part of an essay. It is where all the loose ends are tied and sign off the essay on a higher note. In the case of argumentative writing, writers need to cover all the main ideas in the body but they should reiterate them in this section. The best way to do so is to summarize them logically and then rely on one-liners and catchy sentences to make them more memorable for the readers. This section should be well-planned and executed.
F.A.Q
What are the 4 main elements of argumentative essays in schools and colleges?
There is a debate regarding the major parts or components of an argumentative essay. In essence, it is no point in contesting the stance with simple evidence or proof. So, here are the four main components of argumentative essays:
- Question
- Claim
- Evidence
- Counter-claims
How can you describe the three main parts of an argumentative essay?
Like other essays, argumentative essays follow a rigid structure with elements and traits combined to convey the message. The text of the essay is based on facts and that is the main point of the essay.
Here is a rundown of the major sections in an argumentative essay:
- Opening
- Main Body
- Closing
How can I ideally structure an argumentative essay?
Argumentative and expository essays need a lot of research and reasoning to stay afloat. This is the essence of the structure and formatting of an argumentative essay. The best way to structure an essay is to research and outline at the same time. This way, writers can understand the depth and scope of the essay without stumbling across roadblocks.
What is the format of an argumentative paragraph?
An argumentative paragraph follows the same format as that an essay. It has three sections to form and explain an argument. The opening should have the hook and the question that will be answered in the text. The body should cover the evidential information to support the claims. The concluding sentences should tie it all up.
What are the 2 common argumentative essay formats?
Depending on the subject matter and scope of the topic, two common argumentative essay formats are used by the writers. One is block structure where all the arguments or questions are covered in a single paragraph while the evidence is stated separately. The other is a chain structure where each argument or sub-claim is followed by the necessary evidence.
Conclusion
Argumentative essay writing is about symmetry and structure. Experts also prescribe that these essays are as good as the arguments they are based on. This is true to a great extent as writers need to convince and persuade the readers to agree with their stances. In this post, we have covered the major elements of an argumentative essay, its structure with major sections, and then top it all off by answering frequently asked questions. In addition to this, we have also dedicated a section to teach students how to write an argumentative paragraph.Â
We aim to furnish students in schools and colleges to learn the art and craft of argumentative essay writing. But if they are not up for the task, we can help them with custom argumentative essays!
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