How To Write an Argumentative Essay: Create a Powerful Argument
Argumentative essays exercise one’s critical thinking. It helps students perform an in-depth investigation of certain issues and ideas before making judgments. It also develops one’s persuasion skills by presenting arguments logically and validly. So, how to write an argumentative essay effectively? Take note of all the steps that you must do first, starting from investigating the topic to collecting, generating, and evaluating pieces of evidence to establish your position on the topic.
You need to do extensive research for an argumentative essay by looking at various literature and published materials. Try using different argument strategies, such as the classical argument strategy or the Toulmin strategy, to help guide you in your format and goal. For more information, read the following guidelines below on how to write an argumentative essay.
Step by Step Process in Writing an Argumentative Essay
1. Find a Good Topic
If your professors give you the freedom to use your own topic, try to choose something that interests you. Topics for this type of essay can be found anywhere. You can look at the headlines of a newspaper, listen to the news on the radio, or watch news shows on television. Here’s a good list of argumentative essay topics by New York Times. List down your choices and narrow them down by asking questions: is it true (fact)? How important is this news (value)? What might have caused this, and what are the effects? (cause and effect)? What should we do about this (policy)? What does it mean (definition)?
Once you figured out your final topic, list down strong points for both sides of the argument. Shape your argument in a way that is reasonable and logical by gathering evidence. Finally, pick your side of the issue and pick the one you feel strongly about.
2. Gather Evidence
To prove that your position is true and the other side is not, you must gather evidence for both. Presenting strong evidence solely on your side is not advisable as you need to gather enough sources to convince readers that the other side’s statements are not the best stance. Remember to stick to facts and avoid flowery statements and drama. Data and statistics can help support your reasoning, and interviewing experts can aid you in writing a convincing argumentative structure.
3. Write the Argumentative Essay
For the introduction of your essay, state your main subject and explain them thoroughly first. Next, present the controversies surrounding this subject; this is where you mention both sides of the topic. Third, end your introduction with your thesis statement or your side of the argument.
The body is the section where you will explain why they should agree or consider your thesis statement. This should also contain your reasons why you are objecting to the other side of the argument. Support both with the evidence you’ve gathered.
Summarize your perspective in conclusion and why your readers should adopt your stance. You should also anticipate objections in your conclusion.
Conclusion
In the end, bear in mind all the dos and don’ts on how to write an argumentative essay. Always follow assignment guidelines, take your citations seriously, attribute your ideas to your sources, organize your paper logically, and do proofreading. Follow all the guidelines, and you will ace your essay.